Retinol spot breakout- help! (Warning- pic of spotty skin)

[LadyVox]

Hi all, I am in desperate need of some advice.

I’ve been using retinol since the end of April and it has caused horrible breakouts on my chin and around my nose.

I’ve never had spots before so I’m rather taken aback and not sure what to do about it. I know retinol requires a ‘purging’ period of 28 days, but it’s been over 8 weeks now and they don’t show signs of letting up.

Has anyone gone through the same? Will it go? I am very worried that I have effectively ruined my skin forever and I’m regretting ever trying retinol.

I’m using .5%, started off at once a week, then twice, now three times.

I would personally stop using it. You do go through a kind of rash but not spots. Not wanting to sound cheeky but do you really need it? You have very 'young' looking skin!

Stop using it, I tried it too but my skin hates anything that causes rapid exfoliation.

Your skins trying to tell you something.

Thanks both,

I really shouldn’t have used it to begin with and definitely feel very stupid.

Sorry, this is a bit of a drip feed, but I actually started using retinol in January- I stopped after about 2 weeks due to the breakout, but it didn’t go away. My skin just stayed spotty and awful for the next three months- this is what caused me to start using retinol again, under the reasoning that ‘the only way out is through.’

Stopping didn’t get rid of it, and not is using it- not sure why to do now!

I think (disclaimer: not a doctor) that you've damaged your skin barrier. You need to cut down to a very basic routine, no high pH:s that aggravate, no irritants, nothing. Cleanse, moisturise. (and sunscreen, obv)

Thanks- I use suncream and on non- retinol days I am only using bio oil.

I’ll do just bio oil for a month maybe and see what happens.

I thought you used retinol for fine lines etc?
You look about 12
I'd give it a miss and use some very gentle skincare, minimally.

Retinol can be beneficial to acneic skin too - or at least the stronger "proper" version, retinoid. I'd like to add that Bio-oil gave me cystic acne so I'm very suspiscious of it. ;)

I will take that as a compliment- I am 31! Haha

I was using it primarily for forehead lines and crows feet. I will say, the rest of my face is glowing, so will be sad to give it up- it’s just a war zone around my mouth!

I’ve always had bumpy skin on my chin, so I do wonder if retinol is pulling out crap that’s never broken the surface? I think that’s just wishful thinking through, it wouldn’t last 6 plus weeks surely.

@banivani - bio oil is a skin saviour for me, assuming I rub it in correctly I always wake up looking like I’ve had a great facial.

The rest of my skin routine is top notch at the mo, it’s just this bloody retinol!

What are you using? Could you just use the retinol on the other areas and let the other parts dry out and clear up :)

All sorts! My current wonder product is the Alex Steinherr sleep mask from Primark, which is frankly amazing, I can’t get over how cheap it is.

I did consider not using it on my chin, but everything I read online says ‘keep using retinol until the purging stops’ and, as I say, I’ve always had a bumpy chin, so I do still wonder if I should keep at it in the hope it clears up and I come out the other side glowy and Gwynethesque? Hmmm

What about trying something different from The Ordinary?

My current retinol is the ordinary, but it is 0.5%. I could drop down to 0.2 maybe? Or buy a salicylic acid?

Or just leave it alone to heal?. I really don’t think putting an acid onto irritated skins a good idea.

Gwyneths a clean eating, no dairy, sugar, wheat or alcohol type. She’s probably got a private chef and a private dermatologist on speed dial. They’ll be photo shopping her pictures too.

Eat healthy food, minimise booze, wear sunblock every day and get plenty of sleep if you want nice skin. You can only be the best version of you.

This looks a little bit like mild perioral dermatitis- google it. A course of antibiotics should sort it right out. If you’ve had the spots in the same place for that long, I would suggest that’s what it is. I’ve had it- it was awful and hung around for months until I was correctly diagnosed xx

I agree that it looks like Peri oral dermatitis rather than spots to me. I’ve had it a few times, it might need antibiotics to shift it but should clear up quite quickly x

Thanks both- I will make a dr appointment!

I had dreadful perioral dermatitis caused by pixi glow tonic. Before you go to the GP try this bioderma cream, I found it miraculous, I cleared the dermatitis completely

www.bioderma.ie/our-products/cicabio/creme

Hi think you may have started on too high a %. I've started using the ordinary at 2%. I was initially using it 3 times a week and broke out. Gave my skin a break, waited the spots to go and started again at once a week and my skin looks and feels great. You may also be using another product that causes the retinol to be an irritant (there are certain products you shouldn't be using whilst using retinol). Dr Dray (dermatologist) explains this really in her numerous videos .... I've been following her tips (Inc moisturising whilst the skin is wet) and my skin is the best it's been in ages. I would recommend La Roche Posay effaclar duo (avoid the 1 with SPF - irritated mine and my sisters skin) to help with the break out - amazing stuff!! Or you may simply just be allergic to retinol in which case stop using it immediately. Hope this helps x

I think the Dr appt is a good idea. Its not acne.

Sudocrem saved my retinoled face. I didn’t break out though, just she’s like a lizard

Shed*