Hey y’all! For someone who LOVES the sunshine and has struggled with acne, I have to adhere to a skin regimen to correct and protect my skin. Our skin is just like any organ in our body and we must take good care of it to prevent scarring, wrinkles and skin cancer. One of my weapons in my skin care regimen: topical retinoids!

Retinoids are derived from Vitamin A and are available in prescription and over the counter strengths. They are beneficial in treatment or management of several conditions, including:  acne, wrinkle reduction, photo-aging, and, in some cases, for skin cancer. Retinoids are recommended for acne treatment but serve so many other purposes! According to studies, using retinoids for 12 weeks will lead to a 60% reduction in acne, with improvement in tone and texture of skin.

One of the most popular retinoids, Differin, recently went over the counter. I have used several forms of retinoids in the past, but this what works great for me! Differin Gel is the first FDA-approved prescription strength retinoid that is over the counter for acne treatment. My dermatologist loves it. I love it. My wallet loves it. Not all skins are created equal though, so you have to try what works for you, or speak with a dermatologist for their advice.

How to use retinoids:

• Start to use retinoids slowly. They can dry out your skin in the beginning, so I recommend only using them a couple times per week until your skin adjusts. With any skin product you also want to make sure your body does not develop contact/allergic dermatitis reactions.
• If your skin does dry out when using retinoids, mix it with a face moisturizer, using a 1:1 ratio. (My favorite moisturizer)
• Only apply a small amount at a time. Apply a pea size amount at night, avoiding eyes and lips.
• Wear SPF 30 or greater. When wearing retinoids your skin will become more sensitive to sunlight. Protect your skin from sensitivity (and all the other damage UV rays cause) with a high-quality sunscreen. (My favorite sunscreen)

Another product I love are Vitamin C serums (read about that here), so I alternated days with my Vitamin C with retinoids.

Let’s all protect our beautiful skin together! Have a wonderful day!

Live your life joyfully so,

Ashley

Disclosure:  Ashley Aylsworth is a practicing Physician Assistant. Please speak with your primary care provider or dermatologist before starting any skin products. Thank you to North Dallas Dermatology for retinoid instructions. This was not sponsored however links are affiliate links, which means I may make a tiny commission to help keep this site running should you choose to purchase any items. All opinions are my own.