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POSTED UNDER Retin-A Reviews

Giving Retin-A a Try!

UPDATED FROM Eva G

I finished my treatment, here are my final thoughts.

$9
Hey there, sorry I left everyone hanging on how my treatment was going. I thought I'd post an update and share my final thoughts using Retin-A along with some tips that you may find helpful. Overall, I was pleased with my results, my skin tone definitely evened out and I did see some minor improvement in the texture of my skin, it just looked refreshed and my fine lines appeared smoother as well. I would not say that my results were drastic but good enough to recommend the product (Janssen Retin-A) and use it again. I don't recall exactly when I stopped my treatment but I think it was June 2017. I have been considering another round and will post an update should I decide to do so. Now, on to some tips —less is more! To avoid having your face become a fiery red flaky mess start slow and don't think that by rubbing in more product you'll get better results—it does not work that way—a little dab will do! Both gel and cream should rub in quickly if it doesn't you are using too much. You may not be able to keep the product on all day due to irritation, just wash it off and reapply when your skin is ready. Start with a lower dose and work your way up, there are 3 strengths (0.1 percent, 0.05 percent, and 0.025 percent) as tempting as it is to start high, I would not recommend doing so. Scale back your application if your skin becomes too irritated, you don't need to use it every day, adjust your treatment and allow your skin to slowly build a tolerance to the product. Apply evenly to clean and completely dry skin (30 min after washing), if your skin is damp, the product will not absorb properly and may cause irritation. Use a soft natural fiber cloth when cleaning your face, something like organic bamboo or cotton. Use gentle skin care products to avoid drying out and irritating your tender skin, even more. Stay away from moisturizers with exfoliating ingredients such as alpha hydroxy acids, salicylic acid, or glycolic acid. If the label contains things like"anti-aging," (which Retin-A already is) "brightening," or "blemish-control". I kept my products natural, cream based, fragrant and foam-free as well as hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin. Be extra careful what you combine with your Retin-A, always check with your dermatologist before using any other product during your treatment. Be careful in the sun and don't forget your SPF! I actually found because I used coconut oil and shea butter as a moisturizer I didn't need extra SPF, but that's me, I'm not an expert so be sure to listen to your doctor and protect your skin in the sun. Get a proper prescription from a doctor, do not buy online. That's all I can think of for now. I wish you all well on your journey. 

Replies (5)

You are gorgeous and have the most beautiful eyes !!!!

Well that made my day, thank you! 

I used Retin-A (Tretinoin Cream) for years for acne, it work great. Just make sure you use a moisturizer to avoid peeling and burning of the skin. I used it at night and it worked great with vaseline. I also used it on stretch marks which healed beautifully.

That's great! You should write a review about your experience, I know the community would find it helpful, especially since you used Retin-A for stretch marks as I've seen questions from community members wondering if it would work. 

Excuse me for asking but you seem like a young person to me (well in their 30's say) and I couldn't think why anybody that young would need Retin. But of course everybody has their own skin problems (which are a nightmare that some people don't understand (until it happens to you).....but we do. Anyway your skin looks great.....Smiles All round I'd say...

Well, thank you! Your comment is very flattering. Some time has passed since I posted my photos —I'm nearing 50 now! I no longer use Retin-A, I stopped in 2017. My skin still looks the same, I have a few more fine lines but overall I feel good about it! Something cool to share, I recently started using tea tree oil and I didn't even realize that it made such a noticeable difference until I started to receive several compliments asking me what I've had done! Most recently, on a Skype call my mother-in-law (who never compliments me) went on about how radiant my skin looks and asked what I had done! My husband and friends often tell me that my skin is glowing and the only thing that I've been using is tea tree oil. I mix it with water and apply with a sponge 2-3 times a day as I find it super refreshing during the hot summer months and lately about a month after I started doing this the compliments have been rolling in, so I'm sticking to it! My mother-in-law swears I had some kind of procedure but I haven't. To anyone curious about using tea tree, be very careful as it's not recommended to apply directly to the skin and should be used with a carrier oil such as coconut or almond oil. Just a few drops are all that you need. I will sometimes mix with coconut oil and it's very moisturizing. And of course, a test spot is always recommended. 

These are great tips! As someone who has tried to start a Retin-A regimen many times but gave up because of the dry skin and peeling/flaking, I'm excited to try again using your advice!

How's it going since this update?

I have been using Retin A for years, I use it at night along with ponds moisturizer and I also use moisturizer during the day. If I feel too dry I skip to using it every other day and it definitely helps good luck
I love the product. Using about 4 months now. Getting all kinds of compliments.

That's great to hear! You should start a review and tell us more about your experience with Retin-A. 

That's great to hear! What percentage do you use? 

UPDATED FROM Eva G

I Think This Was a Compliment....

So, I'm sitting at my desk and my son walks by and says "too much makeup mom" ....but I am not wearing anything other than face cream — so I will take that as a compliment and a sign that my skin tone is improving! 

Replies (5)

Aren't kids great! lol

Hahahaa...they tell it like it is! He's 21, so not so much a kid anymore! ;) 

Hi can you share your overall experience with retin A please? Is it something that you would recommend to someone? Thank you.
I certainly would, but from what I see, most start too quickly with it and don't let their skin acclimate to tretinoin over a few months. The they experience a reaction and get scared.

I think a pea size of 0.025% every three days for a few months is more than sufficient to begin with. Tretinoin should be viewed in a long term time-frame, not a short one.

Also, the microsphere gels are a lot better imo.

Hey there, so sorry for the super long delay!  I just posted an update which I hope you find helpful. Let me know if you have any questions. 

Oh what a treasure! :D
I started 40% Gylcolic Peel Doing it once a week. I didn't notice ANY changes. Neither good or bad, so I've decided to visit a spa and have a chemical peel thru Groupon to see which "peel" they recommend.
I thinkI'm going to try TCA 25% since I already purchased it but first I want to see what the spa says. Let me know what happen with you and what you used
Anyone know where I can purchase Retin A in the UK
I get mine from United Pharmacies.
UPDATED FROM Eva G

Still Going Strong...

I thought it was time for an update and a funny story. So today, my face was so dry and flaky and I was in the change room at a clothing store and I looked in the mirror and was like...oh no, I looked like I was shedding my skin. I had no moisturizer on me, but I had chapstick! And yes, I used it...it was hilarious....and you know what, it actually worked really well! Anyways, nothing much new — I'm applying 2-3 times per week and my skin reacts the same, red and flaky. I do have some cool stuff to share, I am using Thermal Spring Water throughout the day, and it's so soothing. It was expensive and I was feeling like "did I just pay $27 for water?" but it really does make your skin feel refreshed and it's actually really nice to set makeup with, especially being my skin is so dry. I decided to buy a new moisturizer, but I'm not sure that I like it, it's very thick and is a high SPF, which is why I purchased it with summer on it's way. The reason I'm not so thrilled with it is because of how thick it is and it almost leaves a white film and I think makes my skin look drier... hmmmm, will give it a few more tries. I do love the Clinique Clarifying Lotion, stings at first, but leaves my skin feeling extremely soft after. Not much of a report, overall doing well...skin is looking good, has a nice glow but nothing drastic yet. 

Replies (5)

thank you for your update!! has your skin gone darker??

No, just gets really red but then eventually my natural skin tone comes back.

Cool. My neck is very pale therefore the darker shade on my face is more visible. Im beginning to panick out of fear of discoloration. Thus far ive been on 30 spf daily , like I was for year. Im considering 50 spf though. Which factor are you on?

SPF 45

Wow. Smart.
which face moisturizer with SPF do you use? I have the same problem and the only way to find the right moisturizer is trial and error. I have success with Aveeno Positively Radiant daily moisturizer with SPF 15. Its also non-comedogenic so it doesn't clog pores and lead to acne.

Hi ChloeVeronique, CLINIDERM SPF 45 Lotion, I really don't like it and it was kind of expensive $30. 

Seems like you have been on retin a for awhile. Do you think it has stopped drying out your skin?

Hi merevesz, I am on a break right now. Retin-A was really causing my skin to dry out and I noticed that I would looked flushed at times and my face overall just looked too red for my liking. 

Hi, do u see an improvement in ur skin enough to say this journey has been worth it?

I stopped using it as I found my skin became much too sensitive and red. I did see some minor improvement, my skin looked refreshed and soft, but I didn't like the redness. Thankfully, the redness does go away.  I could only use it maximum 2 times per week. 

I've been using tretinoin on and off for a couple of years. I think it's amazing but I have found that the microsphere versions of tretinoin/Retin-A are so much better - as they don't seem to produce such a drying and flaking, even though they tend to be only available in slightly higher concentrations.

Thanks for the tip Simona21! 

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