Retin-a vs Retin-a Micro
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free skin care · Thu Jul 12, 2012 3:56 am

Can some one remind me how they differ. I know micro is more of a time released which is suppose to lessen irritation but does that technically make it stronger or weaker then regular retin-a? And what if you apply moisturizer an hour or so after, does it stop working?

free skin care · Thu Jul 12, 2012 4:24 am

Irritation is a side effect, it is not directly related to the efficacy. Retin-A is absorbed so acts on the deeper layers of skin not the surface so cannot be 'neutralised' some time later. Might be worth seeing a dermatologist to ensure you fully understand the basics of how Retin-A works, and what can/ cannot be used alongside.

free skin care · Thu Jul 12, 2012 6:09 am

The micro is usually recommended for those who can't tollerate the standard version of Retin-A. As you state, the time-release factor lessens irritation for those with sensitive skin. As far as I am aware, it is equally as effective as standard Retin-A.

Some say that you shouldn't use a moisturiser with Retin-A, that it should be used alone. I have never ascribed to this approach, I apply my serums first, then Retin-A (cream version), then a facial oil. I don't believe the benefits of Retin-A are compromised by this method of application.

free skin care · Thu Jul 12, 2012 6:09 am

The micro is usually recommended for those who can't tollerate the standard version of Retin-A. As you state, the time-release factor lessens irritation for those with sensitive skin. As far as I am aware, it is equally as effective as standard Retin-A.

Some say that you shouldn't use a moisturiser with Retin-A, that it should be used alone. I have never ascribed to this approach, I apply my serums first, then Retin-A (cream version), then a facial oil. I don't believe the benefits of Retin-A are compromised by this method of application.

free skin care · Thu Jul 12, 2012 6:10 am

The micro is usually recommended for those who can't tollerate the standard version of Retin-A. As you state, the time-release factor lessens irritation for those with sensitive skin. As far as I am aware, it is equally as effective as standard Retin-A.

Some say that you shouldn't use a moisturiser with Retin-A, that it should be used alone. I have never ascribed to this approach, I apply my serums first, then Retin-A (cream version), then a facial oil. I don't believe the benefits of Retin-A are compromised by this method of application.

free skin care · Thu Jul 12, 2012 7:15 am

Firefox7275 wrote:

Irritation is a side effect, it is not directly related to the efficacy. Retin-A is absorbed so acts on the deeper layers of skin not the surface so cannot be 'neutralised' some time later. Might be worth seeing a dermatologist to ensure you fully understand the basics of how Retin-A works, and what can/ cannot be used alongside.

Oh, I'm a long timer use of Tazorac. I was just pondering this.

free skin care · Thu Jul 12, 2012 7:20 am

One does not need to "fully understand the basics of how Retin-A works" in order to use it.

I find that Retin A Micro is more irritating than Tazarotene. The reasons are well explained here:

http://www.skinacea.com/retinoids/natural-vs-synthetic-retinoids.html

GirlieGirl, I would not use a moisturizer after any retinoid.

free skin care · Thu Jul 12, 2012 8:09 am

Sunshine is it bad to use a moisturiser after retin-a? if so why? Im using one but only because Im scared of my skin being dehydrated and sore in the morning.

free skin care · Thu Jul 12, 2012 10:03 am

I wonder if Keliu's using just an oil, rather than moisturizer is the solution to whatever the complications may be?

Thu Jul 12, 2012 11:02 am

I was using Retin-A MICRO, and almost never got acne. Then ran out of it and got Retin-A cream, I broke out constantly for a month. Finally I understood why and got back to my Retin-A micro. A big difference for whose who suffer from acne! I think Retin-A CREAM has some pore clogging ingredient, isopropyl myristate or something like that. So now I know the difference. But I think if you don't have acne, it doesn't make a difference. I used the leftover Retin-A cream around my eyes and on my neck.

free skin care · Thu Jul 12, 2012 11:43 am

nuttymadam wrote:

Sunshine is it bad to use a moisturiser after retin-a? if so why? Im using one but only because Im scared of my skin being dehydrated and sore in the morning.

nuttymadam, I personally do not support the idea that moisturizers are necessary at all. If you are interested, please read the following discussion:

http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=32068&postdays=0&postorder=asc&&start=25

Are oils better than moisturizers? I would love to know that!

free skin care · Thu Jul 12, 2012 4:30 pm

The only reason I use oils is because my skin does better on them than creams. Creams exacerbate my Sebaceous Hyperplacia. And I do think oils provide some necessary nutrients for the skin. Just because I use RA doesn't mean I want to miss out on any goodness oils might deliver.

I would just point out too that not everyone finds Retin-A irritating. But it does make a difference whether your skin is oily or dry. I don't like the gel based RA, I find it too drying - but I'm fine with the cream base.

I honestly don't think there is a hard and fast rule on the use of a moisturiser with RA. But the general rule of thumb is to wait about an hour after the application of RA and then apply.

free skin care · Thu Jul 12, 2012 7:16 pm

My skin is normal and I am fine with the cream. I have used oils over or oil based serums and now after a decent wait time both ReLuma serum and Cream.

free skin care · Fri Jul 13, 2012 6:36 am

DarkMoon wrote:

My skin is normal and I am fine with the cream. I have used oils over or oil based serums and now after a decent wait time both ReLuma serum and Cream.

Are you not worried the emollients in the cream will stop the reluma penetrating? Its too expensive for me to take that risk Sad

free skin care · Fri Jul 13, 2012 6:42 am

nuttymadam wrote:

DarkMoon wrote:

My skin is normal and I am fine with the cream. I have used oils over or oil based serums and now after a decent wait time both ReLuma serum and Cream.

Are you not worried the emollients in the cream will stop the reluma penetrating? Its too expensive for me to take that risk Sad

No not after an hour or two I know all has absorbed by then! Smile

free skin care · Fri Jul 13, 2012 6:46 am

DarkMoon wrote:

nuttymadam wrote:

DarkMoon wrote:

My skin is normal and I am fine with the cream. I have used oils over or oil based serums and now after a decent wait time both ReLuma serum and Cream.

Are you not worried the emollients in the cream will stop the reluma penetrating? Its too expensive for me to take that risk Sad

No not after an hour or two I know all has absorbed by then! Smile

But I thought the point of the cream was to leave a layer on the skin so its less dry in the morning? Surely the layer is blocking the other serums

Just a thought, I could be wrong

Fri Jul 13, 2012 5:20 pm

Retin-A® (tretinoin)(original cream formulation) and Retin-A Micro have somewhat different bases.

Using the Micro for acne, one day when I was reading through the leaflets to compare the Retin-A Cream versus the Micro version I ran across this paragraph about the Microspheres that they use in the micro version:

"The components of the microspheres have shown potential for genetic toxicity and teratogenesis. EGDMA, a component of the excipient acrylates copolymer, was positive for induction of structural chromosomal aberrations in the in vitro chromosomal aberration assay in mammalian cells in the absence of metabolic activation, and negative for genetic toxicity in the Ames assay, the HGPRT forward mutation assay, and the mouse micronucleus assay. "

It is under the section that is titled
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility.

I don't know if it makes a lot of difference to anyone. I know the microspheres are there to cause slow release of Retin-A into the skin and less irritation...But it made me start wondering about the Microsphere ingredients itself, if they are okay for the health of skin/body in the long run generally.

Of course the original Cream Retin-A does not use microspheres and as such the ingredients list is more basic and doesn't have cones or glycols like the micro version.

Here are the ingredients list to compare both:

Retin-A®(tretinoin) Cream contains tretinoin in either of three strengths, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.025% by weight, in a hydrophilic cream vehicle of stearic acid, isopropyl myristate, polyoxyl 40 stearate, stearyl alcohol, xanthan gum, sorbic acid, butylated hydroxytoluene, and purified water.

Retin-A Micro® (tretinoin gel) microsphere, Tretinoin 0.1% or 0.04% in methyl methacrylate/glycol dimethacrylate crosspolymer porous microspheres (MICROSPONGE® System), benzyl alcohol, butylated hydroxtoluene, carbomer 974P (0.04% formulation), carbomer 934P (0.1% formulation), cyclomethicone and dimethicone copolyol, disodium EDTA, glycerin, PPG-20 methyl glucose ether distearate, propylene glycol, purified water, sorbic acid, and trolamine.

free skin care · Sat Jul 14, 2012 11:35 pm

I use a retin A cream after cleansing my skin. 45 minutes later I apply a moisturizer. Before I started using it, I did extensive reading on it. The info I found was that it works best when its the only thing on your face. It isn't always necessary for it to work at its max potential. Therefore, if you choose to use a moisturizer before, and your seeing results then apparently it works for you. I need the moisturizer afterwards because the retin a isn't moisturizing enough. With this stuff I've discovered that a higher does not mean its better.

Sun Jul 15, 2012 7:33 am

According to my dermatologist, who does a lot of cosmetic treatments, it is fine to use a moisturizer with retin-a.
Because I used Obagi for a while, I had thought that it would be a problem, but the doc said otherwise.

free skin care · Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:26 am

I use Retin a cream or micro and wait about 5 minutes for the retin a to absorb then put a moisturizer on top.

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