Beauty tip: using Retin-A without dryness
Retin-A is beauty’s closest thing to a miracle product: it clears up breakouts, softens and smooths skin, and is one of the only things on the market (short of Botox, fillers or plastic surgery) that will truly, visibly remove lines and wrinkles and make you look younger.
So what’s the problem?
For many women, it’s overly drying and causes dramatic skin irritation. (Retin-A is a prescription retinoid…a cousin of the retinol you can buy in products from brands like Green Cream, RoC and Philosophy–both are Vitamin A derivatives. A retinol or retinoid is a must-add to your skin regimen and both work wonders, but retinoids will provide better results when used properly.) If you’ve been given a prescription for Retin-A but find yourself flaking and peeling like a shedding snake, dial the application amount and frequency down a notch (or five). Start by using your Retin-A cream or gel every three days, to give your skin time to adjust. Alternate non Retin-A nights with a gentle, non-irritating moisturizer such as Weleda Iris Night Cream. After a week, increase the frequency to every two days, and then a week later, apply it every other day. Don’t glop it on as if you’re applying with a trowel, either! A pea-sized amount will do, and you’ll see results (without dramatic shedding, praise Jesus!) within a month.
Tags: BOTOX, dry skin, Retin-A, Weleda Iris Night Cream
13 Responses to “Beauty tip: using Retin-A without dryness”
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June 19th, 2009 at 8:26 am
I love retin-A, but after 6 mos of using just a pea sized drop every other night, I was still seeing little dry flakes around my nose and chin every morning. So I started gently buffing my face with a soft, dry washcloth before I moisturize in the morning and that’s banished the little dry patches that were persisting even with moderate Retin-A use.
June 19th, 2009 at 9:00 am
I’m an Avage girl myself, and to combat dryness I use an oil cleanser, and follow my Avage application with a heavy, occlusive moisturizer like Alba’s un-petroleum. People never believe that my skin is not only naturally dry, but also that I use a prescription retinoid (which dries it out further) because it always looks glowy!
June 19th, 2009 at 9:12 am
is it the same with differin?
June 19th, 2009 at 10:01 am
I have been using Retin A for over 10 years and have very sensitive skin. Once you get through the first month or so with a dryness it really does go away. I am now using Tazorac every other night and continue to have fantastic results. I am nearing 40 and have nary a wrinkle!
June 19th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
My esthetician suggested using “a 1/2 gram” every other night, which is the distance from your last pinky joint to the tip of the finger dispnsed in a straight line. I use the Obagi Tretinoin–LOVE it!
June 19th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Keekee, I saw your Differin comment from a few days ago and have actually been preparing a separate post just for you! In a nutshell, yes, Differin will give you both anti-acne and anti-aging benefits, although it’s more targeted toward anti-acne. But using it will help reduce fine lines and keep skin exfoliated and smooth.
June 20th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Great tip. This happens so often with Retin-A, you end up with super-dry flaky skin all around the problem area AND you have to be even MORE careful in the sun! Thanks for the info!
Linda for Ouidad
September 1st, 2009 at 4:14 am
Retin A, my miracle cream. I started using it for acne when I was about 16, when I often thought “this can’t be doing me any good, long term”. When they discovered its anti-aging benefits, I was still using it and so didn’t stop. I am now 50. I exercise daily as well and eat properly most of the time so on a good day I look around 35. My eyes are the only area showing signs of age, because I couldn’t my miracle cream there.
September 15th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
I’m enjoying being 40+ because of Retin-A. I totally agree with what you discussed here. Since esthetics play a vital role especially to women in Cloverdale, a Retin-A is considered an essential.
December 4th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Hi,
Great post. Thanks for the info. I’ve been using Philosophy Help Me for a couple of months and have seen noticeable improvement in both skin tone and texture. I’m now ready to move on to the “real deal.”
That said, I have a question: Can Retin-A be combined with a PM moisturizer or do I have use it on its own?
One more quickie: I was told that I should wait 20 minutes after cleansing my face before I apply Retin-A — is that true?
December 4th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Hi Sasha! You can combine Retin-A with a PM moisturizer if you really want, but you shouldn’t need it. (If you’re experiencing dryness, cut back on your usage.) And take care when combining Retin-A with other acid products (salicylic acid, glycolic, etc) as you don’t want to thin out your skin. My advice would be to use only Retin-A at night, and then use your other products in the morning, or on nights when you don’t apply Retin-A.
I’ve never heard the 20 minutes rule and don’t follow it myself. Have still seen benefits!
December 4th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Thanks, Jolie!!!
If it’s not too much trouble, I have one more question.
I hope I’m not being a pest!
I currently use a salicylic acid cleanser. I also do a 50% Glycolic peel once every 2 weeks. Should I altogether discontinue these products, and all other AHA based products, while on Retin-A?
Thanks and I love your blog!
XOXO
January 9th, 2010 at 3:21 am
I have used Retin-A in the past. The RX instructions said to wait 20 minutes to apply after washing the skin because irritation can increase while the skin is still damp. Not sure why that would be, but that’s what it said.