PSF retinol Vs Ystheal
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free skin care · Sun Jun 17, 2007 4:42 am

Does anyone know how these compare side by side in terms of direct benefit to the skin? I've used green cream 6 (yuk!) and I'm currently using ystheal which is ok I think, certainly no irritation and I know that retinaldehyde is supposed to be more potent than plain old retinol. I'm nearly out of the ystheal so thinking of trying the psf.

Any input gratefully accepted! Smile

free skin care · Sun Jun 17, 2007 11:49 pm

I have not used Ystheal but I do know that the PSF retinol is pure retinol and comes in 0.5 and 1% which I think, is the highest otc you can get with retinol. You would need to be careful changing from Ystheal to PSF as the active ingredient is considerably stronger in PSF. You should start on the 0.5 and read their instructions for using the product.

free skin care · Mon Jun 18, 2007 1:18 am

I'm curious, Bushy, about why you say that the PSF is stronger than Ystheal, at least at the .05 percent level. I don't have my Ystheal packaging at hand, but as I recall, it's .05 retinaldehyde, which is closer to retinoic acid than is retinol. So Ystheal should be more potent than PSF .05 retinol, not less so. Is it because the PSF base is more penetrating or more irritating? Or is there some way in which the retinol in the PSF is more available to the skin? I like some of the PSF products that I've tried--if their retinol really is stronger, maybe it's worth ordering next time I put in an EDS order.

free skin care · Mon Jun 18, 2007 1:19 am

I've used both Ystheal+ Creme and PSF Retinol 0.5. I only used Ystheal+ for a month and didn't see any improvement on skin although it never irritated my skin at all when I was using it every other day. However, as soon as I switched to PSF, my skin was a disaster. I only used it once a week and my skin got extremely dry and blotchy. I saw red pinkish blotches on my cheeks which got me curious so I blotted them with a cotton pad, just to realize I was actually bleeding! So, if you wanna switch, make sure your skin is quite tough and go easy on it. Otherwise, you might end up like me. Smile

free skin care · Mon Jun 18, 2007 4:24 am

So is .05% retinaldehyde stronger than .5% retinol? I'm getting no irritation of they Ystheal but I'm not sure it's doing much either which is why I thought of using the psf. I would start with the .5%, Bushy, because prior to that I only used GC6 and the Ystheal which I thought was on a par with the GC6, but now seems may not be Confused

Andaman, did you introduce the psf slowly? Also did you heal up ok? Hope So! Smile

free skin care · Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:09 am

I'm not sure it makes much sense to compare percentages between different kinds of retinoids because they're very much apples and oranges in terms of bio-availability. Specifically, I don't know about the retinol versus retinaldehyde conversion equivalences, but my dermatologist thinks that retinaldehyde is much more potent than retinol. Unfortunately, only relatively large companies can conduct the in-depth testing necessary to really determine effectiveness in clinical conditions. Her recommendation to me was retin A if you can tolerate it (I can't, sadly), retinaldehyde if you can afford Euro cosmetic prices, and OTC retinol if you can't.

Seems to me, given the lack of clinical work on most OTC products, we're down to just trying them out on our own skin and judging for ourselves.

free skin care · Tue Jun 19, 2007 2:35 am

Flitcraft, Ystheal has 0.05%, whereas PSF has 0.5% and 1%. 0.5% is 10 times stronger than 0.05%. I am not sure about the difference in the retinol forms but there is considerable difference in the strength.

free skin care · Tue Jun 19, 2007 3:24 am

I haven't used the Ystheal, but I do use the PSF .5%. Unfortunately, I have not been able to use it regularly enough to post a decent review. PSF is supposed to be applied 2 to 3 times a week regularly in the beginning, and then every other day... So far, I use it once and then get sidetracked and don't use it again for a week or two.

I will say that I have experienced no major irritation with the PSF (and I have sensitive skin and rosacea). Once or twice I noticed a little flaking and redness in sensitive spots a few days later, but no big deal. A moisturizing mask cured it. The PSF has a pleasant texture (creamy and milky) and smell (like rose water).

free skin care · Tue Jun 19, 2007 3:44 am

Hi Liz ...

I have used Retin A micro, GC 6 and PSF .5. The straight up Retin A really left me "dull" and I do love what the GC 6 does for my face but I can't even use GC 3 on my neck! I can use the PSF .5 on my neck with NO problem and when this bottle is done will probably pump it up to the 1. I love the smell and feel of the PSF stuff ... I really do.

Tell me why you aren't happy with the GC 6?

free skin care · Tue Jun 19, 2007 4:10 am

Hey Ruth

I found the GC6 a bit irritating and it left me with skin which looked a bit ...I dunno, laquered? It was fiddly to apply easily as well. Ystheal is waaaay better on that front but it really doesn't seem to do much for me. And I saw no real improvement with the GC for the hassle.

The PSF sounds good to me especially from what you and Jeannine (hey! Smile

)say about texture and smell. I feel a sizable psf order coming on! Very Happy

free skin care · Tue Jun 19, 2007 5:19 am

I just received my EDS order yesterday and tried the PSF 1% retinol last night. Since I've never used retinol products before, I expected to feel some tingling but I didn't. Is this unusual?

TIA, athena

free skin care · Tue Jun 19, 2007 5:28 am

i have not used ystheal, but i have used eluage and thought it was a bunch of junk. it just clogged my pores in places i'd never seen pores before and seemed to be full of inactive ingredients.
the psf retinol 0.5% is fabulous, it will abrade the skin and induce a light peel if you use too much. the 1% is pretty heavy duty, but i'd say it is equivalent to skinceuticals' 0.5% retinol. lynn, i wonder if you were unwittingly combining it with ahas/bhas, or used it too soon after some kind of acid peel? retinoids act so differently in conjunction with other actives. that's why i love the idea of julie's apeel--just get the whole thing over in a couple of days, no mixing with other products or attempting to incorporate it into your regime, and then repeat the process every couple months. that way you are not putting loads of acids on your skin every day and there are no real complications.

that said, i think i am going back to psf retinol 0.5% for weekly maintenance after i finish with julie's retinol serum. it never really irritated me when i used it correctly, it did smooth out lines on my face nd neck, and it does smell and feel nice on the skin. it's a perfect night cream as well.

--avalange

free skin care · Tue Jun 19, 2007 5:45 am

Avalange, I did use the 1% retinol after cleansing with JB Organic Cleansing Milk, 30 sec. scrub with EpidermXII, then PSF Acne Mud mask. I alternate between EpidermxII and IFP 2%/4% aha/bha on a daily basis, could that be why I really didn't feel any effects from PSF retinol?

Thanks,

Athena

free skin care · Tue Jun 19, 2007 6:33 am

avalange wrote:

i have not used ystheal, but i have used eluage and thought it was a bunch of junk. it just clogged my pores in places i'd never seen pores before and seemed to be full of inactive ingredients.
the psf retinol 0.5% is fabulous, it will abrade the skin and induce a light peel if you use too much. the 1% is pretty heavy duty, but i'd say it is equivalent to skinceuticals' 0.5% retinol. lynn, i wonder if you were unwittingly combining it with ahas/bhas, or used it too soon after some kind of acid peel? retinoids act so differently in conjunction with other actives. that's why i love the idea of julie's apeel--just get the whole thing over in a couple of days, no mixing with other products or attempting to incorporate it into your regime, and then repeat the process every couple months. that way you are not putting loads of acids on your skin every day and there are no real complications.

that said, i think i am going back to psf retinol 0.5% for weekly maintenance after i finish with julie's retinol serum. it never really irritated me when i used it correctly, it did smooth out lines on my face nd neck, and it does smell and feel nice on the skin. it's a perfect night cream as well.

--avalange

The very first time I used it was quite a few months ago and I had the very same reaction. Not knowing what it was at the time, I just stopped using all the products I was using at the time altogether. Then about 2 months ago, I started using CSRx's AHA without any irritation, and I started using it again. I had the very same reaction, bleeding blotches on my cheeks, so I stopped. I've stopped using AHA or acids since. A bit over 2 weeks ago, I thought I'd give retinol another go. I only used it once and I wasn't using any acids or peels. Big mistake. My blotches are still healing as I'm writing this. I think retinoids just aren't for me.

free skin care · Tue Jun 19, 2007 6:59 am

yikes, lynn!

that's terrible. i am sorry you went through bleedy blotches three times over.

maybe it's something in the product itself that is mixed with the retinol?

anyways, before you give up, maybe the retrinal type products will work for you. i have NEVER heard of anyone having irritation with them.

athena--i never felt any tingling with spf's retinol. but i would try a patch test on your neck, and if you have itchiness the next day, then its working. don't put it on your neck, though, i think it is to strong. the skin there is ultra-sensitive; i wouldn't go higher than 0.5%. the psf-style products are meant to gently, almost imperceptibly, renew the skin and slough off the old.

--avalange

free skin care · Tue Jun 19, 2007 8:07 am

Avene's Eluage cream is also worth considering. Contains retinaldehyde like Retrinal, and also fragmented hyaluronic acid.

free skin care · Tue Jun 19, 2007 6:03 pm

guapagirl wrote:

Hey Ruth

I found the GC6 a bit irritating and it left me with skin which looked a bit ...I dunno, laquered? It was fiddly to apply easily as well. Ystheal is waaaay better on that front but it really doesn't seem to do much for me. And I saw no real improvement with the GC for the hassle.

The PSF sounds good to me especially from what you and Jeannine (hey! Smile

)say about texture and smell. I feel a sizable psf order coming on! Very Happy

What do you use as a cleanser? I keep waiting for that new PSF one to come out. Also I do love my Rose Hip!!! PSF just might be my overall favorite brand.

free skin care · Tue Jun 19, 2007 8:14 pm

THUD.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the PSF Retinol 1.0 Night treatment. I've just finished a bottle - using it every night. No "breaking in" period or skipping nights to avoid "sunburn face". I purchased this to use in between tazorac runs but I don't think I really need to go back to the Tazorac...I'll post a review soon, but suffice it to say that this stuff is incredibly effective at very gently "turning my skin over". None of the irritation associated with the RX stuff. The texture is first rate: a very light lotion that slides really easy across the skin - but not greasy AT ALL. It also has a gorgeous, very faint rose scent...reminds me of Dr Hs Rose Day Cream (the scent,not texture). I wish I had another set of hands so I could give this four thumbs up!!! WAY TO GO, PSF!!!
puds

free skin care · Wed Jun 20, 2007 1:22 am

Puds, you cracked my ceiling! LOL!

OK, I have fairly tough skin (NCN pumpkin peel didn't get me too hot after 15 mins first go ...forgot I had it on!) so I'm guessing it will be OK for me.

Ruth, I don't use cleansers. I use water and a very old microderm cloth. If I have had to go out in hot sun and slathered myself with block I use a little bit of DY rose hip, but I find it very drying so it is really only for occasional use.

free skin care · Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:26 pm

Pudoodles wrote:

THUD.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the PSF Retinol 1.0 Night treatment. I've just finished a bottle - using it every night. No "breaking in" period or skipping nights to avoid "sunburn face". I purchased this to use in between tazorac runs but I don't think I really need to go back to the Tazorac...I'll post a review soon, but suffice it to say that this stuff is incredibly effective at very gently "turning my skin over". None of the irritation associated with the RX stuff. The texture is first rate: a very light lotion that slides really easy across the skin - but not greasy AT ALL. It also has a gorgeous, very faint rose scent...reminds me of Dr Hs Rose Day Cream (the scent,not texture). I wish I had another set of hands so I could give this four thumbs up!!! WAY TO GO, PSF!!!
puds

Thanks for the review, Pudoodles. You just sealed the deal for me - as soon as I'm out of my Afirm 3x, I'm picking up the PSF Retinol 1.0.

free skin care · Sat Oct 13, 2007 11:59 am

I bought Ystheal cream and eye contour cream. I have attempted to use it numerous times--it always breaks me out (must be some ingredient in it that clogs my pores), and my skin looked worse, either blotchy or with red bumps. At times, my skin appeared more wrinkled than usual.

I've just started PSF 0.5 retinol, and after 1 use my skin feels smooth and even toned. It's not too drying after 1 try and I will slowly introduce it. It goes on very smooth and is not greasy or sticky. Will see how it fares over the long term.

free skin care · Sat Nov 10, 2007 11:46 am

Here's my 1 month update on PSF Retinol (0.5%) use:

So far, it has been great! I have slowly introduced it, along with the Epidermx for exfoliation. My perpetual flakies seem to have abated, my pores don't appear to be clogged, and my skin toned has evened out enough that I sometimes just put a hind of concealer on in a few places. I don't know what the use of Retinol will do long term, but I will carry on with this product. I'm really liking the Epidermix too (especially the smell, makes me want to lick it!) and since I am concerned with broken capillaries, I am very gentle with it. I have been able to use it daily.

My question for any PSF Retinol users - do you use the retinol in the under-eye area? I haven't (I've been using Avene Ystheal for eyes), but wonder it I could? I really would like to focus on this under eye area, as it has developed some fine lines that I don't like, particularly when I smile. Luckily I don't have crows feet yet!

free skin care · Sat Jun 14, 2008 8:10 pm

Great review Smoky1!
I have been thinking of trying a retinol product for a while but your review has clinched it for me. I am going to try PSF's .5% and will report back with results once I have given it a month or so....

free skin care · Sun Jun 15, 2008 4:35 am

I was using Ystheal Emulsion and Ystheal for eyes for a couple of months.

I did not start slowly, I was using them every night and never got any irritation at all. Either - never got any flakies as well as results. Laughing

I think it did nothing at all for me, was just like a simple night cream. And when I ran out of Ystheal for eyes I was using Ystheal emulsion for under-eye area also with no problems, no irritation and no results.
HTH

free skin care · Mon Jun 16, 2008 6:37 pm

I tried Green Cream 6 and did not see results. I moved up to level 9 and had irration, blotchiness. So I went back to Avene Ystheal. I like the Ystheal cream for neck and eye area. I use this rather than purchase their eye cream.

I also really like to use Eulage cream topped off with Eulage gel; especially great for eye area.

But I am quite oily. I would like something that feels lighter for face. Is the PSF suitable for sensitive but oily skins?

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