Renée Has Been a Retinol Believer Since the Beginning (and This Story Proves It)

Renee Rouleau applying a retinol skincare product on her face

Updated 10/10/22. Retinol is a clinically proven vitamin A ingredient that offers a variety of benefits. It stimulates cell regeneration, boosts the production of collagen, and promotes skin elasticity. With time, it can give you brighter, smoother, and firmer skin.

It’s for all these reasons and more that I formulated it into the Advanced Resurfacing Serum. I’ve seen with my own eyes how this serum can improve the skin and reverse visible signs of sun damage. (That’s why I recommend it to so many of my clients.) While I love sharing what this serum can do, I also like sharing how it came to be. After all, this serum was in the making for a long time, and there’s a whole backstory behind it!

The Backstory

In the late ’80s, I was living in Boston and I was a fresh graduate of the Catherine Hinds School of Esthetics. As a young esthetician (only 18 years old!), I got my first job at a full-service salon.

One of the salon’s regular clients was Dr. Thomas Fitzpatrick. At the time, he was the Chief of Dermatology at Mass General Hospital (and the inventor of the Fitzpatrick Skin Type testing). While he was getting his hair cut, he’d talk with the estheticians since we were all in the skincare industry. He was such a prestigious dermatologist, so I was always asking him questions and hanging on to every word he said.

One day, while we were having a conversation, he held out both his hands and asked if I could see a difference. I couldn’t believe my eyes. One hand looked so much younger than the other—it was brighter, plumper, and smoother. At the time, he was in his mid-60s, so his hands were showing signs of aging. However, one was much more prominently aged than the other. It was all thanks to Retin-A.

The History of Retin-A (Prescription Retinoid)

Retin-A is a topical cream that was initially used exclusively to treat acne. Since it had harsh side effects, like dryness, redness, and peeling, dermatologists had to give very specific instructions for how to use it. Dr. Fitzpatrcik would always demonstrate by taking a pea-sized amount (the recommended amount for the entire face) and rubbing it on the back of one of his hands. He did this day in and day out. Over time, he noticed that one hand looked younger than the other! This realization led Dr. Fitzpatrick to become one of the doctors instrumental in getting Retin-A FDA-approved for wrinkle reduction.

It wouldn’t receive FDA approval until 1995. However, in 1991, word had already gotten out. Soon, Retin-A was all the rage, and people were lining up at dermatologists’ offices to get it. Unfortunately, there was a major lack of awareness about how to properly use it. People were slathering it on, and they were experiencing all the negative side effects, including dryness, flakiness, peeling, redness, and irritation.

Soon, my appointment schedule filled up with clients coming to see me to address these side effects. They would come in and say, I need your help, Renée. I’m using this new prescription, and my skin is a mess!I remember one specific client who came to see me. She was experiencing so much dryness, that when she smiled, her skin cracked and began to bleed in front of me.

To treat my clients with extreme dryness, I would give them moisturizing and rehydrating facials, but within a few days the moisture would evaporate and dryness would set right back in again so long as they continued to use Retin-A. After enough time and constant dryness, many people gave up. They stopped using Retin-A because they couldn’t tolerate the side effects. So much for that!

However, I remained a firm believer in the power of Retin-A to reduce wrinkles. I saw what it did to Dr. Fitzpatrick’s hand, and I would never forget it. I had a few clients who stuck it out, and after 3-5 months or so, the side effects lessened and the anti-aging, skin-smoothing, and wrinkle-reducing benefits kicked in. (I had one client named Madeline who stuck with it. Every time I saw her, I noticed her skin looked smoother and more youthful.)

My Personal Experience With Retin-A

Once I turned 35, I noticed signs of aging were appearing. I decided it was time to try Retin-A myself. I visited a dermatologist to get a prescription. Unfortunately, I soon discovered that it didn’t agree with my skin. Even though I introduced it slowly and used it sparingly, I developed eczema on my eyelids within a week (even though I never even used it in that area.)

The reason for this is that retinoic acid (the active ingredient in Retin-A) works within the entire skin—not just on a surface level. In other words, it was creating irritation and stimulating a breakdown of my skin’s barrier in places I wasn’t applying it, like my eyelids, which is the thinnest area of skin on the face.

Aside from eczema, I do recall one other peculiar thing that would happen when I used it.  I would wake up in the morning and feel what I can only describe as a little heartbeat in my face—almost like a little pulsing sensation. I knew this meant that something was occurring within the skin (almost as though I could feel collagen production being stimulated?), but I’m not sure what it was. Ultimately, I decided to discontinue it.

Non-Prescription Options (Like the Advanced Resurfacing Serum)

In the early 2000s, skincare brands started introducing non-prescription retinol products. As I said before, retinol is a vitamin A ingredient. It’s more gentle than Retin-A, which is why it’s available without a prescription. (On that note, read up on the different types of retinoids and how they affect the skin.)

Since my chemists had access to these ingredients, I played around with developing a formula. However, I never felt that the formulas I came up with would offer the same results as the stronger, prescription form. So, I decided to wait until skincare technology progressed, so I had access to more effective options.

Soon enough, I had created what I consider to be the perfect retinol serum. When I was testing it, I would apply it at night, and much to my surprise, I could feel the pulsating sensation in my skin—the same one I experienced when using Retin-A! Wow. This was it. I was convinced this product could offer serious results. (Note: You may not experience the pulsating sensation in the skin like I did. That’s just an individual experience that made me realize how effective the formulation was.)

Since then, I’ve been using the Advanced Resurfacing Serum consistently, and I’m happy to report that I’m extremely impressed with the results. My pores appear smaller, my brown spots are minimized, and my lines and wrinkles are reduced. What’s more, is that I haven’t experienced any extreme sensitivity (or eczema!). I get more compliments on my skin than ever.

The Bottom Line

Here’s what I know for sure. Retinol and retinoids, when used long-term, can offer beautiful results. Just be sure you’re using them consistently. There is no instant gratification when it comes to using them like there is with an exfoliating acid-based product. In fact, it can take months to see any difference at all. But trust me, stick with it, and your skin will thank you!

Next, read my beginner’s guide to retinol & retinoids to learn how to avoid negative side effects.

Disclaimer: Content found on www.ReneeRouleau.com and Blog.ReneeRouleau.com, including text, images, audio, or other formats were created for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website or blog.

Comments:

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  1. Is there a way to get a sample of this product? Two retinol creams have caused me have have an eczema flare up and I don’t want to buy another bottle if this turns out the same way.

    Posted By: Emily A  | 

    Reply
    • Hi Emily, Unfortunately, we don’t have a sample size of this. As you may have seen in my video, I have personally always had an issue with vitamin A bringing out eczema for me and I feel confident that your skin would do really well with this formula. But we do have a 45-day return policy.

      Posted By: Renée Rouleau  | 

      Reply
  2. Hi if I stop using retinols will all my agespots, sunspots come back. I dont ever tan or spend long hours in the sun.

    Posted By: Nix  | 

    Reply
    • Hard to say but they could, simply because with age and hormones, brown spots rise to the surface.

      Posted By: Renée Rouleau  | 

      Reply
  3. Hi, what is ur return n exchange policy

    Posted By: Rajvir  | 

    Reply
  4. Hi Renee,
    I am 21 years old and have been on a retinoid for almost 10 months now. I was wondering…is my skin less likely to get badly burned from the sun now that I’ve been on it for a longer period of time? Also, will their be any bad side effects if I continue using this for many years?
    Thanks 🙂

    Posted By: Meg  | 

    Reply
    • I’m assuming you’re referring to a prescription retinoid, not a gentler retinol product? Yes, it will make the skin more sun sensitive but if you’re good about applying sunscreen generously and wearing it daily, you should be okay. If you’re going to the beach or will spending time outdoors, I would suggest you stop using it a week in advance. As for bad side effects, I don’t know your skin personally but it can make it thinner with continued use so it can make your skin more transparent and sensitive. But the good news is, it will definitely help prevent wrinkles. Long term retinoid use is not harmful. If your skin gets sensitive, you may want to cut back on using it a little.

      Posted By: Renée Rouleau  | 

      Reply
  5. Is this product still coming out in October? Looking forward to trying it.

    Posted By: Tracy  | 

    Reply
    • Hi Tracy, It will be coming out in November. Good things come to those who wait. It will be here soon. 🙂

      Posted By: Renée Rouleau  | 

      Reply
  6. Oh!! Just when I was considering using retinol based products again. But the last time I used an OCD retinol product, after a year my face turned more red and sensitive then ever. I used to not have problems with acne scarring, but after one year of using the product, my scars just won’t go away now.

    I currently use Vitamin C day and night, as suggested by my dermatologist. It has been nearly a year and a half since I started. Should I try using retinol products at night? I am currently 25 years, and wondering if I should start an anti-aging regime.

    Posted By: Elizabeth  | 

    Reply
    • Hi Elizabeth,
      All retinol products are different so just because you didn’t agree with that formula doesn’t mean you can’t ever use it again. When using retinol, be sure your vitamin C serum is a stable, no-sting formula so as not to irritate the skin. I find that people who use both retinol and the sensitizing form of vitamin C, can get redness over time. My Vitamin C&E Treatment is really gentle, but super effective. See it here. https://www.reneerouleau.com/products/vitamin-c-e-treatment But yes, you should definitely use a retinol product. Mine should be out in November.

      Posted By: Renée Rouleau  | 

      Reply
  7. I’m really looking forward to using this. 🙂
    Do you use this serum every night or do you alternate it with an AHA and hydrating serum? Also, how long did dryness persist when you started it? (I have oily skin that tends to get dehydrated easily and retinols/retinoids kinda scare me lol)
    Thanks!

    Posted By: Ashly  | 

    Reply
    • You would alternate it with an AHA or BHA serum and regular anti-aging serum for your skin type. I didn’t have much dryness at all. It’s going to be perfect for you. Stay tuned! Renee

      Posted By: Renée Rouleau  | 

      Reply

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