22 replies to this topic

[fletch1978]

hey, nice log you have going here i read through it a few times, but i'm not sure if you mentinoed when you started on the retin-a? you may have, and i just missed it :/
anyhow, i'm a big big fan of www.cosmeticscop.com , and what you've been writing about recently checks out on their website, too (i.e using AHA or BHA along with Retin-a). apparently, the way retin-a affects skin is different than the way an AHA or BHA product would affect the skin. they both exfoliate, yes, but the retin-a essentially tells the skin to start growing normally, while the other exfoliant helps keep pores clear by removing dead skin and preventing buildup inside the follicular wall. it all seems so complicated, but yet so simple at the same time, huh? (at least to me... )
i think a glycolic wash would be great, and what might be even better is a glycolic cream or toner...something you can use in the a.m. or p.m. (or both). apparently, the AHA can help the retin-a get even deeper inside the skin, which is a good thing efficacy wise. i'm not sure this is true or not, but i do recall reading it somewhere.
anyhow, good to see another fellow retin-a user...esp. one who seems to be in the early stages, like me! it will get better!

[yazgirl]

I started at the beginning of August, it's been 14 weeks since I started and I am 100% clear.. I am in love with retin-a these days, my skin has finally gotten used to it and I'm not peeling like a crazy snake anymore.

I might wait to get the glycolic cleanser until the spring since it's getting cold and I don't want to strip my face too much. I'm using the DermaDoctor Born to Be Mild cleanser in the mornings and it is super gentle and soothing but effective, it is my favorite so far and I have used a LOT of cleansers in my life.

I like your explanation though of how all these ingredients/chemicals work.. it makes much more sense than mine!

hey, nice log you have going here i read through it a few times, but i'm not sure if you mentinoed when you started on the retin-a? you may have, and i just missed it :/
anyhow, i'm a big big fan of www.cosmeticscop.com , and what you've been writing about recently checks out on their website, too (i.e using AHA or BHA along with Retin-a). apparently, the way retin-a affects skin is different than the way an AHA or BHA product would affect the skin. they both exfoliate, yes, but the retin-a essentially tells the skin to start growing normally, while the other exfoliant helps keep pores clear by removing dead skin and preventing buildup inside the follicular wall. it all seems so complicated, but yet so simple at the same time, huh? (at least to me... )
i think a glycolic wash would be great, and what might be even better is a glycolic cream or toner...something you can use in the a.m. or p.m. (or both). apparently, the AHA can help the retin-a get even deeper inside the skin, which is a good thing efficacy wise. i'm not sure this is true or not, but i do recall reading it somewhere.
anyhow, good to see another fellow retin-a user...esp. one who seems to be in the early stages, like me! it will get better!

[yazgirl]

I did end up getting a 12% glycolic cleanser - DermaDoctor Wrinkle Revenge I. It was the lowest level. I decided to try it out for a couple of days and used it morning and night. In addition, I used retin-a every night. Well.. my face was fine initially but after a few days.. I had a slight reddish/burnt look. But once I stopped using it.. my skin was fine. So just like when I was first using retin-a, I need to introduce the glycolic cleanser slowly. I'm thinking maybe just use it in the mornings.