Wanting to add retinol to my routine… What do I need to know??

[Chloefairydust]

Turned 30 this year so thinking it’s time to add retinol to my routine… Any advice for how best to do this?

Can you recommend me a product? And any advice on how best to start a skin routine with retinol?

I know about having to use and SPF in the day but that’s about it 😁 … Anything else I need to know about retinol?

I took a lot of advice and eventually bought some from the Boots No 7 range. I have used it cautiously, exactly according to the instructions (including using SPF etc), and my face looks as if I've been out in the sun at midday and is painful and itchy...

Medik8 is fantastic and comes in different concentrations. Non irritating to my sensitive skin

Oh no, what strength retinol did you use? 😮

I would start with the ordinary 0.2% in squalane (it's under £5 on their website). Only use at night, definitely use SPF every morning. Don't combine with anything vitamin C or acid based! You can scale up to 0.5 and 1% if you want. I find it fab!

@Chloefairydust It was this one: www.boots.com/no7-0-3-percent-pure-retinol-night-concentrate-30ml-10301808 . As I say, I used it exactly as per instructions, and had a long conversation with the lady on the No 7 counter before I bought it.

I also bought the hand cream, and that is great - no problems at all.

Medik8 Crystal retinal 3 and 6 are the only ones that have given me noticeable results. They are excellent.

One piece of advice, when using any retinol product, dont get your eyebrows waxed. Bitter experience, it's a painful burn.

I started with Medik8 about 28 I think then moved to Tretinoin at 31.

Good moisturiser and Spf are key.

I also like the beauty pie ceramide capsules to use after Retinol, they feel so nice.

Just slow and steady is key

Has anyone tried the revolution serums? They are a good price but I’m not sure if they will be any good …🤔

Just had a look at the medik8 range, I hadn’t heard of them before, they are a bit more expensive but then I guess a serum lasts a long time anyway… I still have my Estée Lauder serum that I bought … God I can’t even remember when I bought it and I use a few drops of that each night (I’m not sure it actually does much but feels nice on 😁). I find a little goes a long way with serums, so I don’t mind spending a bit more. I think serums last a lot longer than moisturisers …

Lots of sites do decent sales on Medik8 - wait for Black Friday and have a look to see what’s on offer. I used to use the EL night repair serum and didn’t see any results at all, no idea why it’s so highly rated. Not a retinol but the one serum I have been astounded by is the Beauty Pie Youthbomb. Wasn’t expecting anything from it but wow, it is fantastic. If you’re looking for something to use on the nights you don’t use retinol it’s worth a punt.

Have a look at face theory, I was bought a set for my birthday and have noticeably improved fine lines.

Also do you apply the serum all over your face, and is it ok to use a little of the retinol serum around eye area or do I need a separate product for this?

Yeah I probably won’t buy any more EL serum when it runs out, I think it’s a good serum and my skin feels more hydrated but then I could probably get the same results using any hydraulic acid serum lol…

Also so you can’t use retinol with vitamin C , is there any other products it can’t be used with?

I used murad products and find them fantastic. No sensitivity!

Do you mean prescription tretinoin ie roaccutane? I had a course of that for mild acne a few years ago and my skin has never looked as good as it did then ☹️

I started of with Roc Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream. It worked well as a first step.

Another vote for Medik8

Following!

@Mama3737
Hi I use Tret from Dermatica, you send pics of your skin and they send you a formula every 4-6 weeks or whatever frequency you want.

If you want to try it here is a code

www.dermatica.co.uk/referrer/Y2K0NE

@Chloefairydust
It's not that you can't use vit c with Retinol, you just need to be aware your skin might be more sensitive for a while. Everyone is different. I've always used vit c in the morning on Retinol but I've never had a strong reaction to it. The thing I never do now is exfoliate, just don't feel it's needed for my skin.

Only use retinol at night, never in the day. I use Poppy Austin retinol cream, it feels and smells lovely. In the day I use vit C serum under a spf 50 cream even if not outdoors. This was the routine given to me by the beautician who is doing my ipl (for thread veins) and it is going well.

Yep often layering other products with retinol can lead to increased sensitivity so it’s best to start with just the retinol a few times a week, followed by a basic moisturiser, then build up to more frequent use. Vitamin C serums can be used in the morning - there are lots available but I like the Inkey list Vit C/EGF serum, and again the BeautyPie one (I promise I don’t work for them!)

As a PP already said, the key is finding a decent SPF and a calming, basic moisturiser ideally with no irritants when you’re using retinol. There aren’t really any rules about what you can and can’t layer but using other actives at the same time runs the risk of causing increased irritation and sensitivity. If you’re new to retinol I wouldn’t risk it. Everyone’s skin is different but mine has a hissy fit if I layer - I have a sensitivity to certain fragrances/preservatives so it’s been quite a journey finding things that don’t irritate. You definitely need a decent SPF so after the retinol that should be your main focus x

Can anyone recommend a decent SPF please ? Not too expensive

The budget Spf I always recommend is altruist face fluid or the normal one (thicker consistency)- it's available on Amazon. No frills but a really decent one

I use altruist spf 50 face fluid too. It has no smell and leaves no white cast.