anyone use SN with retin-a?

[namomof3]

I just bought my 2nd "batch" of silk naturals foundation and I am interested in learning more about the skin care products. I am 31 years old and am using retin-a for moderate acne (got worse when I moved to Florida-- humidity is aweful for my skin!). I must also admit that I am nervous to get off retin-a because it controls my acne so well. When I lived in the midwest (and was not using retin-a) I used vitamin-e oil and jojoba oil as a moisturizer which my skin tolerated well (however- my skin was not oily when I lived there and my acne was under control). My question is has anyone (or what is your opinion) on using some SN skin care products (daily gentle cleanser, serums on the "off" retin a days). Has anyone "weaned off" prescription meds for acne using SN products?

[karen]

I've never used true Retin-A just some stuff I was working on for a while (still working on it...and probably will be for a while). Things like Kiss Cleanser, the Green Tea and Aloe Serum, pretty much any of the non-acidic toners, and the really basic moisturizers should play well with the Retin-A. Anything stronger than that is really an "ask your doctor" situation. Retin-A makes your skin a bit thinner, so you really have to be extra super careful with using any other products.

[extemter]

Yup, what Karen said about gentle products. Is there any particular reason you want to wean off Retin-A? If you can tolerate its inconveniences, Retin-A is a proven anti-aging ingredient. Retin-A thins the top layer of skin while thickening the bottom layer of skin.

If you'd like to use Silk Naturals skincare with more potent active ingredients, here's some information you should know:

AHAs (glycolic and lactic acids), BHA (salicylic acid), benzoyl peroxide, and sunlight all inactivate or diminish the effectiveness of Retin-A. AHAs, BHA, and Retin-A all have different optimal pH. (I'm not sure how benzoyl peroxide and sunlight inactive Retin-A, but there's no BP in Silk Naturals skincare.) Read more about counteractive ingredients here.

Super Serum contains niacinamide. Using niacinamide with BHA/AHA may cause flushing, stinging, or burning. However, niacinamide may reduce irritation caused by Retin-A by strengthening the skin barrier.

If you want to incorporate all of these actives into your skincare, use AHA/BHA exculusively in the morning under a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen and Retin-A (and possibly niacinamide) exclusively at night. You can also boost antioxidant protection by layering a vitamin C serum underneath your sunscreen during the day.

[namomof3]

No reason except for my own curiosity (I wonder if something natural would work better, I wonder if I can achieve the same results with serums- etcc...). Since I have oily skin and live in a humid climate- my skin doesn't have the dryness, peeling, that retin-a users experience. I would be ok to use retin a indefinitly since "it works" for not only my acne but also as an anti-aging night treatment. (and at $60 for a 4 month supply- it's a bargain IMO).I was using an AHA foaming cleanser (it got pricey) but switched to OTC gentle cleansers. So really all I use is cleanser and retin-a and sunblock (and MMU). I guess I am having a hard time keeping it simple

[KingTaco]

I think you might like the Apricot oil cleanser. I have super oily skin, but with a week of use, I am already a lot less oily and my pores are much cleaner

[JenK]

I guess I am having a hard time keeping it simple

LOL!!! I so have the same problem!!

I can't use most cleansers and love the Kiss Cleanser, though I dilute it more than most. I agree w/ the price being a bargain. When I stopped using Differin (I still used BP on chin and forehead as needed w/o issues) I started spending crazy amounts on a ton of products, many natural (w/ oils....my skin HATES oils (tried about 10 so I am sure) and my skin went crazy (eczema city and clogs). There really isn't anything out there that can compare to Vit A, plus you sound lucky and aren't having negative reactions. I need to get my butt back to the Doc and get me some!!

[namomof3]

JenK-- I think you are right. I have derm. appt. next week-- I might just play nice and smile as I get a retin-a refill. If it ain't broke....

[extemter]

Since The Beauty Brains blog recently posted an entry that's tangentially relevant to this discussion, I thought I'd share an elaboration of my response above:

AHAs include alpha-hydroxyoctanoic acid, glycolic acid, hydroxycaprylic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, sugar cane extract, triple fruit acid, etc. BHAs include beta-hydroxybutanoic acid, salicylic acid, trethocanic acid, tropic acid, etc. The pH of polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) like gluconolactone and lactobionic acid should be less than 5, so I'm guessing PHAs would also diminish the effectiveness of Rx topical retinoids although I've yet to read any physician or scientist explicitly contraindicating PHAs and topical retinoids.

By the way, tretinoin (Retin-A, Avita, Renova) is first-generation retinoic acid and adapalene (Differin) and tazorotene (Tazorac) are the re-engineered versions intended to be less irritating.

Source: The New Science of Perfect Skin: Understanding Skin Care Myths and Miracles For Radiant Skin at Any Age by Daniel Yarosh, Ph.D.

[tizzylou]

I have a question concerning this. Since most AHA's neutralize on the skin at some point ( usually around 20 minutes) then aside from the skin thinning issues wouldn't it be safe to apply Retin A after this has occured? Or are you better off alternating days, using an AHA one night and a VIT A prep another?

[extemter]

Since most AHA's neutralize on the skin at some point ( usually around 20 minutes) then aside from the skin thinning issues wouldn't it be safe to apply Retin A after this has occurred?

Yes.

Or are you better off alternating days, using an AHA one night and a VIT A prep another?

Vitamin A derivatives, in order of descending strength, include retinoic acid, retinal, retinol, retinyl palmitate. (I should check if carotenes & carotenoids are beneficial topical actives.) At this time, I do not know if AHA/BHA/PHA are contraindicated with non-Rx Vitamin A derivatives.