Gentle retinol recommendations

[Tinks15]

Just that really…I’m still trying to work out what my skin likes & doesn’t like & it’s hard work. I’m currently on skin+me & have been for some time & am not happy so thinking of stopping & just using a gentle retinol. I’m not entirely sure the skin+me agrees with me as my skin is just horrendous all the time. As I said above it’s not a ‘purging’ stage as I’ve been on it a long time now & can’t see any improvements. I’ve messaged customer service a few times & whilst they’ve been good & changed it a few times it always reverts back to this current prescription i’m on atm & it does nothing but break me out continuously. Honestly I just don’t know if I can be bothered with it anymore.

I was thinking of trying a gentle retinol instead to see what that’s like. Does anyone have any recommendations or suggestions to what I should do?

I also found it hard going to get on with the higher strengths of retinol. I have found Paula's Choice retinol products to be really good, they have Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced level retinol products (which are basically progressively stronger). It says on their website what the different product strengths are:

www.paulaschoice.com.au/expert-advice/skincare-advice/retinol

I started with the Barrier Repair moisturiser with retinol at night which I found to be very gentle, then moved up to the Intensive Wrinkle Repair retinol Serum (which contains a higher % of retinol). I definitely noticed a step up in strength, so I started by applying it every other day at the beginning.

After a few months I moved up to the Clinical Retinol and Bakuchiol treatment which is stronger again.

I've been prescribed tretinoin by a dermatologist before and I found all the PC products to be a lot gentler. I think the fact you can start on gentler products and work your way up is great.

I started off with the Skinceuticals 0.3 retinol before working my way up to their 0.5. It didn’t irritate my skin and resulted in fewer breakouts and an even skin texture!

My skin is ridiculously sensitive so I started off twice a week and worked my way up to daily over the course of about 3 months.

Thanks both. I will take a look

I think I’m definitely going to cancel my skin+me treatment for now.

For an over the counter one, Olay do a range. The ones in the purple pots.

I've been using Medik8 stuff as they have a gentle retinol night moisturiser and starter kits/routines for specific skin concerns.

It's a British brand and I've been using them for about 5 years. Really happy with all the products and it's less marketing oriented.

La roche posay redermic

+1 for medik 8, I have gradually built up from low to high strength of retinol and never had any problems.

Medik8 are great but a good gentle introduction to retinol is Indeed Labs retinol reface. I found it very gentle and non irritating.

I echo Medik8. I’ve just started on their retinAL 0.3. No issues at all and seeing some results already two weeks in alongside their Vit C.

I like Sunday Riley Luna. A 15ml bottle lasts months as you only need 4 drops.