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Product Review: Getting Rid of the Retin A Flakes

My Dermatologist has me usingĀ Retin-A to reduce the occurrence of actinic keratosis. They are those little scalyĀ lesions caused by damage from the sun. Retin-A speeds up cell turnover, revealing fresher skin and sloughing the keratosis off. Retin-A is supposed to soften wrinkles, but I haven’t noticed that benefit.

Retin-A
I bought my latest tube on a trip to Mexico. It’s MUCH cheaper there.

I don’t bother with low strength Retin A so it’s not a matter ofĀ ifĀ  my skin willĀ peel and flake, it’s a matter of when. I use the Retin-AĀ several evenings a week until I look in the mirror one morning and see my faceĀ flaking like a lizard.

Product Review: Getting Rid of the Retin-A FlakesIt was tough to get close enough to show my flakes, but wowza, look at theĀ wrinkles texture on my face:)

If I don’t do something to gently slough those flakes off, Ā I can’t get my tinted sunscreen to go on smoothly. They’re even more noticeableĀ caked with sunscreen.

Now is not the time to get aggressive with my skin; the Retin A is already doing that.Ā I’m not trying to sandpaper my face, just gentlyĀ remove the flakes.Andalou Naturals Pearl Exfoliator

I keep this Andalou Natural Pearl Exfoliator

It works like a charm. I skip Retin-A that eveningĀ and resume the next.

From the Amazon website-
  • This smooth pearl exfoliator with Alpine Rose Stem Cells gently lifts away impurities and dry surface cells as Pomegranate tones and tightens and humectants revive skin’s moisture barrier
  • Biodegradable & Micro bead Free
  • For delicate and dry skin, dermatologist tested
  • Made without sulfates, GMOs, petrochemicals, phthalates, parabens, synthetic fragrance, colors or preservatives
  • Non-GMO Project Verified, Gluten-Free, Cruelty-Free

This product ticks all the cruelty-free and natural boxes for me, which I love.

I buy mine at Whole foods but just noticed it’s only 13.47 at Amazon. Of course, then I have to pay shippingĀ costs, so I’ll keep buying mine locally.

Do you use Retin-A? What do you do about those flakey days?

Have a great day, ladies!

xo-jennifer

 

 

19 Comments

  1. Thanks for sharing your wonderful posts. You are doing amazing work! Iā€™ve been using Retin-A (Tretinoin)+Moisturizer for about 3 years now. So happy I googled ā€˜My247retaā€™ and got retin-a ā¤ļø. It is hands down the most effective anti-aging, anti-dark spot, anti-whatever skin flaw you may have. Itā€™s also the only thing that has actually helped with my acne. People comment on my skin daily, and have for the past 3 years since I started using it.

  2. Diane Hand says:

    Thanks to you all! I so appreciate you being genuine. I wondered what to do about the texture changes on my face. I noticed it when I “discovered” tinted sunscreen (I’m a little slow with modern things!). Thanks so much

    1. The texture may be helped by Retin A as well but there’s only so much it can do. Microneedling and lasers are often helpful with texture. I am seriously considering it.

  3. Hi Jennifer, I tried Retin A but could not tolerate it due to the alligator flaking. About 9 months ago I started a new product which I now import from France. It is from a major cosmeceutical company based just outside of Paris. Clinical trials done by the company compared it to “Retinoid” products and found that it is about 20% more effective with no flaking or peeling. If you want to know more, please talk to your friend Lisa at Amid Privilege. She featured it on her “Friendsmas” post last week.

    Smiles from Carol

    1. Thanks for the tip, Carol. I’ll pop over and see what Lisa recommends! She always has great finds.

  4. I have used retin a for over 20 years. I just put on a mud mask when my face peels and then you get fresh looking skin.Great before a special evening.
    The thing I love at present is the trend for the glowing cheek highlighters. I have Bobbi Brown. For older skin, some on the forehead, nose and upper cheeks makes your face look alive.

    1. What a clever idea, Michaela! I agree about having some glow on our face. Gone are the days when I want glitter or too much glimmer, but glow is the ticket to looking fresher.

  5. marlene alves says:

    Ladies, I know these products may provide different effects than what I am going to suggest, but a wonderful, gentle exfoliant is ground oatmeal. Before a shower, moisten your face, neck, chest with warm water, gently rub into your skin the ground oatmeal and let dry. Remove with washcloth so oatmeal with not clog drain.Leaves skin smooth.

    Note: also a masque created from the inside of an eggshell is excellent for tightening skin, at least briefly, if not long term.

    1. Oatmeal is touted to be so beneficial to our skin too, Marlene! Do you use regular oatmeal or steel cut? Funny question, I know but that’s what I have in my kitchen:) How do you use the egg shell?

      1. marlene alves says:

        Jennifer, it doesn’t matter…whatever oatmeal you have available/just make sure it is ground fine. (I keep a small plastic jar of it in my bathroom..ready to use.)

        re: eggshell…after breaking an egg, use as soon as you can before the inside dries out. Suggestion: after face is warm & clean from shower, take one’s finger and move around the inside of the still-wet egg shell…apply to face in a few swipes, away from eyes. Let dry…it will tighten the skin. Gently remove with room temp water on washcloth..rinse well.

      2. Awesome, Marlene. Thank you. I couldn’t figure out what you meant with the eggs shells:) Ill try this too!!

  6. Karen Stancato says:

    Thank you, Jennifer! Even though I am not using Retin-A, I do use retinol and have occasional bouts with flaking skin. I appreciate your suggestion of the Andalou scrub and will have to get some.

    1. You are welcome, Karen. Please do read these other ladies comments too. There is a lot of wisdom here. I love my readers!

  7. I agree with Pam. I have been using Tretinoin for about 10 months. I started very slowly building up to every night over a 4 month period. Started with once a week for a month then went to every 3 or 4 days and then finally every other day for quite a while. I am now at every day but am still using .05. You will start to see improvement in elasticity and fine lines and wrinkles but should not be getting the flaking. I feel like it’s too expensive to not get the benefit.

    1. It’s definitely too expensive to not get results. I wonder if I should reduce the strength and use it every day as you do.

  8. I am using RetrinAl 0.1 by Avene from my dermatologist’s office. I asked for Retin-A and this was recommended. No flaking! A friend of mine noticed a difference one day and asked what I was using! I read in a book that you can exfoliate by using a little baking soda mixed in with a liquid facial soap. It works great for me!

    1. I haven’t heard of the Avene. Thanks, June. I’ll check with my dermatologist. No flaking would be awesome!!

  9. I have used Tretinoin for years. If you don’t work up to using it every day, it will peel forever. You should have started with the .05 first to acclimate your skin slowly, and then moved up to the stronger strength. For me, skipping even one day will still cause slight peeling, so I try to never get lazy and skip a night. I use glycolic exfoliators in the morning and a moisturizer followed by an Obagi 50 spf tinted sunscreen.

    1. That’s really helpful, Pam! So by using it every night you don’t peel as much? No one ever mentioned that to me! Thanks, I’ll try it.

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