Help! Advice for retinol virgin please.

[Badtasteflump]

I tried using retinol for the first time last night - Indeed labs Retinol Reface. I'm not big on skincare - usually just cleansing & moisturising morning and night.

After I had applied it my skin felt quite tingly and sensitive and this morning it still does. I also have a few pin-prick little rash-like spots on my cheeks and hairline. I'm just wondering now if this is normal and I persevere, or does it mean I'm sensitive to it?

Been googling and there is lots of conflicting information so I'm a bit confused. I normally used rosehip oil at night on it's own - this but I didn't use it last night because I wasn't sure if I should use anything 'with' the retinol or not, or if I should use it before or after?

Would appreciate any advice please...

Meant to say, my skin is usually really oily when I wake up first thing (I do have oily skin) but today it was completely dry, which seemed weird after a lifetime of oiliness!

I think it's reasonably common for retinoids to irritate some skins. They always say to use maybe twice a week at first then build up gradually if your skin tolerates it. I'd leave it a few days and see- could be too much irritation and you discontinue use, or maybe your skin will acclimatise.
Make sure you're using a good sunscreen by day.

Thanks - it took me by surprise a bit as my skin has always been pretty tough! I will try the twice a week thing and see how it goes... do you use moisturiser/facial oil when you apply the retinol?

Not sure what you're supposed to do... but I have a retinol night cream and use just that, every other night at the moment. If I was going to moisturise, my instinct would be to do it after... but I've no idea if that's best... sorry.

That’s ok! It seems to be a hugely complicated subject....