My Top 5 Tips To Fix Retinoid Uglies | Dr Sam Bunting

So firstly let me say this. If you’ve not had this happen, don’t worry, it will at some point!! It’s just a rite of passage for retinoid users. And in a way it’s necessary to probe the boundaries of what your skin can cope with, so you know where your threshold is. So today I’m talking about the 5 things you can do when you've overdone it on the retinoid front.

As always thank you so much for watching and for all your support!

Disclaimer: The content seen in this video is provided only for medical educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please seek professional help individually if you suffer from any dermatological condition. Due to the volume of patients seen in the clinic, and to the unique nature of skin, Dr Bunting is unable to respond to every query on these videos.

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:00 Why Do We Experience Retinoid Uglies?
1:50 1. Stop!
2:35 2. Simplify Your Routine
3:07 3. Repair Your Skin Barrier
3:53 4. Allow Time To Heal
4:30 5. Ready To Re-Start

[duinsophie]

My issue is when I get hypersensitivity from retinoids or other products my skin will tolerate almost nothing. Even barrier repair creams burn, sting and sometimes itch, plus gentle cleaners also sting. I find I just have to wait it out 4-5 days then it starts to settle down.

[MoniqueXSM]

These tips are literally invaluable, adding to my saved playlist.

[susanmcf]

This winter I developed flaking from my .02% tretinoin that I'd not experienced in the previous six months. I kept using it daily, but used a much richer moisturizer as a buffer and got a richer moisturizing spf. It cleared up in a couple of months and, as the weather changed, I've not had problems going back to my previous routine of applying it to clean skin and moisturizing on top.

[eileens]

I had two catastrophic experiences with prescription retinoids in my early 20s. No derm told me how to use this and the result was horrible. Currently i am following your instructions and such a sensitive (also with hyperpigmentation, acne, combination skin, like all in one)skin like mine can even tolerate it without any issues. Thank you Dr. Sam!

[preeti]

You're a blessing for most of us who want to improve our skin & go through bumbling on with whatever we see/read on the internet. Hyperpigmentation & wrinkles is what most women suffer from

[Majorjabroni]

Like a lot of people, I tried Rx tret years ago without any guidance from the doctor and my experience was awful, I avoided retinol after that. Now with your guidance from your channel I'm using adapalene, slowly built up to nighty use, and I only had a little exfoliation around the sides of the nose/mouth. I am SO HAPPY with the way my skin looks, it has never been so smooth and glowy. Thanks so much for the education you provided!

[maryelmore]

Found your video after cleansing my skin this morning and feeling like I was on fire! I switched up to a higher active retinol and my old morning routine clearly is a little too much. Thanks for the tips! I've subscribed and look forward to more content and will hopefully avoid this painful situation in the future although I probably will be here again with my skin as I am on a voyage.

[ShashaaTirupati]

You are incredible. Really appreciate the authenticity and directness of your video. AND no selling. Following your inputs!

[kmcq]

Thank you so much. Honestly, I think I may have finally figured out my crazy journey I’ve been on since June. Thank you for instilling more respect for my skin and it’s natural ability to be healthy and improve slowly over time.

I had a moment. First, I noticed I was as obsessive about my skin at 60 as I was at 16.

I began to be conscious of what I was doing these past few months.

Finally, after watching this sensible and considerate video, I calmed down enough to remember I might have started acting weird as a response to grief.

I’m sorry, skin! I’m going to take better care!

[scarlettsugar]

Adapolene was making my skin insane! The dryness, the cracking, itching, burning etc...even my eyelids became irritated, dry, and slightly swollen (and I never put it anywhere near my eyes.) My mistake was using it daily right off the bat. What made a huge difference was switching to LA Roche Posay's hydrating (non foaming) gentle cleanser, using their Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer *before* my adapolene at night and letting it soak in a good 30 min. Then during the day and my off days I use La Roche Posays Ciciplast B5 Baume. That stuff has been a life saver. Plus, for being as thick as it is, it dries down surprisingly well. With this routine I've been able to use my adapolene every other day without the insane irritation. Still not ready to use it once a day, but maybe in a few more weeks. Also, my skin is looking just better in general with this routine.

[kendallstark]

I've been using 0.025% tret for about 10 weeks, and still using it over a thick moisturizer (Cerave moisturizing cream). I haven't experienced any irritation, thankfully. Also going slowly on my neck, but haven't seen any improvement there yet.

[polishlass]

I started with 1% it's all dry and a bit itchy, but I have extremely oily skin. One spot so far as I purged previously after ordinary acid. Niacinamide during day and retinol at night works wonders also clay mask too (yes. I am THAT oily).

[AuntBethanys]

I’m an esthetician so I obviously don’t know as much as Dr Sam. But two things I’ve learned that help mitigate irritation aside from buffering, is a Galactomyces Serum (I use one from Mitomo). SO hydrating and no fragrance. Another is the CosRx Snail Mucin Essence. Also super hydrating, healing, and fragrance free. I use these two, my moisturizer and my Tretinoin at night and it has helped SO much. My clients also have had success with these. Just thought I’d throw this out there ❤️

[raphaelhcunha]

I had been using Retinol 0.05% for about two weeks and even though my skin got a little itchy I could tolerate it very well. Then I dumbly decided to swith to retinol 0.05 + hidroquinone 4% and right off batt my skin got so much irritated. It’s really a step back. I’m apllying Eucerin Aquaphor now; hopefully it’ll get better. 🙏🏻

[newbeginning]

Thank you for the video even though it is 2 years old. Out of all the multiple videos I have watched, you provided exceptional information how to restart a retinol. I am African American and experienced burning after using my retinal that has not caused my skin to darken. I will heed to your advise.
Thank you

[antoinettesalazar]

I have major retinal burn on my cheeks and less on my chin and forehead and neck. Thi video was icy a great wealth of info.

[ellay]

Such excellent advise as always. Thank you. Interesting to know that we can add hydrocortisone to help barrier repair. Also good to know that allowing 10 -14 days of doing very little is the way. Luckily this has only happened to me a couple of times but waiting it out was the answer for me.

[CourtneyGilmour]

Thank you for this, thank god I found these videos! I started on a retinoid 4-5 days ago and did overdo it a little because I didn't have proper guidance. Like clockwork on the third day I experienced extreme dryness/peeling/irritation and I am now backing off to restart the right way. I had to watch this video twice as I didn't understand why you were encouraging to stop the process, then I realized - it's NOT normal to continue with such a bad skin reaction! There is so much misinformation out there, if I hadn't seen this I honestly would have just continued using improperly and enduring the severe irritation. I'm glad I caught it early after only a few days but should I worry that I've caused long term skin damage from overdoing it?? I really want to just get my skin back on track. Thanks so much for your help!!

[chuwineshia]

Just in time for what is happening to my face right now. Here i thought i didnt have any retinoid problem so far. Oh dear.. thanks dr sam💜

[naturully]

Is it normal to have a tiny bit of stinging? No irritation or anything, but when I use retinoid I do feel a mild bit of temporary stinging (I only use every other day as a result). Great video as always :)