POSTED UNDER Retin-A REVIEWS
Retin-A for acne, scars and anti-aging
ORIGINAL POST
Retin-A for acne, scars and anti-aging
Newme1771September 15, 2019
$100
Week 1 - I just received RetinA a week ago now and have been using a tiny pea sized amount as recommended every night all over my face including my "crows feet" areas under my eyes. I know this is not recommended but I have not had any negative side effects yet around my eyes - I also majorly moisturize everywhere and under my eyes first before applying.
So my steps are:
AM: wash face gently with water and moisturize while face is still wet to slow down transdermal water loss. Then I apply a broad spectrum 60 SPF face sunscreen to face and neck (apply every two hours if outside).
PM: First wash face with a face oil to break up the sunscreen and any makeup (if I wore any), then I use black soap to take off the oil and make sure everything is off and my skin is clean. Then add moisturizer while face is wet again, don't towel dry. Once face is fully dry on its own I then put on the RetinA.
So far in a week there's been no irritation or peeling but I have had some impurities come to the surface of my skin (but it's also that time of the month). It's hard to know wether it's retinA causing the pimples or my normal cycle. I understand that cell turnover can bring up deep impurities which I definitely have closed comedones and some acne cysts that are just staying under the skin, so those may all come to the surface.
I'll keep this site updated during my journey.
By the way I mainly use retin A for my acne and scarring or PIH but I'm also going to use it very long term for aging since I am 29 now and really hope to look younger. I feel that I look my age or older then I am so I really hope to restore my youthful skin somehow and maybe people will guess me for lower 20's. Anyways that's the goal!!
So my steps are:
AM: wash face gently with water and moisturize while face is still wet to slow down transdermal water loss. Then I apply a broad spectrum 60 SPF face sunscreen to face and neck (apply every two hours if outside).
PM: First wash face with a face oil to break up the sunscreen and any makeup (if I wore any), then I use black soap to take off the oil and make sure everything is off and my skin is clean. Then add moisturizer while face is wet again, don't towel dry. Once face is fully dry on its own I then put on the RetinA.
So far in a week there's been no irritation or peeling but I have had some impurities come to the surface of my skin (but it's also that time of the month). It's hard to know wether it's retinA causing the pimples or my normal cycle. I understand that cell turnover can bring up deep impurities which I definitely have closed comedones and some acne cysts that are just staying under the skin, so those may all come to the surface.
I'll keep this site updated during my journey.
By the way I mainly use retin A for my acne and scarring or PIH but I'm also going to use it very long term for aging since I am 29 now and really hope to look younger. I feel that I look my age or older then I am so I really hope to restore my youthful skin somehow and maybe people will guess me for lower 20's. Anyways that's the goal!!
Replies (13)
September 21, 2019
Only right when I applied the Retin A which was to be applied at night. In morning I could use moisturizer.
September 21, 2019
Oh interesting. That's what your derm said? I'm worried to try it at the start because my skin is really sensitive and the barrier is easily disturbed when I don't use moisturizer. But perhaps once my skin gets used to it a bit more even if it's buffered with my moisturizer then I can try without
October 10, 2019
My dermatologist told me to mix the
Retin A with my moisturizer. It works wonderfully and doesn’t dry my skin. I use it every other night.
October 10, 2019
Awesome! I ride using it before my moisturizer like other said and my acne is WAY worse so I stopped now and went back to moisturizer before :-)
October 24, 2019
Absolutely Retin A works . I have been using it since I was 25 yrs old and now I'm 58 yrs old and I have been told I look 45. The skin will get adjusted when you first start. It will be slightly red . Just stay on the lowest percentage until dr says so. Good luck
UPDATED FROM Newme1771
15 days post
Week 2
Newme1771September 25, 2019
I haven’t noticed any irritation yet, just some pimples coming to the surface. I have a few transdermal cysts that have appeared, and some regular pimples. Otherwise my skin is doing ok so far. I usually don’t get too many pimples on my forehead but I got a couple the past week.
I have been quite stressed so it’s hard to know for sure if it’s the retinA causing the pimples or the stress.
I have been quite stressed so it’s hard to know for sure if it’s the retinA causing the pimples or the stress.
Replies (4)
October 8, 2019
It will take much longer to see results, just stick with it. Your skin has to acclimate first so less is more otherwise you will have to stop due to irritation. Don't use it everyday, don't use any other exfoliator etc. Go to youtube and you will see great tips from users who have been on it for years.
October 16, 2019
I've been using it for 12 years and it really works but it took me 4-6 months for my skin to adjust and in that initial period I had increased breakouts, red and flaky skin but it does go away. If your skin is raw I would suggest using it on alternating days and it really helps to use an hour after you've washed and moisturized your face so it doesn't absorb into your skin as it's just supposed to sit on the surface.
November 11, 2019
That will all level off. You will start to get some mild flaking. This is what you want push off old skin bring up new. Hang in there it’s worth it!!
UPDATED FROM Newme1771
2 months post
Week 12/13
Newme1771November 16, 2019
I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel!!! Retin A is starting to work now and my skin is getting so much smoother. Can’t wait for 1 year from now!! I have way less pimples then before retin A for sure. I still have hyperpigmentation but can’t wait for that to lighten now that I don’t have active pimples all the time.
Replies (2)
December 15, 2019
I have been using retin-a for years. I use a little bit of ointment at night over the retin-a to avoid dryness. Ponds clerant b3 and retin-a together lighten up the scars faster and it helps with hydration. Good luck happy healing
December 22, 2020
Hi there! Checking in to see how your progress was going–it's been a year now and I hope you've been seeing more results from retin-a!!
Thank you for this wonderfully detailed review! Looking forward to your updates to see how everything progresses :)