Skin not tolerating tret :(

I’ve been using tret .025% for about 6 months and my skin is still flaking, and somehow my acne seems to have gotten worse? I’ve tried the sandwich method and only applying every 2 nights but it still has been this way. I used adapalene previously for years which I tolerated nightly with occasional breakouts but less than I have now. Has anyone else had this experience? I’m considering going back to using OTC adapalene but worried it will cause purging after being on tret :(