Retinol - shiny face. How to fix?

[TheChip]

I have found that after a couple of weeks of using retinol, that my face has become rather shiny. Especially my cheekbone area.

I was using it every other day or so, but I'm going to go for just once a week, I think. But I thought I'd check incase this is normal and something that will iron itself out, along with wrinkles after a wee while.

Its not a greasy or oily type of shine. It feels soft and smooth. It just looks like a plastic shine 😆 best way I can describe it.

I think it's meant to do that. I might be wrong but I notice it, too. I like it, though, it's the dewy, clean, fresh skin look that I'm aiming for!

Is this a bad thing? I like looking like a glazed donut 🤣

Yeah it will. Tret glow

Glazed donut look 🤣 that fits
OK well that is reassuring that it's meant to do that. I was starting to feel really self conscious when out and about.

So if I keep it up it will settle, or am I best off reducing my usage to once a week to help it simmer its shimmer?

Mine is like that, I love that it's working!

Well I guess if you don't want to glow brighter than the sun you could use some loose powder?

I think I'm always shiny though.... I like it. I find matte more aging on me

I've had this and it has eventually settled. I call it waxiness. Try moisturising more

I quite like the shiny tret look. Less ageing than matte!

What retinol are people using? I'm late to the game and no clue where to start! Aged 43 combination, a bit sensitive skin if that makes a difference :)

@PinkCosYouAreSoVery

What retinol are people using? I'm late to the game and no clue where to start! Aged 43 combination, a bit sensitive skin if that makes a difference :)

Tret from Dermatica or Skin n me or order from abroad (Greece, spain). I'm also using medik8 retinol and it's the best I've used by far.

Once a week IMO is not enough for the anti aging benefit

@PinkCosYouAreSoVery

What retinol are people using? I'm late to the game and no clue where to start! Aged 43 combination, a bit sensitive skin if that makes a difference :)

I have just been using the loreal one. Its a blue bottle.

Its a shame that once a week isn't good enough, but reassuring that the shine is perfectly normal and has settled for some. I'll try every other day for a few more weeks and see how I get on.

I am also late to the party and know nothing about retinol.
I have just looked for the Loreal one mentioned above - is it L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Laser Pure Retinol Deep Anti-Wrinkle Night Serum?
It doesn't say on the directions how often to apply - seems to imply every night.....is this right?
Am thinking of trying some!

I would be surprised if this is a strong Retinol as most over the counter are quite mild.

I started on Medik 8 (fab stuff especially the Crystal retinal - strongest non prescription stuff you can buy).
Then moved on to 0.05% tret (but my skin is quite tough). Ketral bought from Portugal for 3 euros (wish I’d bought more).

Now I’m with Dermatica on 0.05% and I use this 4-5 times a week.

Thanks for the info :)

@mrsrobin

I am also late to the party and know nothing about retinol. I have just looked for the Loreal one mentioned above - is it L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Laser Pure Retinol Deep Anti-Wrinkle Night Serum? It doesn't say on the directions how often to apply - seems to imply every night.....is this right? Am thinking of trying some!

Yeah that's the one. It's an every night thing, yeah, but the reviews strongly advised a slow build up. So I started with once every 3 days for the first 3 uses, then I gave up and did every day since it didn't seem to be having a negative impact on my skin.

The loreal one will do next to nothing. Not nearly enough % in it.

Oh wow I thought it was good enough. What would you suggest as a better option that isn't so eye wateringly expensive?

Use Dermatica or Skin and Me for proper Retinol (Tret). £20ish per month.

Over the counter best one is Medik8 but it's pricey.

I love the waxy glow, so smooth! I'm using Dermatica which I prefer to Skin and Me though it's horses for courses. I made a mistake yesterday though and managed to get some on my eyelids which are now a bit sore and flaky.

Skin and Me seem to offer more gentle formulations? Lower percentages? So for sensitive skin they are good. Dermatica put me straight on to 0.05% as I was used to it so needed to stronger stuff. Both companies are good I think.

@TheChip

Oh wow I thought it was good enough. What would you suggest as a better option that isn't so eye wateringly expensive?

Dermatica and get low dose tret.

You can meddle around with the ordinary, inky list etc but it's a bit of a minefield of understanding jargon and I've never found it that effective. Dermatica offers free first month, then each prescription/product is £20, which you can order just twice a year if you want and make it last.

I'd quite like the shiny/glow, OP.

I think I might take the plunge and try Dermatica! I did attempt to buy Tretinoin from somewhere online, on recommendation, which turned out to be quite dodgy. If anyone has a referral code for Dermatica then I'd be happy to use that.

@ArabeI

www.dermatica.co.uk/referrer/Y2K0NE

Here you go!