differin v. tazorac v. retin-a v. retinol
EDS Skin Care Forums Forum Index » Skin Care and Makeup Forum

free skin care · Fri Oct 28, 2005 10:22 am

Hello! I am using a vit c serum - IS Clinical Proheal - in the a.m. and a glycolic product - IS Clinical Active Serum - in the p.m.

I am wanting to incorporate a Vitamin A product into my regime - using it every other night. I am trying to combat melasma, large pores, oily skin.

I would love to know what experiences people have had with the different Vitamin A products. I am leaning towards the differin cream because I have heard good things about differin and I like the idea of using a cream -rather than a gel. However, I am also considering Skinceuticals .05% or .1% retinol. Does anybody have any advice???? Thanks!

free skin care · Fri Dec 09, 2005 8:08 am

Hi Lela

I am an oil well when it comes to my skin. I have used RAM .1% for about five weeks and didn't like it because the cream seemed like it was irritating my skin. I have changed to the Retin-A (generic) .025% gel because I heard it is as effective as the .5% cream and I absolutely love it. The key is to go slow and start with every other day applications in the evening. For the peelies, I use the Oil of Olay washcloths (the exfoliating side) because it has BHA in it but make sure to use it for the mornings. That way, when you put your makeup on you won't see the peelies. I have to warn you that retinoids will make your wrinkles or skin look crepey but that's only b/c your skin is shedding. It will take about 3-6 months before your skin will look younger and acne free.

As for Differin, I tried it several years ago and did not find it to be effective. The Retin-A gel is so much better for oily skins and Retin-A creams have some kind of moisturizers that don't agree with oily skins. Differin did nothing for acne, aging skin, oily skin, etc.

HTH.

Librarygirl

free skin care · Fri Dec 09, 2005 8:16 am

Lela

Sorry, I forgot to tell you that I did use the Green Cream 6% retinol and found it to be good and I didn't peel as much but Retin-A is definitely better as you will see results much faster despite the ugly stage for the first 3 months. If you go slow with Retin-A you will not look as bad in the first stages. However, you will see some serious results in the long run. The problem is that some people want to see results the next day but it's only temporary. I was getting some serious marionnette lines and implementing Retin-A helped decrease it after several weeks. I can imagine what my face will be like 6 months from now.

I've implemented the Cellex-C usage (I bought the Cellex-C antiaging kit) in the mornings and it doesn't burn as much with every other day use of Retin-A .025%.

HTH.

Librarygirl

free skin care · Fri Dec 09, 2005 10:12 am

I use Skinceutical's retinol 0.5 everynight. I really like it but it is more expensive than prescriptive drugs like Retin-A. It is not as thick as a cream, it is like a cream-gel texture that absorbs fast and leave the skin smooth.

Before, I combined retinol 0.5 with MD Formulation's illuminating serum (i.e., glyolic acid etc) everynight and I burned myself. The peeling got pretty bad and my face hurt like hell. Mad

Now, I know not to over do it.

Edited to add that if this is your first retinol product, you should start with a low concentration. However, proheal has some retinol in it already.....

free skin care · Mon Dec 12, 2005 10:17 am

Thanks for the advice librarygirl and Wild Cat! I would like to try skinceuticals retinol one of these days - I have heard good things about it. I recently got a perscription for generic retin-a in a light cream base - but only .01%. That seems very weak to me...but I will see how it goes. If I don't like it I will either try a gel or skinceuticals. Thanks again! Very Happy

free skin care · Mon Dec 12, 2005 10:20 am

I don't think you need to worry about low strength, the effect of retinol or retin-a adds up. Just keep using it you will see results. Unless you don't like the texture then you should try other ones.

free skin care · Mon Dec 12, 2005 11:07 am

I used Retin-A for adult acne (with my perscription program it is cheaper than the Retinol etc. I have switched to Tazorac and really like it; works as well but is less irritating at least for me.

free skin care · Thu Dec 15, 2005 3:10 am

In high school I tried Differin; didn't work.
Then I tried Retin-A a year later after the Differin; it irritated my skin like none other.

Now I have gone back to a Vitamin A based treatment so I use Tazorac. I started out on .05% and after 8 months I am now on .01%. It has really helped clear out my skin (I was getting tons of whiteheads/ clogged pores that would eventually turn into huge breakouts). When I first started using it, it was hell 'cuz of the "purging" my skin went through. But at least it isn't as irritating as other topicals I have used. Also, in the beginning I used it every other night so that my skin would get used to it. This really helped minimize irritation.

As far as oiliness goes, it has helped probably 25%. It would be nice if it were more. But I'll take clearer skin over less oiliness any day. I am so sick of breakouts at my age!

My dermatologist said it should help with wrinkles too. I think it has. I was starting to get some deeper expression lines between my eyes and on my forehead and they aren't as bad now and keep getting better.

One thing for sure is that any prescription is way stronger than any over the counter retinol product you can get.

Anyway, that's my two cents.

Thu Dec 15, 2005 5:12 pm

I've been dealing with acne/oily skin for many years. Have used Retin A different strengths and still have to use Clindomycin to control breakouts. But, I switched to Tazorac 0.1% cream. I like it better, it does not irritate me and does not cause the pealy's around mouth area like the Retin A did.

Automatic Message

If this is your first visit to the EDS Forums please take the time to register. Registration is required for you to post on the forums. Registration will also give you the ability to track messages of interest, send private messages to other users, participate in Gift Certificates draws and enjoy automatic discounts for shopping at our online store. Registration is free and takes just a few seconds to complete.

Click Here to join our community.

If you are already a registered member on the forums, please login to gain full access to the site.