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Original poster

Retinol

20 replies

LittleEsme · 25/02/2022 13:39

Please can someone talk me through this?

I've been reading a little on this product and know that I should start on the weakest dose. I don't know how often I should use it though and for how long, what part of my ski. Routine I should apply it etc.

I'm looking at the smallest bottle from the Ordinary at 0.5%.

My current regime is very simple. Flannel washing followed by Haushka toner, then Nivea soft. It suits my skin but at 49' I'm seeing fine lines.

Any advice please?!

OP posts:
Yeahbutnotreally · 25/02/2022 16:54

Dr Derm -a dermatologist- advises a pea sized amount every other night and moisturise before and after. I’ve been using the ordinary for 3 weeks & apply it after quite a thick moisturiser. I’ve had a little flaking & ive had a fair few nasty spots but, thankfully, they seem to be calming down. My skin has developed a little glow though that I’m quite pleased with.
vm.tiktok.com/ZMLkqgL8s/

Skin purging happens when new ingredients, like retinol, promote increased cell turnover, which causes clogging and worsening breakouts. This is particularly the case as oil and debris that is trapped deeper underneath the skin comes to the surface.
The purge phase usually lasts for two to six weeks. But, it can vary depending on the skin. It can range from minor pimples to cystic acne, as well as dryness, redness, and peeling. Also, it is important to remember that retinol isn't the direct cause of acne

Original poster
LittleEsme · 25/02/2022 17:40

Thanks @Yeahbutnotreally !

Have you started with the 0.5%?

OP posts:
TheFormidableMrsC · 25/02/2022 17:44

I use The Ordinary retinol every other night. My routine is cleanse, make sure skin is dry. Apply retinol. Wait 10 mins, apply hyaluronic acid followed by oil and moisturiser.

On the days I don't use retinol I use vitamin C in the morning. So vit C serum, followed by hyaluronic acid, moisturiser, factor 50 sun cream (all year round).

My skin looks lovely Smile

LizDoingTheCanCan · 25/02/2022 17:45

Look at the retinoid rather than the retinol, it's less harsh on your skin but just as effective. Also put it on before moisturiser, no point in using it if you're putting a barrier in the way!

Your toner has alcohol in so you shouldn't use them together. The alcohol strips the skin and makes it more sensitive.

Benjispruce5 · 25/02/2022 17:47

Be very careful in spring sunshine . I used spf 30 but still got pigment patches so no longer use retinol.

Original poster
LittleEsme · 25/02/2022 18:29

Aaah what?!
I have 2 large pigment patches on my skin already! I was hoping the retinoid would help!

OP posts:
Benjispruce5 · 25/02/2022 18:46

It just makes your skin very sensitive to light. Only use at night, perhaps in autumn and winter and always use high spf.

Benjispruce5 · 25/02/2022 18:47

Vit c powder helps pigment patches I believe. Mine fade away in winter.

TheFormidableMrsC · 25/02/2022 20:45

@LittleEsme

Aaah what?! I have 2 large pigment patches on my skin already! I was hoping the retinoid would help!
Vit C serum will help with that, alternate it with retinol. It's really important that you use a daily F50 sun cream all year round. I use La Roche Posay which is just like a lovely skincare item
isthismylifenow · 25/02/2022 20:55

I use 0.3% and will go up when I've finished this bottle.

Only use at night though. I live in a hot country and haven't noticed any pigmentation but I use factor 50 every day. I started out gradually, once a week for a week, then twice for a week etc etc.

I was using HA first then then the retinol. But I think my skin is looking better using the retinol straight on and then moisturizer.

Geamhradh · 25/02/2022 21:05

Which Ordinary retinol is it?
The 0.5% in squalane is a decent entry grade retinol.
The granactive ones are such low % of active ingredients you might as well just buy a night cream that has a bit of retinol in.
If you're confused about retinols (and The Ordinary will do nothing to help that Grin) then check out Nadine Baggott's guides to retinol on YouTube and insta.

Geamhradh · 25/02/2022 21:06

Vit C will help a bit with pigmentation but is an anti-oxident so for mornings - it offers protection against pollution and UVA light.

Original poster
LittleEsme · 25/02/2022 21:18

Bladdie hell I'm building a list.

So:

Talk me throigh this like the idiot I am.

Step 1 hot flannel cleanse, followed by cold flannel cleanse. No product, just water. Works a treat - I'm 49 but look 37 utter lies

Dr Haushka's face spritz - pretty certain there's no alcohol in it - smells lovely and I love it. Also read sonewhere that it plumps some moisture back in to my skin I'm a marketers dream

Then, I slap on some Nivea soft - £1 from Home Bargains. No SPF whatsoever.

Where do I add in the Ret?
Where do I buy it?
What strength?
What about my pigment patches? When do I slap that stuff on?

Am I going to spend my night patting stuff into my chops in the hope that I don't age further?

Help!

Yes, I've had wine

OP posts:
Benjispruce5 · 25/02/2022 21:24

I would put the rest on after cleansing at night. Then you can moisturise on top as it can be drying. Apply spf 50 on top of mornings moisturiser.

Benjispruce5 · 25/02/2022 21:25

Ret not rest.

TheFormidableMrsC · 25/02/2022 21:51

@LittleEsme

Bladdie hell I'm building a list.

So:

Talk me throigh this like the idiot I am.

Step 1 hot flannel cleanse, followed by cold flannel cleanse. No product, just water. Works a treat - I'm 49 but look 37 utter lies

Dr Haushka's face spritz - pretty certain there's no alcohol in it - smells lovely and I love it. Also read sonewhere that it plumps some moisture back in to my skin I'm a marketers dream

Then, I slap on some Nivea soft - £1 from Home Bargains. No SPF whatsoever.

Where do I add in the Ret?
Where do I buy it?
What strength?
What about my pigment patches? When do I slap that stuff on?

Am I going to spend my night patting stuff into my chops in the hope that I don't age further?

Help!

Yes, I've had wine

Evening :

Cleanse
Retinol
Moisture (I choose to use HA, oil and Clinique dramatically different in 3 layers)

Morning :

Cleanse
Vit C serum
Moisturiser
SPF

doadeer · 25/02/2022 22:41

When I used over the counter Retinol I really didn't notice much. But my skin is great with Dermatica. You send a picture of your skin and they send you a tube once a month of prescription Retinol (Tret).

You cleanse then add the Retinol then moisturise.

In the morning I would use vitamin c and lots of Spf.

mnnewbie111 · 26/02/2022 07:07

Lol
I had no idea about this rigmarole. I use it and don't have any weird rituals beforehand. I do put moisturiser on afterwards tho, with spf. My skin hasn't fallen off but is it about to? Seriously question. I use Clark's if that makes a difference.

PAFMO · 26/02/2022 08:06

@mnnewbie111

Lol I had no idea about this rigmarole. I use it and don't have any weird rituals beforehand. I do put moisturiser on afterwards tho, with spf. My skin hasn't fallen off but is it about to? Seriously question. I use Clark's if that makes a difference.
I can't see what % the retinol is in the Clarks cream, but given that it's a good way down the ingredients list, it's likely to be about 0.3% (that's what most general creams/serums containing "retinol" sit at, especially when they don't specify) So, it's a decent entry grade and unlikely to make your face drop off anytime soon!
mnnewbie111 · 27/02/2022 15:30

@PAFMO thank you. I'm going to do some more research too as realise since reading this thread that im a bit blasé about what I put on my face

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