[Product Question] OTC Retinol as maintenance after 9 months on Retin-A Micro?

Beauty Tips For Body Care
Hi!Back in the summer of last year, I had some horrible, horrible acne and I started Retin-A Micro 0.1% and Minocycline. After 3-4 months of intense purging, the combo basically destroyed my acne and I stopped the antibiotics. Since then I have kept up with using the tretinoin because I am so scared of the acne coming back if I stop;it has been 9 months since I started using it.Initially I wanted to get off the retinoid ASAP because of how strong it was and all the peeling/irritation that came with it. Combined with my fear of the acne relapsing, I began trying to incorporate a BHA into my routine and I was hoping eventually I'd replace the retinoid with a AHA/BHA combo that would keep my acne away. However, I found that after incorporating a BHA slowly (was still using the Retin-AM), it caused more irritation, PIH, and bumpy skin, so I'm scraping that idea.As well, I have become kind of addicted to the results that tretinoin has produced especially back at the 6 month mark, my skin was so smooth and bright that I kept getting compliments on it (I am a guy!). Although the BHA has worsened my skin since then, I am looking to return to that stage.SO I am thinking of replacing the Retin-AM with a OTC Retinol such as the Ordinary's Retinol 1% or their Advanced 2% Retinoid. I was wondering if OTC retinol, which is a lot weaker than the tretinoin, would work as a maintenance to replace my current prescription retinoid and keep my acne away while brightening and smoothing my skin again? Would it also be less irritating than what I am currently using? And would I be going through another dreaded purging phase if I start the retinol right after my prescription runs out?OTC Retinol from the Ordinary brand would be helluva a lot cheaper and easier to get than AHA/BHA or prescription Retin-AM.I hope what I am asking makes sense! Thank you so much for your time!tl;dr Wanted to get off prescription Retin-A Micro ASAP because of irritation and wanting to keep my routine minimal, but fell in love with the acne-clearing and brightening/smoothing effects of retinoids, wondering if replacing it with OTC retinol would have similar effects but with less irritation? Also would I purge again after switching products?Routine (kind of basic and minimal because I am a guy and don't wear makeup):AMCerave in the TubSkin Aqua Moisturizing SunscreenPMCerave Foaming Facial CleanserRetin-A Micro (used to be every day, now every third day) or PC BHA 2% Liquid (I've taken this out, but I used to use it the day before using my Retin-AM, never the same day)Cerave in the Tub
Girls Blog 2015
Submitted by PlatinumPeanuts