IVF and retinol - PANIC

[autumnpumpkinlattes]

Please somebody calm me down as I am seriously freaking out, which may also be due to my raging progesterone hormones.

I am currently due to start IVF in 3 weeks.

I know you're not meant to use retinol products but today realised I've been using two skincare products with retinol.

One is my FOUNDATION which I never thought would have it but it's the Number 7 protect and perfect foundation. I use this daily ☹️

Two is I have used the nip and fab glycolic bubble sheet mask twice and I didn't realise but this has retinol too!

I guess I'm just looking for reassurance that by stopping these products now I won't have caused any issues to our cycle? Has anybody got any info or experience of this?

I also just messaged my nurses asking them.

I hope I'm being unreasonable and these are just my hormones making me go a bit loopy today ☹️

To be honest, I’ve never heard about not using anything with retinol in and I did all the research / read ISWTE etc before my first cycle and never come across this so guessing it isn’t something that causes issues in the same way smoking / drinking / fish oil etc do?

You just need to remember that most (non ivf) women get pregnant whilst having poor diets, drinking, smoking, using all perfumed stuff etc before they know they’re pregnant and they still have healthy Babies so these things in moderation aren’t going to destroy your ivf chances and likely make no difference at all.

Retinol is to be avoided in pregnancy as it is toxic to the developing embryo/ baby but i really don’t think it would stay in your system from topical application via skincare.
I have actually read that the concentration of retinol in most skincare products is too low to present a significant risk anyway, but we’re just advised not to use it as a precaution.
So I’m pretty sure you have nothing to worry about, though it’s best to discontinue use now
Hopefully the nurses will come back and reassure you.
Wishing you all the best with your cycle.

The amount of retinol in these products is too small to cause harm, but it would be advisable to stop using them, at least until you receive a clear response from your doctor.

It's fine because it's topical and won't go into your body as such. It's harmful for a developing embryo. I was on a drug roaccutane which is this retinol (high forms of vitamin A) when I was younger and I had to show them proof of my contraception and sign a sheet each month to say I wasn't pregnant and do a pregnancy test before they gave me the drugs. It can cause severe defects in babies.
But you'll be fine but I'd just stop using them anyway for peace of mind.

Thanks everyone for your messages.
The doctor has also told me the most important thing is to stop before embryo transfer and to stop from now and my cycle is still fine to go ahead. Phew panic over.
Now I am checking every single product and amazed at how some of my skin care has retinol in even though this isn't obvious. For example I have a simple, Superdrug range vitamin E moisturiser and this has 'retinyl' in which is a form of retinol. I've now bought some new products from Sukin to be on the safe side