How To Start A Retinoid - 5 Things That Will Make It Easy! | Dr Sam Bunting

It seems that starting a retinoid is still a hard thing for many people to do.

How do I know this?

Well, I spent a day talking to beauty journalists, some of the smartest people in the business. And yet, even though they all acknowledged that it's ultimately the best thing for their skin, many of them said they’d struggled through the first few weeks….so they put it off.

It got me thinking about the ways I coach my patients through the tough, early stages in the clinic - many of whom are starting prescription retinoids from the outset. So I decided to create a list of hacks for you to help break down those barriers to entry, creating a truly stellar skincare routine!!! Let’s go!

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[martimadalina]

3 years ago I started my retinol journey after i learned form Dr Sam’s how to develop a facial routine . I had a severe purging that lasted for about a year. Many times I wanted to stop using retinol because my face was full of small bumps. Even so, I trusted her and i knew it’s going to be worse before it gets better. So it was! After one year-one and a half my face was extremely clear like a baby face and after so many months of struggle with acne and low self esteem I finally could say: no foundation. Thank you Dr! For everything !

[Asher]

Dr. Sam, I love you and I love your videos! You’ve inspired me to try a retinoid again! I failed Tretinoin previously. I have brand new tubes of that and Adapalene on hand for my combination, aging, acne prone skin.

May I add a viewer experience comment… I realized today I have a hard time hearing you clearly in your videos. Seems like a technical/microphone type issue? I am hearing impaired, so maybe that’s part of it, and I always use subtitles, but of course, I’m always watching! ❤

[iwillstom]

It doesn’t surprise me that many people give up. If you’ve ever had the experience of trying to salvage a flaky, peeling mess after you’ve just applied foundation and you’re in a hurry, you know the anxiety and embarrassment that this seemingly small problem can cause. When you don’t have a lot of time in the mornings and/or you don’t want to deal with that unpredictability (you need to look flawless for a random lunch date or work event for example) I can understand just saying, “you know what, I don’t have time for this.” I just leveled up and that’s a bit how I’m feeling now.

[santhithomas]

Can not hear anything. Please listen to your videos.

[tinksspixiedust]

Hi Hector! Thanks for this advice. You are the YT derm I trust. I can’t deal with more sensitized skin than the sensitive skin I already have, likewise dryness or peeling. So I started my retinoid journey low and slow dosed in the way you suggested and applied using the 13 dots. That combined with the sandwich method of application (ceramide moisturizer on the bottom, cica moisturizer on top) is working well for me. I also protect my eye and mouth areas as you’ve suggested and have gotten my skin used to daily SPF, which was a bit of an ordeal itself.

[Lizlee]

So helpful! I didn’t know the first three months are trying to get our skin used to retinol. I just started month 2 and thought My skin should be totally used to it. I’m still getting dry and trying to work to 3Xweek but I’m not peeling and my makeup does go in smooth so I guess I’m not doing too bad!

[soybeans]

I used adapalene from March until November. Now using Tretinoin 0.025 everyday. I can tolerate it even if I'm also eczema-prone. The tip is minimize your skin care routine. No exfoliants. And also in the morning, I use cerave moisturizer then topped with aveeno eczema itch relief balm. And I slug/top it with petroleum jelly in the morning during my off.

[waqaskhan-ztyt]

I have started tretinoin 0.5 percent this week, I applied for an hour on Monday as short contact therapy in sandwich method and felt dryness and heat on face that night after washing my face and after three days on Wednesday, I reapplied for one and half hour and not having any irritation after second application, having new pimples although 🙏 I have planned to include it through short contact therapy and will increase contact time in each application. I am applying ceramides, hyaluronic acid & squaline based moisturizer, fresh aloe Vera gel, SPF 60 to repair skin barrier and dove sensitive skin bar for cleansing, let see how it goes

[SirSerents]

Thanks for the video!! Eventhough I started my tretinoin (0.05%) jouney 4 weeks ago, it has been a bumpy road, happily I can say that I use it 3-4 times a week, but I always listen to my skin in order to increase o decrease the frecuency. I have to stay that my best decision as you named in the video using a barrier support moisturizer, I use Stratia liquid gold (ceramides + niacinamide) and I can defenitely see the difference
PS: what a lovely

[stacylbrewer]

I've been using 0.05% tret for about 5 years, and I still can't use it more than 3 to 4 times a week. I'm wondering of it would be more beneficial to use a retinal instead, and use this 6 days a week.

[biebersgal]

Why is Taratozene not commonly used? I had never heard of it until my derm prescribed it. Thank you for your education videos!

[littlemaiba]

Hello Dr. Sam! Thank you for your simple and methodological approach towards starting retinoids! One question I have is something that I have not heard anything talk about before. So with Vitamin C and Retinols/Retinals, albeit more so with Vitamin C due to its instability, that these need to be ideally stored at room temperature or refrigerated. Like it is usually recommend to store in a cool dry place at room temperature (like 68-78 degree F), but what about when you order an item online and have it shipped to you. I am guessing that shipping carrier trucks like with USPS, UPS, FedEx are not really climate controlled, and even if they happen to be, what about when a package is left at your door for 4-6 hours in 80-90+ degree weather like during the summer? Does the exposure to possible extreme heat during the 3-5 days when your Vitamin C or Retinols/Retinals are being shipped or the 4+ hours it is left on your doorstep affect the efficacy or longevity of the product? This has been something I am very curious about lately. I live in Florida, FYI. Thank you again!

[joanmartin]

Is it more beneficial to use a stronger Tretinoin twice a week or a weaker strength more frequently? I’ve been using .05 Tretinoin for a couple of years but can only use it every 3-4 days because of flaking skin. Should I reduce the potency?

[MyLoVeLyMaN]

Hello Dr! I didn't know Granactive is more potent than retinal!

[netlane]

Dear Dr. Sam, how quickly after moisturizer we are supposed to use retinoids? Are we supposed to have skin dry for retinoids? Thanks

[chelsea]

I’ve only been using the Paula’s choice .3 %. I’m scared to go any higher but I might slowly introduce Adapalene…? I’m about to be 30 so I feel like I should up it lol

[universe.x]

Can you please make videos about retinol substitutes? Not everyone can tolerate it, even the lightest formula. Is there anything that works the same as retinol at all nowadays??

[queentina]

Sister. Does azelaic acid shrinks pores

[lynnhom]

Thank you. Why do you prescribe Tretinoin over tazaretene? Is it more effective?

[alineg]

What can we put around lips to prevent lip lines if we can’t put retinol around there I mean ❤