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free skin care · Mon Jun 27, 2011 5:34 pm

sister sweets wrote:

I think the consensus is that you will not get the level of efficacy with the J&J. I don't know if it's a total dud but the Shalak is considered by many on here to be a better option. I get the Shalak and use it on my hands and chest, twice a week on my face.

I've only ever used two types of tretinoin cream, the Obagi 0.05% (£70) and the J & J 0.05% (£38 for 10 including shipping) and I noticed very little difference accept for the price (see my post above). I've just ordered 5 tubes of the J & J for my mum and another 5 for myself, I wish I'd have heard about the shalak first, especially if it is a better product.

The J & J was the one I kept seeing in all the threads and obviously it was a brand I knew and therefore trusted. I have a gel that is 0.025@ that I got from my Dr, she said that it would be as strong as the 0.05% as the gel forms are stronger and we don't seem to have the cream available in the UK, I took it anyway even though it couldn't be mixed in with the Obagi blender as I wanted to use it on other parts of my body.

My Mum used the 0.025% gel on her face for 2 weeks and it really made her peel, more than either of the creams made me peel.

free skin care · Mon Jun 27, 2011 5:58 pm

I've just been on the ADC website, I found the Shalak 0.025% gel but did not find a 0.05% cream. Is it something that you have to contact them directly for, or do they only do the gel?

Does that explain the reference to the J & J and the Shalak being like chalk and cheese?

free skin care · Mon Jun 27, 2011 7:09 pm

angelofthenorth wrote:

I've just been on the ADC website, I found the Shalak 0.025% gel but did not find a 0.05% cream. Is it something that you have to contact them directly for, or do they only do the gel?

Does that explain the reference to the J & J and the Shalak being like chalk and cheese?

I've seen it there before, but they're probably out of stock for now

free skin care · Mon Jun 27, 2011 7:27 pm

oasisjc wrote:

angelofthenorth wrote:

I've just been on the ADC website, I found the Shalak 0.025% gel but did not find a 0.05% cream. Is it something that you have to contact them directly for, or do they only do the gel?

Does that explain the reference to the J & J and the Shalak being like chalk and cheese?

I've seen it there before, but they're probably out of stock for now

Thanks for clarifying oasisjc, I thought it was something you had to contact them directly for as I couldn't see it, I'll keep a look out for it as I want to try it next time I order.

free skin care · Mon Jun 27, 2011 8:48 pm

sister sweets wrote:

I think the consensus is that you will not get the level of efficacy with the J&J. I don't know if it's a total dud but the Shalak is considered by many on here to be a better option. I get the Shalak and use it on my hands and chest, twice a week on my face.

Thanks, Sister Sweets, for the clarification. I always ordered the J&J cream since it blended well with the Obagi products. I felt the 0.05% worked quite well.

Up until now, I hadn't even heard of the Shalak brand, but I definitely think I'll try it when it's time for a re-order.

free skin care · Tue Jun 28, 2011 5:15 am

kims wrote:

grhawk wrote:

I order my bp medicine from there and it is fine. I don't believe the retin a cream .05 made by johnson and johnson is any good. I just threw it away because it did nothing. The retin a gel made by shalaks is awesome though and it is really cheap.

I would also like to know why you don't like the J&J .05% retin a cream?? Thanks!

I have been using retin a for 5 years. I used to get the renova from MedsMex. I tried the J&J and felt absolutely nothing but clogged pores. I had ordered one tube of the shalaks .05 with the order and knew within a day that it was working. I again tried the J&J on my neck (after using shalaks there for a couple months) and i felt no tightening. I dont think the Johnson and Johnson is anything more than a cream. The shalaks by contrast is really working well plus it dries quickly and doesnt clog my pores. Also this gel is not alcohol based so it will not sting or anything like that.

free skin care · Tue Jun 28, 2011 7:44 am

J&J one is probably a formulation that is much gentler on the skin - that's probably why you don't feel much happening. I'm sure it still works, it's just not as "violent" about it

free skin care · Tue Jun 28, 2011 7:59 am

Thank you grhawk and Oasis. It always felt like the J&J was working for me; I peel quite a bit especially when combined with the Obagi products.

But, I'll definitely check out the other brands as well!

I appreciate the input!

free skin care · Tue Jun 28, 2011 10:20 am

angelofthenorth wrote:

Bermie2 wrote:

how long would a 20gram tube last on average?

Mine lasted for 3 and a half wks

thanks!!

free skin care · Tue Jun 28, 2011 10:27 am

angelofthenorth wrote:

I've just been on the ADC website, I found the Shalak 0.025% gel but did not find a 0.05% cream. Is it something that you have to contact them directly for, or do they only do the gel?

Does that explain the reference to the J & J and the Shalak being like chalk and cheese?

I found this one??
https://www.alldaychemist.com/798-a-ret-cream-.html

I really would prefer a cream, so might try this one..it 'Shalak'..

free skin care · Tue Jun 28, 2011 10:55 am

Bermie2 wrote:

angelofthenorth wrote:

I've just been on the ADC website, I found the Shalak 0.025% gel but did not find a 0.05% cream. Is it something that you have to contact them directly for, or do they only do the gel?

Does that explain the reference to the J & J and the Shalak being like chalk and cheese?

I found this one??
https://www.alldaychemist.com/798-a-ret-cream-.html

I really would prefer a cream, so might try this one..it 'Shalak'..

That is the same one I saw on the website ( typed gel, meant cream), it is only 0.025% though, I've been using the 0.05% which is double the strength, I'd really like to stick with the 0.05% cream as I would also prefer to use the cream at the moment too.

I would be open to trying the gel once I finish the Obagi but I can get that from my GP.

free skin care · Tue Jun 28, 2011 11:03 am

I don't like the creams so I just found Micro-gel .025%, 20g for $14.00 and no prescription needed at http://www.bonanza.com/

Never heard of the site but it looks interesting.

free skin care · Tue Jun 28, 2011 11:09 am

angelofthenorth wrote:

Bermie2 wrote:

angelofthenorth wrote:

I've just been on the ADC website, I found the Shalak 0.025% gel but did not find a 0.05% cream. Is it something that you have to contact them directly for, or do they only do the gel?

Does that explain the reference to the J & J and the Shalak being like chalk and cheese?

I found this one??
https://www.alldaychemist.com/798-a-ret-cream-.html

I really would prefer a cream, so might try this one..it 'Shalak'..

That is the same one I saw on the website ( typed gel, meant cream), it is only 0.025% though, I've been using the 0.05% which is double the strength, I'd really like to stick with the 0.05% cream as I would also prefer to use the cream at the moment too.

I would be open to trying the gel once I finish the Obagi but I can get that from my GP.

Maybe you can get one/a couple of each and see which one suits you the best? Obviously with a flat rate of $25 shipping, it makes sense to order more than one item. I think they're the same price too.

free skin care · Tue Jun 28, 2011 12:17 pm

I've never used Retin A before, so I think I will start with the cream, but yes with the flat rate of shipping I am going to get quite a few things!!

free skin care · Tue Jun 28, 2011 1:12 pm

Bermie2 wrote:

I've never used Retin A before, so I think I will start with the cream, but yes with the flat rate of shipping I am going to get quite a few things!!

Make sure you start with the lowest concentration first. It can be quite intense if you go all out initially

free skin care · Tue Jun 28, 2011 1:13 pm

Bermie2 wrote:

I've never used Retin A before, so I think I will start with the cream, but yes with the flat rate of shipping I am going to get quite a few things!!

I think that's a good idea Bernie2, it's probably best to start with the lowest strength and work your way up. As I said in an earlier post my Dr told me the gel is stronger than the cream, I suppose if you felt like it you could throw a gel into your order for a later date Smile

free skin care · Tue Jun 28, 2011 1:45 pm

Especially if you live in the U.S-there is a bill proposed that would prevent websites that import RX medication from accepting US funds. That would prevent us from being able to reorder our treats.

Wed Jun 29, 2011 4:09 am

i have been using retin a on my sons back chest & face for the past 6 weeks. brought from the ADC J&J it must be the real deal as his acne has almost gone ( first time in 2yrs ) also i us it on my face and my skin has never looked better. so maybe j&j does not work for some !

free skin care · Wed Jun 29, 2011 6:07 am

lilly123 wrote:

i have been using retin a on my sons back chest & face for the past 6 weeks. brought from the ADC J&J it must be the real deal as his acne has almost gone ( first time in 2yrs ) also i us it on my face and my skin has never looked better. so maybe j&j does not work for some !

Thanks for the input, Lilly123. That's great news about your son's acne as well!

free skin care · Wed Jun 29, 2011 9:07 am

I'd be interested in hearing from others who think the J&J is ineffective? It sounds like grhawk had more a problem with the formulation/carrier ingredients in the product, which most of us don't. I don't feel "tightening" with either product (probably due to my skin being oily), but since the cream is more moisturizing, I get less flaking. I also find that both drink right into my skin with no delay.

And grhawk, I'm not sure what your definition of "working" is since tretinoin's effects are supposed to be cumulative? In the meantime it seems like my skin is brighter & happier, no matter which product I use & the 6 month mark was like a magic milestone in my appearance. Maybe you're looking for evidence such as drying & flaking, which I think are just coincidental not actually evidence that its working in doing its true job, or the point of using the product.

Or perhaps I'm way off and not understanding something here... ? I just hope that I haven't been missing out on something vital using the J&J!
Anyone?

free skin care · Wed Jun 29, 2011 10:47 am

LoriA wrote:

I'd be interested in hearing from others who think the J&J is ineffective? It sounds like grhawk had more a problem with the formulation/carrier ingredients in the product, which most of us don't. I don't feel "tightening" with either product (probably due to my skin being oily), but since the cream is more moisturizing, I get less flaking. I also find that both drink right into my skin with no delay.

And grhawk, I'm not sure what your definition of "working" is since tretinoin's effects are supposed to be cumulative? In the meantime it seems like my skin is brighter & happier, no matter which product I use & the 6 month mark was like a magic milestone in my appearance. Maybe you're looking for evidence such as drying & flaking, which I think are just coincidental not actually evidence that its working in doing its true job, or the point of using the product.

Or perhaps I'm way off and not understanding something here... ? I just hope that I haven't been missing out on something vital using the J&J!
Anyone?

I hope it is working for the rest of you. One of the benefits of retin a is tightening of skin. That is one of the ways it reduces wrinkles. I used renova for several years and then quit for a year. I started back up with the J&J and dont feel it worked. As soon as I started using the gel i knew it was working.

free skin care · Wed Jun 29, 2011 11:10 am

Do you mean a tightening feeling to your skin, or a visible tightening? I do think that the hoods of my eyes, as well as the overall fleshy parts of my face look more "perky".

Its sooooo hard to determine what is actually happening & describe these things...

My discolorations had faded quite a bit - to the point where I don't find it necessary to wear makeup, but now its almost looking like either the same discolorations or other ones are (re-)appearing? Could this be something about the ebbs & flows of skin renewal where underlying damage is coming to the surface & made more visible? Is there a chart somewhere that tells how often or when skin renews itself, or better yet, how it behaves with tretinoin? That'd be fascinating!

free skin care · Thu Jun 30, 2011 10:39 am

LoriA wrote:

Do you mean a tightening feeling to your skin, or a visible tightening? I do think that the hoods of my eyes, as well as the overall fleshy parts of my face look more "perky".

Its sooooo hard to determine what is actually happening & describe these things...

My discolorations had faded quite a bit - to the point where I don't find it necessary to wear makeup, but now its almost looking like either the same discolorations or other ones are (re-)appearing? Could this be something about the ebbs & flows of skin renewal where underlying damage is coming to the surface & made more visible? Is there a chart somewhere that tells how often or when skin renews itself, or better yet, how it behaves with tretinoin? That'd be fascinating!

There is definately a process of skin remodeling that is up and down. You will have good and bad days. Some days you look good and some days you look bad. You want to be careful about overdoing it also. You should feel a tightening of the skin after awhile with retin a. You should also be able to see it too.

free skin care · Sat Jul 02, 2011 6:20 pm

Thanks for your replies grhawk. I had no idea that 1) what retin-A does can be termed "skin remodeling" and 2) that I'd have good & bad days. I thought it was a steady upward climb. Both good to know! Cheers

Sun Jul 03, 2011 12:51 am

I have been using the .05% J&J cream from ADC and i got quite red and lots of peeling so im sure it works just fine.I had to cut back to twice a week and now im slowly going to build up.Ive never tried the gel though but im sure the cream works fine.

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