Retinol GIVING me spots?

[HazySunsets]

I’m on my 3rd week of using the Paula’s choice 1% Retinol and I’ve noticed in the last 3-4 days that my skin is really breaking out 😩 I hardly ever get spots but I’ve currently got 3 big, sore ones on my chin and a couple around my cheeks 😩

I can only attribute it to the Retinol? I thought it was meant to get rid of acne and face acne marks, not being you out in a face full of big, sore boil like spots.

Is this normal? Will it pass?

It does that. I think they call it the purge. It passes.

Yes did it to me too. Hang on in there. It is clearing your pore

You need to only apply retinol at night (not the day) and use spf during the day.

Spots are a fairly normal sun reaction

Yes normal. When they give you the prescription stuff for acne they warn you it'll take 6 weeks - 3 months to improve your skin, as it has to do all the turn over first and stuff is brought to the surface.

Thanks, I’ll persevere for now but I’m out tonight and this weekend and these spots are looking rank and embarrassing!

Yup, I only apply it at night and use an SPF during the day. It could be the SPF too to be fair as I used to apply it lightly most days but now I’m applying it heavier every day!

I'm skeptical of the purge thing. Retinol is used for anti-acne as well as anti-aging purposes. Has anyone ever seen any peer-reviewed articles discussing the purge? I can only ever find beauty websites claiming it's a thing.

That Paula's Choice stuff made me break out too. I stopped using it.

You need to cleanse throughly when using sunscreen! As soon as you get home, double cleanse with a flannel.