Retin-A : would like to hear from current or previous

[HerdyHerdwick]

users please.
I've just got some. I know to use sunscreen - I do that anyway. It says on the instructions to make sure to leave 20-30 minutes after washing my face.
There's no possibility of me getting pregnant so that's not a concern.
Any other tips?
Also what was your experience with it?

Take it slow would be my advice. Start with only using it every third day. Then when you're sure your skin is tolerating that fine (give it a couple of weeks or so) then move up to using it every other day for a couple of weeks. When you can do that with no ill effects then you can start to use it every night.

If you go hog wild and slap it on every night from the beginning you run a huge risk of your skin reacting badly and getting what feel (and look) like chem burns on your face. If you go slow you may still experience some slight flaking, redness, and sensitivity initially, but it will be far more manageable.

If you're using it to control any spots then I would also highly recommend making sure any other supporting skin care (cleansers, moisturisers, sunscreen e.t.c.) are non-comedogenic. Avene products are all non comedogenic, are great quality, are easily accessible in Boots and don't break the bank price wise. Obagi and Peter Thomas Roth make effective non comedogenic and oil free sunscreens.

If you can get away with not moisturising over the top of your retinoid at night then do. However, if you're experiencing a lot of flaking or dryness then wait at least half an hour after applying it before you moisturise - you don't want to dilute the actives.

I have been using retinoids (gradually moving up in strength) for a while now. I did experience some initial side effects but it was all worth it. My skin is now the best it has ever been - even toned, smooth, with amazing reliable clarity, and just really really healthy looking like I've just returned from a spa. I'm delighted with the results and would never go back to overpriced, overpackaged, ineffective designer snake oil.

Good luck!

Excellent advice there from Fuckitt

Just be patient, go slow, don't scare your skin.

My skin looked it's very best when I was alternating between 1 night Retin A and 1 night glycolic (Alpha H liquid gold was a nice safe choice). The glycolic was fab at gently but effectively sloughing off the dead skin that the retin A had pushed up to the surface. My auld knackered, crepey, 38 year old skin was plumpy and shiny.

Hoping to get back into that soon, winter is a great time to seriously go at it!

I'm assuming you're only using it at night? If not, my advice is only use it at night!

I was told to use it like this:

once a week for 2 weeks
twice a week for 2 weeks
three times a week indefinitely.

Thanks very much everyone.
Must admit I'm a bit scared of it, poor defenceless tube sitting there on the bathroom shelf!
I'll try it for the first time tonight but will definitely go slowly.
Oh, it's the 0.025% strength. That's the right one to start with, isn't it?

I used it a few years ago and would echo what everyone else has said.

Be patient, and the results are worth it.

I need to go and get some more prescribed.

Yes, that's the lowest prescription strength retinoic acid which is the best one to start with. When your skin is thoroughly "retinized" and you can tolerate nightly usage (if you want to use it that often) of the 0.25% then you can move up to 0.5%. There is a 1.0% also but that's generally only recommended for the treatment of severe acne. If your skin responds well to the 0.25 and you're happy with the results then there's no need to move up a strength.

Nigellasguest is right - you should only use it at night. Not only does it make your skin more photosensitive, but the molecule is unstable when exposed to UV rays. And you already know the importance of sunscreen I know, but really, you do have to use it every day - even if you're only going outside for half an hour and it's rainy and cloudy.

Like SofaCanary I have found glycolic acid to be very effective when used in conjunction with (although never at the same time as) the retinoid. Because I use my retinoid every night, what I do is use a moisturiser in the morning (Vichy Normaderm global anti-imperfection hydrating care) that is full of AHA's (glycolic acid) and BHA's (salycilic acid). I also use a high potency vitamin C serum by Alpha H before I moisturise.

These are the active ingredients that have really worked for me. I have found that retinoid + glycolic acid + vitamin C have transformed my skin, and I don't use the word transformed lightly. I have gone from someone who always seemed to have to be dealing with a significant spot or two, to someone who has reliably clear skin even during PMS week. I used to spend the time leading up to important events praying that my skin would behave at least until they were over. Now I don't need to worry. I get complimented on my skin and asked what products I use all the time - it's a really nice feeling

Thanks fuckit.
I need to add glycolic back in to my routine and will have a look at the Vit C serum by Alpha H. I use their Balancing Cleanser and have used Liquid Gold in the past.

fuckit can I ask your age and what skin type you are? Is your skin fairly "tough" IYSWIM and more prone to sagging than wrinkling (that's what my skin's like and I'm 49) and I'm also finding the combination of retinoid, liquid gold and a vit C serum very effective.

As regards moisturiser/spf, I am using this under my foundation now Summer's gone - it is really light considering it's factor 50, and almost like a primer.

and I use this throughout the Summer instead of foundation La Roche Posay is a slightly cheaper (I think) alternative but I find it more shiney.

I've just turned 38 Nigellas. I have a combination skin type with a tendency to oilyness down the centre of my face, more normal elsewhere. My skin can get dehydrated though, and I have fairly deep "elevens" on my forehead and fine lines elsewhere. No real sagging that I've noticed.

I don't know if my skin is particularly tough. I can get sensitive reactions to some products. It seems to tolerate retinoids reasonably well though, although I did have to go through an initial adjustment period.

Tell me more about that Alpha H factor 50! To be honest I have struggled to find a sunscreen I enjoy using. I find that the physical blocks can sometimes leave a tiny bit of a 'cast', and that others pill on your skin if you use them after applying moisturiser. The only one I'm really happy to use on a daily basis is the Avene Antirougeurs (spf 20) which to be honest is probably not enough sun protection. I do use factor 50 whenever it's sunny, but I'm never quite happy with how it looks and feels on the skin.

I think you might be pleasantly surprised, Fuckit - I find it very light and not really like a factor 50 spf at all, TBH. I don't think twice about putting foundation over the top, unlike with other products where it just feels like too much "stuff" on your face - moisturiser, SPF, foundation. And of course, it's a moisturiser aswell anyway, so that cuts out that bit!

Thanks Nigella - I will take a closer look at the website but it sounds like it might be the thing I'm looking for (sorry for thread hijack op)