What should I expect from Retinol?

[ChiefWiggumsBoy]

I've just bought and started using (last week) the 1% retinol in squalane from The Ordinary.

I have rosacea for which I've had about 6 rounds of laser therapy. My skin isn't especially sensitive. I used Cerave smoothing face wash daily, TO 30% Peeling Solution every week or so, SPF in the morning and a very nourishing face cream in the evening called Smoom. Occasionally I'll use some clay face mask or a sheet face mask and those undereye patch things.

But I'm not sure what I'm expecting? Articles really just use words like 'rejuvenating' and 'possible purges'.

Can anyone advise? How have you used it and what has it done for you?

PS I'm 40 with fine lines round my mouth and eyes, deeper ones under my eyes (which this obviously doesn't touch) and HUGE pores.

You won't see anything for a good few months and then your skin will look good for your age. You won't look 10 years younger, and it won't erase lines, but there'll be a glow and your skin will look and feel more compact.
Is this the 1% retinol or 1% granactive? If the latter, that's an entry grade weak % and so after a while you could "upgrade" to a stronger %.

Try roc for the eyes- best thing I ever bought

does take time though

Thanks.

It's the 1% in squalane - I see there's a 5% granactive which looks like it might be the stronger one. I went for the cheaper version first to make sure it didn't irritate! I've used it nightly so far and no irritation.

@Namedmyself https://rocskincare.co.uk/products/retinol-correxion-line-smoothing-eye-cream this one? I have terrible eyes, literally nothing stops them looking dark, but it's more that the sockets are set in such a way it's shadowy. Makes me sound like a corpse. Dont' worry the rosacea livens up the rest of me!

Keep it well away from your under eyes. I ended up with horrendously dry, wrinkly eye bags because I kept accidentally taking it up too high.

I gave up in the end.

I find my skin too sensitive for most retinol products Elizabeth Arden retinol capsules left my skin very dry after a few days. It took weeks to get it feeling hydrated again and not flakey. For eyes I love glow recipe avocado melt retinol sleeping mask it can be used daily. Farmacy honey halo ceramide cream for hydration is very good. Not keen on sheet masks but pixi do a big tub of face mask that is very soothing.