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 😒
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!