2 replies to this topic

[Ben Taylor Davies]

Ok, I'm appealing for some help with Retin A! I first started using Retin A 0.01% around 17 months ago, and 6 months later bumped it up to 0.025% gel, which finally did something! I still use it (my skin is far from perfect!), and find that if I stop my pores become unbearably large, my spot begin to return and my skin just looks dull!

For over a year, I used the Rein A in conjunction with Clinique Anti-Blemish Clarifying Lotion, (Salicylic acid), though recently my skin started to become quite dry, probably due to the high alcohol content in the Clinique. I've recently been trying a Clarins Alcohol Free toner, but it doesn't make my skin feel as 'clean' as the Clinique one, and the spots around my chin are getting worse - today I have 4 surfacing/in full bloom, which is really frustrating!

Could I go back to using the Clinique toner do you think? Or should I avoid it due to the alcohol in it? In the insert in my Retin A box it says to avoid alcohol products, and Google tells me not to use salicylic acid with Retin A, but the Clinique Saleswoman consulted Clinique guidelines and told me it was safe!

HELP!!!!

Sorry for the long winded post!!



Current Regime (if it helps anybody!):

AM

Cleanse with Clinique Liquid Facial Soap - OIly skin formula
Clarins Toner for Oily Skin
Clarins Hydraquench Cream Gel/ Clarins Ultra Matte Rebalancing Lotion/ Clinique Moisturising Gel
Clinique SuperCity Block SPF40

PM

Cleanse with Clinique Liquid Facial Soap - OIly skin formula
Clarins Toner for Oily Skin
Clarins Lotus Treatment Oil
Retin A gel 0.025%
Sudocrem on any spots!

[Kairasa]

Hey there! Well, I do not have experience with either of those products, but I would highly suggest stopping the product with alcohol in it. It's not good for your skin in general, as you suspect.

Have you tried using the Retin-A alone for an extended period of time? Your skin goes through cellular cycles like all other portions of your body, so it would take a month for the full effect of any new product or lack of product to show on your face.

[Ben Taylor Davies]

Hmmm... I could do, but I'm actually trying to wean myself off Prescription products - I'm actually beating myself up about starting with Retin A in the first place, as my skin wasn't all too bad (but of course I thought it was), and my GP suggested it... I'm worried that I've actually worsened my skin by using the Retin A, in the sense that if I stop (which I've tried to do!) my skin becomes awful (HUGE pores/blackheads, more spots, general oiliness), seemingly much worse than it was before I started on the Retin A. Do you think this could be the case?

Also, do you know if I'm able to use BHA (Salicylic Acid) containing products with Retin A (minus the alcohol!)...? I'm hearing such conflicting things, but my skin seems to really like SA, and I'm noticing a change for the worse now I'm not using it.

Sorry for all the questions!