I Audited My Dark Spot Routine (Tretinoin + Azelaic Acid) — Here's What I Removed

I ran my actual dark spot routine through a full audit: tretinoin, azelaic acid, and every product I own - graded keep, pause, remove, or replace. No guessing, just the framework. Your dark spots aren't a product problem. They're a system problem. In this episode, I audit my own hyperpigmentation routine — tretinoin 0.05%, azelaic acid 15%, and the full product lineup I'm actually running — and grade every single one: keep, pause, remove, or replace. This is the same 5-point framework I use to figure out what's actually working, what's redundant, and what's quietly working against my skin barrier. What's covered: Why you can't stack tretinoin with another retinoid (and what to do instead) Azelaic acid vs. tretinoin for dark spots — different pathways, not duplicate products Mineral SPF + mineral powder for visible light protection (why Black skin needs both) The barrier-repair mistake that's causing your dark spots to look worse, not better My full AM/PM routine breakdown, split by active ingredient day 00:00 The remove nobody expected 00:15 Keep: mineral SPF 50 00:35 Keep: mineral powder for visible light 01:25 Keep: tretinoin 0.05% (and the moisturizer rule that prevents dermatitis) 02:05 Keep: azelaic acid — why it's not doing the same job as tretinoin 03:10 Remove: the retinoid overlap nobody talks about 04:10 Replace: the brightening product going back in 05:10 Buy next: barrier repair restock 05:30 Full AM routine, step by step 07:30 Full PM routine, step by step 07:00 Week zero skin baseline Get the free 5-Point Dark Spot Audit Checklist — comment AUDIT and I'll send it to you. Want me to run this framework on YOUR routine? Comment AUDIT EDIT to join the waitlist. This is Skin. Sisterlocks. Style. By Design — I audit routines, products, and habits so you stop guessing and start deciding. New audits every week. #DarkSpotRoutine #Hyperpigmentation #Tretinoin #AzelaicAcid #SkincareRoutine #BlackSkinCare #SkincareAudit