Retinol to the rescue?

[Smoothasababy]

I’m going through a separation this past year and my skin has taken a hammering. I’ve got in to a better routine & am using a glycolic acid toner.

I have new fine lines on my cheeks, crow’s feet, 11s, frown lines etc. I’m 40. I’ve started using the Ordinary 0.2% retinol. I also bought the Ordinary 1% (I think it was 1%). Is this the best way to go for fighting wrinkles? I’ve had no reaction to the 0.2% (good or bad) so far and I use it every second night. I started about a month or two ago.

Is retinol the cure for grieving skin? 🤷🏽‍♀️

Any thoughts?

Skip the Ordinary and do an online consultation with Dermatica. You’ll get the good stuff (tretinoin) and you’ll see really good results. It does cause flaky skin and peeling though, so get a good calming moisturiser and don’t use any other actives. I love Dr Jart’s ceramide cream for tret skin.

@TeddyIsaHe
How long did it take for you to notice a difference with Dermatica. I’m so impatient!

But yes OP, go to straight to Dermatica, it will have a much difference long term.

Agree with the Dermatica suggestion - don’t expect instant results tho, it’s a long term thing. I haven’t experienced any redness or flakiness but then my skin is used to acids etc. I also highly recommend the Strivectin Glow Toner which contains hyaluronic and lactic acid. Use after cleansing. Do you use a Vit C product?

Is tret a retinol? I just bought a few diff Ordinary bits and also the REN acid toner and I get confused about what I can and can’t use on the same day.

Dermatica ok ... thanks ... never heard of it. The peeling sounds a bit worrisome. How long does it last?

Hyaluronic acid in creams doesn’t agree with me. I’ve no vit c product. Any recommendations?

Depending on your budget my favourite Vit c serums are: Oskia vitamin c capsules (v pricey), Sunday Riley C.E.O oil, or Beauty Pie vitamin c capsules. I’ve had good results with all.

The peeling lasted a couple of weeks, but a ceramide cream will help prevent and heal.

Make sure you have a v good SPF!

Biore Watery Essence, or REN Clean Screen are good options.

@Smoothasababy
I haven’t had any peeling or redness at all with Dermatica. It’s all been positive so far.

I haven’t had peeling or redness from tret either. Agree with the Biore Watery Essence suggestion - lovely SPF but beware of fakes on Amazon (read reviews). Surprisingly the best vit C serum I’ve used is by Avon. 20% vit C and absolutely brilliant. I’m on my 4th bottle.

Retinol takes at least 6 months to produce results. I'd suggest you try cut it back to every 3rd night for the moment and gradually up it to every second night. It does work but it's not a short term solution.

I got some nip and fab retinol and I like it ..

Does anyone know why you have to be on contraception for some anti ageing products?

I wouldn't bother with retinol and just go straight into a low strength Tree, it is prescription only though. I've been using Dermatica for the past 4 months and have just started to notice a difference. I still have the peeling but it's very minimal, it's defo a long game.

*Tret not tree.

You need at least 3 months to see results from retinol as the skin renews every 28 days or so.

I also use Dermatica and have tret and niacinimide in my prescription. I had no peeling but had been using the ordinary retinol for a year before going prescription.

If you didn't want Dermatica straight away I would start with the ordinary and build up to the highest level. Start slow and buffer with a moisturiser.

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll finish the 0.2% the Ordinary retinol I have. I also have two 1% the Ordinary retinol bottles which I bought without knowing the % was too high! So, once I'm finished the 0.2%, I'll start on the 1%. I'll use both bottles and once I've used them, I'll look in to Dermatica and tret.

Thanks for the bioré watery essence spf suggestion and the Avon 20% vitamin C serum suggetions.

@MoltonSilver
I'm just wondering why you've suggested cutting back on the 0.2% retinol? I was using every second night and lately I've upped it to every night. I thought the idea was to build up usage of it gradually? Thanks.

I've just completed the on line Dermatica consultation as suggested in this thread. I'm at the bank details page .... it's not actually telling me what I will get though, unless I have missed something. Could one of you who is doing this please let me know what you get for £19.99 a month and is that a standard amount?

@bananaorange

If you are on vitamin a (accutane, tret or retinol) then they don’t want you to get pregnancy.

Accutane can cause birth defects, there is no evidence of tretinoin or retinol causing birth defects but they are wary so want people on contraception if they are using it.

@Lobsterquadrille2 - yes the amount charged by Dermatica is right and I think your exact prescription will be available to view in your account although I don’t think I took much notice until the tube arrived in the post. When you get it, change your payment settings to every 56 days as the tube will last way longer than 28 days.

@mrslebon thank you very much - that's really helpful!

I haven't heard of Dernatica before but it does sound good.
To be honest OP, if you want to see results, ditch the Ordinary.
The Retinol is very unstable and only lasts a few weeks before it becomes inactive.
Have a consultation with a skin professional.

Alumier and Obagi are excellent medical skincare brands. You can only buy the products after speaking with a professional. They will explain how to use the products and what strength is best for your skin.

P.s. if you are using retinol. You MUST wear SPF religiously and avoid sunbathing

@Confusedcorona
Thanks very much. I'll look in to Alumier and Obagi.

Why is it so important to wear spf? I know it's good practice anyway but does retinol increase your chances of getting burned? I'm a little wary of retinol after reading all of this considering it has seems to have such profound effects on the skin and on the body (birth defects etc!).

Does anyone know how long it takes to get out of the system? I don't have children and am unlikely to get pregnant (I'm 40) but you never know - I could get lucky and meet someone (I'm going through a separation)...I'd hate to think I couldn't try for a baby immediately because I was worried about wrinkles...

A lot of questions - thanks in advance for any thoughts

Retinol is Vitamin A, which isn't recommended in pregnancy.
It would be find to continue using retinol up until you get a position pregnancy test.

Don't be afraid, retinol is fab. You just need to use it correctly.

SPF vital because retinol is exposing your new baby skin to the UV light (as it causes your dead skin on the surface to shed off, so you have no protection)

Retinol is excellent for acne, acne scarring, wrinkles, pigmentation as it resurfaces your skin.

Feel free to PM me. I'm a skincare professional.