I've tried new Kheils retinol - help!

[notanicepersonapparently]

I'm a first time user of Retinol and my face is all red and flakey. I tried to new Kheils microdosing formula which says it's suitable for daily use from the start. I've used it three nights in a row and used an Avene factor 30 sunscreen. My skin is now very red and is flakey. Just like bad sun burn. I've only been outdoors for a little over an hour in that time.
I'm 57 with no specific skin concerns such as Acne. I've let my beauty routine slide since COVID as I've not been going out much but thought I'd take better care of myself and now I'm regretting it.
Any one got any advice as to whether I'm likely to get any benefits continuing with this?

I see what you mean about the prices of some of the products she recommends. I had a look at what is available in Space NK, which has always been out of my price range to be honest, but I would go in for a browse now and then. The brands are all new to me and I wouldn't know if they were any better than something like the Ordinary which came up when I googled vitamin C.
On a positive note the redness is fading. I did top up the moisturiser and SPF a few times today. I was going out and managed to look fairly ok!

You need factor 50 OP. 30 isn't strong enough when using retinol, you'll wreck your skin.

I remember when she used to come on skin care threads too @Geamhradh. Long time ago!

I’m in the FB group and agree it can get weird. Can be lovely though. Like everything. It got me through lockdown! I spent a fortune but was happy! (And have enough skincare now to do me until 2025!)

Consistency is the main thing really with skincare. CH herself says you don’t need to spend a fortune. She worked for Space NK and higher priced brands so that’s her background and a lot of her contacts I suppose.

@notanicepersonapparently - The Inkey List is a good range. Their Oat balm cleanser is supposed to be very good. The Your Good Skin cleansing gel from Boots is also good.

And The Ordinary products are good too.

Superdrug do a really good own brand serum that gets a lot of praise. I think it’s about £3 or something.

The Superdrug serum is fab, I use it if my skin is sensitive or dry or just doesn't know what it wants! It's called pure hydration and is usually on offer too

It makes me sad that somehow it's OK to put stuff on your skin that stings or hurts, that it's a "beauty regime" that you have to get used to. If you've no significant problems with your skin, then why put yourself through this?

Well that’s the thing @TheSmallAssassin - it shouldn’t sting or hurt. It’s a message that something is not right.

@TheSmallAssassin

It makes me sad that somehow it's OK to put stuff on your skin that stings or hurts, that it's a "beauty regime" that you have to get used to. If you've no significant problems with your skin, then why put yourself through this?

It doesn't usually. But retinol increases the cell turnover so if you use too much too fast, you can get peeling/dry skin. Often known as tret uglies and it's pretty common

I used an acid peel the other day that stung like hell but again that's normal for acid treatments. It didn't damage my skin or hurt after snd my skin looked a lot better

Tret has taken me from this, to this

That's amazing @ihaveonecat

I can't get Tret here (am in furrin'- @Peridot1 if I remember correctly, you and I used to be capital city cousins!) I can't find anything like Skin and Me or Dermatica here.

@ihaveonecat your skin looks fabulous now. I see so many younger women with skin like your before picture (but covered in heavy foundation). I was very lucky to never have any skin issues like that. I hardly had a spot as a teenager.
But I think I have proved to myself that my skin is rather sensitive so I think I need to be a bit cautious when I try new things out. Lesson learnt.
As an aside by the end of the evening my foundation was looking horrible. It was sitting in every pore and line in a way I'd not seen before.

We are indeed @Geamhradh.

Shame you can’t get Dermatica or Skin + Me there. I started Dermatica at the beginning of Dec. No major changes yet other than skin is definitely less red. My second tube arrived this week. I introduced really slowly so I’ve a few days left in my first tube I think. Not bad for £2.90!

@ihaveonecat - great result.

@notanicepersonapparently - sounds like your skin is quite dehydrated. It may be that it was dehydrated anyway and that is why the Kiehl’s retinol caused issues.

My skin gets very dehydrated in winter. I am using prescription tretinoin (retinol) and really upped the hydration before starting as I noticed that quite a few of my products were stinging.

I find layers of light hydration work best for me rather than a heavy cream. I really like Cerave moisturiser- it’s hydrating and has lots of good stuff like ceramides and hylauronic acid in. They also do a hylauronic serum. Curel do a hydrating spray which is really good too.

Thanks for those recommendations @Peridot1. I'll try them out.
I was also reading the thread about cleansing recommendations and there was a post by @wagsandclaws saying wait 20mins after applying toner before putting on retinol cos if you don't the retinol can irritate the skin more. I put mine on straight after toner so that could be part of the issue

Yes it's true, I didn't initially then my dr ( does my Botox and fillers ) said that why my skin was so irritated.

Sure enough waited and have no probs at all now