The Exact Tretinoin Night Routine

I get asked about my tretinoin routine all the time, so I thought I would share exactly what I do, the products I use, and why I use them in this order. I’ve used Tretinoin for around a year now and it’s made a huge difference to my skin, but the routine I have today is not one I worked out overnight. It’s taken a lot of trial and error, changing products, learning what my skin can tolerate, and realizing that sometimes the best thing you can do is stop adding more.

I also want to make it very clear that just because this routine works for me doesn't mean it will work for everyone. Skincare is so personal! Even if someone has the same skin type as you, lives in the same climate, the same age, their skin may still react completely differently. What works really well for my skin could irritate someone else’s, so I would never suggest copying any routine without paying attention to how your own skin responds.

I also don’t think it’s strange if you don’t have a dermatologist helping you build your skincare routine. Not everyone has the time, money, or access to one, and most people are trying to figure things out themselves. I’ve spent years learning what works for me and what doesn’t, and this is the routine I’ve landed on because it keeps my skin clear, smooth, hydrated, and comfortable while using strong active ingredients.

Step 1: Then I Met You - Living Cleansing Balm

The first thing I do every evening is remove my makeup using the Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm. I wear makeup most days and I wear SPF every day, so I want to make sure I’m properly breaking everything down before I start cleansing my skin.

I’ve tried a lot of cleansing balms over the years, but this is one I keep coming back to because it removes makeup really well without leaving my skin feeling stripped. It melts through foundation, mascara, SPF, and long-wearing products quickly, but my skin still feels comfortable after I rinse it off. I don’t want my face to feel tight after cleansing, especially when I know I’m going to use Tretinoin later in the routine.

For me, this first step is really important because treatment products are only going to work properly if the skin is thoroughly clean. I don’t want any leftover makeup, SPF, or product buildup sitting on my skin before I apply anything else.