New to retinol, please help
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Fri Jan 11, 2013 2:31 pm

Hi, guys. I recently started using Retinol 0.5 from skinceuticals, coupled with CE freulic acid serum. I know this is powerful stuff and one has to exercise caution when introducing retinol to the skin for the first time.

I use the retinol 0.5 once a week and the ce freulic every other day, and have been doing that for the past three weeks. At first i experienced irritation and had red, dry spots on my cheeks and forehead. That has stopped but the skin is peeling, which doesn't bother me because i cover it up with a moisturizer. What bothers me is that my skin feels itchy and painful, and the upper lip area has a sensation of a burn. Is this normal?

When applying the retinol cream, i also use it around my eyes, not the eyelids though. The main reason i even began using retinol was because of the fine lines that apeared under the eyes so i thought it would be ok to address that area as well. But now i think i have more fine lines under the eyes than i did before starting retinol! Crying or Very sad

I am so stressed out about this issue. What can i do about this? Am i wrong to use retinol under the eyes?

free skin care · Fri Jan 11, 2013 2:37 pm

To help us answer, what is your current am and pm routine? What other products do you use?

Fri Jan 11, 2013 3:16 pm

erg wrote:

To help us answer, what is your current am and pm routine? What other products do you use?

Am: wash face with skinceuticals cleanser; apply olay total effects 7-in-1 moisturizer followed by spf 30 sunscreen

Pm: cleanse face with the same cleanser; apply either the retinol or the freulic serum; later apply the mousturizer. Sometimes in place of olay, i use virgin coconut oil because it relieves the itchiness around my mouth area.

Another thing i'd like to include is that i wet my face a few times a day because i have to prepare for prayer. I just splash water on my face (dont use a cleanser) and then pat dry.

Fri Jan 11, 2013 3:16 pm

erg wrote:

To help us answer, what is your current am and pm routine? What other products do you use?

Am: wash face with skinceuticals cleanser; apply olay total effects 7-in-1 moisturizer followed by spf 30 sunscreen

Pm: cleanse face with the same cleanser; apply either the retinol or the freulic serum; later apply the mousturizer. Sometimes in place of olay, i use virgin coconut oil because it relieves the itchiness around my mouth area.

Another thing i'd like to include is that i wet my face a few times a day because i have to prepare for prayer. I just splash water on my face (dont use a cleanser) and then pat dry.

free skin care · Fri Jan 11, 2013 11:56 pm

Fine to use retinol around the eye area. Both retinol and CE Ferulic can be drying and cause exfoliation. Suggest using CE Ferulic in the AM (as the Vitamin C is a good protectant against UV) and retinol PM. Maybe every other day for a month or two until your skin adapts. Use a separate emollient eye cream.

Throughout the day, apply moisturizer after splashing with water. You have probably splashed off some sunscreen so I would reapply that too or get a combination sunscreen moisturizer to simplify reapplication.

Burning sensation and peeling skin is usually caused by using too strong actives without allowing time for repair or overly dry skin. I would minimize the use of actives on the tender areas and make sure your whole face is well moisturized.

Gently wiping your wet soapy skin with a damp microfiber cloth will remove peeling skin. Or gently rubbing oil on dry skin before cleansing will loosen up flaking skin.

Sat Jan 12, 2013 1:15 am

denisiel wrote:

Fine to use retinol around the eye area. Both retinol and CE Ferulic can be drying and cause exfoliation. Suggest using CE Ferulic in the AM (as the Vitamin C is a good protectant against UV) and retinol PM. Maybe every other day for a month or two until your skin adapts. Use a separate emollient eye cream.

Throughout the day, apply moisturizer after splashing with water. You have probably splashed off some sunscreen so I would reapply that too or get a combination sunscreen moisturizer to simplify reapplication.

Burning sensation and peeling skin is usually caused by using too strong actives without allowing time for repair or overly dry skin. I would minimize the use of actives on the tender areas and make sure your whole face is well moisturized.

Gently wiping your wet soapy skin with a damp microfiber cloth will remove peeling skin. Or gently rubbing oil on dry skin before cleansing will loosen up flaking skin.

Ok, thanks for yr suggestions. They were helpful! Smile

I feel like i've developed more fine lines under the eyes after the start of retinol and ce freulic. Is this normal? Will they go away?

free skin care · Sat Jan 12, 2013 1:24 am

BlueHeart wrote:

I feel like i've developed more fine lines under the eyes after the start of retinol and ce freulic. Is this normal? Will they go away?

I also used retinol (use Retin-A now) and CE Ferulic and developed fine lines. I still struggle with lines when I get too aggressive with actives. My lines go away pretty soon when I make sure the areas are well moisturized. Keep up with those products because I believe they are crucial to keeping skin rejuvenated.

free skin care · Sat Jan 12, 2013 8:00 am

denisiel wrote:

BlueHeart wrote:

I feel like i've developed more fine lines under the eyes after the start of retinol and ce freulic. Is this normal? Will they go away?

I also used retinol (use Retin-A now) and CE Ferulic and developed fine lines. I still struggle with lines when I get too aggressive with actives. My lines go away pretty soon when I make sure the areas are well moisturized. Keep up with those products because I believe they are crucial to keeping skin rejuvenated.

Same here... it takes time to adjust to retinol. You are going super slow which is great. I also agree that you should use C in the morning and A in the evenings.

Find a moisturizer that does not really have any additional actives... so you can truly soothe your skin or mix a good oil with aloe.

Keep us posted,

Sat Jan 12, 2013 10:31 am

Whew! What a relief! Thank you guys for your words of wisdom. They have lifted my spirits. I was afraid i might have to give up these products, but i'll practice more patience, lol. And find a more soothing moisturizer. Do you have any reccommendations for one?

free skin care · Sat Jan 12, 2013 11:30 am

I like Garden of Wisdom Meow lotion.
Just oils and emulsifiers, super simple.

Or, I just mix avocado oil with aloe in my hand.

Sat Jan 12, 2013 12:49 pm

Ok, great! Thank you guys from the bottom of my heart! Your advice has been tremendously helpful.

Sun Jan 13, 2013 2:30 am

I just had one more thought... Is it ok to use organic extra virgin coconut oil as a moisturizer? My skin feels great when i use it but im not sure the kind of effect it may have in the long run. Think

free skin care · Sun Jan 13, 2013 7:18 am

some people love coconut oil on the skin, others break out from it.

I would test a few different oils... it took me some trial and error to see what oil works best for me.

I do love Shea Terra Organics Night Nourishment Oil - a great blend of soothing oils.

Sun Jan 13, 2013 9:56 am

erg wrote:

some people love coconut oil on the skin, others break out from it.

I would test a few different oils... it took me some trial and error to see what oil works best for me.

I do love Shea Terra Organics Night Nourishment Oil - a great blend of soothing oils.

I've been using the coconut oil for about a week and so far so good. I remember my sister using extra virgin olive oil on her face and she broke out VERY badly. I mean, i'm talking about large bumpy pimples having a long party in the basement of her chin and around the mouth! Once the acne went away, she had to deal with the marks. Overall, it was not a good experience.

Some people say a good moisturizer should have a humectant, like glycerin, to attract moisture from the air, and that using the oil itself is not enough. I would say that oil may not attract and bind moisture to the skin but it forms a layer, preventing loss of moisture.

I will look into your recommendation though because i love oils! Thans a ton!

Sun Jan 13, 2013 9:57 am

Thanks a ton!

free skin care · Sun Jan 13, 2013 10:56 am

You are right about oil - you need something with it. I usually mix with aloe or water. Sometimes a really lightweight serum.

And after week of testing an oil you should probably know how your skin is going to react.

Tue Jan 15, 2013 12:31 am

Thank you so much for all your help! My skin is healing and feels less painful. Very Happy

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