Not tolerating retinol - alternatives?

[Weirdnailhelp]

I have rosacea and can’t tolerate tretinoin or retinol. It just makes me red and spotty. I’ve tried low level %. building it up slowly, buffering etc… but my skin looks worse now than it did y I started. What else can I use? I am 53 and would like to use something. Happy to spend for the right stuff. Thanks

Retinal? I’m persevering for a little while longer but been thinking similar. Was going to switch to retinal. Or back to Sam bunting night serum which actually has quite a high % of granactive. It has a couple of other things in it that are really good too

peptides are the other idea

Which retinol were you using?

I’m trying medik8 peptide and niacinamide serum around the dermatica to see if it helps

I’m with you OP. Have a look at Heaven skincare by Deborah mitchel. You won’t look back.
dock cream is my favourite. On days I don’t use that I use the nettle one

I’ve used loads over the last couple of years. Prescription me and em tret, retinol - Alpharet, medik8,

Looks nice- I wish they did samples! Thanks.

I didn’t like the endless SB emails before, I used one of the daytime serums. I may try retinal, thanks!

Rosehip oil. High in vitamin A and superb wrinkle prevention.

Call them, they are really helpful. Deborah actually called me back and recommended what to use over the phone. They do small sizes. I know it’s expensive but it’s saved me thousands in buying the wrong products

That’s annoying - I’ve always found Beauty Pie retinol to be well tolerated - I can react to things a little. I especially rate the retinal they do…

however - have heard of bakuchiol being a good alternative to retinols? Loads on market x

https://uk.theinkeylist.com/blogs/news/bakuchiol-serum-the-retinol-alternative

I have a separate email account for shopping to ignore all those 🤪

you still have to start very gently with it. I didn’t like the daytime one.

she includes Bakuchiol (had to c and p that and now it’s bold!) because it’s gentler but seems to do a similar thing.

I decided to give Dermatica a whirl just to see, but if it doesn’t work out to go back to what I was doing.

i personally think my face just likes a good vit c serum. The beauty pie vit c and vit e drops are great. My freckles got out of hand in the summer and I started using them twice a day with great results.

Aveeno do a natural retinol alternative made from cranberry extract which is more gentle on the skin

I’ve been adding this to cerave lotion in a pot as a night cream. Then Vaseline over the top. Lovely

will add that I think the beauty pie retinol is v good. I never had any irritation. Again, may go back to it.

I can’t find anything that is as lovely as their japanfusion face wash fo my skin so am a slave to them for that. And the vit c drops.

There’s also an inky list retinal I noticed but may be similar to medik8 - I did a chat gtp comparison last week when my skin was particularly irritated.

it suddenly seems calmer so wondering if I’ve turned a corner.

Have you tried the sandwich method? Moisturiser first then retinol then moisturiser again? Put your symptoms into ChatGPT and the product it may give you some guidance, maybe there’s something in the one you’re using that’s an irritant?

Yes I’ve done the sandwich method. I’ll try chatgpt thanks!

Reading with interest as I can't tolerate retinol and had the most horrendous reaction to Bakuchiol. My face went red, hot and swollen within 15minutes of using it, and even though I immediately washed it off it took best part of a week for my face to settle down, including a day where my skin peeled and flaked and was only soothed by the Aveeno calming balm (recommended by the Boots pharmacist).

OK, well in that case, my knowledge has probably run out!! Medik8 is usually really well tolerated. If you started with their retinol 3, buffered it, started slowly and your skin still got upset, then I'm not sure that there's any milder regime. I'd ask Nadine Baggot personally. She's very knowledgeable and pretty responsive on instagram.

I can’t tolerate it either. I use beauty pie serums and night creams instead. My rosacea has cleared up a lot since I started this. Hyularonic serum, super active capsules and le masque overnight.

Thanks. Beauty Pie keeps coming up - do you have a subscription?

PCA do one for sensitive skin which suits my rosacea.

@Weirdnailhelpyes I do. I have found it worth the money.

Be very careful with this, I think retinal is stronger than retinol.