I have been on tretinoin for a while, and now that I have increased the % at the recommendation of my derm I am flakey as hell. I am looking for a GENTLE physical exfoliant, preferably something that isn’t a face wash type thing since my skin hates everything and breaks out even if the water changes 😒
Been using those (Italy/Japanese/Korean/<insert random country>) nylon exfoliating clothes/towels off Amazon. Three pack usually lasts me a year or two. Previously was using some Shea butter + sugar mix but it wasn’t cost effective.
I’m a middle aged dude who just like a good scrub, so take with a grain of salt, but it works for me. Use them for my face, bald head, and body in the shower.
I have found oil cleansers to be THE savior when it comes to getting rid of flaky skin. They are usually very gentle. If a physical exfoliant is the only option then I agree with @CorbinDallas that konjac sponges are excellent!
I use these silicone face exfoliators that I bought 2 years ago, it’s a pack of 4 and I’m still using my first one. Gentle and does the job. I pair it with a mild facewash.
Also, if you’re really flaky, you might want to up your moisturizer game.
I use hyaluronic acid and Cetaphil moisturizing cream over the normal moisturizer now, Cetaphil is one of the new brands that doesn’t break me out. CeraVe is a huge no for me dawg, cysts everywhere. Let me know if you have any other recommendations that are more moisturizing that I could try.
I’m using Cetaphil as well, I used to love Cerave but it makes my face burn now using tret.
I was finding Auquafor on occasion was really nice, though its heavier/greasy so I wouldn’t wear it out of the house. Also it contains lanolin which doesn’t agree with some people. There’s the Cerave healing ointment as well, which is not like their moisturizer, but like Auquafor without the lanolin. I have both and use both but very occasionally as I’m always concerned they might break me out but. They’re really great for boosting moisture though.
I don’t do it very often, but when I do, I’m partial to konjac sponges that are softened with water first and then very gently use it to slough off dry skin from tret.
I have a few things that I like for physical exfoliation. Most evenings I wash my face in the sink with a soft washcloth, so that’s my basic exfoliation. If I need something more I’m a big fan of dermologica microfoliant. It’s a fine powder that very gently scrubs your face (I use face wash afterwards). Since that’s mostly rice powder I’ve also used rice flour as a cheap alternative. It’s more scrubby and doesn’t foam, but it’s so cheap it’s become my go to. I also find that many masks are just a bit scrubby so those can work too. I like sulfur ointment as a mask, it’s gritty so that scrubs my face just enough (plus sulfur helps acne). Clay masks can also be a little bit exfoliating, but those are more drying.
I have seen my skin improve after reducing physical exfoliation in most places almost competently. On the rare occasion that I physically exfoliate my face, I just use my hands in the shower to rub dead skin off. It’s surprisingly effective and gentle. I also use fleece cotton rounds to remove makeup and this is also exfoliating. I use retinols, which do a much better and gentler job for my skin issues.
For my elbows, legs, booty, I still scrub with a washcloth in the shower with a hydrating soap, no need to be gentle there. Elsewhere on the body, I gently use a washcloth to soap up, but I am not scrubbing like I did before.
BTW, tretinoin is a god-send for my skin issues, but YES it makes you crazy flaky! I know it is frustrating, but please remember to be gentle with your skin so it doesn’t get more angry! Good luck!
