Beauty

[monicakm]

Mom gave me a partial tube of Retin A today.  Not gonna lie, I'm a little nervous to try it.  She said it's her last step.  She puts it on after moisturizer and after the moisturizer has had a little time to sink in.  Is this how you ladies apply it?  The last step in your routine?

[ECBG]

Your mother's method is the way the dermatologist to me to apply it.  When I started out, I used it every other day so I didn't get burned.  Use a "small pea" size amount.

I used it as a treatment for cystic acne.

[LuvmyLab]

I put my retinol cream on BEFORE my moisturizer. 

[monicakm]

@ECBG 

I'll be using it to ward off the signs of aging.  I've got crinklies on top of my cheekbones when I smile.  My 81 year old mother has facial skin as soft as a baby's butt and no crinklies, much less wrinkles.  I'm guessing she puts it on after moisturizer to lessen irritation??  She's been using it for decades tho so I'd think she would be used to it by now.

[monicakm]

Thank you.  I'll have to ask her why she puts it on after but I'm guessing it's to lessen irritation.

[Foxxee]

Of course, it depends on the strength.  I was told to put it directly on clean skin.  Started with the lowest percentage, now at 0.1%.

Was told if my skin became too irritated, to apply every other day or so.  You will need to experiment.  

I use the gel in the evening.  Apply moisturizer in the morning, but it might be different for you.  

[Shanus]

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@monicakm wrote:

Mom gave me a partial tube of Retin A today.  Not gonna lie, I'm a little nervous to try it.  She said it's her last step.  She puts it on after moisturizer and after the moisturizer has had a little time to sink in.  Is this how you ladies apply it?  The last step in your routine?

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@monicakm   See @SilleeMee 's recommendation for the site. one of the main reasons to use Retin A is because it exfoliates. I don't why you'd use a moisturizer before applying it since that would hinder the exfoliation by hydrating the skin first. 

I would check with your dermatologist before beginning any Retin A routine. Everyone's skin is different and there may be a different plan for how many days you should use it. Also since it's a partial tube, check the date and the strength. You should start with .25% which is the lowest and work up to .1%.

[ECBG]

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@monicakm wrote:

@ECBG 

I'll be using it to ward off the signs of aging.  I've got crinklies on top of my cheekbones when I smile.  My 81 year old mother has facial skin as soft as a baby's butt and no crinklies, much less wrinkles.  I'm guessing she puts it on after moisturizer to lessen irritation??  She's been using it for decades tho so I'd think she would be used to it by now.

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@monicakm 

The benefits will be short lived if you don't have a way to keep using it (your own prescription).  It is likely you had more sun than your mother and the atmosphere has lost some of it's protection.

I would suggest you use a good high spf sunscreen on your face since now your skin will be more delicate.  I use Neutrogina Dry Touch.  No grease at all.

[SilleeMee]

Although RA exfoliates, that is not what it was formulated to do. Exfoliation is a side effect and not a direct effect. Exfoliation from using RA is a widely misunderstood aspect of RA. Using it as an exfoliant should not be your goal. The antiaging effects of RA are found in the deep layers of the skin where you can't see them. The dryness and flaking, though antiaging in itself, does not have to occur to get the benefits of using RA.

[SilleeMee]

RA was designed to use everyday. If you are experiencing irritation by doing that then switch to a lower dosage or mix the one you have with a moisturizer. But don't stop using it daily. In the beginning of using RA it's usage is intermittent so your skin will be able to adjust to the initial shock. But the goal is to use it everyday and not intermittently or as a spot treatment either.