Hello. I’ve been familiar with retinol for probably about the last 20 years, know it’s one if the few things clinically evidenced to improve skin ageing, etc. etc. I know a little about how it’s said to work – thickens the dermis, thins the epidermis, etc.
I was prescribed some about 14 years ago (in my 20s) for acne and tolerated it well.
Last year, after finally sorting both an SPF 50 I was happy wearing every day and a good, plain, soothing cica moisturiser that would not react or trigger acne, I got myself some retinol serum to start with over the winter.
As I’m familiar with the product I know to expect a transitional phase and the product of course warns of potential irritation such as dry skin, peeling & flaking, etc. I started at once a week and progressed up to twice a week, never using consecutive nights in a row. Didn’t experience any dryness or flaking just a slight redness.
I noticed very quickly that my skin seemed to take on a crepey quality that I’d never seen before, however I found reports that this is just a phase and not to worry etc. Eventually I stopped, as I felt uncomfortable with how my skin was suddenly looking. It’s hard to describe, but the skin took on a slippery quality and it looked as though the top layer was sort of sliding over lower layers of the skin. Overall my face now looks more gaunt and less plump, and my skin feels slacker and more delicate. The structure of the skin seems to have softened and gone sort of ‘mushy’. I’ve got little pouches under my eyes that weren’t there before.
I’ve compared pictures from when I started using it with when I stopped using it, and can see a clear difference.
Needless to say I’ve stopped using it, however it’s driving me a bit mad – there is no warning of this sort of reaction anywhere, although there are anecdotal reports online. Clearly the way retinol works on the skin is complex and I’m also curious about what might have happened.