topic Re: RETIN A QUESTION in Beauty

RETIN A QUESTION

tends2dogs — Wed, 18 May 2022 01:06:27 GMT

I have been using Retin A for a couple years now. I figure better late than never, but I wish I would have started using it years ago.

Anyway, my question is this: are you suppose to put anything under or over it? I have been a purist and only applied RA (after waiting 15 to 20 minutes) with nothing else. I am curious if it diminishes any of the benefits to add anything else. I would love to seal it in with an oil or some other face product.

Can anyone offer a bit of guidance? TIA

Re: RETIN A QUESTION

JeanLouiseFinch — Wed, 18 May 2022 01:16:31 GMT

@tends2dogs wrote:
I have been using Retin A for a couple years now. I figure better late than never, but I wish I would have started using it years ago.

Anyway, my question is this: are you suppose to put anything under or over it? I have been a purist and only applied RA (after waiting 15 to 20 minutes) with nothing else. I am curious if it diminishes any of the benefits to add anything else. I would love to seal it in with an oil or some other face product.

Can anyone offer a bit of guidance? TIA

Yes, @tends2dogs. I do my regular PM routine (makeup removal, cleanse, serum, moisturizer) sometime after dinner and before 8:00PM. At bedtime, a few nights a week, I apply the RetinA and a lip mask.

I decided to to the moisturizer in the evening and RetinA at bedtime after reading an article that included an opinion from a dermatologist and that was her routine. I wish I could remember her name, to look it up again. All I remember is that her last name started with a B

Re: RETIN A QUESTION

Icegoddess — Wed, 18 May 2022 01:32:47 GMT

I don't know who the dermatologist was, but on a segment of Kelly & Ryan she said that applying petroleum jelly over Retin-A enhanced it. She didn't explain further, but I did that during the winter. I can't handle it in summer though.

Re: RETIN A QUESTION

tends2dogs — Wed, 18 May 2022 01:34:55 GMT

Thanks, @JeanLouiseFinch . So you apply RA over your moisturizer? And you don't use it every night? Have you been doing this for years and years? I wish I wasn't so late to this party because I can't believe the difference in my skin since I have been using it. Just the clearing of pores has been worth it. I have added the Alpha glycolic serum in the morning and that has been a nice boost to my results.

Maybe no one else would notice, but on this almost 69 year old face, I am happy. Thanks for responding.

Re: RETIN A QUESTION

tends2dogs — Wed, 18 May 2022 01:37:06 GMT

@Icegoddess wrote:
I don't know who the dermatologist was, but on a segment of Kelly & Ryan she said that applying petroleum jelly over Retin-A enhanced it. She didn't explain further, but I did that during the winter. I can't handle it in summer though.

I wonder what she meant by enhancing, @Icegoddess . Does it boost the RA's effects or does it seal it in? Did you notice a better result doing this?

Re: RETIN A QUESTION

bmorechick — Wed, 18 May 2022 01:49:37 GMT

@Icegoddess I posted in another topic that I have been putting Vaseline over the retin a that I use under my eyes for years. For me, I just have always used Vaseline as my eye cream at night, so when I started using Retin A 12 years I just kept up the habit. I do not smear it on my face over the retin a.

Re: RETIN A QUESTION

JeanLouiseFinch — Wed, 18 May 2022 09:44:47 GMT

@tends2dogs wrote:
Thanks, @JeanLouiseFinch . So you apply RA over your moisturizer? And you don't use it every night? Have you been doing this for years and years? I wish I wasn't so late to this party because I can't believe the difference in my skin since I have been using it. Just the clearing of pores has been worth it. I have added the Alpha glycolic serum in the morning and that has been a nice boost to my results.

Maybe no one else would notice, but on this almost 69 year old face, I am happy. Thanks for responding.

Good for you! 👊

That's correct, @tends2dogs . The moisturizer will act as a buffer, to help against the peeling. Keep in mind, though, that my particular moisturizer isn't super thick, heavy, or occlusive. It's completely absorbed by the time I apply the Tretinoin. I've tried using the RetinA/Tretinoin every night and my face just won't acclimate to that schedule this time around, but I keep trying. When I first used it, 15 yrs. ago or so, I had no problem - used the highest strength nightly for a number of years. I eventually quit and didn't use it for several years. I've been back on for about a year and a half. I've tried getting back to the highest strength consistently but I still get irritated and peeling if I use too often. Then I have to stop, fix my skin, and start again. So now I'm alternating between the .05% and .1% a few nights a week and on the nights in between the RetinA, I'm using the PTR Retinol Fusion. I'm slowly increasing the RetinA/Tretinoin nights. I also use a mild glycolic pad (Dr. Nassif's original detox pad) in the morning. I like them a lot. They have exfoliating ingredients but aren't overly strong or drying.

One way or another, I think I'm doing something right. The other day, DH and I went to a wake, saw a number of ladies that I haven't seen in many years. Some of them were really wrinkly. 😳🤷‍♀️

Re: RETIN A QUESTION

Icegoddess — Wed, 18 May 2022 02:01:36 GMT

According to Dr. Google, it enhances penetration and can make your skin soft. There are warnings that enhancing the penetration can result in enhanced side effects like peeling. I have only been using Tretinoin Micro at the lowest level for a short time and only once/week as twice a week would cause peeling (and I wasn't using the petroleum jelly at that time). I don't plan on trying to up my use until winter because I'm outside a lot in summer. However, I will say I have noticed my face is very soft now compared to before. Whether it's the petroleum jelly or not, I can't say since I'm not currently using it. I do use the PTR Retinol on the nights I don't use the Tretinoin.

Re: RETIN A QUESTION

SilleeMee — Wed, 18 May 2022 02:13:02 GMT

Applying an occlusive product, such as Vaseline, on top of most any active will allow the active ingredients to penetrate the skin deeper. The reason is b/c the Vaseline prevents water loss and water in the skin makes the skin more absorbent.

Applying a moisturizer before or after an active will slow the effects of the active by creating a layer between the active and your skin. Moisturizers create a suspension where an active is slowed down by a physical layer.

Re: RETIN A QUESTION

ECBG — Wed, 18 May 2022 02:25:35 GMT

I was under a dermatologist's care when I used Retin A for cystic acne. I used moisturizer successfully.

Re: RETIN A QUESTION

Junker2327 — Wed, 18 May 2022 03:58:16 GMT

I have never tried Retin A but I think I will soon.

Re: RETIN A QUESTION

Drythe — Wed, 18 May 2022 05:21:42 GMT

Having combo / oily skin, I don't put anything over the Retin - A,

the product is enough moisture for my skin.

I have used it for > 20 years.

Re: RETIN A QUESTION

Foxxee — Wed, 18 May 2022 08:34:45 GMT

My dermatologist told me not to use anything before or after Retin-A. Use a moisturizer the next morning. It works for me.

Re: RETIN A QUESTION

Shanus — Wed, 18 May 2022 11:45:48 GMT

@Foxxee wrote:
My dermatologist told me not to use anything before or after Retin-A. Use a moisturizer the next morning. It works for me.

@Foxxee Same here w/ Retin A. I started applying it about 35-40 years ago and never used anything on top.

I do use the Obagi system every 3-4 months for 6 weeks. It has a "Blender" product as one of the steps and that's used at night w/ Retin A (combined in hand,mixed together, before application). It has hydoquinone and the Retin A is its booster.

I don't use a moisturizer on top of Retin A. My opthomologist would not approve of vaseline near the eyes. When it liquifies during the night, it can move into the eyes.

Re: RETIN A QUESTION

tends2dogs — Wed, 18 May 2022 13:19:38 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
Applying an occlusive product, such as Vaseline, on top of most any active will allow the active ingredients to penetrate the skin deeper. The reason is b/c the Vaseline prevents water loss and water in the skin makes the skin more absorbent.

Applying a moisturizer before or after an active will slow the effects of the active by creating a layer between the active and your skin. Moisturizers create a suspension where an active is slowed down by a physical layer.

So, @SilleeMee , do you recommend using another product with Retin A? I understood your explanation (I think), but I am not sure what my take away is from what you said. When you say " slows the effects", do you mean during the night, or your overall results are slowed down? Do you apply anything over your RA? I still have a slight peeling, but nothing I can't handle. TIA

Re: RETIN A QUESTION

SilleeMee — Wed, 18 May 2022 14:01:21 GMT

@tends2dogs wrote:
@SilleeMee wrote:
Applying an occlusive product, such as Vaseline, on top of most any active will allow the active ingredients to penetrate the skin deeper. The reason is b/c the Vaseline prevents water loss and water in the skin makes the skin more absorbent.

Applying a moisturizer before or after an active will slow the effects of the active by creating a layer between the active and your skin. Moisturizers create a suspension where an active is slowed down by a physical layer.
So, @SilleeMee , do you recommend using another product with Retin A? I understood your explanation (I think), but I am not sure what my take away is from what you said. When you say " slows the effects", do you mean during the night, or your overall results are slowed down? Do you apply anything over your RA? I still have a slight peeling, but nothing I can't handle. TIA

@tends2dogs

I would use tretinoin as a stand-alone product at night. Remember that is it a drug and it is suppose to be used as indicated on the package insert provided to you by the manufacturer. That will insure the product efficacy.

If you choose to alter the application of tret then you will be altering it's effects as well. Managing the side effects from using tret is a whole different ballpark and they can vary from person to person. Dryness is a big issue but I would not try and tackle that problem while applying tret but by doing that afterwards. Excessive dryness/irritation should be handled by decreasing the frequency of tret application and not by diluting it with anything for instance with a moisturizer. If you insist on using a moisturizer then wait at least 30 minutes before applying the moisturizer. That's about how long it takes for tret to absorb. In fact, 30 minutes after applying tret you can even wipe off your face of any excess and still experience the benefits from tret.

If flaking and dryness persists then you might want to consider using a lower concentration and applying it every night instead of skipping nights with a stronger one.

Re: RETIN A QUESTION

SilleeMee — Wed, 18 May 2022 14:10:55 GMT

@tends2dogs

Currently I'm using two different strengths of tret, .05% and 0.1%. I'm doing this in an attempt to eventually stop using the .05% and then ultimately use only the 0.1%. But after many months of using the 0.1% I'm still having excessive flaking and dryness. So I've come to believe that my skin just will not adjust to using that higher dose and I will stop using the higher dose. Not happy about that but that's just the way it is.

Re: RETIN A QUESTION

tends2dogs — Wed, 18 May 2022 16:54:14 GMT

@SilleeMee Thanks so much for taking the time to explain. I will continue to just use my .05% alone each night. As I mentioned before, I can manage the flaking that I am getting. It is mostly in the nasal labial folds.......Gosh that sounds gross LOL. I bought the .1% gel from ADT and gave it a trial, but it was too harsh for me.

One reason I was asking is that I purchased an antioxidant serum by Schwanen Garten a Korean based company. I was thinking of adding that at night. I will just continue to work it into my morning routine, using it after my Alpha glycolic serum and before my SPF.

Thanks for all your help.

OT did you ever post what you use to wash your windows?

Re: RETIN A QUESTION

SilleeMee — Wed, 18 May 2022 17:01:53 GMT

@tends2dogs wrote:
@SilleeMee Thanks so much for taking the time to explain. I will continue to just use my .05% alone each night. As I mentioned before, I can manage the flaking that I am getting. It is mostly in the nasal labial folds.......Gosh that sounds gross LOL. I bought the .1% gel from ADT and gave it a trial, but it was too harsh for me.

One reason I was asking is that I purchased an antioxidant serum by Schwanen Garten a Korean based company. I was thinking of adding that at night. I will just continue to work it into my morning routine, using it after my Alpha glycolic serum and before my SPF.

Thanks for all your help.

OT did you ever post what you use to wash your windows?

@tends2dogs

I did! I use 2 gallons of water with 2 cups vinegar and 1 tablespoon Dawn. Put that in a bucket and use a window-washing scrubbie/squeegee thing to do the job on the outside windows. Inside I use Invisible Glass pump spray.

Re: RETIN A QUESTION

tends2dogs — Wed, 18 May 2022 17:03:18 GMT

Wow, how did I ever miss that???

Thanks for reposting. @SilleeMee