Tretinoin (Tret) — What You Need to Know

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We may call it Tretinoin or Tret—they’re the same thing. It’s one of the most effective ingredients in skincare and is a key part of your protocol.

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💊 Tret Comes in Different Strengths

We typically use 0.05% or 0.1%, depending on your skin’s needs.
Your protocol will tell you exactly which one to use, and how much.

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IMPORTANT:
Always use the exact Tret brand and strength listed in your protocol.
Not all Tret is made the same—even if the percentage looks similar.

• Different brands have different ingredients and different delivery systems.

• Even when it's compounded at a pharmacy, the texture, absorption, and results can vary.

• Your protocol was designed using a specific Tret source to give you the best results.

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Success is in the details. Stick with what’s prescribed.

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🌟 What Tretinoin Does for Your Skin

Tret works by speeding up how fast your skin cells turn over.
It basically trains your skin to act young again.

Here’s what that means for you:

• Fewer fine lines and wrinkles

• Smoother, more even skin tone

• Brighter, healthier glow

• Less pigmentation and discoloration

• Helps with acne, rosacea, and texture issues

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🔁 Tretinoin vs. Retinol — What’s the Difference?

Tret is the strongest, prescription version of a Vitamin A derivative.
Retinol is a gentler, over-the-counter version.

Retinol has to go through two conversions inside the skin to become active, while Tret is already active and works right away.

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That’s why Tret is faster and more effective—but also more likely to cause temporary reactions if you don’t use it properly.

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🩺 Medical Grade Skincare vs. OTC Products

The products in your protocol are medical grade, which means:

• They’re made with higher-quality ingredients

• They go deeper into the skin

• They’re tested for real results

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Most store-bought products are made to just sit on the surface.
Medical grade changes how your skin works—safely and effectively.

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☀️ Should I Stop Tret in the Summer?

NO. Please don’t.
This is one of the biggest myths out there.

Yes, Tret makes your skin more sun-sensitive—but that’s because it’s creating baby skin.
That’s the goal. You want young, fresh skin? Then treat it like young, fresh skin.

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Stopping in summer:

• Slows cell turnover

• Increases aging

• Brings back pigment, texture, and breakouts

• Unwinds the progress you’ve made

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Keep using it. Just be sun-smart:

• Wear sunscreen daily

• Reapply often

• Wear hats

• Treat your skin like you would a baby’s at the beach

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You don’t need to avoid the sun—you just need to protect your skin from it.

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🚫 Can I Use Tret Forever?

Yes. And you should.

There’s no need to stop once your skin acclimates. In fact, once your skin adjusts, that’s when the real magic starts to happen.

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We might change your dosage from corrective to maintenance later on:

• You may use the same strength, just less often

• Or we might lower the strength depending on your skin’s needs

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But long-term use is safe if you follow your full protocol.

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🔥 Why Some People Can’t Handle Tret

Most people who “can’t tolerate” Tret were never using proper barrier support.

Tret is powerful—and without the right support products, it can damage your barrier and cause chronic inflammation instead of helping your skin.

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That’s why we are strict about your protocol:

• Use all your products

• Use the exact number of pumps

• Never run out

• Never skip

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🧴 How to Apply Tret the Right Way

Your protocol will tell you:

• Whether to use Tret alone

• Or mix it with another product.  If we say to mix it with another product, it’s important to MIX it BEFORE applying to the face.

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No guessing. Follow it exactly.

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Application tips:

• Use the dot method: Dot on forehead, cheeks, chin—then gently rub in

• Apply only to the face and under the chin

• Avoid: eyes, corners of mouth, sides of nose, neck

• Wash hands thoroughly after

• Wait 30 minutes before bed—don’t touch your face, phone, or pillow

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Do NOT use it on any other body part.
Your prescription is dosed just for your face. Using it anywhere else means you’ll run out and it won’t work on your face—or anywhere.

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⚠️ Totally Normal Side Effects

Expect this! These are signs your skin is adjusting:

• Redness

• Dryness

• Flaking or peeling

• Burning or stinging

• Itching

• Sensitivity to other products

• Breakouts (called purging)

• Feeling flush-especially at the end of the day

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This is all normal. DO NOT STOP.
Stopping and restarting only resets the reaction phase and delays your results.

Your skin will adjust—some in 4 weeks, others in 6–8 months. Everyone is different.

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🧪 Barrier Support = Success

If you skip your other products, you risk chronic inflammation, which slows results and damages your skin.

When you follow the full protocol, we’re creating short-term (acute) inflammation, which is exactly what makes your skin improve.

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👕 What About My Neck or Chest?

If you want to treat your neck, chest, or other areas, use Retaxome from our online store—not your prescription Tret.

Here’s how:

• Double cleanse and tone as you always do AM and PM.

• Apply Hydrinity Encore AM and PM daily.
• Apply Hydrinity Retaxome 3x per week, once a day.  Increase slowly every 2–3 weeks until you’re using it daily​

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✅ Bottom Line:

Tret is one of the best tools we have to transform your skin—but only if you use it exactly as directed.

Follow your protocol. Don’t skip. Don’t swap.

This is how we get lasting, visible change.

We’ve got you—and your skin is worth it.