Retin-A Question

[Anonymous]

I started using Retin-A. After just two days, very red, itchy and irritated around mouth and eyes, including eyelids where I didn't even apply it. Does Retin-A travel to other areas of the skin? What was your overall experience?

[Anonymous]

Did you put it on before you went to sleep? Maybe you transferred it to your pillow and it got on other parts of your face. Or you touched your face while sleeping and that's how it ended up on parts where you didn't put it.

[Anonymous]

There are a few important things to remember when using Retin-A. First, start off slowly or your skin will be extremely dry, red and irritated. I started using it every 3 night at first. After a few weeks, I bumped it up to every other night and sometimes I had to back off and go back to 3 nights. Also, make sure your face is completely dry before applying it. I usually moisturize my face right after a shower at night and wait 20-30 mins. Then, I put a small pea sized amount on my finger and mix it with at least the same amount of moisturizer so it spreads more easily over my entire face. Avoid the corners of your mouth and nose and skip the sensitive skin under your eyes. Let it completely dry before going to bed. I change my pillowcase every few days too. GL!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are a few important things to remember when using Retin-A. First, start off slowly or your skin will be extremely dry, red and irritated. I started using it every 3 night at first. After a few weeks, I bumped it up to every other night and sometimes I had to back off and go back to 3 nights. Also, make sure your face is completely dry before applying it. I usually moisturize my face right after a shower at night and wait 20-30 mins. Then, I put a small pea sized amount on my finger and mix it with at least the same amount of moisturizer so it spreads more easily over my entire face. Avoid the corners of your mouth and nose and skip the sensitive skin under your eyes. Let it completely dry before going to bed. I change my pillowcase every few days too. GL!

Moisturize before??? Good to know. Any special moisturizer? Have your results been positive?

[Anonymous]

I'm experiencing similar irritation. Does irritation mean it's working?

[Anonymous]

Yes, moisturize right after your shower. Then, let your face dry completely. Then, add the moisturizer again to the small pea sized amount of Retin-A. I tried the pea sized amount dabbed on my chin, forehead and cheeks like the dermatologist told me but it didn't spread easily. It works much better with the moisturizer. Also, if you were using it for acne, be aware that your skin will probably break out like crazy for quite a while in the beginning. My skin looked so bad that I wanted to stop but I am glad I didn't b/c after 6 weeks or so, my skin cleared up and wasn't as dry and irritated. By 8 weeks, my skin was as clear as it has ever been. It even cleared up the old red marks from previous breakouts. The stuff is like a miracle cream for me. Plus, it gets rid of fine lines and makes your skin nice and smooth. The day after I use it, I use a wet washcloth to gently remove the dry skin. Once a week or so, I use my Clarisonic to get rid of the dead skin. I use Cerave as my moisturizer and it has worked well for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, moisturize right after your shower. Then, let your face dry completely. Then, add the moisturizer again to the small pea sized amount of Retin-A. I tried the pea sized amount dabbed on my chin, forehead and cheeks like the dermatologist told me but it didn't spread easily. It works much better with the moisturizer. Also, if you were using it for acne, be aware that your skin will probably break out like crazy for quite a while in the beginning. My skin looked so bad that I wanted to stop but I am glad I didn't b/c after 6 weeks or so, my skin cleared up and wasn't as dry and irritated. By 8 weeks, my skin was as clear as it has ever been. It even cleared up the old red marks from previous breakouts. The stuff is like a miracle cream for me. Plus, it gets rid of fine lines and makes your skin nice and smooth. The day after I use it, I use a wet washcloth to gently remove the dry skin. Once a week or so, I use my Clarisonic to get rid of the dead skin. I use Cerave as my moisturizer and it has worked well for me.

Interesting. I am using a retinol night cream and hadn't heard about breaking out after starting it. I am experiencing this now and was considering stopping but will stick with it for now. Even Dr Oz says that a retina A product is best for skin.

[Anonymous]

The problem with moisturizing before or mixing the product with moisturizer is that it interferes with delivery. If fact, you should apply your moisturizer 20 minutes after the Retin-A product. Another option is to get a prescription for Renova which is formulated with a moisturizer. I think it's generally not covered by insurance since there's no argument that it's for acne. It still takes time getting used to, but I found it less irritating than Retin-A.

[Anonymous]

The pea sized amount of the cream really isn't going to cover the entire face and spread well without the moisturizer in my experience. My dermatologist said moisturizer was fine to use and it works well in my case. There is no way that tiny amount of cream would cover my face. I have read that Retin A Micro spreads easier so once my cream runs out I will try that.

[Anonymous]

I moisturizer afterwards - about 10-20 min and then apply aquaphor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous



The problem with moisturizing before or mixing the product with moisturizer is that it interferes with delivery. If fact, you should apply your moisturizer 20 minutes after the Retin-A product. Another option is to get a prescription for Renova which is formulated with a moisturizer. I think it's generally not covered by insurance since there's no argument that it's for acne. It still takes time getting used to, but I found it less irritating than Retin-A.

+1

You can cover with a pea sized amount if you let it warm on your fingers before application. We are jut so used to slathering large amounts of cream on our faces that such a small amount seems wrong.