Anyone tried retinol and been disappointed? Positive stories still welcome!

[passportpanic]

Hi,

I'm 34 with decent skin. I do look after it with serums, moisturisers, SPF, facemasks etc, but I do feel I could do with revving it up a bit.

I have fine lines around my eyes, which only really appear when I smile, but boy, do they?! Also, my pores are quite noticeable, I have faint nose to mouth lines, which seem to be worse on my right side and are my main problem area. Also, have very fine horizontal lines on my forehead, with the beginnings of the 11's.....

To sum up, I'm just ageing and have heard wonderful things about retinol, but only in the media and the odd thread on here. Every time I mention it to friends they think I'm mad and say it's unnecessary and for acne or more mature skin, but surely it's about slowing things down.

Anyway, am considering it again and just wanted to hear your verdicts.

Has anyone tried it, not seen much of a difference or had a bad reaction to it?

As I said in the title, am happy to hear more positive outcomes too!

Thanks

I've been using 0.025 Retirides for about 10 weeks now. I've not had any peeling or dryness. The only difference is I think my sebaceous filaments have declined.
Am I using it correctly?
I double cleanse, tone with a Paula's Choice, apply the Retin A then moisturise?

Hi Delatron, yes I use prescription strength retinoids (they can be bought online with a script.) I use the 0.5 cream.

without a script, sorry.

Thanks Chippy, will investigate!

Chippy can I ask where you buy yours from? Would be good to buy from a recommendation, thanks.

Azelaic Acid is also helpful without being as "hardcore" as some retinoids/retinols. It can help with texture, spots/acne and redness. This is a popular one as it's silicone free.
www.victoriahealth.com/product/Azelaic-Acid-10-Serum/12844

I’ve been using the alpha h 0.5% retinol twice a week for around 5 months (gave it a miss in the strong sun and used suncream every day) and while it hasn’t had any negative effects I’m not really seeing much change either (also used a salicylic face wash a couple of times a week and a 10% glycolic leave on gel alternately). I wonder if my skin is just too awful or if I should get a higher strength retinol.

I use both azelaic acid and a retinoid (both prescription) and am in my early 30s. Have done so for about 3 years and my skin is the best it has ever been. Went to another dermatologist recently (am seeing one for acne) about acne scarring treatment and she "couldn't believe" the levels of collagen still in my skin for my age.

Chippy is yours the Retirides one? I use the 1% every night (had to work up to that slowly) and get my MIL to get me some from the pharmacy in Spain when she goes on holidays.
I wonder though if it's actually strong enough though

Gah can I ask what treatments the dermatologist suggested? Will retinol not help with scarring? I was under the impression it would.

It will work on certain types of scarring (and will lead to gradual improvement over time) but I am 1) impatient and 2) have rolling scars which are mot solved by retinoids so am going to have a mixture of subcision and carbon dioxide laser treatment.

@ChippyPickledEggs Where do you buy your Retin A cream from please?

@ChippyPickledEggs you buy the prescription retin A without a prescription online ? Where do you get it from, can you link?