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Original poster

1% retinol

55 replies

hmmwhatatodo · 29/12/2018 23:17

Hi

Anyone use this? Any particular brands you would recommend? I’ve been using alpha h 0.5 for a good few months now but I need something stronger and if I’m correct 1% retinol is the highest concentration you can get without prescription.

OP posts:
Fuckyousanta · 29/12/2018 23:20

I use A313, French holy grail of retinols, available on Amazon or any French pharmacy, cheap as chips too.

DO NOT put it on even a slightly damp face unless you want to itch all night

Original poster
hmmwhatatodo · 29/12/2018 23:34

2%! Wow thanks. How often do you use it and how much do you use each time? Think I’m going to order it now.... about a quarter of the price of the 1% stuff I’ve looked at!

OP posts:
Fuckyousanta · 29/12/2018 23:56

Start off with once a week at night time. Simple cleanse and then wait until your face is completely dry. You only need a tiny bit, consistency is kind of like vaseline! It goes a long way. I’ve built up to around 2/3 times a week now depending on how my skin feels. However I’m also using The Ordinary Lactic Acid (AHA) at the moment so have dropped A313 to twice a week.

Remember your sun cream!!!

Original poster
hmmwhatatodo · 30/12/2018 00:12

Thanks a lot. I’ve just ordered it. I was debating buying some niacinamide to use alongside it... Yes to the sunscreen! I’ll stick to your suggestions and build up slowly, maybe using my 0.5 alternatively until that’s used up. How do you find the lactic acid? I’ve had a few mandelic peels done but they were a little too gentle I think (wasn’t brave for anything that might have made my face fall off Grin

OP posts:
Fuckyousanta · 30/12/2018 01:58

I use the Ordinary Niacinimide and Zinc in the morning

I’ve got a spreadsheet somewhere but I’m a bit more lax about it these days!

In LOVE with the Lactic Acid. Has really minimised pores and some hyperpigmentation around my chin and cheeks

Original poster
hmmwhatatodo · 30/12/2018 09:56

Thank you so much. I’ve bern dithering for ages about getting some The Ordinary products but there was so much choice I didn’t want to waste money on something else that wouldn’t work. Spreadsheets?! Love it!

OP posts:
OoohAyyye · 30/12/2018 10:42

Oo thanks for starting this thread OP, I'm going to buy some too! And to PP who has reminded me to start using my lactic acid again.

I find skincare so confusing. When to use what.. How much is too much... ah!!

LegoPiecesEverywhere · 30/12/2018 10:52

@fuckyousanta

Just been googling Lactic Acid and I need some. How do you use yours?

Original poster
hmmwhatatodo · 30/12/2018 11:12

Well I ordered the A313 cream from amazon last night. I’m also going to get the niacinamide from the ordinary and I’m dithering between the 5% and 10% lactic acid now - or get their gentler Mandelic acid.... also tempted by their marine thingy...

OP posts:
IcedPurple · 30/12/2018 11:25

The Indeed Labs "Retinol Reface" is very good. No % is mentioned, but according to skincare expert Caroline Hirons, it contains a kind of retinol which is normally only found in products twice the price! What's even better is that it's often on special offer in Boots.

Original poster
hmmwhatatodo · 30/12/2018 11:27

Thanks iced purple. I never understand why some products don’t state how much retinol they have, I assumed it was because it was a really low percentage?

OP posts:
IcedPurple · 30/12/2018 11:29

I think there are different types of retinol which affect the skin quite differently, so saying that a product contains x% of retinol might sound good, but may not be as meaningful as it seems.

Fuckyousanta · 30/12/2018 19:27

There are three types of retinol, A313 retinol palmate, the top one is tretinoin which is prescription only. Percentages don’t really work as they are different types (if I remember correctly it’s the size of the molecules, the smaller the better)

Re the “laws” of skincare, you have to find what works for you. However DONT mix acids and retinols. Use one in the morning and one at night. If you’re using retinoids WEAR SUNSCREEN, it took me ages to get rid of my pigmentation. La Roche Posey do a lovely one with no flashback or white tint.

The skincare board on reddit it brilliant. Bit overwhelming but they have wiki pages for each acid, active etc. You’ll learn loads!

Fuckyousanta · 30/12/2018 19:28

Ignore typos, cooking dinner

IcedPurple · 30/12/2018 19:31

There are three types of retinol, A313 retinol palmate, the top one is tretinoin which is prescription only.

Tretinoin isn't a type of retinol - it's a brand name for Retin A, which is related to retinol but much, much more powerful. As you say, it's prescription only in the UK.

Original poster
hmmwhatatodo · 30/12/2018 19:55

Well my A313 has arrived so I’ll be applying a small amount tonight. I struggle with suncream, I know it’s important to wear it but why can’t they make one that doesn’t either make you look like a cricket player in summer or give you an Uber shiny face?! I think I was actually prescribed retin a as a teenager but it made my face red and sting so I don’t think I used it properly and I certainly wasn’t told to get suncream by anyone. I’m really hopeful that this stuff works but I know it’s a long game..... thank you very much for the great advice on here.

OP posts:
Fuckyousanta · 30/12/2018 20:05

Thing is you need to let it absorb properly which can be a pain if you don’t have a lot of time in the morning.

I cleanse, niacinamide/zinc, squalene and then sun cream. That’s about 30min. Then makeup is done in 10.

Original poster
hmmwhatatodo · 30/12/2018 20:41

30 minutes? Wow, sometimes I only have 30 to 40 mins to get ready in the morning - I hate getting up early! Hopefully the A313 will do most of the work in the evening!

OP posts:
KateandWills · 30/12/2018 23:33

It’s about 5 minutes of actual activity 25 mins waiting for things to absorb!

I run about like a mad thing getting changed and doing my hair during that time

KateandWills · 30/12/2018 23:33

Sorry namechanged for another thread

IcedPurple · 30/12/2018 23:39

Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much. It's not like you're going to be hit by blinding sunshine on your average winter morning in the UK! You really don't need to wait half an hour before putting on your makeup or going out.

swimminggala52 · 30/12/2018 23:45

Stumbled across this post by accident. I was prescribed tretonin for really bad spots I have on my chin. Been using it once at night on the affected area only.

Are you all using it for spots? I know retinol is good for wrinkles. Is this what I should use it for too??

Original poster
hmmwhatatodo · 31/12/2018 00:32

Hi, I’m mostly working (well trying to) on old scarring and reducing pore size. I’ve put the A313 cream on, a tiny pea size. Didn’t feel anything at all, no redness yet but after about an hour and a half I got that slight annoying tingling feeling and still have it now. I’m going to persevere with it as it is really minor. Next time I’ll protdo it literally as I’m about to sleep.

OP posts:
NiceUnusualDifferent · 31/12/2018 07:43

Please don’t use a retinol without a daily spf, you’ll end up with worse skin damage.
There are some nice ones around. You can get Biore Watery Essence spf50 from Amazon which is a popular one

FickleFingers · 31/12/2018 18:14

@Fuckyousanta I have ordered the A313 from the recommendation on here, do you have to use lactic acid as well or will the A313 work on its own?
I want nice clear skin (never had it and I'm 35!) So hoping this stuff works miracles 😁

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