I need retinol, don't I? Please help

[NiteFlights]

I'm 41 and have good skin (mainly genetic). It's on the dry side and can be sensitive. I do my best with SPF and have never been a sun worshipper but I can see a lot of old sun damage appearing, and I live in a sunny part of the country and am getting a lot more sun exposure now than in the past.

I'm not wrinkly but do have 11s and some crows' feet/laughter lines which seem to be increasing by the day. They are not too noticeable when my face is still but when I smile they seem to go almost to my ears.

I want to take anti-ageing action now, before things progress. I'm not against trying Botox and will probably have it in the 11s at some point but I'm keen to try other things first, especially as I would like to tackle the emergence of faint fine lines in various areas, and perhaps new freckles/sun damage if possible.

I have always taken care of my skin and I use a less-is-more approach. I don't have a lot of money to spend. I'm interested in the Ordinary products or something in that sort of price range. I am very sensitive to alcohol and anything with lots of fragrance.

Please, crepey ones, give me some advice and suggestions so I can start thinking about how to hold back the tide of wrinkles and liver spots!

I use the ordinary retinol. I have been using it for months. I use the 1% retinol. You need to build up to wearing it. I dont buy any of the other ordinary products. I started by using the retinol once a week. I would put nivea white pot on top after letting the retinol work on my skin for around 30 minutes. The nivea works as a buffer so that you dont get too much dryness. The important thing about retinol is that it may cause dryness and peeling but in order for it to work, you need to continue with it. I use it twice a week with a day inbetween. Sometimes i use it three times a week but usually judge by how sensitive my skin feels. The next day after i use the retinol, I usually make sure i put quite a heavy moisturiser on.
On days where i dont use the retinol, i use no 7 protect and perfect intense. Its very good.

I am 49 btw and people think i look about 35. I have good genes though as my mum and my family generally look younger for their years.

Thank you. So I could put any plain moisturiser over the retinol to buffer it?

Also I assume I'd need major sun protection the next day?

Yes to both! Definetly sun protection factor 30 plus.

Make sure it is a plain moisturiser you put on that does not contain any derivative of retinol. I made the mistake of putting on a moisturiser unaware it had a milder form of retinol in it and OMG....my face was sore, dry, red and patchy. Best to stay with just a simple moisturiser like nivea blue pot or white pot or something. Check the ingredients.

[ a plain moisturiser over the top]

Also, best to wear the SPF daily retinol the night before or not. It can actually take a day or two for the retinol to make my skin sensitive. Usually happens on day two. If i think my skin feels really sensitive, i lay off it for a few days until it feels like it can cope with more.

Also frownies for your 11s.

I wear them whenever I'm in the house and will never succumb to Botox because they flatten out everything after a month or so.

Ive never heard of frownies!!! How long do they take to work? I dont have 11's but have some very very fine horizontal lines. Would they work on those?

Yes they would, you wear them every night for at least a month and they do erase expression lines,
They come back if you are very expressive during the day but can be erased again each night.
Much cheaper and more natural looking than Botox.

PLEASE don't use the 1% Retinol without working up to it! You'll have horrendous peeling and redness. Try the Ordinary 2%, you'll still need sunscreen but it's a lot more gentle.

I really like the Buffet serums and the gentle Vit C in Vit F as well (but don't use on same night as retinoid). Also, Hyaluronic Acid is great for hydration. There's an even cheaper one, Hadalabo JAPAN Skin Institute Gokujun premium hyaluronic Solution that's £10 for 170ml, which is supposed to be v good.

Elizabeth Arden Prevage and Ceramide range works wonders as does Vitamin C serum, however, the Elizabeth Arden Prevage Tinter has this in it already. Your skin will look amazing it's definitely magical stuff.

Just to show you how better my skin looks with the E L stuff I mentioned above, it's improved so mouth. I'm 37 and the photo is as is. It hasn't been retouched at all. I can highly recommend it although it's not the cheapest.

Thanks everyone. neveradullmoment okay, so I will slap on even more spf 50 than usual. My skin is sensitive to Nivea blue pot so I will need to find an alternative. Maybe Avene.

Bagel I think I will try the 2% retinoid first and see if my skin copes before approaching the 1% retinol. Also the hyaluronic. I tried hylamide once and it did nothing for me but the Ordinary one looks good.

MissAlabama I have used Frownies in the past - forgot about them. Could be a good interim measure.

Timmytoo your skin looks great - but I can't justify spending that sort of money on a cream/serum (no judgment, I just can't afford it right now).

Once again, thanks everyone.

If your budget allows it I would go for the Botox now. I started last year when I was in my mid fifties and I wish I had done it sooner. That coupled with SPF 50 and retinol would be perfect.

I agree with the Ordinary 2% retinoid being so gentle. It's a milky serum, which goes on beautifully.
I actually use it as my last step, after my hyaluronic serum, (my ultimate favourite is the Hada labo premium hyaluronic serum - it's so hydrating and pumping), and my facial oil/moisturiser. I like the Ordinary's squalene oil as well, which leaves my skin velvety soft.

My pores have been reduced, my skin is smoother and very, very soft, my acne has halted, and the redness/pimples from my rosacea have gone.
My foundation goes on so smoothly now, and I'm hoping to fade old acne pigmentation scars. I love it.

Also, you may find that once you start using the retinoid and hyaluronic serum, that you actually need less moisturiser.
I find if I use a thick, greasy cream, that I break out.
I like to build layers, often using two serums as well as the retinoid. My skin is the smoothest it's ever been.

I started with la Roche possay redermic R and gradually worked myself up to tretinoin .5 every second night. I use a glycolic acid every other night (currently using liquid gold). I have also become very diligent with the spf. My sun spots are pretty much gone but it's taken nearly two years.

Save your money on magic potions that don't work and just have Botox. That's the only miracle around for foreheads.

Hi Keepon thank you 😊. I use the ceramide capsules and ceramide cream followed by the Prevage Tinted Moisturizer which has excellent anti oxidants in and lasts all day, I only use the one Prevage as it's very expensive (so I chose the one with the most anti oxidants but the ceramide range is much more affordable and it really keeps your face soft and dewy.

I was also hesitant about the overall expense but I gave EL a chance and in fact I've only had to replace my creams after four months which normally with my old stuff was monthly, so it doesn't actually cost more in the long run if divided by the months.

Is the 1% retinol stronger than the 2%? I thought logically it would be the other way round?

Thanks again.

burnishedsilver two years sounds fine. I don't necessarily need/want a quick fix, I want to slow everything down a bit. You're giving me hope!

Fosterdog123 my actual forehead isn't too bad - I think my 11s would benefit from Botox but the rest of my face is okay and is more in need of preventative measures than anything drastic. The reason I asked about retinol is because as I understand it, it does work. I am keen to reduce the appearance of sun damage as well as wrinkles.

Thanks again everyone.