Retin A/Retinol for sensitive skin

Airyfairy12

Ive started developing very noticeable lines on the inner corners of my eyes which stretch down to my cheeks, its like they popped up over night.
Ive also started developing milia all around my eyes and I read that retin A/retinol (not sure what the difference is) is great for helping to get rid of this.
Can anyone recommend a really good retinol cream, particularly for sensitive skin as I get redness and rosacea.
Im currently using the ordinary Granactive retinoid 2% Emulsion which ive been using for the past month and a half, its nice, doesnt cause me any irritation or dryness but I dont really think its doing anything.

ILoveYourVibes

The only one you can get over the counter is Differin (but only at the 1% strength) its also the least irritating apparently. You need to talk to a doctor though even if you are just using that one. Tretinonin is another but you need a prescription and you can only use it 12 weeks continually then you have to stop for a while.

You can't use either of them for several weeks before you get pregnant not just WHEN you get pregnant. You have to stop using them several weeks before.

Most of them are specialist/consultant only prescription which means you will need to talk to a dermatologist and not your GP. A GP can recommend a good dermatologist though.

The indications are differin does the same as Tretinonin.


The idea is UVA rays from the sun damage your skin deeply and damage collagen which shows up as you age. Retinoids supposedly build up the collagen deep down again.

You will need to use sunscrean though with a high SPF and a good UVA protection. Not just moisterizer with SPF but actual sunscreen with a good UVA rating.

Also you won't notice the difference within a month its supposed to take about six months to a year to see the difference.

The difference between retinoids and retinols is retinoids are less effective and less consistent. Retinols are supposedly less effective at reducing wrinkles than retinoids but help photo damage and mottling of the skin.

I got differin but i have not used it yet. Both a supposedly effective for anti aging. But tretinonin is MORE effective for aging. The reason i got differin was after talking to my doctor and i realized i would not be able to use Tretinonin for longer than 12 weeks at a time anyway. Yet you are supposed to use it for a year to see results to it seemed a bit pointless. Also its very difficult to use tretinonin daily. Even using tretinonin every two to three days can be VERY irritating to some. Differin is much easier because its much more stable. I went against tretinoin just because of other things my Dr told me too. But that is me.

Also i couldn't find anywhere online telling you that you can't use Tretinon longer thaan 12 weeks. But that was what my actual doctor said to me. So i am going with that. He also told me of some of the dangers of longterm use of Tretinoin and some of what they don't know.

But really you DO need to talk to a DR about it because there was SO much more info he had than you can read online. And it was pretty serious stuff.

He said retinol in general seems to smoothen skin. But differin seems to be safer but it does work differently to tretinoin and may be slightly less effective.
I hadn't heard anywhere that if you get pregnant stopping usage as soon as you are pregnant is actually too late you need to stop weeks preferably months in advance to totally prevent birth defects which is pretty important.

So i wouldn't recommend even getting the over the counter stuff without talking to a doctor in person you could be on certain medications etc or have a history of something.

By the way i have a feeling you can't use them on your eyes I am not sure though. I would have to read the instruction on the differin.



I still think retinoids should help a bit. Also peeling or irritation is NOT a sign its working well or better you don't need it to be irritating and if you have this use it less or a lower strength.

TBH i think there are a load of beauty gurus online sharing info and leaving out very important details that women need to know.

So if you want to use anything like that i think you really need to talk to your GP and dermatologist.