Anyone else not get on with Retinol

[Confusssed]

I've tried gradually building up my The Ordinary 2% Granactive Retinol over a period of weeks, but my skin still can feel tight and a tiny bit sore. To make matters worse I had a digital skin analysis today and it showed I now have increased redness

My skin tends towards redness anyway, I don't want it to get worse! I have been careful to use a high factor SPF since using Retinol, but I'm wondering if it's doing me more harm than good? I have always been lucky to have a good, clear complexion and have minimal fine lines at 48, so maybe retinol isn't that necessary?

Hey, I have used retinal religiously in the past and that redness can put you off but there’s nothing like it. My skin literally shed off what I now call the ugly and became beautiful after two, three years of usage. Use sunscreen and any vitamin E cream for the redness and just use what is recommended and not too much and you should be thanking it for your beauty later. Hope this helps.

Bump

Stick with it. Use it every second night until your skin can tolerate it and perhaps use a lower percentage of retinol and build up eventually. It's very normal for skin to purge and react sensitively to retinol at first and it can take some time to become used to it, but as pp said it's well worth it in the end.

I never got on with it

It smells,and stings and then I can't go out due to sunburn risk!

Thank you. Even using it every other night makes my skin feel uncomfortable though. Is there any worth in just using it twice a week?

Maybe your skin is too sensitive. I slather the Ordinary Retinol on most nights and haven't had a hint of redness. If your skin is feeling sore I would definitely stop.
If you want to try again with a Retinol La Roche Posay do a lotion called redermic R which is a form of Retinol which is kinder on the skin and I think the results are better than the Ordinary one. I'll be switching back once ive finished the bottle

confussed you can use it over a moisturiser to start off with.
I have the TO 2% Granactive Retinol and it is very very mild on me, no side effects at all so I've already move on to a stronger retinol.

Jia are you talking about Retinol or Retin-A? The two are very different. You really shouldn't see skin shedding with retinol

Retinol is no good for dry skin.

*actually I mean I have TO Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion

I have had sensitive skin ever since I persevered with an over the counter retinol based product. If you have any history of sensitivity I wouldn't touch it.

Use a better retinol.

Paula’s choice one has oat in it which will soothe your skin.
They also have a booster retinol which you can add to your moisturiser.

According to the Ordinary the 2% Granactive Retinol causes Zero irritation so I would definitely stop using it if you are experiencing soreness or redness. Maybe your skin reacts to the squalene? It.can cause breakouts on acne prone skin. I find it very oily

I know Caroline Hirons isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but if you google her retin a/ retinol videos she answers your questions.
I’m not a fan of the ordinary so I’d change brand. I’ve used retin a 1% for over a year now with fantastic results it’s like miracle cream.

@Kisbost - sounds great, which brand do you use? Thanks.

Trentinoin 1% nur started on 0.5% first tube. It’s prescription only.
I get mine online from skin station as it costs £250 to see a dermatologist privately.
CH explains the difference between retin a / retinol and brands so well and it was her video that influenced my choice.
The tube lasts 3 months and costs £95.
My skin did get sore at first but cutting back was all I needed to do. Took about a month to build up to nightly.
The results are awesome. And you’ll nevet buy another fancy moisturiser again saved me a fortune.

Sorry for typos
Tretinoin.

I bought Sunday Riley Luna but every time I use it I wake up the next day with a million spots on my face. Some online comments say you go through this stage as the skin is ‘purging’ but I just can’t see how that can be. I’ve given up now

Thank you. Before this, I wouldn't have said I had particularly sensitive skin. I can use any make up, tan quite easily etc.

I didn't realise you could apply it after moisturiser, so maybe this might be the better way to start?

I reacted badly to retin A but am fine using the ordinary granactive 2%. If you have good skin at 48 I wouldnt use a retinol (or any actives) on it!