klemptor

Hey friends. I've recently realized that what I thought were freckles is actually melasma, and my dermatologist has prescribed me tretinoin for it. I have very pale skin, generally normal in the winter and a little oilier in the T-zone during the summer, but it can dry out really badly with things like AHA. From what I've heard, tret is pretty drying. My dermatologist recommended that I start with applying it only two nights a week, and using a pea-sized amount mixed into my moisturizer. I use the Tatcha Water Cream moisturizer, which is pretty light and has been great for me, but with tret I'm wondering if I'll need a heavier moisturizer. I'm also worried that my usual double-cleansing will worsen the dryness from tret. I double-cleanse with an oil balm to remove my mineral sunblock, then with the Tatcha Rice Wash to get rid of the sunblock & oil balm residue. But I'm thinking the rice wash might be irritating because it's got a (mild) physical exfoliant, so maybe I need to find something else for my second cleanse?

Does anyone have any experiences to share about dryness on tret, or just starting tret in general? Anything I should be aware of? I'm weirdly nervous about it!

Today CheeseToastie created a new community for women's interests (makeup, women's health, skincare, whatever). I've agreed to share it around so if you're interested, come join us at [email protected]

Ladies, help me choose nail polish for a St Paddy's Day fest this weekend! I will be wearing all the tacky plastic shamrock shit the grocery store will sell me (plus green eyeshadow). Here are the contenders (from left to right):

ILNP - Reminisce
ILNP - 1UP
Cirque Colors - High Society
Cirque Colors - Mood Ring (magnetic)
Cirque Colors - Ethel
Orly - It's Not Rocket Science
Sinful Colors - Calypso

Which one should I go with?

A few weeks ago I posted that my greyhound Greta was in the hospital, and so many of you left such nice comments and well wishes - thank you! She's been back home for a couple weeks now and is doing great.

Here she is with her latest bandage (featuring a G💚 decoration because my vet's office is the best!):

My little old lady is in the doggo hospital right now (she will be fine) and I miss her and her sweet lil pointy face.

Please share pics of your dogs to cheer me up, especially if there are any grey owners here!

I've always had pretty nice, low-maintenance skin but now that I'm in my forties I find it needs extra attention. One thing I'd really like to improve is getting the glassy look. It seems like most women who achieve this are pretty young and/or on tret. I don't want to try tret because I'm very pale and already sun-sensitive. (At this point I've lost count of how many atypical things my dermatologist has lopped off, despite religiously using mineral sunscreen!)

My current skincare routine is here. It's definitely made a difference for me but I'm looking to refine it.

What can I tweak to get glass skin? Or is it even possible at my age without tret?