Intro & just back from Derm need advice on Retin-A
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Mon Mar 05, 2012 2:16 pm

First off, I have so enjoyed reading all of the information on this amazing forum!!! You seem like a wonderful group!
a little about me...
I'm 34, 2 kids, olive skin tone with hyperpigmentation (sp?) scars from mild acne, clogged pores,blackheads and uneven skin tone. Also some lovely fine lines are now appearing on my forehead, under my eyes and smile lines. All are mild but annoying none the less.
After spending lots of $ over the past 6 months on anti aging products that have really irritated my skin as well as a facial mixed in there,I made an apt with a Derm recommended by my GP.
Today I had my first appointment and she did a quick Glycolic peel(i loved that!!!) and I was sent home with an RX for Retin- A cream.1% The appointment was short and sweet. I was told several things regarding sunscreen, moisturizer and it is all a bit of a whirlwind now...

So as i have come to understand .1% is the strongest cream and I plan on using it every 2-3 nights to start. She told me to mix it with a moisturizer like cetaphil or Cereve? Does that sound right?
Also, I need a day time routine... Seems like many of you like Vit C products, I'd love to incorporate this into the mix. Never used a Vit C cream..
Also-any recommendations on a non greasy, non-comedogenic sunscreen moisturizer? I have the Cereve 30 and I do not like how it feels... too sticky. Is there a Vit C day cream with sunscreen that anyone loves? I just want to get a good simple system in place.
Thanks in advance and sorry for the typos!

free skin care · Mon Mar 05, 2012 2:26 pm

ankc wrote:

So as i have come to understand .1% is the strongest cream and I plan on using it every 2-3 nights to start. She told me to mix it with a moisturizer like cetaphil or Cereve? Does that sound right?

Sounds like a good plan. I personally would wait until your skin is accustomed to the RA before adding in a C (they can be irritating).

Unfortunately, sunscreens are (like all the skin care) very personal. Some prefer all physical (zinc and titanium dioxide) and others like the chemical ones. Most are not cosmetically elegant. Burnout is a zinc based sunscreen that is pretty inexpensive and does work well. It leaves a tacky feel on my skin, but others like it. Do a search for suncreens, and you will get plenty of ideas!

free skin care · Mon Mar 05, 2012 3:55 pm

Instead of mixing the moisturizer with the Retin A you may want to just wait 30-60 minutes after applying the Retin A then add the moisturizer over it. Ideally it would be great if you didn't have to use a moisturizer with the Retin A and just used a moisturizer during the day. The Vitamin C product that I love is Skinceuticals CE Ferulic and the sunscreen I love is Dermaquest SPF30 with Zinclear. There are many people on the forum who like the Devita sunscreen which is now sold at EDS.

free skin care · Mon Mar 05, 2012 4:25 pm

The 0.1 strength is the highest strength and weird the derm would go straight for the highest if you're just starting out... BUT she could just be trying to save you money too Wink

When I use the 0.1 strength I mix equal parts of it and a basic moisturizer - so a pea size amount of both - mixing it together well before applying. The moisturizer acts like a buffer to reduce its strength. Used in this manner I dont get the redness and irritation, and the peeling is mild and manageable - good luck and please dont overuse it or you will hate it... Wink

free skin care · Mon Mar 05, 2012 4:41 pm

I have similar skin type to you. I think if your derm recommended retin a with moisturiser then maybe start like that. I assume it's because she's started you on strongest one as Glamcat explains. I have started on .025 and plan on going to .05 in a month or so. I use moisturiser about an hour after but then again I'm on lowest strength. But up to you really.maybe start off first couple weeks as recommended and then you can apply seperately as your skin adjusts

In regards to sunscreen I so agree that's it's very personal. I like invizible zinc essential day moisturiser. It's not greasy but it does leave a slightly white cast but fades when rubbed in properly. A lot of people rave about devita sunscreen around here but I havnt tried it.

I love vitamin c and I use osmosis LAA powder and catalyst at the moment . The skinceuticals CE ferulic seems like a good one too or you can even DIY your own if you feel like it .skinceuticals is soooo expensive where I'm from but I would still like to give the ce fer a go. I've tried the regular 20% one and wasn't WOWed by it so dunno.

Lastly the other thing I find my skin loves is anything with antioxidants, so a good antioxidant serum topped with my Vit c in the am is great for a powerhouse antioxidant morning routine. Followed by sunscreen of course.

In the pm I alternate retin a with a aha/bha or my serum with retinaldihyde topped with a bit of hemp oil mixed with moisturiser(I use quench by osmosis and love it for my skintype)before I go to bed . So far my skins loving it.
Anyways GL in finding a good routine

Mon Mar 05, 2012 6:42 pm

Thanks everyone! I am going to take it very easy with the Retin A and i'll add the Cerave pm to it when i start tomorrow night. She told me to wait because of the peel..
I just took a look in the mirror and am in awe of the reaction my skin had to the Glycolic peel... my forehead lines are smooth barel even there and my nose is clearer than it has been in years! My facial 2 weeks ago did not even come close to getting my nose this clear. I have no red skin or flaking as of yet so i think i tolerated it well. My face is firm and shiny Smile

I do not go back to the derm for 2 months and this peel was $150 kinda steep I think... anyway do any of you recommend a similar at home peel? I just started looking and it seems like there a ton out there.

free skin care · Mon Mar 05, 2012 8:07 pm

ankc wrote:

Thanks everyone! I am going to take it very easy with the Retin A and i'll add the Cerave pm to it when i start tomorrow night. She told me to wait because of the peel..
I just took a look in the mirror and am in awe of the reaction my skin had to the Glycolic peel... my forehead lines are smooth barel even there and my nose is clearer than it has been in years! My facial 2 weeks ago did not even come close to getting my nose this clear. I have no red skin or flaking as of yet so i think i tolerated it well. My face is firm and shiny Smile

I do not go back to the derm for 2 months and this peel was $150 kinda steep I think... anyway do any of you recommend a similar at home peel? I just started looking and it seems like there a ton out there.

I just read about these DCL Glycolic pads in More magazine. I haven't used them but you may want to alternate them with your Retin A after your skin is used to the Retin A. They come in 10% or 20% strengths.

http://www.dermstore.com/product_AHA+Glycolic+Acid+Pads+10+Percent_23539.htm

free skin care · Tue Mar 06, 2012 4:50 am

I would wait more than a few days after having a glycolic peel to start on retin-a, you don't want to irritate your skin even further. Do you happen to know what percentage peel they used?

Skinceuticals CE Ferulic is a great C Serum, in my opinion, and I just started back on it myself. Yes, the cost is an eye roller, but I purchase the 6 pack travel size bottles off of Ebay for just under $40. Those 6 little bottles = one full size bottle of CE at a fraction of the cost and it's great because you only open one bottle at a time leaving the other bottles unexposed to air which makes C oxidize.

Tue Mar 06, 2012 12:16 pm

bren21 wrote:

I would wait more than a few days after having a glycolic peel to start on retin-a, you don't want to irritate your skin even further. Do you happen to know what percentage peel they used?

I just called the derm and was told it was 30% GA peel also they told me to start the retin a tonight and that i should not worry about the peel...

Checking Ebay now for some of the C serum! Thanks for the tip!

free skin care · Tue Mar 06, 2012 3:11 pm

ankc wrote:

bren21 wrote:

I would wait more than a few days after having a glycolic peel to start on retin-a, you don't want to irritate your skin even further. Do you happen to know what percentage peel they used?

I just called the derm and was told it was 30% GA peel also they told me to start the retin a tonight and that i should not worry about the peel...

Checking Ebay now for some of the C serum! Thanks for the tip!

You can also buy some of the Skinceuticals sample sizes fromwww.skinmedix.com. I think they have an ebay store too. I buy from them all the time and the product is always fresh.

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