I just want to share that the Tret + Azelaic acid combo is possibly the best combo my skin has ever received.

I have had cystic acne since I was 12. I went through Doxycycline, Benzoyl, Tret (for active acne), Clyndamicin, and all the holistic avenues. I then did accutane at 18 for 2 months and had to stop because of the havoc it did to my body. However, the accutane did eliminate 99% of my cystic acne (i still get the occasional cyst atleast once to twice a year), but the topical bacterial acne I could never figure out.

I am 26 now! For the last 8 years I have been trying everything to get this bacterial acne figured out and I finally found it.

Just wanted to share this story because acne can be VERY hard to figure out. It took me nearly 14 years to finally achieve the skin I always yearned for.

I’m using Tret for my acne scars and Azelaic for Rosacea + Bacterial Acne/Comedones. Tret never really did anything for my active cysts, but it is working wonders for the years and years of scars I have left over. Also wanted to share that things might not work now but can work later down the road like Tret has done for me! 

First pic was right before I started Accutane (8 yrs ago), 2nd is what my skin looked like on and off for about 8 years(i would have months of no break outs and then bam, break out like this photo), and 3rd photo is today after starting my new Tret+azeleic acid journey (i get my normal one hormonal pimple every month)! 

I started Tret Cream in September 2025 and recently went up to .05% in March 2026 and added Azaleic Acid in March 2026. It’s still early back into my Tret journey but I’m so happy with what it has done so far.

These are the product I use: 

Morning:

Cleanser: La Roche Posay Mela B

Toner (kinda): Garnier Micellar Water +HA/Aloe

Serum: BOJ Milk Serum with Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid

Azaleic acid  

Moisturizer: Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream

SPF: Elta MD Clear 46+

Night: 

Cleanser: Bioderma Oil Face Wash & LPS Mela B

Toner: Garnier Micellar Water + HA/Aloe

Tretinoin 

Moisturizer: Dynasty Cream and LPS Cicaplast Gel (when needed) 

Tret .05% + Azelaic Acid combo