Retin A advice

[cessie322]

A friend picked me up a tube of 0.1% in Spain. I used it last Thurs and on Sunday and am beginning to flake. My husband is going to be in Spain at the weekend and is going to try and get the 0.05%. Should I continue with the 1% tomorrow night again or just wait until he's back with the 0.05% on Sunday? It'll probably get worse if I use it again now tomorrow won't it?

[PrimalLass]

Wait! That's too strong and often. I went a bit nuts with it too and ended up with scabs.

[Ktown]

Just dilute it with moisturiser, e.g. 50:50 then it shouldn't be so harsh

[cessie322]

Thanks! Will definitely wait so! Just got home and looked in the mirror and my face is looking quite dry. Should I use the 0.05 on Sunday if it's better? That will be a week in between.

[cessie322]

Sorry Ktown just seen your reply. I might hold off til I get the .05 and let it recover. Will try that if the .05 is doing the same.

[Ktown]

Probably a better idea!

[Frightfulphysician]

Hi, I'll be in Spain soon and was wondering what Retin A is called in Spain. Is there a brand name? Think I'll definitely be asking for the 0.05% then.

[DividedKingdom]

Just ask for tretinoin and whatever brand they sell. If anyone's new to it, please ask for cream encapsulated version or better still 0.025.

By the way.....if you store it in fridge, unopened tretinoin (both gel and creams) keep activity levels for way past their exp. dates so feel free to stock up!

[ilovecherries]

Retrides is the brand name in Spain. I got .025 initially (on prescription). Used it every third day till I built up to daily - which took a good few months. Then bought .05 in Spain, and alternated it with the weaker stuff till I used all that up. As I bought 4 tubes of the stuff, that will probably last me at least a year. I'm getting good effect with that, don't at the moment see a need to go onto the 0.1. They didn't recognise tretotin in any of the pharmacies I went to, but someone on here bailed me out with its Spanish name. :)

[ilovecherries]

This is it. Pharmacist said to me 'aha, all the English ladies buy this for important holiday souvenir'.

[burnishedsilver]

Redrides.

I use the 0.05 every second night. It took a while to build up to that. I wouldn't dream of going stronger. I'm not surprised your face is peeling.

[burnishedsilver]

Crossed posts there.

[CoconutAmericano]

I buy retrides when im in Spain too and i would suggest your dh buys the 0.025% and the 0.05%. I say this from experience. First Spanish holiday i went mad and bought four 0.05%'s and my skin just couldnt tolerate it despite my taking it really really slowly. Next time i was there I bought the 0.025% which i am still using. Im building up to daily use with weekends off and then i will slowly introduce the 0.05% and see if my skin copes better this time round.

[ilovecherries]

I think it might have been you who helped me out in June, Silver!

[cessie322]

Thanks everyone. Will be holding out for the 0.05. Yes it's the retirides one I have in the 1%. Face just looks dry and is probably not that noticeable but god knows what would happen if I continued with it . Funny I was prescribed the 1% here years ago by a dermatologist but I stopped using it very quickly. 1% was all my friend could get the day she went to the pharmacy in Spain so I thought maybe give it a go again.

[cessie322]

CoconutAmericano thanks I will get him to get the 0.025 as well. Neither of us will be in Spain for another long while so better strike while the iron is hot. Thanks you've all been v helpful.

[Frightfulphysician]

Great, thanks! I'll be stocking up on .025 and .05 when I go.

[Northernlass99]

I got the 0.025 and the 0.05 recently in Spain (thanks to mumsnet). They only had 0.1 in stock but ordered the other strengths for me and they came in the next day. I just showed the the photo and had written down the strengths. No problems or questions. Going to start using when I get back from hols.

[squoosh]

Yikes.

Start on the 0.025 and even then be cautious, just every third night or so. Going in all guns with 0.1 could result in permanent and severe skin sensitivity.

[cessie322]

Thanks Northernlass99, hopefully he shouldn't have a problem. It will be Friday before he'll get to a pharmacy so I hope they have weekend deliveries if they don't have it in stock as he's leaving Sunday. I'd be interested to see how you get on with it.

[cessie322]

Thanks squoosh, just noticed I missed your message. Yes will be taking it very easy from now on!

[cessie322]

DH came home yesterday evening with my 0.025 and 0.05% so I'm good to go. Hoping for miracles

[cessie322]

I started this thread last month but I'm back looking for more advice.

I was using the 0.025 for the past 4 weeks twice a week with some very minor flaking. I tried to move up to 3 times a week this week but I've a flakey face today, not too bad but definitely not something I want on a continuing basis!

I'm using The Ordinary Manula oil at night along with the blue tub of Nivea moisturiser. In the mornings I use the Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid and factor 50. I cut out my moisturiser as it was balling with the Hyaluronic. I was in London last month and popped into their store and these were the products they recommended.

Has anyone any advice on moving up with the Retin A, am I doing it too quickly? Or are there other products that might work better with it?

I do think it's made a bit of a difference already, my skin seems cleaner and tighter but that could well be in my imagination!

[mrpenny]

I have several boxes of Retin A 0.05% that I bought in Boots, Thailand.
Please PM if you’d like to buy some!

[cessie322]

Thanks mrpenny but I have some. Need to get used to the 0.025 first!