Retin-A woes! Help please!

[dollyparts]

I have been using Retin-a .25% concentration for about two years now and I just started a brand new gel tube.  I was previously using cream, I thought my skin was getting used to this concentration finally but I was wrong.  With this new tube, I have some major peeling on my under my eye area, my nose, and a little around the corners of my mouth, everywhere else is fine.  I use Belief's eye moisture bomb in the morning before I put on my makeup (I use IT Cosmetics CC cream).  It's fine for maybe 3-4 hours but after that the skin flaking is totally visible.  I can't reapply my face moisturizer because it removes the makeup.  I'm looking at maybe a facial mist to help reduce the appearance of all this flaky crepe looking skin during the day.  Any suggestions?

[Buootiful]

Hi dollyparts,

I am using the Sunday Riley Luna Oil as a retinol for my aging, sensitive dry skin. It has yet to be flaky but it it is red from the treatment. I was looking up on youtube about retinol and came across a dermatologist who suggested prescribed retinoids are so much stronger than OTC and that they dry skin. She recommended putting mositurizer BEFORE the retinoid. Of course since retina needs to be applied to dried skin,s he suggests to make sure the moisturizer is absorbed, then apply the reitinoid on top of your moisturized, dry skin.

As far as a spray, I have been using Pacifica Coconut essence hydra mist and it has very natural ingredients, not to mention,  a very refreshing pick me up during work. But I think I will try that PYUNKANG YUL MIST TONER too.

[dollyparts]

Thank you all!  I have taken some notes, I will be adding some of the products you mentioned to my skin care routine a few at a time to see what works.  I tried out a sample of the clinique 72 hour hydrating cream today that I had laying around and that has helped.  Not a flake on my face after 8 hours.  I'm still skeptical but so far so good.  

[RoamingHoliday]

Do you think this might be the initial adjustment phase of flaking/redness? 

I also suggest the 7-skin hydrating toner method. 

[dollyparts]

It may be since it is a brand new tube.  My other tube lasted me over a year and it took FOREVER for my skin to adjust, I'm talking at least a year before I didn't see any flakes/peeling and that is the lowest dosage aside from the over the counter retinoids.  

[darlyndar]

@dollyparts I recommend using a hydrating essence/Toner. You can layer it in the morning. I use the 7 skin method, which is essentially layering a hydrating essence 7 times in a row. The results are immediate. Throughout the day, you can use a toner mist over your makeup to help ease any dryness. I recommend Pyunkang Yul’s hydrating essence for morning and their toner mist for touch ups throughout the day. It’s a Korean brand that can be found on OhLolly.com. I cannot say enough amazing things about those products. My skin is so glowy and plump.

[dollyparts]

Thank you!  I just purchased both from ohlolly.  I can't wait to try them out, funny, I had been researching the 7 skin method about two weeks ago. I'll keep my fingers crossed.  

[darlyndar]

@dollyparts Awesome! So excited to hear about your experience with Pyungkang Yul. I hope you love it as much as I do!

[Llamamama2]

Hi @dollyparts. I am also on a form of Retin-A, and have dealt with the dry, flaky skin as well. I like what the other posters mentioned about a moisturizing setting spray and face oil. I use a face oil at night in addition to a moisturizer. I also use an essence and moisturizing serum. But what has really helped me is using my Foreo Luna mini with a moisturizing face wash every time I cleanse. It is not irritating and very gently exfoliates. Another poster suggested that I use a hyaluronic acid serum, but I found that the Foreo Luna really did the trick. If you don’t have one, I suggest looking into the mini. I have had mine for years. The other products mentioned help as well, especially the face oil. Some good ones to try are Josie Maran’s Argan Oil or Argan Oil light and The Ordinary’s rose hip oil.

[Rosegold47]

@dollyparts Definitely try a setting spray like the tacha one mentioned before, but you may need to address your skin care as well. If you currently do not, try a beauty oil added to, or after your moisturizer at night. I will link some of my favorites for moisturizing below. Also make sure you are not using any other means of chemical exfoliation, too much chemical exfoliation is why you're seeing this sloughing. Try instead a very gently physical exfoliant, once a week at night. All products should be extremely gentle and conditioning until the sloughing subsides. You may also want to try a sleeping mask for even more moisture, i will link these as well. While the Belif eye cream is good, there is a new one from Drunk Elephant that gives me even more moisture.

https://www.sephora.com/product/virgin-marula-tm-luxury-facial-oil-P392245

https://www.sephora.com/product/gold-camellia-beauty-oil-P403315

https://www.sephora.com/product/watermelon-glow-sleeping-mask-P420160?skuId=1955764&icid2=products%2...

https://www.sephora.com/product/water-sleeping-mask-P420651?icid2=similar%20products:p420651:product

https://www.sephora.com/product/c-tango-multivitamin-eye-cream-P429515

[LaLadykiller]

Hey queen! Sorry to hear about the peeling. It’s for sure a struggle! If you want a good moisturizing mist to refresh through the day you should try Tatcha’s Luminous Dewy Skin Mist. It’s super moisturizing but not oily or going to make you break out.Also have you tried Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil? It’s packed with retinoids but also blue tansy to calm your skin and other oils to moisturize while it’s treating. It’s amazing you should try it instead of the really aggressive retinoids? Or in conjunction to? Good luck 🙂