Tretinoin is often hailed as the holy grail for acne and anti-aging—but what if it's secretly working against your skin goals? In this episode, we're diving into the hidden truths about tretinoin and why many prescription formulas might be causing more harm than good. Before you hop on the tretinoin train, listen in to learn what your derm might not tell you, how to recognize purging vs. clogging, and discover acne-safe alternatives that actually work.

Podcast Highlights

• The Problem with Tretinoin Formulas: Why the inactive ingredients in prescription creams could be triggering breakouts.

• Purging vs. Clogging: How to tell if your skin is purging or if you're actually breaking out.

• Tretinoin + Other Products: What ingredients and treatments don't mix with tretinoin and what you might be missing out on.

• Acne-Safe Alternatives: Learn about gentler options like retinyl propionate, mandelic acid, and benzoyl peroxide.

• Tips for Tretinoin Users: How to introduce tretinoin slowly, minimize irritation, and avoid common mistakes.

Links Mentioned & References

• Read the blog on how to spot the difference between purging and reacting to a product: https://emmediane.com/blogs/skin-tips/navigating-new-product-breakouts-the-purging-phenomenon

• Dive deeper into the different types of vitamin A in episode 26 of Skin Theory: https://emmediane.com/blogs/skin-theory-podcast/26-retinol-myths-misconceptions-and-mistakes

• Pore-Clogging Ingredient Checker & List: https://emmediane.com/blogs/skin-tips/pore-clogging-ingredients

• Acne-Safe Tretinoin Alternatives:

• Pro-Retinol Serum (Retinyl propionate): https://emmediane.com/products/pro-retinol

• Clarifying Serum (Mandelic acid): https://emmediane.com/products/clarifying-serum

• Acne Eraser (Micronized benzoyl peroxide): https://emmediane.com/products/acne-eraser

• Build Your Perfect Skincare Routine: https://emmediane.com/pages/consultation?cnsltsrc=plpodcast

Special Offers

Have skin concerns or looking for help building a routine? Get a customized routine for FREE: https://emmediane.com/pages/consultation?cnsltsrc=plpodcast

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