I started tretinoin on **19 June** (first photo), and the second photo is my skin today.  
The dryness hit me *hard* at first, but I pushed through it. and now i think i’m in the “purge” . At the moment, I’m using tret every few days rather than on a strict schedule. I mainly base it on how my skin is feeling and whether my skin barrier seems okay. My routine honestly varies a bit depending on what my skin needs.

Looking back at these photos, I didn’t realise how much worse my acne and scarring had become until I compared them side by side. Is this amount of purging normal? Should I stick with tret or is this a sign I should stop? Does anything in my routine stand out as a problem? Is there anything I should add or remove that could help? 

I genuinely didn’t realise how bad the purge had gotten until I looked at these photos. (What doesn’t help is my skin scars incredibly easily. Whether I pick a pimple or leave it alone, if my skin breaks at all, it almost always leaves a mark.)

**Current routine:**  
**AM**  
Rinse with water only.  
Thayers Hydrating Milky Toner (only if I need extra hydration before makeup).  
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturising Lotion.  
The Ordinary 100% Squalane Oil (if I’m flaky).  
SKIN1004 Centella SPF50+.

**PM**  
SKIN1004 Centella Oil Cleanser.  
Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser.  
The Ordinary 100% Squalane Oil.  
CeraVe PM.  
Tretinoin every few days (depending on how my skin is tolerating it).  
Cicaplast Baume B5+ on tret nights and whenever my skin feels dry.

**On non-tret mornings/nights:**  
VT Cica Reedle Shot 100.  
Mediheal Madecassoside Blemish Pads.

The purge is honestly becoming unbearable. I’d really appreciate any advice from people who’ve been through this.

6 weeks on tretinoin and my skin is worse than ever.