Advice from those using tretinoin/retinol please

[justanotherneighinparadise]

So I’m using A313 every third evening. Completely dry skin. Only a very small amount. In the morning my face feels SO dry. I’ve has no peeling or anything but it feels really tight. Assuming this is normal, what’s the protocol for the next couple of days? Pouring as much moisture into your face as possible I’m guessing - if so by using which products?

I use a face oil about 30 mins after applying tret, then a moisturiser about another 30 mins after that.

I think I must have quite hardy skin though, as I've only experienced a bit of dryness if I've put it too close to my lips or nose.

@Cherryup

I use a face oil about 30 mins after applying tret, then a moisturiser about another 30 mins after that.

I think I must have quite hardy skin though, as I've only experienced a bit of dryness if I've put it too close to my lips or nose.

Oh that’s interesting. I’m going to bed after application. Should I be doing it differently do you think? 🤔

Buffer it afterwards with some moisturiser / facial oil, that's ok. Some people don't need to (usually if they have oily skin) but it sounds like you have dry skin anyway, if you feel extra dry the morning after.

I put something else on about 30mins after tret, otherwise I'm too dry the next day.

Ah that’s really interesting. I’ll do that!

Have you just started using it? You need to gently introduce it, also. I started twice a week for a month, then three times for a month. Increased to every second day for a month, then three days on, on off, three on, etc... Also recommend applying serum with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide (I love the Hada Labo one, but using Japanese Premium formula (blue) from Amazon) and then moisturiser and a couple of drops of oil patted on top.

Relatively recently yes. Within the last month.

I am doing every third night at the moment. No big reaction aside from tightness of skin in the morning. So I’ve had to try and pa k as much moisture into my skin as possible this morning and yet it still feels a bit tight 😬

That’s normal, tbf... just go very slowly and gently as you are. (Sneak up on it). It’s worth it. I have been using it (and sunscreen) on and off for about fifteen years, but sunscreen always, and tret consistently for the last 7-10 yrs. I live in Aus where sun damage is much more obvious than in Uk or Europe (we look older, earlier...) and my gene pool is not great for good skin. I don’t want to toot my own horn, but at nearly 49 and procedure-free, my skin is MUCH better than everyone else at my 30 year high school reunion. (Plus, I can frown!!!)

I just have such lines around my eyes. I don’t think anything is going to solve those now 😔

I might just move a bit into my lines with my moisturiser.... “accidentally”. Just to above the orbital bone area. It ends up migrating upwards as you sleep anyway. X

You need hydrating stuff rather than just moisturiser. So hyaluronic acid serum then a tiny bit of oil then moisturiser. I also use a Korean ‘treatment essence’ before the serum. It’s a bit like a toner from the old days but not alcohol filled. My skin sucks that right up and it gets rid of any tightness. So I’d recommend something like that too. But basically you need to hydrate and then seal it all in with the moisturiser.

A313 is crap according to my derm as it's only retinol palmitate .

I'd go to skin and me / Dermatica instead

And pick up some cicaplast baume

Ah I’ll keep that in mind @stevalnamechanger. I’m not wedded to anyone product really. I just read a lot of good stuff about it and watched lots of YouTube videos. I’ll finish the tube and decide then I think whether it’s done any good.

I decided to do as suggested and apply the A313, wait 30 mins and then put a night moisturiser over the top. My skin definitely feels less right this morning so I’ll carry on doing that I think 👌