EFH1956

Retin-A Day 16

p.s I started getting compliments after I started Vaseline creamy formula w/vitamin e (has to say w/vitamin e or it is the wrong creamy formula, there are two). It plumps skin like NO OTHER. I have a super close up mirror that shows my nose pores close up and no more holes, just slits that are closing together as one skin now, like a normal human being! Gosh I started to think I was stuck w/large pores after reading so many articles saying you either have large pores or you don't. That may be true, but I'd like to add that you DON'T have to have them if you do. Plump em up, not with grease but with true moisture. Also, it's fragrance free and color free. Just thought I'd share! :)

Hi Soha, well if you consider that our lips have color from our blood supply in them the only thing you can do is increase blood flow. I know you think this may further darken them, but when our lips aren't getting enough blood they turn a dark bluish color..it is deoxygenated blood (blood without iron attached to the heme molecule, iron is red). So since red is lighter than blue you need more blood to them. Heat increases blood flow and there are glosses that have a tingler of sorts that stimulates blood flow to increase the lip size, which would change color too. Other than that I cannot think of any other way because our lips get their color from inside. I wanted to add to this thread that I found a miracle moisturizer, it is from Vaseline but is a cream. It is Vaseline deep moisture creamy formula w/vitamin E. I use it morning (then apply sunblock) and at night after my retin a. It has TOTALLY decreased my pore size on my nose by plumping them up, I mean the most dramatic from any other thing I've ever used. And, I had to decrease retin a strength to .5% as the 1% was too much. I just started 1% a few days ago and already I am peeling like crazy..I might alternate strengths. Either way the Vaseline creamy formula keeps the flaking GONE. I want to stock up, just in case!

Day 35 and skin is still flaking but is not peeling like it initially was. I am no longer raw, but skin is still sensitive. Since the skin peeling has calmed down significantly I switched to Cerave PM lotion for my evening moisturizer, I apply this after the Retin-a, I will let you know how it works, lots of raves about it from other retin-a users. My pores are really big lately, not sure if it is because it is hot as hay here lately, but it's not cute. Hoping the retin-a fixes that. I haven't worn any face foundation, other than a touch of powder on my nose to take away shine. Maybe that is why my pores are so noticeable because I quit spackling them with foundation since starting retin-a. Tomorrow I will put on foundation over them and compare them to how they were before retin-a. My skin tone is so nice though, I really don't need foundation for that- and normally my skin tone is wacked with freckles on nose and random blotchiness. Hoping month two brings about firmer skin to tighten these pores. I forget how long it took last time I started retin-a, so this is nice documenting it :)

Day 18, skin has more even tone, peeling has significantly decreased with use of sensitive skin products. Pimples I never had before are still there but only one is painful, others are evening out. Skin under my eyes looks much lighter and brighter. Didn't even know it affected dark circles under eyes, just got this problem this year. I am 34. Salicylic acid wash on my nose used this morning really helped tighten nose pores, holy cow.

I know, I thought Vaseline would break anyone out no matter what the skin type, but I looked it up extensively and it is classified as non-comedogenic, I imagine you just keep the layer thin. But I swear no breakouts here, you really should try it. Tyra banks uses it as her "beauty secret" and Dr.Oz swears that glycerin is all a girl needs and works better than pricey creams. I only use the Vaseline on my raw retin-a chin and under eyes at night, but no problems..try it, try it!! :) As far as Cetaphil..the one I have has oil and so many other ingredients that just are not needed by the skin, mine says for all skin types. I use it on my body though :) It burnt the crap out of my retin-a face.