Retinol Anti-aging product: What can be expected during skins adjustment to the product? What's normal and what side-effects indicate cause for concern?

Hi ~

I’m 32 years old and I just started using a Retinol night cream which was recommended by an online skincare article.  I am having trouble finding a DETAILED description of the stages one can expect her skin to go through while adjusting to the Retinol treatment.  Because of this, I am unable to determine whether the discomfort I feel is typical or whether it is cause for concern.

I began using the cream 1x nightly on my entire face after cleansing, including my eyes. I did not apply any other products after applying the cream.  The morning after the second application, I began experiencing a burning sensation when applying moisturizer and/or liquid foundation makeup. I also noticed that the area surrounding my eye—truly the whole eye socket area extending to the top  of my cheekbone—was visibly reddened.  Because I had read from many sources that slight discomfort is normal during the adjustment period, I assumed all of this was normal.

I used the cream for the third and what would be final time on the third night.  The next morning the burning sensation was even more intense when I applied my normal moisturizer and liquid foundation makeup, and the eye area redness was even more prominent. Over the next few days, I returned to my normal routine without the retinol cream, though I continued to experience a burning sensation when 1) washing my face, 2) applying moisturizer and/or liquid makeup, 3) and even three days after discontinuing use when face became very sweaty while playing indoor soccer—at which time the burning was so bad, I had to flush my face with cold water for a minute and then pat it dry.  

It has now been 5 days since I haven’t applied the product, and while the burning has become less intense and appears to be subsiding, the texture of the skin around my eyes is noticeably different, and I don’t mean for the better… the skin now appears thin and dry, and therefore more wrinkly than ever—a COMPLETELY different texture than the rest of my face.  Did I permanently damage this sensitive skin area or is this normal?

I did check the ingredients on the different products that I use, but unfortunately I’m not a scientist and have no idea what 99% of them are.  I’ve provided the ingredients of the items for your reference.  Please let me know what I should do to repair the skin around my eyes, and advise me as to which anti-aging skin treatment you would recommend that I use.

THANK YOU!!!


Retinol Correxion Night Cream:  INGREDIENT LIST (INCI LIST)—Water, Ceteareth-20, Glycerin, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Tetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Steareth-10;  INGREDIENTS LESS THAN 1%--Retinol, Glycolic Acid, Copper Gluconate, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl, Taurate Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Methyl Methacrylate, Crosspolymer, Squalane, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Methylparaben, Xanthan Gum, Propylparaben, Polysorbate 60, Polysorbate 20, Fragrance, Disodium EDTA, Ascorbic Acid, Succinoglycan; May also contain: Citric Acid

Repairing Lotion (for acne):  ACTIVE INGREDIENT: benzoyl peroxide 2.5%; INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: water (aqua), ethoxydiglycol, cyclotetrasiloxane, propylene glycol, cetearyl alcohol, dimethicone, glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate, cyclopentasiloxane, panthenol, allantoin, xanthan gum, ceteareth-20, carbomer, triethanolamine, diazolidinyl urea, methylparaben, propylparaben, fragrance (parfum).

Daily Moisturizer: INGREDIENTS—Water, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Isopropyl Isosteartate, Polyacrylamide, Zinc Oxide, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Sucrose Polycottonseedate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Stearyl Alcohol, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethiconol, Benzyl Alcohol, Ethylparaben, Laureth-7, Propylparaben, Disodium EDTA, PEG-100 Stearate, Stearic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Methylparaben, Oleth 3-Phosphate, Ammonium Polyacrylate, Vitamin B3, Pro-Vitamin B5, Vitamin E.

Renew & Lift Foundation: INGREDIENTS—Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cetyl EG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Silica Dimethyl Silyate, Talc, Propylene Glycol, Triethylhexanoin, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Glutamate, Tribehenin, BIS-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Lecithin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Laureth-7, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Propylene Carbonate, C12-25 Alkyl Benzoate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Disodium EDTA, Aluminum Hydroxide, Silica, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Thymus Serpillum Extract, Ceramide 2, PEG-10 Rapeseed Sterol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Limonene, BHT Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Lupinus Albus seed Extract, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Hydroxysiohexyl 1-Cyclohexene, Carboxaldehyde, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Citral, Geraniol, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Tocopherol, Isobutylparaben; MAY CONTAIN—Titanium Dioxide (Ll 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Mica (Cl 77019)

[lilly798]

I am on my 4th week and stopped using this product after the first week when my eye swelled up and started to burn . The skin under my eyes is also more wrinkled and red like a sun burn.

What to do?