Comments on: Which Type Of Retinoid Is Right For You?

By: Dana

Dana — Sun, 17 May 2020 07:04:57 +0000

Hi Gio 🙂

I’m 23 with oily skin and I’ve been using my 1st bottle of granactive retinoid 2% in squalene (from the ordinary) and as you’ve mentioned, it’s been very gentle on my skin. It’s the 1st bottle of any retinol product I’ve used and I’m wondering if I should maintain and continue using this product, step down or step up (if so, which products would you recommend?)

I’m happy with the results thus far but I’m not sure if I’m “”too young”” (if there’s even such a thing haha) and am worried that its effectiveness would dip over time… esp in the future when I’m more likely to need its anti-ageing effects! Hence wondering if I should step down to a product with lower strength.

Thanks! x

By: Eli Johnson

Eli Johnson — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 05:49:17 +0000

You may also want to add Alpha Skincare’s version of retinol to your recommendations. This is a very affordable and easy to use option for beginners. I started with this product because there were no generics available when I started using Rx strength. (Yeah, I’m old!)

https://www.neotericcosmetics.com/enhanced-wrinkle-repair-cream/

And it has antioxidants built in. Love this stuff.

By: Luisa

Luisa — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 12:55:02 +0000

In reply to Gio. Dear Gio, now that I think about it – it could have been a purge! I thought my skin was already used to Retinoids because of the Granactive, but maybe the Retinal in Triacneal worked differently and made me purge. I guess I'll just have to try again slowly. Thanks for your reply :)

By: Gio

Gio — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 15:18:47 +0000

In reply to Luisa.

Luisa, could it have been a purge? Retinol can cause one: https://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/retinol-breakout-causes-treatment/

If that’s the case, you just have to suck it up and wait for the purge to be over. If you’re willing to try again, here are the best products for beginners: https://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/strength-retinol-need/

Also, use salicylic acid. It unclogs pores and treats breakouts, so it helps you get over a purge more quickly: https://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/salicylic-acid-skincare-benefits-oily-skin/

By: Luisa

Luisa — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 09:50:29 +0000

Dear Gio
Thank you so much for the article. Which product would you recommend if my main concern is moderate acne (especially on the cheeks and the areas left and right of the nose as well as on the temples and along the jaw line). I am 25, so it is not the typical teenage acne. I am not too concerned about anti-aging at the moment, I don’t have any wrinkles yet and am using sunscreen every day.
I think the acne is not bad enough to need to use Retin-A, but I would like to introduce some kind of Retinoid treatment at night. I have tried the Ordinary’s Granactive 2% Emulsion and after that moved to Avene TriAcneal. I didn’t experience any irriation, so I guess my skin ist somewhat tolerant. After I had finished TriAcneal I didn’t continue buying any more retinoid products because I didn’t really see any results, if at all, my acne seemed to get worse so i felt insecure about my choice of product. Is there any form or product of Retionoid or even a combination, that you could recommend specifically for people suffering from mild to moderate adult acne?

By: Gio

Gio — Sat, 20 Apr 2019 14:04:06 +0000

In reply to Kaitlin. Kaitlin, vitamin A works even at incredibly low concentrations so I wouldn't worry about the placement on the list, especially if you've just started out with it. Start with it and slowly increase tolerance till you can use retinol. Unfortunately, skincare can't tighten what has already loosened. The only option for that is surgery.