I used to be more of an oily, resistant skin type, but now at 47, and using retin-a at least 3x a week, my skin is never oily anymore and is occasionally quite dry, especially in the winter. I've been using retin-a .025% for about a year (and OTC retinoids b4 that) and tolerating them well, by being careful.
At my last appointment, my derm suggested I use the retin-a 5x a week and use a sunscreen w/spf 30. After 2 weeks of this, when I put the sscreen on (The Body Shop Vit C spf 30, chemical based), my face began to sting. Then I started getting more dryness and topical pimples (6 or 7 have cropped up at intervals in the past week). These are very surface and I can scratch off the top and then there's a tiny scab-like area....VERY weird, for me, as my acne has been only cystic/hormonal and has never been too severe. As a matter of fact, it was virtually clear before I changed up the routine. So, the sunscreen has vit c in it which is apparently a problem. I guess C is too active for me while on the retin-a. I do want to continue with the retin-a! I have been looking at other sunscreens with much care and reading ingredient lists galore.
Anyway, my questions have to do with how to treat my skin now that it behaves a whole different way due to retin-a, and age as well. When I took the questionnaire, I had to answer based on very current conditions and not how my skin used to behave a couple of years ago. I assume I will need to treat my skin as dry and sensitive from now on, so as to be able to tolerate the retin-a.
Does anyone have any recommendations for particular products (cleansers, serums, sunscreens, pm moisturizers) that address a changing and challenging skin type?
Thanks for reading and any thoughts are welcome!
I don't know if my info below was updated when I took the quiz again so....
I'm DSNW-way more dry and now sensitive, trying to stave off the wrinkles)