Retinoids - please help!

[kitchenunit]

I have been slathering my new Retinol Serum with 20% Vit C and 10% Hyaluronic acid on nightlyfor a week or so. Tbf not seen a massive difference in anything yet, but my cleansing routine is still in the review period so I'm giving it time.

I have been poring (ha!) over the 50 Shades of Snail blog and apparently Retinoids are a complete no no, for reasons of which I am unclear....

Have I ruined my skin? Made a noob error?

I'm just a clueless skincare virgin trying to do the right thing by my enlarged pores. Please help me

[Nabootique]

I've not read that post on the blog, but retinoids definitely have a place in skin care. They might just not be her approach.

What is the serum? Every night might be a bit much to start with. You don't mention the retinol %

[kitchenunit]

Oh good point, it is 2.5%

So the retinol is anti age and pore cleansing? Am I right?

[Nabootique]

That is very strong to start off with, and I definitely wouldn't be using it every night. I'm surprised that the instructions say to! Do you have a link to the product? Most of what I have read (which is a lot, although I don't currently use a dedicated retinol myself) says to start at a low % like 0.5 and use every other night.

Yes, anti-aging, and it will actually reduce fine lines, pore size and helps with scarring and pigmentation. I'm not sure about actual pore cleansing, as in helping with congested pores. A BHA product would probably be better for that.

[botemp]

50 shades uses prescription Retin A (Curology) so I wouldn't say she's anti retinoid but a lot of the retinoids in Korean Skincare aren't effectively formulated or in such minute amounts they're not worth buying so I think that's her anti retinoid stance.

Anyhow with retinoids don't expect immediate results, most skincare products need at least six weeks to asses their efficacy but with retinoids it takes even longer, up to six months in some cases. Which brand/product is it that you are using?

[botemp]

*Sorry should say retinols not retinoids.

[burnishedsilver]

Retinoids are the best thing since sliced bread.

[TheDevilMadeMeDoIt]

I suspect OP means 0.25%

2.5% would have MY face off, and I've got a rhino somewhere in my ancestry.

[botemp]

I suspect OP has been somewhat misled by marketing. I believe Retin A and retinol % don't translate one to one but they'll certainly have you believe it's the case. I'm guessing the retinol makes up 2.5% of the INCI at a far lower concentration.

[XiCi]

Most of the retinol products sold on Amazon are 2.5%. I've tried the Oz Naturals one. Really good value. There was quite an interesting discussion on Reddit here
m.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/comments/3hm9os/antiaging_can_we_talk_about_the_amazon_retinol/

[kitchenunit]

Thanks all, its this one. It does say 2.5% but admittedly shady advertising practices abound!!

Even if it is 2.5%, my skin is still attached to my face so I'll persist for now. I've got my BHA arriving soon (they saw me coming...) so hopefully that'll do some good.

[botemp]

It does sound and look a little dodgy with a quick google on Oz Naturals, OP. I was always under the impression (but can't for the life of me remember where I read this) that 1% retinol was the max for OTC and because it needs to break down into retinoic acid (Retin A doesn't) the actual strength is severely diminished, so SkinCeuticals and Paula's Choice serums that are both at 1% (considered the most high effective available OTC products) are essentially somewhere between 0.25-0.5% in terms of Retin A concentrations.