I use it every other night to avoid what you are describing. My skin gets too dry otherwise.

When I first started I had to use it every 3 or 4 nights as my skin couldn't handle more. One night I guess I used more than the pea size and woke up the next morning with burns all over my face!

I can now use it every other night mixed with some night cream that contains niacinamide. I researched and found that niacinamide is one of the most important anti-aging ingredients (top 5) and has actual scientific research behind it. I was told by my derm that using niacinamide after/with retinol is highly effective.

I also find I have to use a very rich moisturizer the day after my retin a.

Also, Retin A Micro is much easier to tolerate than the regular Retin A. I noticed a big difference.

If you've just started using it, flakiness is gonna happen. What strength are you using? You may need to back off using it every night, as someone mentioned, until your skin acclimates. And if I know I'm going to be in the sun, I don't use it as it will aggravate any sensitivity. And be sure to use plenty of sunblock on your face.

I do use all my other regular products over the Retin-A...anti-aging serums, moisturizers, etc. I've been using it for over 20 years and only rarely do I have any flakiness now and that is when I have been out in the wind or something extreme. And usually that is around the more sensitive area near my mouth or eyes where I probably got sloppy & over-applied. My DD even puts a small amount on her under-eye area once a week or so and she swears it helps.

I'm using .05%. I think I'll try every other night, or every third night, to see how that works. I'm enthusiastic about it, but I realize that's not going to serve me well if my face turns into one giant flake. (Ew.)

Thanks very much for the responses. They're super helpful!

I've stopped and started Retin A many times and have never got past the red flaky stage. I'm going to buy some more when I go to Mexico next month and try again. I will be watching this thread for more tips.

I think that I'll follow the routine on Hot and Flashy

ainelane, what is the niacinamide cream that you use?

Terri, whereabouts in Mexico are you headed? We haven't had a trip down that way in a couple of years, and I'm missing it!

Hi Terriks,

I use CeraVe PM.

I did a lot of research on niacinamide (plus the other top 4 ingredients) and found that the CeraVa contains a very good amount of niacinamide. It's very inexpensive and I was prepared to pay much more, but I am really happy with it. I asked my derm (top rated derm in my city) and she says it's a great product. Paula Begoun from Paula's Choice also rated it very highly.

We are going to Zihuatanejo. We went last year about the same time. Thought about PV, but I wanted guaranteed warm ocean water. If you've never been to Zihua, you should go. I think that you'd really like it. More laid back than PV. And not totally overrun with gringos. We are going during Semana Santa this year, so I hope that it's not too crazy.

We will be staying at the same hotel as last year, which is a small Mexican style hotel built into the hillside called Aura del Mar. It's really lovely.

Thanks, ainelane. It's funny, I was just at Target this afternoon reading some labels, and noticed that the CeraVe lotions had a lot of niacinamide. Both their day and night creams do. When I run out of what I've got now I'll buy some.

Interesting I keep seeing praise for CeraVe products in general lately. I am going to try to remember to check out the PM that you mentioned.

I just started retin-a at the beginning of the year. I'm using 0.01%. I have been applying it at most twice a week and my skin is still flaking. It's interesting, I'll have a good skin day, a day where it starts to flake, then a day when it's super flaky and gross and I can feel the top layer coming off when I wash my face. Then another good skin day, which is usually when it's time to apply it again. I use less than a pea size amount and use CeraVe AM and PM every day, Cetaphil for cleansing, and no other products.

Getting sort of frustrated with it, to be honest.

Butternut, it can definitely be a struggle with retin a, but its one of those things that in the end for most people its worth it.

Terri, I think you'll love Zihua! We've been twice - actually went there for our honeymoon 12 years ago (staying in Ixtapa), and then we went again later and attempted to stay in an open air accommodation on the side of the hill that was billed as "eco friendly." We found out quickly what that meant, and escaped out of there after only one night of being covered with hideous insects, and stayed in a lovely resort in Ixtapa for the duration of our trip. It feels like ages since we were there, though, and I'd like to go again someday. It was such a laid back and lovely place, and I'm sure it still is. Your accommodation looks wonderful!

Used RetinA back when zits were an issue. I know I couldn't tolerate it all over my face.

Have been using CeraVe for about 3 years. I tend to use the PM version all day unless I'm spending time outdoors.

With Retin-A, you generally do start with a low dose and build up. The flakiness is pretty common.

I have also switched to the CeraVe moisturizer. I use the PM as my day moisturizer because I prefer to use my own sunscreen.

Butternut, you might want to try the CeraVe cleanser, especially since you are using the Retin-A. I had used Cetaphyl for YEARS and never thought I'd use anything else. The CeraVe is definitely more moisturizing.

It took me at least a year and a half, maybe more to get adjusted to the Retin A.

Three things really helped:

1. Switching to the lowest dose and switching to Retin A Micro. Much easier to tolerate.

2. Applying the retin a mixed with moisturizer. This helps spread it around evenly and makes it less likely to get too much in one area.

3. Slathering a really rich cream on my face before bed and as much as I could throughout the day. I use L'Occitane Ultra Rich Body Lotion. It has Shea butter and is very moisturizing.

I have very sensitive skin, and as I mentioned above, was even burned from the retin a before. But, I'm now adjusted to it. It's worth it to try to push through!

Those of you who have been at it awhile with the Retin-A, so you see a discernible difference in your skin now?

A question for retin-a users. What brand do you use? I really have to do something. My face needs help!

TR, I began using RA when I was so young that I never saw a change because my skin was in good condition when I started. But I am confident that it has been a big contributing factor in minimizing wrinkles, etc.

HK, you do realize RA is a prescription cream so whatever the pharmacy carries is what you'll get. I've gotten mine online or in Mexico for years and it's often times by "Jannsen". I believe Johnson & Johnson is also a major supplier/manufacturer.

Yes, I knew it was prescription but also thought there was over the counter type brands. I also saw a site that will prescribe retin-a for you. That seems fishy to me.

The OTC products may have a little tretinoin in them but it isn't nearly as concentrated/beneficial as rx Retin A. I've seen those sites mentioned too and think they're o.k. It's kinda silly that a rx is needed for R/A, in the US, IMHO.

Holly-Kay - you either get a prescription for actual Retin-A (which is a brand) or you can buy drugstore products that contain retinol. Sometimes you can find out the amount of retinol in the product, most times you can't. All of the research behind the benefits of retinol are assuming usage of prescription strength retinol, ie Retin A.

TurquoiseRose- I've been using it for a few years and yes, I see a difference. I notice the morning after I use it, my skin has a nicer glow. I've also managed to erase a wrinkle between my eyebrows that was starting to form, so I'm happy about that :)

Ah, thank you ain't lane!

There are over the counter creams and lotions that contain retinols, which are related to Retin-A, but not Rx strength.

Yesterday, I bought some of the CeraVe cleanser, body lotion and PM face cream. I wasn't impressed with how it felt going on (seemed too light), but I woke up this morning and, for the first time, my face still felt hydrated and the dryness around my nails is better as well.

I put on my Retinol (0.01%) on top of it, but still not sure if that is the correct order - maybe the Retinol should go on first?

Jan Marini bioglycolic cream with a dab of retinA at night mixed in my palm. The cream has 13% glycolic acid. 3x a wk. It has a drying effect at first since it exfoliates.

I use the generic form of Renova Cream, which is the emollient form of Retin-A. It's not nearly as drying as Retin-A gel. I use it nightly without any flaking. The tube I have is Tretinoin Cream Emollient 0.05%, 60 grams. Insurance doesn't cover it. My pharmacist found a coupon to bring the cost down to $160. I know, that seems outrageous, but I've had this tube since 9/15/15 & it's still 1/3 full. A tube typically lasts me 8 - 9 months. There are many OTC anti-aging serums that are more expensive. I've been using it for years. I 've never used it on my neck but I might give it a try. It may be too late for my neck as Tretinoin helps "fine wrinkles & spotty discoloration & rough feeling skin."

Daisy, the retinol should go on first. I was told to use it alone but that was many years ago. I do see that it us used with other products and I'll sometimes do that as well when my skin begins to get dry. However, I'll put the RetinA on, wait a couple of hours and then apply a moisturizer, hoping that gives the RA a chance to absorb before diluting it's effect w/moisturizer.