Is this supposed to happen? I got some Tretinoin .01%, but this is STRONG stuff... when I applied it near my eyes, they began to burn and water a little.

Am I doing something wrong, or does my skin just need to get used to it? Should I consult a dermatologist first? (I'll admit that I'm self-medicating here; my mother gave this to me to use, and I'm using based on the knowledge I've picked up online thus far.)

I hope it's ok and that this is just normal, but I got a little worried! Supposedly a very small amount is ok for your entire face, but it seems hard to spread it out like that. I'll wait for help before using any more, though.

Written on: 05/07/2008 (12:00am)

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I would avoid your eye area. Retin can be irritating because it is a high dose of Vitamin A. This helps to stimulate your cell turnover causing flaking and dryness. Sometimes even a little burning. If it is burning, my suggestion to you is to use it every other day or every 3rd day so your skin does not get too irritated and can have time to adjust to the cream. use it at night and LOAD up on the SPF in the day. Stay out of the sun too since you will be prone to sunburns.

I hope this helps you!

Written on: 05/07/2008 (08:48pm)

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Thank you! :)

It was my understanding that Retin-A is often a chosen ingredient for around-the-eyes aging, though? Which is what I wanted to use it for, primarily... I guess I could be mistaken.

Written on: 05/08/2008 (10:56am)

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Your eyes just might be sensitive or needs to get used to the product. I use this every night, just in the corners of my eyes but it took some time for my skin to get used to it. Did you have any moisturizer on underneath that could have gotten in your eyes perhaps?

Written on: 05/08/2008 (11:26am)

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JennBee,

You are not along. I have had the exact same experience with it. I got my prescription for myself at the Dermatologist and I have had severe reactions from it. First time my face was really burned and raw and hurt like crazy. Took my face 3 or 4 days to heal. Doctor said to only use it every other day, but I had reactions again and had to wait until my raw face healed before i could use it again. i am 63 and hav extremely dry and sensitive skin and badly wanted the prouduct to work for me but my face has been much dryer - painfully so - after trying to use the product. One hint the Dermatoligist told me was to wait minimum 1/2 hr after cleaning face before applying the Retinol. That helped a lot. I feel sure my face was probably still damp when I got so badly burned fron applying it. I am only using it about once a week now and hope to work up to every other day. I want to find a system for my skin that works. Also, I started waiting until the Retinol is totally dry and absorbed into my face, then applying face creams and moisturizers like crazy on top of it and that has helped some too. I may end up only being able to use it on the crow's feet lines at the corners of my eyes but that would be okay. My whole face just may not be abel to tolerate it no matter what I do.

I haven't yet given up. I need and want the help and the Retinol was expensive too. I know my face feel much dryer since I have been trying to use it even when I use everything I can find to moisturize my skin.

Would welcome hedaring hints from anyone else with dry and sensitive skin that find ways to use Retinol.

Written on: 05/09/2008 (12:02pm)

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I apologize, but one more hint. When my face was so raw and inflamed from reacting to the Retinol, my Dermatologist told me to buy some Cortisone cream over the counter and it helped sooth my face tremendously while it healed.

Geeezzzzz...what we endure for "beauty"....!!!!!!

Written on: 05/09/2008 (12:04pm)

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Last question, are you exfoliating prior to applying?

Written on: 05/09/2008 (01:23pm)

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I am applying the Renova after gently removing my makeup with a gentle cleanser at night.

By the way, the name of the product the Dermatologist told me to buy and use on my face after it was inflamed from using Renova is Hydrocortisone with moisturizers. I bought Walgreens brand and it worked great.

I just don't know if others with very dry and sensitive skin had to give up on using it. I am hoping that others will send in some tips from their experience.

Written on: 05/09/2008 (04:34pm)

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I am currently using Retin-A. I am under the care of a dermo and just had alot of laser work done.
Why are you using the product? What do you hope to gain by using it?

Here's what the dermo told me.
Use only a pea sized amount, for your whole face. If it's burning you need to switch to every other day and FYI: when I use this product my whole beauty regimen changes. I can go from using fancy night creams to using a basic Eucerin Calming night cream because Retin-A is really strong.
I recommend a gently exfoliante too, because of all the flaking that occurs.
You can email me if you have any other ?'s.

Written on: 05/11/2008 (01:33am)

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Couldn't figure out how to email you.

I am 63 with extremely dry and sensitive skin. I wanted to try to eliminate the crows feet around my eyes and may help the eyelids, and I even have the beginning of wrinkles around my mouth. I thought Retinol would help, but it is just making my skin drier and drier and actually causes lots and lots more wrinkles because it actually dires out my skin even more than it is regardless how may creams and moisturizers I apply.

I also need softening and extreme moisturizing. I have been hanging on and continuing to use the Retinol but it is making my skin significantly worse, rather than better. My face is so dry is hurts and I can feel is shreveling up by the minute. I haven't known anyone that has used it and gone through the adverse reactions that I have. I do only use a pea size amount, the the drying affects it has on my skin seems opposite from what my face may need.

Thanks so much for your offer. Any comments or suggestions would be very welcome. If there is a way to email, let me know.

Written on: 05/11/2008 (03:52pm)

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