Retinol? Do I need retinol?

[SerenityNowwwww]

I’ve seen it mentioned in magazines...

I have typical Celt skin - pale and a bit dry. I look positively transparent in the mornings and am getting wrinkles around the eyes and forehead.

Would this help? Any suggestions?

I tend to wear sunscreen anyway as my skin is pale and I don’t need sunburn! I visited some family a while back (very hot climate) and got into the habit of slapping it on).

The amazon link was for paulas choice - but there are a few variations.

My sister had retinol from aged 16 for acne.
After uni she went to live in US so carried on with retinol for her outbreaks .
So has used it most of her adult life.
She is 48 used to smoke and has a very stressful job
Her skin is amazing she looks early 30s.
She claims the retinol has done it.
I started using it a couple of years ago it helps but no miracles for me.

I was thinking of buying Retirides from Farmacia Andorra - the lowest one to start with and go from there, what do people think? I kind of don't want to be that crazy lady who buys prescription strength shit from abroad to put on her face! But then on the other hand I feel like if I just do a little bit now (I am late 30s and not particularly wrinkly) then I can keep the wolf from the door a little bit, rather than waking up one morning and thinking its too late? And I definitely don't want to go down the botox route or anything like that.

Do you just put it on the areas that need sorting or all over?

Also, I know SPF is important and I do wear it every day now anyway, but what if you forget one day, does your face fall off? Do people lay off the retinol if they go on holiday to somewhere particularly sunny?!

Also, is there long term damage from stuff like Tretinoin? Like, I don't want to get to 50 and people be like 'oh she looks like she hit the retinoids in her younger years'! I don't know, white or red patches, or discolouration or something? I'm slightly worried that wide facial retinol/Vitamin A is something that people will look back on in horror in 20 years time or something?

I think it makes a huge difference. Just don’t wear it on sunny days

Also what's the craic with using retinoids and glycolic acid? I use a glycolic toner a few times a week and I absolutely love what it does, but it sounds like it wouldn't be a good idea to use that and a retinoid, eeeeeek!

We need a dermatologist... drums fingers... Puts our batsignal...

You can use glycolic but it's not a good idea at first
I use skin and me, on dry skin and then moisturise about 30 mins after. Once or twice a week I won't use it and will either do a hydrating night or use an acid exfoliator
If you just slap it on and carry on using acid then yes, your face will probably peel/go red/flake fall off
Low and slow with retinol and build it up

I like Medik8 Crystal Retinol it's about £30 but lasts me a number of months - I use 3x a week and the other nights I use glycolic acid.

Do you use retinol in the am or pm?

Always pm.

Vit c in morning

@Somanyactivities - I recently went to Spain and brought some Retirides home with me - I paid 19 Euros. I was inspired by a woman called Angie aka Hot and Flashy. She has a great video on her website and on YouTube where she explains how to start using tretinoin. It's all about building up very very slowly. She explains exactly when and where to put it and where it fits in with other products like serum and moisturiser. I plan to use it following her advice. I am going to acclimatise my skin a bit first though by using an OTC Retinol first - the Boots No 7 one. Once I'm up to using that every day problem free I will start on the Retirides but start right at the beginning with it.

Also, is there long term damage from stuff like Tretinoin? Like, I don't want to get to 50 and people be like 'oh she looks like she hit the retinoids in her younger years'! I don't know, white or red patches, or discolouration or something? I'm slightly worried that wide facial retinol/Vitamin A is something that people will look back on in horror in 20 years time or something?

Retin-A was first released in the early 70s with the anti-aging effects noticed not long thereafter, so highly doubt this would be the case. It’s one of the handful of topicals out on the market that really make a big difference!

Retin-A was first released in the early 70s with the anti-aging effects noticed not long thereafter, so highly doubt this would be the case. It’s one of the handful of topicals out on the market that really make a big difference!

But it's not meant for anti-ageing use is it (at least not in the UK?) And the fact that it does actually make a difference to your skin is why you can't get it over the counter and it's prescription only? It's actually classed as a medicine in the UK? So I'm just a bit wary of using it on 'healthy' skin.

I remember watching that Horizon documentary years ago (the one where they said No7 protect and perfect serum was the only one that actually worked and it flew off the shelves!) and I remember them saying that if a skincare product actually makes any difference to the skin (beyond superficial hydration, exfoliation etc) its classed as a medicine, which is why the majority of skincare, particularly 'anti-ageing' skin care, is a bit of a con.

I'm just wondering why you can't buy Retin-A over the counter here and I'm a bit wary?

I'm aware that post comes across as shitty, it's not, I'm genuinely asking!

I'm just wondering why you can't buy Retin-A over the counter here and I'm a bit wary?

It’s OTC where I’m at right now. Plenty of other places where it’s OTC and not sure why the UK is behind on this. Just patch test, start verrry slowly and use sunscreen!

Also it’s BS that topicals don’t work. Most are just marketing and waste of $$$ but a few do really work!

"So - if I upped my Vit A intake would my hair and skin improve?"

@SerenityNowwwww No, high levels of vitamin A can cause hair loss! I can't answer your retinol question though!

SoManyActivities at a guess, could it be because it has the potential to make one’s skin worse, not better, and also leaves you vulnerable to sun damage? Dispensing via prescription means that there’s a higher chance that instructions are followed, I’d think.

And yes it is available in other countries OTC

Both derms I have used give out this advice for free on insta ... shared details below

I started taking more interest in skin care a year or so ago. I'm very pale with some freckles and blue eyes. I'm 35 and just ace fine lines which are visable if I look closely! I get quite dry skin too. I learned the difference between dehydration and dress. Hyloranic acid is the biggest change I've seen in my skin. It has made my skin way more supple a big one for the appearance of fine lines.
It's not actually an acid which stings like some of the direct acids. I use the ordinary one. I use loads of ordinary products as you can buy ingredients seperatly and see what works. They have recommended regimes and you can chat to an advisor online, or loads of people do reviews.
Retinol can be quite harsh I started with one and it made my skin red. But then it turned out I'd bought a strong one. I've now striated on the granactive retinol again from ordinary and this is good but much more gentle. Also just to say I don't work for the ordinary or anywhere that sells their products! I just like them!

I started using a (very mild) retinol in lockdown and my skin is definitely looking better.

I have pale, Celtic skin too. I wear sunscreen everyday and have for years. I started with La Roche-Posay retinol, which I think is 0.33% and used it a couple of times a week to start with. You do need to let your skin get used to it and some people are sensitive. I think there are some gentler forms. A couple of years later, I changed to The Ordinary 0.5% and now 1%. I have noticed a difference, frown lines, mostly and some pigmentation.

Oh quirky you’ve probably got skin like mine - what was the La Roche-Posay retinol item?

It was La Roche Posay Redermic Retinol in a tube. Quite expensive, but I think a small tube lasted about 8 or 9 months. There is a similar eye cream, so be careful which one you buy. It was recommended as being a good retinol starter, I have had no sensitive reactions to retinol at all, but I did go very slowly.