I want to start on Retinal/Retinol- scared of side effects and overwhelmed by choices

[piddocktrumperiness]

Hi everyone
I am in my early 40's and believe I have good skin, in that I don't have many signs of ageing- just tiredness and dull skin, along with the loss of volume in some parts. My under eyes have always been a problem, in that they are puffy and I look tired- it was like that since I was in my teens. I don't have adult acne anymore thanks to doxycycline and Differin/soolantra.

I want to have a glow/even toned, plumped and healthy looking skin and look less tired. Basically I want to do the best I can for my skin. Is Retinal Retinol used for this?

I am contemplating Metik8 Retinal but then I read that Tretanoin is better but I don't like the idea of a big skin purge and the once you are in, you're in routine.

So I have a few questions:

Is Retinal/Retinol a scam?
If your skin sounds similar to mine and you have seen significant improvements what did you use? ( spf,sleep and diet aside)
How bad are the side effects?

I could save up for a consultation with a dermatologist but not sure if it'll be worth it because the last time I booked a consultation for my acne they went straight to recommending Roaccutane- without giving me alternatives so I am a little doubtful of how honest and non sales like some dermatologists are

OTC Retinol did nothing for me. It's too low a dose. I use prescription Tret which has revolutionised my skin, but I get it overseas, so not sure how you would get it here (Dermatica?)

Side effects: bad purging initially, but I started in lockdown, so covered by masks! Other side effects: dry lips. Also need to wear sunscreen in summer but I am Asian, so don't need much.

I am now super happy with my skin, and I am in my 50s.

Second recommendation for Dermatica/Skin&Me. When filling out the initial consultation, request to start with very low concentration - Skin&Me tend to be more cautious and start lower than Dermatica. This should minimise the purge and help with building up tolerance

I use Medic8 crystal retinal 20 at the moment and would like to move on to tret but I don't want to sign up to a direct debit. Are there any companies that don't require that?

The Medic8 20 is, afaia OP, the strongest OTC retinal (hope I've got my "Os" and "As" the right way round!). I've had no side effects (I've worn sunscreen every day since my late teens anyway) and my skin looks okay for my age.
But, of course, I don't know what it would have looked like without retinal.

I tried Skin and Me Tret last January after reading so many reviews on here but by Easter I had to admit defeat and gave up - my skin was terrible, just couldn’t tolerate it at all.

Took several months after that for my skin to return to normal.

Additionally I started having trouble with my eyes becoming very sensitive, may have been a coincidence but have read since that there is actually some evidence it can cause those sort of issues in some people.

I could have been unlucky as does seen to be the Holy Grail but I wouldn’t try it again personally, using oils now at night and Dermalogica barrier repair cream for daytime.

Tread carefully would be my advice, start slow and use plenty of moisturiser and SPF and see how it goes.

I was gifted a No7 set with a retinol 0.3% cream so currently giving that a try.

I'm in the exact same position @piddocktrumperiness. For me it's the lower jaw and jowel (spelling?) area. Does anyone have any recommendations? Was looking at and Then but it's expensive and not sure if it would help this area?

Yes agree the only skincare that will work is one that can penetrate the skin barrier.
Yes retinol works , but you need the one that is by prescription for it to really work.
try Dermatica. You get sent it monthly (and can skip or cancel at any time.)
I've set mine to receive every 6 weeks as I find it's enough for that time.
it will cost less than £3 for the first month then 25% off for the 2nd. Using my code will give me £5 my next month.

www.dermatica.co.uk/referrer/V3WPNY

Thanks everyone- anyone else had any experience with Medik8?

I was early forties and thought I had good skin but now late 40s after about five years experimenting with retinoids my skin is completely different. Before it was actually quite dull and I had loads of freckles. Didn’t mind them but given how they darkened in the summer they are clearly sun damage. They’ve all gone as well as larger bits of pigmentation down the sides of my face where I’d missed SPF over the years.

For a beginner and when building tolerance I’d definitely recommend Dermatica. Firstly they are there if you have any issues. Don’t bother with any of their other products as there are plenty of high street options.

I started out on Paula’s Choice retinol, then moved onto Retirides bought from Spain and find the Dermatica to be a much gentler formula (as long as it doesn’t include Azelaic Acid as well).

I personally don’t think tret does all that much for gravity/jowls/loss of fat. I think that’s more collagen/fillers/facial exercise/LED.

I found Dr Sam Bunting’s advice very helpful, she has a few videos on starting a retinoid. There’s loads you can do to ease in gently.

It's the warning messages about ensuring you use SPF alongside that giving me pause for thought . I do use SPF most of the time, but it makes me wary about the risk of damaging my skin.

If you are using differin, are you sure you need anything else? As I think that is a retinoid?

@Witsend2023 I don't use it anymore as I only needed a course when tackling my acne

I'm almost 50 and have been using retinol for a full 3 months now. I bought 3 tubes when I was in Spain in September - 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 strengths. It can be bought over the counter there without prescription, the pharmacist just made sure I knew how to use it but I had already done my research. I have used up the lowest strength tube and didn't find any horrible purging other than a few breakouts and noticeably drier skin in places particularly around my nose. Initially I used it a couple of times a week, now it's every other night. I've noticed an improvement in the tone and texture of my skin, I'll let you know this time next year if there's any real lasting improvement! I've just started on the 0.5 strength. I always use SPF50 anyway so no change there, but I used to use it in place of a moisturiser now I apply a deep moisturiser and let that sink in and then apply the SPF so I need to allow a bit of extra time for that in the mornings. In Spain, it's called Retrides and is cheap as chips. If you or anyone you know is going to Spain/Portugal/Canaries any time soon I'd ask them to pick some up for you. Save all the faff of getting prescriptions let alone the cost.

I personally don’t think tret does all that much for gravity/jowls/loss of fat. I think that’s more collagen/fillers/facial exercise/LED.

I absolutely agree with this. I can see the start of jowls now and I hate it. I'm not keen on the idea of botox or fillers etc. so plan is to wait until absolutely necessary and then get a mini facelift! Maybe for my 60th birthday?! optimistic that I'll be able to stick it that long

I'm going to try and incorporate using my GuaSha into my night time routine as I do think that will help I just need to be motivated enough to do it continuously.

I’ve used skin&me with success although they started me off on quite a low dose and I had to email photos to show that my skin was tolerating it. The customer service is pretty good they get back to you quickly and when I rang to cancel (cost) they offered me half price for a few months.
I’ll add my code but it’s worth getting the discounted moisturiser and cleanser that you can add onto the first bundle.

other than that I think the best place to buy is from French pharmacies for the proper stuff, over the counter stuff here isn’t strong enough

https://www.skinandme.com/?promocode=KELLYA53C3

OP. I would maybe start with Medik8 Crystal Retinal and work your way up through the strengths. I’ve been using it a few years now and I’ve never had any reaction etc. I really like it and also use a vitamin C + SPF50 during the day. I am blessed with good genes thankfully but at nearly 50 have very few fine lines and skin is an even texture and tone.

Would it be worth speaking to a dermatologist?

It doesn’t sound like you need to spend the money based on your description of your skin but if it makes you feel more comfortable then speak to one first.
If you go down route of Dermatica/Skin&Me, you could see what they recommend, what their response is and ask questions. If answers do not leave you satisfied, see a dermatologist before starting treatment

Started with The Ordinary retinol quickly moved on to Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 (retinaldehyde apparently 11x faster than retinol as one less conversion) then used strength 10 twice and 20 twice, also their retinal eye cream. Now using Geek & Gorgeous A Game after reading online comparisons as it's so much cheaper! Skin definitely smoother, tauter since started retinal. Oh and am 60!

I use tretinoin, bought in Spain ( they also send overseas). It’s Retiredas 5%. I’ve noticed a huge difference in my skin in terms of plumpness, less wrinkles etc. it can still have drying effects on my skin, so I just use it less on areas that are dryer from time to time. It’s incredibly cheap - a €20 tube lasts 3 months. I’m 57 btw.
Also agree, sagging and jowly areas need fillers etc, no cream will help them.

I use skin and me and it's transformed my skin
Used to wake up wondering which chin spot would have appeared overnight. Now I apply foundation and have no spots to conceal!

If I get a bit dry/flaky I back off it and tend to only use it every 2/3 nights anyway

After pic first so you aren't horrified by the before, I'm 40

I've just tried one in a no7 gift set I was given. I've stayed in the house today but just realised I forgot spf. Need to do that tomorrow. My skin has been a bit flaky today

I wouldn't bother with a dermatologist. They will only prescribe you what you'd get anyway from Skin+Me or Dermatica. Check out Dr Natalia Spierings on Instagram - she's a dermatologist, and offers lots of no nonsense advice. Tretinoin, plus a moisturiser of your choice (doesn't need to be pricey!) and consistent use of SPF daily are the only essentials and the things that will make the most difference.

Skin and Me has a new sister brand especially for midlife skin called And Begin. Combines tretinoin with other anti-ageing actives such as azelaic acid, peptides, ceramides, hyaluronic acid plus hydrating soothers for the skin - to help tolerance of tretinoin - and specially formulated for midlife by dermatologists.