1% retinol

[hmmwhatatodo]

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.

Hi fickle, I watched some videos on YouTube today on the 313 cream, it seems like your skin will start to peel on around day 3 (which is what happened when I had peels done before) so I wouldn’t add in any lactic acid until you see how you go with the 313. Today when I woke up I saw my skin looking quite nice but I imagine by tomorrow or the next day it will look a bit dodgy as the skin goes dry and starts to peel. I used a good Moisturizer today in preparation for what’s to come then I’ll use the 313 again probably on Wednesday.

hmmwhatatodo thanks for that! I assume I can still wear makeup as normal during the day if I use it at night?
I'm completely new to this and don't want to make myself worse!!!

I assume so. I did today and it was fine. I made sure I had suncream in though.

hmmwhatatodo thanks!

Thought I’d come back and update on the A313 cream. I used a peas sized amount over my whole face Sunday night. YouTube videos suggested I would wake up to peeling this morning. I haven’t. Not a tiny bit. Perhaps it’s because I’ve previously been using glycolic acid gel and 0.5% retinol or maybe it’s because I have kept my skin moisturised since Sunday but anyway, I will reapply tonight and see what happens. Think I might then increase to 3 times a week if all goes to plan (and yes I’m using suncream when I go out!)

It's interesting that you've been told to expect skin peeling - retinol is not an exfoiliating agent. It can cause redness and irritation, but peeling?

What sunscreens are you all using? I have oily skin and struggle to find one that doesn’t increase the oil/shine.

Which moisturiser would you recommend for using when using retinol? I am using indeed twice a week and I can't see a huge diff but the pores are looking slightly smaller. I will increase usage slightly but was wondering I should use something more moisturising before I do that. Thanks!

I am using green people sunscreen if that helps. I will switch to La Roche one in summer.

Sorry I've seen some inaccuracies in this thread.

A313 is pretty weak and shouldn't have people peeling by day three. My derm doesn't recommend this product at all, she said it is very badly formulated and retinol palmitate requires a large number of conversions to get to retinoic acid therefore it's pretty ineffective.

Some people do flake / peel from retinol. Eucerin 5% urea cream can help with this.

Also Tretinoin is NOT the brand name, Retin A is a brand name.

There are more than "three types of retinol" - the retinoid familys main components ;
-Retinyl palmitate or retinol palmitate- This is the least potent OTC retinoid. You may want to consider this option if you have sensitive or excessively dry skin and minimal wrinkling.
-Retinaldehyde.
-Retinol. This is the strongest ingredient found in OTC retinoid products.
-Tretinoin. This is a potent retinoid available by prescription only. ( Sold under Airol in Greece, Retrides in Spain , Ketrel in Portugal, and the Branded Obagi product to name the main versions you may see ). In the UK you can get this through a private derm, online import or through the service Dermatica www.dermatica.co.uk/)
-Tazarotene. This is the most powerful retinoid, available by prescription only ( sold as tazorac)

• Adapalene is a third gen retinoid sold under Differin or Epiduo (with Benzol peroxide)

This is a fantastic blog:
simpleskincarescience.com/tretinoin/

Also Hot and Flashy does some great vlogs - www.hotandflashy.com/retinoids-retin-a-retinol-for-anti-aging-what-works-how-to-choose/

I may have missed somethings but just wanted to clear this up

@stayfit - LRP Toleriane Fluid, Cicaplast baume on drier days. If I am away in the cold I take Cerave.

@Happenstance - Nivea water gel is the best I've found, it had great views by LabMuffin who is a super resource on such matters as a cosmetic chemist.

I've seen incredible reviews for the Canmake suncreen , another asian one that makes a great makeup base. It is on my list to try.

Thank you for very much for all the info!

No worries ! I am a massive addict to this sort of thing .

If you’re on facebook there is a great group called “Dr Sams skincare club” which helped me learn the ropes .

Oh poo! Have just bought A313 based on this thread. Been using Paula's Choice, but fancy something with a bit more oomph.
Oh well...

Many people report good results , so give it a go!

Oh my... seriously?!? When it said 2% retinol I thought I’d found what I was looking for! Gah! Well does that mean that the 0.5 retinol I have been using is actually more effective? I’m going to use more of the A313 tonight anyway. I wonder why it gets such good reviews then and you are told to use it so sparingly...

Sorry which products do you want comparing?

For example I’ve seen something that says 6 % which when you look into it is 5% or weaker than retinol esters and then 1% of an encapsulated retinol .

Thanks name-changed, it’s the 0.5 power peel from Alpha H. Comes in a cylindrical tube kind of purple coloured. I have been using it a couple of times a week for around 6 months but don’t really see much improvement hence wanting something stronger. I tried looking on the obagi site but I don’t see prices or specific retinol to buy. This is hard work! I’m wanting it for old scarring and pore reduction if at all possible!

The Obagi Tret is prescription only and is around £90 .

If I we’re you I’d order 0.025% shipped in from Farmacia Andorra for around £20 ( retails at 15 euros otc in Spain . )

Or sign up to Dermatica - little more expensive than sourcing yourself but works out cheaper than a full on derm .

If you’re not ready for prescription I’d suggest the Paula’s choice 1% or on a budget side , the ordinary 1% .

Thank you very much namechanged, I can’t quite figure out what I’m looking for on the farmacia Andorra site but I’ll keep looking and also message Dermatica!

www.farmaciaenandorra.com/shop/retirides-0025-30gr

Here ! I prefer to pick mine up in Greece or Portugal as it’s only 3.18 euros ! Xx

Thank you very much! Looks like around £29 with shipping included.

Yep it’s not too .

Ultimately it’s best in class as long as you manage your routine to avoid fragrance, essential oils and other acids.

If you are new to it Hot and Flashy has some great YouTube videos about introducing it , as does Dr Sam Bunting .

I say this as I’d hate for someone to buy this on my advice and have side effects from rushing into it !

Thank you namechanged - for the sun screen recommendation and the pointers to websites. That’s my evenings booked up with reading and research for the foreseeable!

Thank you name changed, plenty of reading for me to do now! I’m not entirely new to it all but I can’t seem to get my head around all the retinol/Retinoid/tretinoin differences etc.