ootdfashion
Over the holidays, while everyone else was overindulging in food and drinks, I decided to overdo it with retinol. I went a bit overboard with a potent retinol cream, applying it directly for four days in a row without checking the instructions first. The result? My skin practically peeled off. It was like a scene from Face/Off, only starring me, with a relentless cycle of flaking, peeling, and itching. At first, I thought it was a burn from hovering over the AGA ovens during Christmas dinner preparations. In reality, I had unknowingly overloaded my skin with a strong product that needed a gentler introduction.
The retinol cream, Drunk Elephant’s A-Passioni, didn’t let me down; it worked as intended. However, it would have preferred a gradual start—maybe mixing with moisturizer and trying it out on a small patch of skin first. A-Passioni needed to be used sparingly, just a couple of times a week to start, rather than being hit with non-stop applications.
Using retinol is like getting to know someone slowly, but I threw it into the deep end with an over-the-top introduction. Despite the overload, it’s clear this product has real effects, which counters my partner’s belief that beauty products don’t work. He remembers some documentary from the ’80s stating that serums are just glorified soap and do nothing for wrinkles.
Retinols, known for their anti-aging abilities, tackle everything from fine lines to acne. But using them improperly can lead to irritation. If you’re new to retinol, it’s wise to begin carefully, using a moisturizer as a buffer and gradually increasing use over time. Many potent beauty products are available now, so caution is crucial. They can be as intense as industrial-strength solutions, so it’s important to ease into their use, much like slowly navigating a tricky path in the dark.
This raises a question: should products with strong ingredients like acids and retinol have a noticeable symbol to ensure people read the instructions? Not something negative, but eye-catching enough to be informative. Many might skip the guidelines, much like my approach.
I’ll soon share a full review of Drunk Elephant’s A-Passioni since it really delivers. It can be combined with their Vitamin C for a powerful daytime serum or with T.L.C. Framboos for an enhanced night treatment. Currently, I’m using it cautiously, my skin still recovering a bit, but I’m curious to see its full benefits. For those interested, A-Passioni is available at SpaceNK for £62.
When my skin was most irritated, I found relief with certain products like 10Balm from Indeed Labs, Cicaplast Baume B5 from La Roche-Posay, and The Body Shop’s Aloe Soothing Day Cream. I’ve also tried Dr. Sam Bunting’s new moisturizer, which is surprisingly gentle and effective.
