I think retinoid products are fantastic, both as an actual medication for acne and for it's skin benefiting properties. However, retinoids can have some pretty gross and nasty side effects if used incorrectly or with the wrong skincare products, and sometimes it is a bit confusing what to use with them and what not to use with them!
After using retinoids for the best part of four years to help with my acne, I have had my disasters and have found out through trial and error what works with them, and what doesn't work with them. For your information, I am on Retin-A 0.0025% (I have a blogpost here all about the little gem).
I thought it would be a good idea for me to impart what knowledge I have on the area, so here are a few tips and suggestions for those who are just starting out or are already on retinoids and are a bit confused about what they should and shouldn't do.
1) Always wear an SPF in the day. The top layer of your skin is being peeled off, making your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Find a good SPF product which protects against both UVA and UVB rays, since both are harmful. There are plenty of good suncreams out there, you just need to find one which suits your skin type and your preference! Please, protect your skin from the sun.
2) Don't use exfoliating products/mitts/scrubs/Clarisonics whilst you're using retinoids. Especially with those who are using Retin-A, the peeling effect you get can be pretty gross and can mess up a makeup look completely. Do not be tempted to scrub this peeling skin away, because this peeling skin is attached to loose skin which will shed itself naturally. If you scrub at it, you will take all the skin off your face and will end up with a very sore and oozy face. Leave all exfoliating till at least three days after the last night/day of retinoid application.
3) Do not use any harsh astringent or products containing other chemical exfoliants. This will further irritate your skin, and, from my own experience, they will sting your skin like absolute hell. Not worth it! Treat your skin gently and with kindness and your skin will recover easier and you'll have less 'downtime'.
4) Moisturise, moisturise, and moisturise. You need to find an intensive moisturiser, which helps the skins healing process. Be warned, there are some cream which will sting, and there is no saying which ones will and which ones don't. It is trial and error, but stick to creams which are designed for those with extremely dry and sensitive skins, because these are less likely to contain products which are harsh to skin. Look for products designed for extremely senstive/allergic/dry or cracked skin, these products should contain less nasty harsh stuff and more of the gentle, good stuff.
5) Deal with it. Retinoids have side effects. It is important to know that from the very beginning. And in my experience, every application proves a different result skin-wise. One week you might use it and skin might peel with minimal redness and then heal quickly, leaving skin radiant and beautiful in no time, whilst other times your skin might peel leaving sore-looking red patches all over your face, and downtime feels like forever. Yes, it's a bummer, but think about the result of your skin after using retinoids, and all those days of walking around feeling dejected about the red patches on your skin will be worth it, especially from an acne-front. Focus on the long term.
6) Don't over-use them. I only need a couple of nights application of Retin-A to get my skin to peel, any more than that then my skin gets increasingly sore and dry and almost impossible to normalise. After these two nights, I moisturise my skin like hell to minimise any dryness and to help my skin to heal. Overusing the retinoid will not make it more effective, it will just worsen the side effects!
7) In terms of acne, it gets worse before it gets better. If your doctor has prescribed you retinoids for your acne and you've not been on them before, it is important to be aware that acne might get worse during the early stages. This does not mean the medication isn't working, it just means that the medication is purging the skin of all the nasties that lie beneath the surface of the skin. Be diligent, don't stop applying the retinoid and you'll soon see the benefits.
8) To cover, or not to cover. I don't tend to cover up my Retin-A side effects, because in the past I have tried to cover up peely skin with concealer/powder/foundation, and my skin balls up and it looks worse than going au naturel. Everyone has their preferences though, so if you can't bear to go bare-faced, then don't, but find something that works with you and your side-effects. Redness is slightly easier to cover up, but I think that if you treat the treated skin with the utmost care and gentleness, you're minimising irritation and so redness should fade quicker than if you're scrubbing and pouring paint-stripper-type-toner all over your face.
Tried-and-tested products (with reviews) that I always turn to when I'm actively using Retin-A:
Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser, Eucerin Aquaphor, Vichy Capital Sun SPF 50 Mattifying Face Fluid Dry Touch. Barefoot Botanicals Face and Body Rescue Cream.
This blogpost is made up from personal experiences with Retin-A and what I've been told by dermatological experts. Everyone's skin/reaction to retinoids is different, and always read the insert that comes included with medication and over-the-counter retinoids!
I am open to suggestions about products, so if you use retinoids and have a product that is great at treating the horrid side effects, let me know!
Showing posts with label Retin-A. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Retin-A. Show all posts
Tuesday, 11 December 2012
Monday, 10 September 2012
Pamper sesh/Mini-facial.
Once a week I like to treat myself to a little facial, so to speak. No, I don't go out and get it done professionally, I do it by myself on myself, in the comfort of my own room. Perfectamundo.
It is one of the most pampering things you could do and your skin will love you for it, and you don't really need fancy expensive products or equipment. For example, stage 1 is cleansing. Any cleanser would do, depending on your skin type. Stage 2 is a repeat, so essentially a double cleanse, and you could use the same cleanser as before or go for a different one if you fancy. I find that my oily congested skin appreciates a double cleanse and I find this really effective at leaving skin prepped and primed. If you don't want to double-cleanse or don't feel your skin needs it - don't. I only do it because I definitely need to! Stage 3 is exfoliation. Any exfoliator will do, just make sure that the exfoliating matierial within the product isn't natural - peach kernels or nut shells aren't naturally round and therefore can scratch the skin, which isn't good. Man-made beads or crystals in exfoliating products are better because they can be refined down and rounded so they have a less harsh effect on the skin but are still effective. Step 4 can be carried out over a bowl of water. You don't have to own a steamer! Step 5 can be carried out again with a preferred cleanser. Stage 6 can be carried out with any mask you like - hydrating, chemically exfoliating, cleansing, whatever you want!. For stage 7, use your favourite moisturiser, and hey presto.
Everyone does their own facial differently, but mine is through trial and error, and this method and these products work for me!
I have written out what I normally do once a week facial-wise. Sometimes I skip out a stage if I'm feeling pushed for time, but normally I don't feel like I'm doing my skin justice unless I do the whole caboodle!
1) If I have a full face of makeup (which is rare), I take it all off with a baby wipe first and then I cleanse my face with the Neutrogena 'Visibly Clear 2 in 1' face wash to remove all the impurities and oil from my skin, leaving skin already feeling fresh and so clean.
2) I cleanse my face again with my Clarisonic and a foaming face wash (I am loving Neutrogena's 'Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Facial Wash'), and then follow with Boots' Botanics 'All Bright Cleansing Toner', just to ensure I have cleaned every last trace of grime from my skin.
3) I follow the double-cleanse with micro-dermabraison courtesy of No7's 'Total Renewal Micro-dermabraision Exfoliator'. This is hands down the best exfoliator I have ever used. I haven't yet found one to beat it (yet). It removes all the dead skin cells, revealing new skin, ensuring all my products are ready to be absorbed well!
4) Then I steam my face with my own steamer - I've had it 6 years and it's still going strong! I add Boot's own 'Glycerin and Rosewater' or tea tree to the water. It really depends how my skin is feeling, if it's a wee bit sensitive I opt for the rose water, if I have a massively huge breakout I opt for the tea-tree essence just to clear out my congested pores.
5) Then I cleanse with a foaming cleanser, to make sure I have removed all the micro-dermabraison crystals from my skin.
6) I then apply a mask; this could either be the Neutrogena 'Visibly Clear 2 in 1' used as a mask (I love those multi-purpose products I do) or the Elemis 'Papaya Enzyme Peel'. I normally alternate but if skin is feeling congested, I will plump for the Neutrogena mask above the Elemis one, and if skin is looking dull and lifeless, I'll opt for the latter!
7) I then apply Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum, followed by a nice big sticky layer of Eucerin's 'Aquaphor' to ensure my skin is moisturised like hell - and I'm done!
I do think it is important not only for the skin, but also for the mind to completely de-stress and focus on yourself - I don't have much 'me-time' at the moment so this is the one selfish thing I revel in.
It is one of the most pampering things you could do and your skin will love you for it, and you don't really need fancy expensive products or equipment. For example, stage 1 is cleansing. Any cleanser would do, depending on your skin type. Stage 2 is a repeat, so essentially a double cleanse, and you could use the same cleanser as before or go for a different one if you fancy. I find that my oily congested skin appreciates a double cleanse and I find this really effective at leaving skin prepped and primed. If you don't want to double-cleanse or don't feel your skin needs it - don't. I only do it because I definitely need to! Stage 3 is exfoliation. Any exfoliator will do, just make sure that the exfoliating matierial within the product isn't natural - peach kernels or nut shells aren't naturally round and therefore can scratch the skin, which isn't good. Man-made beads or crystals in exfoliating products are better because they can be refined down and rounded so they have a less harsh effect on the skin but are still effective. Step 4 can be carried out over a bowl of water. You don't have to own a steamer! Step 5 can be carried out again with a preferred cleanser. Stage 6 can be carried out with any mask you like - hydrating, chemically exfoliating, cleansing, whatever you want!. For stage 7, use your favourite moisturiser, and hey presto.
Everyone does their own facial differently, but mine is through trial and error, and this method and these products work for me!
I have written out what I normally do once a week facial-wise. Sometimes I skip out a stage if I'm feeling pushed for time, but normally I don't feel like I'm doing my skin justice unless I do the whole caboodle!
1) If I have a full face of makeup (which is rare), I take it all off with a baby wipe first and then I cleanse my face with the Neutrogena 'Visibly Clear 2 in 1' face wash to remove all the impurities and oil from my skin, leaving skin already feeling fresh and so clean.
2) I cleanse my face again with my Clarisonic and a foaming face wash (I am loving Neutrogena's 'Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Facial Wash'), and then follow with Boots' Botanics 'All Bright Cleansing Toner', just to ensure I have cleaned every last trace of grime from my skin.
3) I follow the double-cleanse with micro-dermabraison courtesy of No7's 'Total Renewal Micro-dermabraision Exfoliator'. This is hands down the best exfoliator I have ever used. I haven't yet found one to beat it (yet). It removes all the dead skin cells, revealing new skin, ensuring all my products are ready to be absorbed well!
4) Then I steam my face with my own steamer - I've had it 6 years and it's still going strong! I add Boot's own 'Glycerin and Rosewater' or tea tree to the water. It really depends how my skin is feeling, if it's a wee bit sensitive I opt for the rose water, if I have a massively huge breakout I opt for the tea-tree essence just to clear out my congested pores.
5) Then I cleanse with a foaming cleanser, to make sure I have removed all the micro-dermabraison crystals from my skin.
6) I then apply a mask; this could either be the Neutrogena 'Visibly Clear 2 in 1' used as a mask (I love those multi-purpose products I do) or the Elemis 'Papaya Enzyme Peel'. I normally alternate but if skin is feeling congested, I will plump for the Neutrogena mask above the Elemis one, and if skin is looking dull and lifeless, I'll opt for the latter!
7) I then apply Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum, followed by a nice big sticky layer of Eucerin's 'Aquaphor' to ensure my skin is moisturised like hell - and I'm done!
I do think it is important not only for the skin, but also for the mind to completely de-stress and focus on yourself - I don't have much 'me-time' at the moment so this is the one selfish thing I revel in.
Saturday, 18 February 2012
Me and my acne; Week 12 update.
Well, my doctor has RUINED this little weekly feature.
I went to see him yesterday because my prescription had run out and I wanted to continue with the Retin-A, but wasn't so bothered about the antibiotics. I do have spots, and they do bother me, but I was of the mindset that I will deal with them.
I told him this, and then he basically said that there were no long term side effects from being on the medication, and because I was unhappy with my skin without being on the antibiotics, so he renewed both my antibiotics (Lymecycline) and Retin-A for another year. This really pleased me, because I don't like having bad skin. It makes me feel dirty, gross and so unattractive.
So, the plan for these little weekly posts changes a bit. It isn't going to be feature analysing my skin without the antibiotics anymore, from now on it will be a feature on how my skin improves with the antibiotics! I will carry on doing them along with the photo of my fat little face, so you can hopefully see an improvement in my skin as I continue taking the medication.
Here is my skin as it is at the minute, as you can see it's a bit spotty;
(Please excuse my panda eyes, photo fail)
Regarding a skincare routine as of right now, I'm just using my Clarisonic and my Korres soaps to cleanse the skin every morning and night, and if it's the morning, I follow it using Kiehl's' 'UV Protect' SPF 50 (review to come soon!), and in the evening I either use Retin-A alone, Aquaphor alone, or combine the Nuxe Oil I recieved in the February Feel Unique box followed by my Darphin cream.
But hopefully carrying on these posts whilst taking my medication for the next year should hopefully illustrate how clear my skin has been in the past and how much it improves with a little medical help!
It may encourage some people to seek help for acne. I know mine isn't horrific, but it really affects me. And if you're sitting there thinking 'mine is way worse, what is she moaning about' arrange an appointment to see your doctor! There are lots of things that can be done for acne these days, so it's worth just talking to your doctor about it!
I went to see him yesterday because my prescription had run out and I wanted to continue with the Retin-A, but wasn't so bothered about the antibiotics. I do have spots, and they do bother me, but I was of the mindset that I will deal with them.
I told him this, and then he basically said that there were no long term side effects from being on the medication, and because I was unhappy with my skin without being on the antibiotics, so he renewed both my antibiotics (Lymecycline) and Retin-A for another year. This really pleased me, because I don't like having bad skin. It makes me feel dirty, gross and so unattractive.
So, the plan for these little weekly posts changes a bit. It isn't going to be feature analysing my skin without the antibiotics anymore, from now on it will be a feature on how my skin improves with the antibiotics! I will carry on doing them along with the photo of my fat little face, so you can hopefully see an improvement in my skin as I continue taking the medication.
Here is my skin as it is at the minute, as you can see it's a bit spotty;
Regarding a skincare routine as of right now, I'm just using my Clarisonic and my Korres soaps to cleanse the skin every morning and night, and if it's the morning, I follow it using Kiehl's' 'UV Protect' SPF 50 (review to come soon!), and in the evening I either use Retin-A alone, Aquaphor alone, or combine the Nuxe Oil I recieved in the February Feel Unique box followed by my Darphin cream.
But hopefully carrying on these posts whilst taking my medication for the next year should hopefully illustrate how clear my skin has been in the past and how much it improves with a little medical help!
It may encourage some people to seek help for acne. I know mine isn't horrific, but it really affects me. And if you're sitting there thinking 'mine is way worse, what is she moaning about' arrange an appointment to see your doctor! There are lots of things that can be done for acne these days, so it's worth just talking to your doctor about it!
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Me and my acne: Week 5 update.
So this week has been quite, well, more interesting than my other acne updates.
I've also got a few more photographs of my trails and tribulations, because I think it's nice to see what other people are going through, and a paragraph full of words isn't as powerful as when it's accompanied by a photograph.
I do think that most people will be getting sick of my make-up free face, and the fact I look like a complete ming in them! But it's to illustrate a point, so apologies!
If this is the first 'acne update post' of mine you've seen, basically I came off my oral antibiotic (Lymecycline) about 5 weeks ago, which I have been prescribed for the past two years. I am still using a topical medication (Retin-A), and this is just a little journal to see if I can really get on without my oral medication or whether I need to go back on it. Also, I explain what products help and don't help my skin.
So this week I used my Retin-A on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday night because my skin can't seem to shake the spots. This has left my with red, peely skin. I know this is hard to imagine, so I took some pictures (be warned, I look terrible and it isn't flattering at all);
Notice around my hairline you can see the peeling skin on the bottom picture, and around the nose in the top picture. They are small pictures so squint and you might see what I'm on about.
When my skin is like this I feel pretty awful. I have spots and plus I'm peeling like mad, so I'm not feeling at my most attractive. Earlier on the day these above pictures were taken, I applied some Eucerin, but OH MY GOD it stang like hell and brought me out in a reddish-pink rash before I had to leave to go to university.
See below;
However, I was in the bathroom staring despairingly into the mirror (surely other people do that?) when a little white tube caught my eye.
Mummy Clements had suffered from a small patch of psoriasis, and the doctor prescribed her this cream.
So, as a last resort, I plastered it all on my face and no stinging or anything occured. I thought, wow, this is good stuff already. Unlike most creams like this I've encountered before, this one sank right into my skin. I'll do a proper review of the cream on it's own, so keep your eyes peeled.
But this is what my skin looked like this morning...
Absolutely no peeling or redness, although my spots and red marks are still there (sad face). You can't really see because the photo is quite small (bummer) but my skin seems to be in a much better shape than it was 12 hours ago.
So in summary, it's been a bit of a tough week for my poor skin. My spots don't seem to be going, I'm still pressing on with using my Retin-A which is giving me peely and sore skin, I have found a cream which helps with the peeling, but all in all no drastic improvements or worsening.
Sigh.
It's never ending...
I've also got a few more photographs of my trails and tribulations, because I think it's nice to see what other people are going through, and a paragraph full of words isn't as powerful as when it's accompanied by a photograph.
I do think that most people will be getting sick of my make-up free face, and the fact I look like a complete ming in them! But it's to illustrate a point, so apologies!
If this is the first 'acne update post' of mine you've seen, basically I came off my oral antibiotic (Lymecycline) about 5 weeks ago, which I have been prescribed for the past two years. I am still using a topical medication (Retin-A), and this is just a little journal to see if I can really get on without my oral medication or whether I need to go back on it. Also, I explain what products help and don't help my skin.
So this week I used my Retin-A on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday night because my skin can't seem to shake the spots. This has left my with red, peely skin. I know this is hard to imagine, so I took some pictures (be warned, I look terrible and it isn't flattering at all);
 |  |
Notice around my hairline you can see the peeling skin on the bottom picture, and around the nose in the top picture. They are small pictures so squint and you might see what I'm on about.
When my skin is like this I feel pretty awful. I have spots and plus I'm peeling like mad, so I'm not feeling at my most attractive. Earlier on the day these above pictures were taken, I applied some Eucerin, but OH MY GOD it stang like hell and brought me out in a reddish-pink rash before I had to leave to go to university.
See below;
However, I was in the bathroom staring despairingly into the mirror (surely other people do that?) when a little white tube caught my eye.
Mummy Clements had suffered from a small patch of psoriasis, and the doctor prescribed her this cream.
So, as a last resort, I plastered it all on my face and no stinging or anything occured. I thought, wow, this is good stuff already. Unlike most creams like this I've encountered before, this one sank right into my skin. I'll do a proper review of the cream on it's own, so keep your eyes peeled.
But this is what my skin looked like this morning...
Absolutely no peeling or redness, although my spots and red marks are still there (sad face). You can't really see because the photo is quite small (bummer) but my skin seems to be in a much better shape than it was 12 hours ago.
So in summary, it's been a bit of a tough week for my poor skin. My spots don't seem to be going, I'm still pressing on with using my Retin-A which is giving me peely and sore skin, I have found a cream which helps with the peeling, but all in all no drastic improvements or worsening.
Sigh.
It's never ending...
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Retin-A.
My life practically revolves around this little wonder. Every part of my skin-care regimen circulates on whether I'm using it or not; what facial washes I use, what creams I buy, whether I use foundation or go au naturel...
It was prescribed to me two years ago because I had/have acne. Apparently, you're only meant to be on it for several months. However, I want to be on it forever.
It really does help my skin, and every time I come off it to see if my skin improves of it's own accord, my spots come back worse than ever and it really gets me down. Sad face.
It is a retinoid (a vitamin A derivative...I think), and basically what it does (in normal-speak) is that it exfoliates the skin from the inside out, thus shedding and flaking off the upper-most layer of the skin at a rapid rate. This means that when you are using the medication you look disgusting and you need to take serious care of your skin (no exfoliating, and no harsh skin treatments) because it is so sensitive.
Exposure to UV light (including sunlight!) should be avoided when using this medication. This means that I am a deathly shade of white and in the summer months do my absolute utmost to stay out of the sun. I have tried almost every sun cream known to man and my large sunhat was an absolute essential last summer during holidays and trips to the beach (cue my boyfriend calling me a 'vampire', alas, ignorance).
It is topical medication, meaning you put it directly on your skin. It is a clear gel that has a slight yellow-ish tinge, and you apply it in a thin layer and it dries on your skin.
You can't use any products over the top of it or beneath it, your skin needs to be clean in order for Retin-A to be any use. For this reason I use it overnight, and wash it off in the morning.
As I've said before, you do have to be careful how you treat your skin during the period you are applying it. Most of the skincare products I have used have stung my skin like mad (imagine me running around the room fanning face), and only a few products have soothed my skin. Aquaphor is a really good cream that hydrates and soothes sore cracked skin, and I always use it when using Retin-A. Definitely my 'go-to' product of late. When using Retin-A, I use facial washes that are designed for sensitive skin, and you certainly don't want facial washes advertising some form of chemical exfoliation or physical exfoliation like grains or beads, you will regret it.
I think without this medication I would have a nervous breakdown. This really helps keep my skin in check, and even though my acne is slowly coming back (damn the doctor taking me off my oral medication, DAMN HIM) I think this medication is keeping the worst at bay.
Because it peels away the top layer of skin every time you use it, I found that it has really helped with my scars and red marks that acne has left me with. I'm nowhere near 'perfect skin' (although I will be one day), but I can cope with that.
I know I'd be in a worse place without my little tube of Retin-A.
(Consult a doctor before using this, it is a medication and can have prominent and quite dangerous side-effects.)
It was prescribed to me two years ago because I had/have acne. Apparently, you're only meant to be on it for several months. However, I want to be on it forever.
It really does help my skin, and every time I come off it to see if my skin improves of it's own accord, my spots come back worse than ever and it really gets me down. Sad face.
It is a retinoid (a vitamin A derivative...I think), and basically what it does (in normal-speak) is that it exfoliates the skin from the inside out, thus shedding and flaking off the upper-most layer of the skin at a rapid rate. This means that when you are using the medication you look disgusting and you need to take serious care of your skin (no exfoliating, and no harsh skin treatments) because it is so sensitive.
Exposure to UV light (including sunlight!) should be avoided when using this medication. This means that I am a deathly shade of white and in the summer months do my absolute utmost to stay out of the sun. I have tried almost every sun cream known to man and my large sunhat was an absolute essential last summer during holidays and trips to the beach (cue my boyfriend calling me a 'vampire', alas, ignorance).
It is topical medication, meaning you put it directly on your skin. It is a clear gel that has a slight yellow-ish tinge, and you apply it in a thin layer and it dries on your skin.
You can't use any products over the top of it or beneath it, your skin needs to be clean in order for Retin-A to be any use. For this reason I use it overnight, and wash it off in the morning.
As I've said before, you do have to be careful how you treat your skin during the period you are applying it. Most of the skincare products I have used have stung my skin like mad (imagine me running around the room fanning face), and only a few products have soothed my skin. Aquaphor is a really good cream that hydrates and soothes sore cracked skin, and I always use it when using Retin-A. Definitely my 'go-to' product of late. When using Retin-A, I use facial washes that are designed for sensitive skin, and you certainly don't want facial washes advertising some form of chemical exfoliation or physical exfoliation like grains or beads, you will regret it.
I think without this medication I would have a nervous breakdown. This really helps keep my skin in check, and even though my acne is slowly coming back (damn the doctor taking me off my oral medication, DAMN HIM) I think this medication is keeping the worst at bay.
Because it peels away the top layer of skin every time you use it, I found that it has really helped with my scars and red marks that acne has left me with. I'm nowhere near 'perfect skin' (although I will be one day), but I can cope with that.
I know I'd be in a worse place without my little tube of Retin-A.
(Consult a doctor before using this, it is a medication and can have prominent and quite dangerous side-effects.)
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