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Sun Mar 08, 2009 2:37 pm  |
Hi, anna.
As you suggested, you should use Retin-A in the evening because it increases sun sensitivity. It's a very good idea to use a vitamin C under your sunscreen in the morning because vitamin C gives added protection against the sun. Using SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic AM and Retin-A PM sounds like a very good plan.
You can very well use Retin-A on parts of your face, but I cannot see a good reason for not applying it on your entire face and neck. Retin-A boosts elastin and collagen production, and I assume that you want to take advantage of that on all parts of your face.
Preferably, start out by using Retin-A two times a week the first couple of weeks, and then three times a week etc in order to gradually build up your skin's tolerance.
I would not layer Retin-A with any other actives. It's the only product available that is scientifically proven to decrease wrinkles and other signs of aging, so let it work on its own.
Also, skip the moisturizer afterwards unless you feel a strong need for it. Applying a moisturizer on top of Retin-A will dilute the concentration of tretinoin, hence make it less effective.
On the other hand, if you find Retin-A to cause major irritation, you may want to prep your skin with a moisturizer, wait a couple of minutes, and then apply Retin-A.
All skin care products, Retin-A included, should be used on a regular basis to be effective. FDA trials suggests that to maintain the benefits of Retin-A, one can continue to use it for a lifetime.
PS. The effectiveness of Retin-A on signs of aging have been demonstrated in numerous scientific studies. However, recently there was published a study showing that the use of Retin-A might be harmful for smokers, so smokers should think twice before including Retin-A in their regimen. Here is more about the study:
http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=32698&highlight=retina+smokers |
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Female, 40, Norway. Normal/dry skin, starting to see signs of aging. Staples: Glycolic acid cleanser, SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF, Revaleskin, NIA24. |
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Sun Mar 08, 2009 3:09 pm |
I've been using Retin-A and Renova for about 7 years now. I would recommend that you don't use any other products at night with Retin-A except maybe a moisturizer if you feel you need one. I would stick with a basic moisturizer, not one with and AHA's or retinol at least in the beginning until your skin gets acclimated to Retin-A. Start slow maybe a few times a week to see how your skin will react. I don't know what strength you ordered but it sounds like you've never used Retin-A before. The most important thing is to listen to your skin. If you start to get irritated or too flaky back off with your application. I you have resistant skin you can probably start out with three nights a week or maybe even every other night depending on what strength you bought. Some people experience less irritation by waiting at least 20 minutes after cleansing to apply their Retin-A. I've been using it long enough where it doesn't make a difference if I apply Retin-A right after I cleanse or not. On your nights off from Retin-A you can use your other skin care. Once you work up to nightly use you won't really need to use anything else unless you want to. You can use Retin-A under your eyes and on your neck but I would strongly suggest you go much slower with your application on these areas. They are much more sensitive. Eventually once your skin gets used to Retin-A you can treat theses areas the same as your face. You can try buffering your Retin-A with a moisturizer in the beginning to help your neck and eye area become less irritated. Just mix a small amount of Retin-A in the palm of your hand with a plain moisturizer, then apply to your skin. It helps if certain areas of your face react more strongly to Retin-A than others.
Only apply a small amount like a large pea size all over your face. Do not use Retin-A like you would use a serum or regular moisturizer. Don't just glop it on. A little goes a long way. If you use to much you will suffer the consequences with dry flaky very irritated red skin. Then you'll have to stop using everything until your face calms down. Keep Retin-A away from the corners of your mouth and your nostril creases. You can put it close, but don't let the Retin-A accumulate in these areas. You will get really flaky skin in these areas if the Retin-A accumulates there. Take it slow. Retin-A will take some time to show results so don't try to rush it. It's the best anti-ager you can use for your skin. It can take months for your skin to tolerate it's use every night. It took me almost 6 months. Everyone's skin is different so just start slow. You may not notice much the first week but I know for a fact you will by week two. Like I said if you have resistant skin start out with maybe three times a week and see how your skin takes it. If your skin does fine with that then maybe try every other night. You will know what interval is right for your skin if you start out slow and work your way up to more frequent use. Some ladies with sensitive skin can only use Retin-A once or twice a week in the beginning. Another extremely important thing is to make sure you use sunblock every day while using Retin-A. Your skin will be much more sensitive to the sun.
My nightly regimen during the winter is:
Cleanse
Retin-A or Renova every other night
Moisturizer
On the nights I don't use Retin-A I use my other skincare with happens to be Zo right now.
During the summer my regimen changes a bit
Cleanse
Retin-A or Renova
Sometimes a moisturizer sometimes not
That's it.
I use Retin-A every night during the summer but because my skin is dryer during the winter I use it every other night during the colder months. When you use Retin-A you don't need any other anti-aging products. Save them for your nights off of Retin-A or for use in the morning.
When I started using Retin-A I started with the lowest strength, 0.025%. After a month my skin was ready for the 0.05%. Some people can only use the lowest strength and that's fine. You will not get any more benefits from using a higher strength. What's more important than the strength you use is that use use Retin-A regularly. Be consistent. If your skin is happy with every other night use than stick with it. Some ladies complain about the flaking and peeling and by being consistent with your use our skin will become used to Retin-A sooner rather than later and the flakiness will subside. It may take a few months but if you continue to start and stop with your Retin-A use, your skin will never adjust to it and you will continue to peel more often.
I know you'll get more excellent advice from the other ladies on this board. They are wonderful and very knowledgeable. |
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