Renova Retin A under eye area
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Fri Jun 05, 2009 8:02 pm

What is the difference between Retin A or Renova? Do they both work in the same manner? Also can they be applied to the area around the eyes? I'm noticing fine lines/wrinkles around the eyes and am researching products before i head to the derm. Thanks

Sheila

free skin care · Sat Jun 06, 2009 8:06 am

Hi Sheila.
I believe Renova has more moisturizers and is specifically for aging skin. Retin A ,on the other hand, was invented first for acne. I use Tazorac, which is another Vitamin A prescription cream and use it right under my eyes. I do believe it has helped with fine lines.

free skin care · Sat Jun 06, 2009 8:54 am

I've had amazing improvements under my eyes from using Renova .05%. Nothing else I have ever used has made such a difference to my under eye area!!

Sometimes when you first start to use products like Retin-A and Renova under your eyes you will get a temporary worsening of your lines but that only lasts a few weeks until your eye area gets used to the product. You can avoid this if you go real slow and work your way up to every night use. My eye area looked worse for about three weeks before my skin started to adjust and not get so dry. If the dryness is real bad just use a moisturizer or eye cream with no actives on the area about 20 minutes to a half and hour after applying your Retin-A or Renova. It took about 6 months to see the real impressive changes to my skin. My fine lines are gone and so is the crepy look I had under my eyes. Retin-A and Renova can't get rid of deeper lines but it will soften them and they won't look as deep as they were before.

Renova is for aging, normal or dryer skin types. Retin-A is for normal to oily skin types. I prefer Renova even though I have combination skin. It isn't as drying to my skin as Retin-A is. If you are acne prone, Renova may not be for you. Retin-A may be a better choice for acne prone skin types.

Sat Jun 06, 2009 9:00 am

It appears that the active ingredient is still the same. Is that safe to say? Will i get the same benefit if i use Retin A and not Renova?

free skin care · Sat Jun 06, 2009 12:09 pm

Yes, your end result will be the same. The only difference in the products is the base they are formulated in. Renova is a bit more moisturizing than Retin-A in the cream form. Retin-A Micro has a gel base for more acneic skin types but they all do the same thing.

free skin care · Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:11 am

I also use my Retin A around my eye area (on my neck and the back of my hands). I do have to be careful with the neck that I do not overdo the acids there or I will irratate my neck.

It is my opinion that retin A (or renova of course) is GREAT for crowsfeet.

free skin care · Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:33 am

I am also using Retin A (0.25%) under my eyes and on my eyelids -- only at night, of course. My irritation has been minimal but I have had a bit of flakiness and, as others have said, your eye area can look worse before it gets better. I've just started using it consistently so I don't have any great results to report-- yet. However, I do think that it can take several months of use before you see positive effects. At this point, I'm planning on keeping Retin A as one of my skincare staples!! Smile

free skin care · Mon Jun 15, 2009 12:22 pm

MarieIG wrote:

I also use my Retin A around my eye area (on my neck and the back of my hands).

I didn't think about putting it on my hands, how has that worked out for you?

Mon Oct 12, 2009 6:24 pm

omg! I just finished my 3rd. week with RAM , thought I'd use it under my eyes, since so many people had great results! Now I have so many little lines under my eye. I can't believe it. I'll probably get renova now. I haven't put anymore under my eye because I look 15 years older now! Is this part of the plan? How do you stick with it? Do all these little lines go away? I'm really scared. I'm only 45 and look 60
I'm so pissed! Mad

free skin care · Mon Oct 12, 2009 7:28 pm

Howdy, are you using the RAM every night? If so you could try going down to every other night and just stick with it. When I started RAM under my eyes it only took about a week or two of using it every other night before the old looking eyes went away.

Tue Oct 13, 2009 6:23 pm

Hi thanks for reply-Yes I used such a tiny bit maybe every other night. I went to derm today. She told me I was just irritated from the ram, not to use it under the eyes again and gave me a script for cortisone. I actually went in crying- I thought I would need 20 grand worth of plastic surgery or something! I'm 45 yrs.old and can't imagine continuing to dab some more under my eye. I feel like i'm suffering! My eyes have the "creepy look" that you described. How did deal with that? I'd have to wear dark sun glasses all day. I'm hoping next week she gives me renova- Does anyone know if you get this wrinkled crazy creepy look with that too? I'll be nervous to try that. I'll see how I heal in the next week.

free skin care · Tue Oct 13, 2009 6:53 pm

howdy59 wrote:

Hi thanks for reply-Yes I used such a tiny bit maybe every other night. I went to derm today. She told me I was just irritated from the ram, not to use it under the eyes again and gave me a script for cortisone. I actually went in crying- I thought I would need 20 grand worth of plastic surgery or something! I'm 45 yrs.old and can't imagine continuing to dab some more under my eye. I feel like i'm suffering! My eyes have the "creepy look" that you described. How did deal with that? I'd have to wear dark sun glasses all day. I'm hoping next week she gives me renova- Does anyone know if you get this wrinkled crazy creepy look with that too? I'll be nervous to try that. I'll see how I heal in the next week.

howdy, everyone's experience is different. But I think if you decide to stop the RA the crepey look will go away soon, but alternatively I think if you decide to stick with it, in time, the crepey look will go away and you'll be pleased with the results. You may have a better experience with Renova, it's more emollient.

free skin care · Tue Oct 13, 2009 7:38 pm

Howdy, with RA the skin under my eyes looked worse before it got better. Just make sure to back off a bit if it's getting too dry, and then moisturize it also.

Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:09 am

Thanks, I tried moisturizing-only burned the area. It wasn't until the next morning my eyes were irritated. The day before I looked great. I was so disappointed. As days went on I just looked worse. I look like a deflated balloon under me eyes. It's been about 6 days and all the red went away, alot of creases are gone but not all. Sorry if I sound like I'm complaining.... I just wanna look like myself again not 15 years older than I am. Been using Neostrata under eye cream/script cortisone.. seems to help. Thanks.

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