topic Re: Retinol Question in Beauty

Retinol Question

Winkk — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:03:27 GMT

I'm looking for suggestions for retinol. I'm currently using IT retinol cream, and it's fine but wanted to find something that may be cheaper.

Not sure if I should use just retinol and put my moisturizer over it, or get a retinol/moisturizer cream.

I'm open to suggestions. Thanks.

Re: Retinol Question

Harpa — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 12:00:03 GMT

@Winkk Retinol is air & light sensitive. Really, I am not sure how a cream w/ retinol can be effective, if at all, for retinol benefits.

When I began retinol years ago, my choice was from Alpha, though there were many others. Percentage of retinol is .15%. Still enough to do what it (retinol) is intended to do: a gentle sloughing action with the least irritation as possible until acclimation. And importantly, it is housed properly.

I still prefer to use retinol, though I may use different ones now.

Re: Retinol Question

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 03:19:11 GMT

I prefer prescription strength Retin A/Tretinoin because it's already retinoic acid and absorbed into the skin as is. Once I acclimated to it, in the beginning, my skin has tolerated the full strength cream version for years. Retinol begins as a weaker cousin to Retin A and requires two conversion steps to become retinoic acid before it can be accept by the skin. With the conversion steps it becomes even weaker. That's me. Someone with more sensitivity may prefer retinol.

That said, if I were to switch from Retin A/Tretinoin (doubtful), I'd probably go to Mad Hippie Vitamin A Serum. It contains Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (aka Granactive Retinoid, HPR) that doesn't need conversion and binds to retinoic acid receptors as is. It just isn't as strong as the prescription.

Re: Retinol Question

Shelbelle — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 19:38:15 GMT

Nakery has Double retinol serum, 2 different kinds in one product.

Re: Retinol Question

SilleeMee — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 19:45:28 GMT

Before I switched to using Rx tretinoin I was using Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Face Moisturizer. It comes in an airless pump so the product is good to the last drop w/o losing potency. It sells for about $40-45 for a 1-ounce bottle. Highly effective and you don't need to use a lot. I used it for just a little over a year to condition my skin to get it ready for tretinoin.

Re: Retinol Question

Winkk — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 19:54:16 GMT

Thanks ladies.

Re: Retinol Question

lousandi — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 21:54:03 GMT

FOLLOW UP..................sorry for the confusion, I use 1 % perscription RETIN-A, NOT Retinol. Retin-A is only by perscription. Retinol is over-the-counter.