Feeling really bummed I can't use tretinoin or retinols

[pukkapud]

I have finally realised that I just can't use retinol and I absolutely can't use tretinoin after years of trying on and off. I am mid 40's and know a lot of women my age either friends or through work and I feel like if you can tolerate and use tret especially then you have such an advantage when it comes to keeping your skin nice.

My good friend and I started with retinol in 2017 and then switched to tretinoin in 2019. When we started we were both kind of in the same position, late 30's and seeing more lines and signs of aging on our faces. My friend tolerated tretinoin and retinols so well and now uses it pretty much every night and has aged in reverse and now has the soft smooth, line free skin of a much younger woman while my aging process seems to have gone into turbo drive after 40.

Other women I know who use it also seem to have the best skin. I also know women like myself who cannot tolerate it and end up with raw skin while trying to use it.

I feel like I can no longer even tolerate low amounts of retinol in products either and other actives seem to irritate my skin as well like glycolic and vitamin c.

I am now either considering the "well moisturised wrinkle" approach or looking at injectables which I am really nervous about. I just feel bummed I'm not one of those women who can use tret or retinol without any issues and get all those great benefits by doing something as simple as rubbing a bit of cream in!

I can't use it either, treated in A&E for what they thought was about to become anaphylactic shock. No cosmetic treatment is worth that.

Have you tried the ordinary range? Its very mild but gave good results for me (and cheap so worth a go)

As a last ditch attempt- have you tried Dr Sam Bunting’s Intensive Moisturiser? It’s recommended for this and I saw a Wayne Goss video about how he can tolerate retinol again since using it.

I’ve not had any problems with flaking skin etc with tretinol since using the moisturiser. There’s been quite a lot of advertising around it so it could be hype though. I still get a few spots - not sure if the tretinol brings them to the surface quicker?

This might be a bit random, but I am in my 50s, and have never tried tret or retinol because my skin is sensitive. The most significant change to my skin, was switching to an oil cleansing balm, instead of a wash one. It won't sort lines, but it did really improve my skin overall, and the few lines I have are less noticeable.

I use Tropic Youth Potion - it's a natural retinal (not retinol). No irritation at all on my sensitive skin. Delighted there's something I can finally use.

Op I can't use tret either, really damaged my skin barrier and took a year to recover.

I've recently tolerated Medik8 crystal retinol ok twice a week, so will see how it goes and what the results are once my first tube has run out. It's not cheap, but they were offering free samples on their website before Christmas (I chose the mildest strength), they might still be, or you could email customer services if not and request one.

I keep seeing adverts on insta and facebook for a recovery moisturiser by Dr Sam Bunting, no idea if it lives up to all the hype but might be worth a look for repairing your skin barrier?

https://drsambunting.com/pages/lp-flawless-moisturiser-intense?utmsource=facebook&utmmmedium=paid&utmcampaign=DrSammMOFUUKKProductConversions&utmmterm=UK-MOFUAdv%2BB2555-F-Broad-WINNERS&utmmcontent=FMICampfireeJan23&fbadid=120203691998080193&twsource=fb&twwadid=120203691998080193&fbclid=IwAR2hNTQF9rBOkOitDd5tJ5IC4DwctAo72AW-TkHu7fLorrWaIfl3XSTQ8wwaemAfIYgW0uz3fLSwqMwIrdJ4JaAVpI8izzXQFyl5D0tUQNiqfcUnO1g22oyvkQJw3t4LIEsbJecw0FjXioT3IGIBlq&campaignid=23854305643860192&add_id=120203691998080193

what % is your friend using?

Have you tried upping dietary based sources? My skin is so much brighter and looks younger since I upped my oily fish. I now eat a tin of sardines every day.