RETINOL 101 | beginners guide & everything I wish I was told

Retinol is the single most life-changing skincare product I've ever used with both anti-acne and anti-aging benefits. Honestly it's difficult sharing some of the photos of when my skin was struggling the most but I hope it can give someone out there battling acne, scarring, pigmentation, or wrinkles faith that their skin can be healed too.

If you are struggling with your skin or have tried retinol, please share your experience in the comments so we can foster supportive and open dialogue about our skin and the effect it has on us!

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My SIMPLE Anti-Aging Skincare Routine (for any age)

HOW I GOT RID OF MY ACNE (Stopped washing my face?!)

[jaetrnn]

I'm male 26 years old. I never really cared about skin care or my skin in general until maybe mid last year. All I pretty much did was clense at night and that was it (really bad I know). At that point I noticed my skin aging and my facial features in general just looking pretty old. I thought that it was just a fact of life and since I am a guy, I was never really pressured into good skin or anything.

Then at some point, I noticed I looked really old and wondered if anything could be done. Then I learned that you were supposed to actually take care of your skin. I didn't want to spend too much time into it, just searched up the bare essentials routine.

It basically turned into:
1. Cleanse/wash face, I clense at night, water only in the morning (only need to clense once a day and I'd rather do it at night after a day of work)
2. Moisturise morning and night
3. Serum (I use a vitamin C serum in the day, and retinol at night)
4. This one should be no. 1 in reality but... Sunscreen. Protect your skin from the gahd damn sun. This is probably the most important and most underrated for people who don't think about skin care.

That was it. I just did it. I didnt care if my skin improved. I didn't have any expectations, I just wanted to know I tried and that my skin could be you know... Not neglected. I've been consistently on this routine for about a year but consistently since the beginning of the year. My skin has improved so much, I didn't even know how much more confident i would become with good skin. I feel like I look much younger and more attractive. Things I never really cared about but will never take for granted again. I've since better understood my skin and why you need to moisturise it and protect it from the sun. Everything else is sort of bonus. Retinol is like magic though.

[janetteh]

I’m 38 years old and still suffer from acne thank you for this!!

[KyubinSlay]

If I could recommend one skincare video it’s this one. I get my tretinoin from apostrophe and I felt totally guided by them to find something that worked amazing for me. My acne is GONE and I can def tell my skin aging has slowed (turning 30 in a month)! I am a diehard tret fan. They started me off on a lower concentration and now I’ve upped to the same as yours. Thanks so much for this advice. The people need to hear it!

[urbndaze]

Thank you for sharing your struggles with acne. I can relate as I’ve had acne all my life and now with added fine lines. I started Retin-A again for the third time a few months ago as well. The last time I used it, the results were amazing. It was the best skin I ever had. The tips you gave are excellent, esp. about starting slow. One thing I would add though is to wait 20 min after washing your face before applying. Retin-A is truly amazing and is better and more effective than any expensive face cream. I’m so glad you made a detailed video about this. More people need to know.

[meli__G]

I can TRULY relate to this video. Knowing how other people experience what I have makes me feel so much better. Only we acne sufferers can understand how it truly feels. I’ve been super conscious and traumatized my whole life.
Growing up, I was humiliated in front of the class with my professor asking my bf at the time if he had been rubbing his beard on my face that I have broken out so bad. I was also not allowed to be exposed to the front office of the hotel during my internship because of my acne. I was rejected from an airline interview, telling me that I can come back and apply again if and when my acne goes away. What hurt me the most was when I was sent back inside my house by my auntie because she said I was so ugly. Note that I’ve taken accutane 3 times in my life. But it just kept coming back.

IT WAS NOT EASY. Now that I’m in my 30’s i finally accepted how my face looks. I’ve built my confidence back by meditating and practicing self love. I try my best to stay away from toxic people in my life who put me down. I am a flight attendant now and yes I do get stared at for my acne and scars. But I know as well that so many people see me for who I am on the inside. Your inner beauty and mind will always outshine all the pretty faces out there!!

Having said, I am currently using the vit C sylimarin serum and retinol from Skinceuticals. I am at that stage where I wake up to maybe 1-2 pimples a week rather than everyday. I am also currently on my 3rd month, and I did want to give up in the beginning as I was purging and getting huge cystic acne. I hope and pray that I can wake up to that day where I am flawless and pimple free too!! Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I really means a lot to us!

[sojungie]

I went to the doctor for the first time in a while and brought up concerns for jawline acne. She ended up prescribing a tretinoin cream for night and benzoyl peroxide gel for the day. I remembered this video a few months ago and decided to revisit! Thanks for the routine and encouragement, and I felt called out because I literally thought “my skin is tough and can take this every day” right before watching the video. 😅

[micro]

Thank you thank you thank you for sharing your retinol journey story! 💗 I've been looking forward to this video so much!
I am 33 years old and just started my retinol/vitamin c routine this month. 🤞Hoping they make a difference in the stubborn age spots I have developed the last couple of years! 😭 Now I know why my mom always told me to wear sunscreen! Lol
I've watched your channel since your early early days but have been recently especially drawn back to you. I love how open, real, and compassionate you are. Thank you for sharing your experiences and feelings on all sorts of topics, I really learn a lot and love listening to you! So calming, reassuring, well spoken, and honest. I rarely post comments on anyone's channel but just wanted you to know that! You, Gothamista, and Doctorly are my skincare video obsessions! ❤❤❤

[rashasarandah]

I found you when I was researching differin and followed your blog experiences because I SWEAR to you, your story is mine EXACTLY! From the awful experiences with retinoids and cracking skin and cycles of quitting, etc to now swearing by Tretinoin. And I follow basically the same regimen and have the same advice for anyone starting retinoids.

I will say that even up until a year ago I had great skin but still got inflamed pimples even with Tretinoin. Once I incorporated azelaic acid with the Tretinoin- GAME CHANGER. Now I have hardly any acne even during my period or they are teeny tiny bumps that flake off AND I’m told that I’m aging backwards. 37 and look much younger according to most. It sucks we had to struggle the way we did but look how much knowledge we have gained from it! Had I not found your blog all those years ago, I may have not given retinoids a chance and may be still struggling.

Also for anyone starting out, minimum is good BUT hydrating toners and serums with cica and Propolis helped me MASSIVELY through retinization without causing more issues on my skin. Just less inflamed during this process. That was essential.

Lastly, what foundation, powder and lip products are you wearing here???

[katp]

Love the breakdown of this! Very informative

[angiejoy]

Thank you for explaining the tapering period so honestly, really appreciate this!

[janinenakazawa]

Helpful info. I think I will try it ! Glad you had great results, your skin looks beautiful! Thank you!

[mirandahein]

Thank you for sharing! I tried a drugstore retinol cream this summer and ended up with red burned skin… obviously because I had no phase in period AND I wore it with just one application of sunscreen and zero makeup… I only learnt why after, but I was too nervous to try again. Your suggestions are giving me confidence to start over, but this time more cautiously! 💛

[carneaglariel]

Wooo excited to hear your experience and expertise with it!

[followthefreemans]

This is so helpful! This is the best retinol educational video I’ve seen. Thank you!

[tikmickey]

Love your top with the necklace together. So pretty!

[rejoyce]

This video helped me so much! Thank you, Jen 😊

[erikaiek]

Slowly using retinol too! Happy to have found this!

[jesitimpe]

You are Awesome! I really appreciate and Thank You for sharing your experience and knowledge, and for breaking everything down in an easy to follow and understandable way ❤

[melodysin]

Before I started using retinol OTC product, I also tried to repair my skin barrier to prep it by using La roche posay B5 Balm as a night face mask for 20 mins and wipe off (then only apply night routine).

Retinol dries up your skin so it is also important to moisturise ur skin really well. Cerave and cetaphil are good products with ceramides for example.

[dianachung]

I always hated how brutally honest my Korean aunties and uncles and parents were… made me so insecure about every single little pimple!