Retin A question???

Katluvr58 · ‎02-05-2014

Hi ladies, I just got a tube of .05% Retin A and I am not sure how to use it. I have vitiligo with pigment spots that I am currently bleaching but I thought the Retin A will help with the cell turnover. I also have a few forehead lines, marionette lines on my left side only. I know the retin can be irritating so I am trying to find out if I use it daily, twice a day, only on spots or all over. So far I have used it on a zit on my cheek and it dried that up. TIA.

JeanLouiseFinch · ‎10-03-2011

Use it at ONLY at night. It makes your skin very sensitive to sunlight so don't use it in the daytime, and ALWAYS use a sunscreen. Ease into it, as it can be very drying. Start out by using every three nights. After a 2-3 weeks go to every two nights. After another couple of weeks you can go to nightly, if that's what you want to do. Many users find a few nights a week to be sufficient while others like using it every night. You just have to figure out your own system. Only take a pea size amount and that should be enough for your entire face. First concentrate on the key spots and then whatever is left can go on the rest. I prefer applying my moisturizer after the RetinA, but some people will do the moisturizer first if they RetinA is to harsh for them, especially at the beginning.

donniesmom · ‎12-31-2011

Hi--I agree with poster jeanlouise--my dermatologist said pea size amount at night along with my moisturizer is sufficient. I started slowly using every other night or so. Now I use nightly. Make sure you use a sunscreen during the day. At first I was not too happy with it because I was overdoing it. Use a little & don't use it every day. Gradually build up to it. I am very happy with my results. Good luck!

Katluvr58 · ‎02-05-2014

Thank you. My skin is super sensitive to sunlight so I use sunscreen even if I don't go out.

Happy Elizabeth · ‎10-01-2012

On the nights that you use Retin-A, do you also use serums or anything other than a moisturizer? Or, do you just put the Retin-a on bare skin and follow with moisturizer?

gardensla · ‎03-09-2010

On 5/8/2014 Happy Elizabeth said:
On the nights that you use Retin-A, do you also use serums or anything other than a moisturizer? Or, do you just put the Retin-a on bare skin and follow with moisturizer?

In my experience it's about experimenting to find what your skin can tolerate. For me, I cannot use a serum on top of Retin A without my skin revolting by turning red and rough. It's just too many active ingredients, so I stick to Retin A and moisturizer four nights a week and the other nights serums and moisturizer. I use a serum every morning so getting plenty of active ingredients!

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JeanLouiseFinch · ‎10-03-2011

On the nights I use my Retin A, I first cleanse my face with my oil cleanser, mist on my toner, apply the Retin A after the toner dries, follow up with my moisturizer, and then do my eye stuff. No serums for me at night. The only one I use is Vitamin C that gets applied in the daytime. On the nights I don't use my Retin A, I follow the same routine, but replace the RetinA with an AHA treatment.

Happy Elizabeth · ‎10-01-2012

On 5/8/2014 gardensla said:
On 5/8/2014 Happy Elizabeth said:
On the nights that you use Retin-A, do you also use serums or anything other than a moisturizer? Or, do you just put the Retin-a on bare skin and follow with moisturizer?

In my experience it's about experimenting to find what your skin can tolerate. For me, I cannot use a serum on top of Retin A without my skin revolting by turning red and rough. It's just too many active ingredients, so I stick to Retin A and moisturizer four nights a week and the other nights serums and moisturizer. I use a serum every morning so getting plenty of active ingredients!

Thanks, I was concerned about too many actives on my face at once. I'm just such a serum addict!

Naturesbeauty · ‎03-19-2010

Retin-A does not play well with other skin care products. It is better to use it alone you will get better results. A little moisturizer on top is ok if you find your skin is dry. I use the cream Retin-A and I don't need a moisturizer with it. (Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Gycolic Acids should not be used with Retin-A.) these take away from the effectiveness of Retin-A. I get mine from Mexico, $5.00 a tube. Exactly the same product that cost me $100.00 with a prescription.