Retinol and eye irritation

[Wessexheavytreader]

I started using No7 retinol face serum a couple of months ago. I had a break from it recently (ran out!) and applied some two nights ago. Since then my eyes have been sore/red and itchy. Thinking back this has been happening on and off a lot since I started the retinol. It seems very likely to be the retinol causing the eye symptoms but I do suffer from other allergies that flare from time to time and cause eye irritation and it can be hard to know what has caused my eyes to be sore.

I have googled it and most articles suggest keeping it away from the eyes, which I did.

Is this something others have experienced and does it mean I cannot use retinol? Any help would be much appreciated.

Yes it probably is the retinol which will creep along the skin to your eye area.

Try applying an eye cream first to protect the area.

Thank you @ThatsWhatI. I will try that.

It could just be the serum itself, rather than the retinol. My eyes can tolerate a tiny bit of Tretinoin mixed into a niacinamide and HA moisturiser, but get all itchy and puffy from actual retinol eye creams.

Thank you @RacheyCat. I’m a novice with skin creams and thought I’d just start with a branded face retinol and see how I get on. I don’t put it near my eyes so was baffled by the itchy, red reaction! I need all the help I can get so I’m hoping not to have to give up on the retinol!

Yeah I get a reaction near my eyes and on my neck, I buffer so I pop moisturiser in those areas before I put the retinol on and I just don’t use retinol every day, a few times a week is plenty for me. You could try a lower % retinol or a more gentle
Retinoid.

@Kjr33 thank you for your reply. I’m glad it sounds like I won’t have to give up retinol, just change the way I use it.

I get this but it's niacinamide that causes it

I’m not even sure what that is @GuyFawkesDay! I’m clueless with all this, I bought the serum to look a bit fresher but now I just look like I’ve been crying or I’ve got conjunctivitis