Retinol with sensitive skin?

[zippyswife]

So I keep hearing in RL and on here about how great retinol is for the skin. I’m early 40s and could do with some kind of help. I have sensitive skin and had rosacea which I manage to keep at bay largely by avoiding triggers and keeping to a simple skin regime of avene and almond oil. I’d like to introduce retinol but am a bit scared. Does anyone have experience of this?

If you have sensitive skin I wouldn't go near it.

Thanks flo. Is there anything I can use that would have similar results?

I don't agree that you can't use retinol with sensitive skin , I have sensitive skin and use Paula's choice 1% clinical retinol here

I temper it by using with moisturiser and applying alternate nights.
There are weaker strengths you can start off with if needed as well.

I would have a look at you tube videos by Nadine Baggot , she knows her stuff .

Retin A is much stronger than retinol , retinol still very effective though

ggirl have you had redness flaking or sensitivity from it. Do you think it’s been worth doing?

When I first started using it I slapped it on for three nights in a row then noticed dry areas of skin and peeling , I had a break for a week then reintroduced it with night cream at the same time and on alternate nights.I haven't had amy more dryness and it has done a lot for my redness. I haven't been using it long enough to notice massive effects yet , only about 4 weeks in.

I didn't say you can't use it. I said I wouldn't touch it myself. I have no idea what triggers a reaction for me and personally I don't think it's worth the risk.

zippy I'm afraid I don't know of any similar over-the counter product. I do find that, if I'm careful and don't use any other random products, I can tolerate a sun screen, which as far as I'm concerned (not only vain but with a tendency to dodgy looking skin growths) is the most important one of all.

You need to use a buffer cream.
Use one part retinol based product (not retinol itself!) to four parts buffer cream for a week then two parts retinol and two pets buffer cream for a week etc.
Maybe even do each stage for two weeks.
Start on a low % retinol cream, 1% is quite strong.

Best thing you can do is book yourself a facial and go by what your skin therapist suggests x

Actually it does sound like I'm saying you can't use it Sorry that was not my intention.

But skin sensitivity seems to be such an individual thing that I'm not sure how anyone can really advise with any confidence. All I can say is that when I get a bad attack, I can't bear anything on my skin other than olive oil and the worst one I've had lasted weeks. So I'm strongly risk averse.

@floisme I appreciate your opinion. I am scared of a reaction which I guess is why I posted and as you say skin sensitivity is such an individual thing. My rosacea has been largely under wraps for a decade now but only because I haven’t messed with other products. Maybe i should just accept that retinol is too risky. As my skin ages I keep coming back to it. Can I ask if you have rosacea or is it general sensitivity?

The Ordinary have a range of products which include Retinol at different strengths. There's some advice on this page, about starting a regime with Retinol. Their products are reasonably priced, too, so if you don't like it you haven't wasted much cash.

I don't have Rosacea but do get a bit if redness at times. I've not had any problems using Retinol so far.

theordinary.com/product/rdn-retinol-1pct-in-squalane-30ml?ccm=d23a1be47323454da3004e7c62d55e0901793dbfee098e8d3e585b3647425d967c9700cc2cf839eeddb6f732c6eb13b48766cf8b53457aa8a3ce13a6867c0c6fa8d632b07a41908283252ed201da555a152146667a65e19a2179f21074d47989f6234ec52e2dfe3a3eb163eeb52fb735fa2919d664720c31011cd40afac4cd229f7c4119283524cc183196036cb8d7c6

It's just another fad. Any skin cream will do.

starzig, retin A and sun cream is the best cream to use to look after your skin, mind you i have been useing retin A from the ordinary, and some i got in spain, for two years now, i don't really see any diferince but will carry on,

Just go slowly with it.
Maybe once a week to start then gradually build it up. Add it to your evening serum or moisturiser if you want at first
Moisturise lots after use
Decent spf in the day
It’ll take ages to work and for your skin to get used to it... I have very strong dark skin and it took a good 6 months for my skin to get better
It is worth it

zippy I haven't had it checked out. (Maybe I should but, as I already know the remedy, there doesn't seem much point). I don't think it's Rosacea though as it's mainly an extreme itching / stinging reaction - any redness is secondary.