New to Retin A (Avita .025 gel) Please help with regimen ++
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Thu Dec 06, 2012 3:47 pm

I've been using glycolic acid (Murad's Complete Reform) and follow it up with Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Sensitive Skin Creme. I use the GA every 2nd night, and use Stridex pad every other night. The Eucerin is something I use everyday (I love it coz it doesn't really make my face super greasy). I have oily skin with large pores, milia prone and occasionally I get pimples. How would I use the Retin A gel and still keep the GA or SA? Are the products I'm currently using good or bad with Retin A?

Products I normally use:
Clarisonic (with sensitive brush) with Oil of Olay Foaming face wash Sensitive skin.
I apply my ACV toner
Then I use 2 drops of Decleor ylang ylang serum
Then I'll either use the GA or the SA then follow it up with the Eucerin cream.

I also have all kinds of Carrier oil (EVOO, Jojoba, Coconut, Avocado, Sweet Almond Oil, Argan oil)

I really need your help Retin A experts! TIA!

Fri Dec 07, 2012 2:49 am

Hi my skin is sensitive oily/normal combination. I'm quite new to this level skin care myself but this is what I'm doing at the moment.

Night one - wash face with cetaphil and a muslin washcloth wait 20mins apply retin a cream 0.025%, wait 1hour, apply avenè tolérance extrême (I tried eucerin q10 cream and had a massive reaction)

Night two - wash face, apply Paula's choice GA or SA then moisturize

Mornings - wash face using clarisonic, apply vit c serum, apply sun screen 30 - 50 spf all year round even in the uk.

You could do a routine with retinol in the evening and chemical exfoliants in the morning, if you do this it would be a good ideas to just use it clarisonic in the evenings as you don't want to over strip the skin. Or you could move on to a 0.05 concentration and keep alternating the nights. I'm currently deliberating over which route to take. Also I'm wondering weather to include a serum in my evening routine. Anyway hope this helps.

Fri Dec 07, 2012 6:00 am

I can't claim to be an expert but if you're new to using retinoids i would caution against using glycolic or salicylic acid at the same time (even in the morning). I would say for at least the first few weeks of using a retinoid it's best to limit the other products you use on your skin, especially those that exfoliate. Not only will this allow you to more clearly assess the effects of the retinoid without another product's involvement, but it will also help to minimise irritation. I recently started using a retinoid and tried using a BHA in the mornings but found my skin just couldn't take it. I now just cleanse and moisturise in the morning (+sunscreen), and do the same in the even and use the retinoid every second night. I do plan to reintroduce other products like the BHA and a serum once i feel my skin is comfortable.

Obviously your skin might be able to take the combination from the start - everyone is different. Just don't underestimate how powerful retinoids are!

Thu Dec 13, 2012 1:28 pm

I think retinoid use depends on your skin.

You should begin your Retin A journey as an experiment.

Some rules for the road:

1. Have some great moisturizing cream on hand, or even some emu oil. ALWAYS apply some cream after waiting a bit after the retin a.

2. If you do apply BHA or AHA, alternate 1-3 days between Retin A application afterwards depending on skin tolerance. If you over do it, and the skin gets super sensitive, apply a really heavy cream to repair. Primafleur has a fantastic calendula cream, I like to use.

3. Try something natural to alternate with Retin A use. I like to use Acnutrol Gel from Designs for Health. I use this 2-3 days and then the Retin A 1-2 x per week based on tolerance.

Here's a link:
http://www.forresthealth.com/Acnutrol-Gel.html

They also have acnutrol caps as well if you have an acne issue.

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