Retinoid recommendations

[Realitygf]

I am 54 and very late to this party but I have heard that I should be using a retinoid face cream. I know, horse has bolted and all that, but first can anyone recommend one (ideally under 20 quid please) and secondly tell me when and how I should be using it? TIA x

Hi I am the same age as you. I tried the Elizabeth Arden capsules with retinoids in and found them very strong for me. If you are using retinoids my understanding is you use at night and you must wear SPF the next day. I haven’t tried any others though. Good luck

I would recommend looking at The Ordinary - it’s effective without being super-spenny.

If your skin is sensitive you might want to use a lower potency to start with but this is a good one: https://theordinary.com/en-gb/retinal-02-emulsion-100646.html

I would recommend only using it 1-2 times a week at night to start with until your skin gets used to it and start off using the “sandwich method” - put on a thin layer of moisturiser and let it sink in for 10 mins, then use the retinol and let that sink in for 10mins and then add more moisturiser. You will also need to use a high spf every day as it increases your sun sensitivity.

Once your skin gets used to it then put it straight onto dry skin and slowly increase the frequency.

Medik8 crystal retinal is my retinoid of choice. Comes in lots of different strengths so you can work up gradually.

I use Dermatica and it has almost erased melasma caused by sun damage. It took 2 years of inconsistent use starting at lowest strength and now at 1% which I use sporadically.