Overdid the retinol 😬

[CarollaKerala]

I used the Ordinary retinol 1% too many nights in a row before my skin is used to it. For the last few days my skin has been flaking and sore.

The skin under my eyes feels a bit like I’ve spread a thin layer of PVA glue there and let it dry! And it looks so wrinkled! Big deep wrinkles when I smile because the skin is so dry.

I’ve been rubbing in rosehip oil lots. Any other tips for getting past this dryness as quickly as possible?

I’ve learnt my lesson and will go more slowly with the retinol from now on 🤦‍♀️

As a skincare specialist and a mom, I strongly recommend against any oils especially coconut as it will quickly clog your pores and add to your problems. I personally like to use CeraVe products. So, just the cleanser for sensitive skin, your hyaluronic acid then the heavy moisturizing cream at night; just splash your face with water in the morning and moisturize. CeraVe products are amazing and low cost, so get the large jar of moisturizer(about $14 US) and the cleanser(about $6). Once you start the Retinol(at night) follow it with the moisturizer to start building up the essential lipids(fats) in your skin as well as the protective barrier that has been compromised.

Thanks everyone so much for your advice, really, really appreciate it. I’ve got the la Roche posay cream recommended and had the CeraVe cleanser anyway, so going to stick with these and then start again slowly with the Retinol and be more patient. Lesson learned! All the tips about different oils etc are really useful too.

Me again. If you want to stay with The Ordinary products, try the Granactive retinoids instead. These are a sustained-delivery form of pure retinol in a protective capsule system which supports both the delivery and the effect of Granactive Retinoid. Because of this, there is much less chance of irritation with use. I use the 2% in squaline instead of the emulsion as I like the texture of a serum better.

Thanks @Dollie1968 I had been using that one and my skin was looking loads better but then i got greedy and wanted to rush things along a bit and bought the retinol 1%. When I start again I think I’ll use the rest of the original bottle and gradually taper up from there.

Also, when I got my regime from the Ordinary, they said use the rosehip oil after retinol, but what does everyone think to this? Would the La Roche Posay or CeraVe moisturisers be more suitable?

As was mentioned by someone previously I would definitely skip the rosehip oil as it contains Vitamin A. Retinols and retinoids are derived from this, so essentially you are doubling up girl!:). My motto has always been less is more. Either one of the moisturizers is an excellent choice as they both have ceramides in them.

I would reccomend trying the cerave moisturising cream.

I’d also add a hydrating mist, so you can spray throughout the day.

Oil does not moisturise / add moisture to skin- you need something E45 or the like first
Then oil to lock in

@PeterRouseTheFleshofMankind I wondered exactly the same, how many times can the cells regenerate? Op don't forget loads of spf even on rainy cloudy days. Loads of great advice in pp here.

Hi..uses some sweet almond oil on ur face at night. And some fresh aluwera pulp..this will help sooth ur skin..dont apply anything harsh until the dryness disappears.good luck my dear

Avene skin recovery cream is better than lrp cicaplast imo. I layer it over retinol, wake up and skin is great.

Get 100% pure unscented almond oil and also use Vaseline.

Hi CarollaKerala where did you buy your retinol 1% and what is the brand has I have trouble finding it.

SPF-50

@Tinktink74 it’s from The Ordinary, I got it from their website and they also sell it on Asos

Everyone, my skin is LOADS better. Just a small bit of flakiness left under one eye but the soreness has gone thankfully!

Thank you for all your advice 😊😊😊

That's great, what did you do that made a difference you think?

@stayfit I think just using the CeraVe cleanser (hydrating one) and the cicaplast cream from La Roche Posay. I also used the CeraVe moisturiser last night and it made my skin really soft (didn’t think this would ever be possible again after last week’s lizard skin). I didn’t try the other stuff just because I didn’t have any but they could be just as good.

Oh and also some ‘hydraulic acid’ 😂 and loads of SPF 50 in the day. I didn’t scrub but did use a flannel very gently over the flaky bits

Cicaplast is absolute magic.

Thanks, I am tempered to try Cerave moisturizer