Confession: I Used Retinol Like Moisturiser And Shed Like A Snake For Two Weeks
Right. Sitting you down. Pot of tea on. This is my confession. I used retinol like it was moisturiser. I did it for two weeks straight. My skin shed like a snake. I wanted to disappear. And then — reader — it was the best skin of my life. Here's the whole story, and the four things I wish someone had told me at the start.
The Week I Decided To Be "Serious About Skincare"
Context: 32. Started noticing fine lines at the outer corners of my eyes when I smiled. Someone on TikTok said "if you haven't started retinol by 30 you're losing time." I ordered the Egyptian Gold Retinol Serum. I was going to transform.
Did I read the instructions? No.
Did I patch test? No.
Did I start slow? Also no.
Day 1-4: Divine
I put the serum on like it was a hydrating essence. 4 drops. All over. Including under the eyes and around the mouth. My skin felt a bit tingly. I decided tingly meant working. Night two: another 4 drops. Tingly again. Still good. I was told to expect "retinisation" so this all seemed to be on plan.
By day 4 I had forgotten moisturiser existed. I was mainlining retinol like it was a face vitamin.
Day 5-10: The Peeling Starts
I woke up on day 5 and my face felt tight. Like I'd fallen asleep in a mud mask. Fine. I'll ride it out. By day 6 my forehead was flaking. Day 7 the corners of my nose and mouth were red-raw and shedding. By day 8 I could physically peel strips of skin off my chin like I was shedding a costume. Day 9 I googled "is retinol supposed to make your skin fall off" at 11pm. Day 10 I put on makeup and the makeup clung to the flakes like Velcro.
I looked, and I say this with love: feral.
Day 11: The Google Spiral
I found Mumsnet. I found a thread called "AIBU To Think Retinol Aged My Skin?" with 400 comments. I became one of the 400. I stopped using the retinol. I cried a bit. I wore a scarf to work.
And then, somewhere between Mumsnet and a dermatologist's YouTube video, I learned the four things nobody had told me.
The Four Things I Wish I'd Known
1. "Retinisation" is real. "Shedding like a snake" is overdoing it.
Mild dryness and the odd flake = normal retinisation in weeks 1-4. Full-face peeling = too much, too fast. The product isn't broken. I was.
2. Start with 2 nights a week. Not 7.
Our Egyptian Gold is formulated at 0.3% — the sweet spot between effective and tolerable. But even a gentle retinol needs gradual introduction:
- Week 1-2: 2-3 drops, 2 nights only
- Week 3-4: Every other night
- Week 5+: Nightly if tolerating well
3. The Sandwich Method
Game-changer. Apply moisturiser → wait 5 mins → apply retinol → wait 5 mins → apply moisturiser again. Retinol gets to the skin, but the sandwich of moisture dramatically reduces irritation. This is especially magic in weeks 1-4.
4. SPF In The Morning Is Not Optional
Retinol makes your skin more sensitive to UV — including in the grey UK drizzle of November. Forget SPF and you undo everything you're trying to achieve. Non-negotiable.
Patch test first, wear SPF 30+ daily, skip retinol if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
The Comeback: Week 4 Onwards
I let my skin recover for 2 weeks (gentle cleanser, ceramide moisturiser, no actives). Then I restarted the retinol properly — 2 nights, then 3, then every other night. Sandwich method. SPF daily. Moisturiser on top.
Week 4 of doing it right: skin plumper. Lines softer.
Week 8: compliments.
Week 12: a friend asked if I'd had "a little bit of something done." I nearly cried with joy.
I'm now 4 months in, nightly, with zero flakes. The glow is unreal. Worth every bit of the Mumsnet spiral.
Why I'm Telling You This
Because if you're about to start retinol, do not be me. It genuinely is the most effective skincare ingredient ever studied. 40 years of derm consensus. Our 0.3% formula is formulated to be gentle enough to work for most skin types. But it needs to be introduced like you'd introduce a sourdough starter — slowly and with respect.
FAQ: The Retinol Confessions
Is retinol peeling supposed to happen?
A little dryness and the odd flake in weeks 1-4 is normal. Full-face shedding = you're going too hard.
What is the sandwich method?
Moisturiser → wait 5 mins → retinol → wait 5 mins → moisturiser again. Reduces irritation dramatically.
Can I use retinol under my eyes?
Yes — apply 1 drop to the orbital bone (not the eyelid or lash line).
Do I have to wear SPF every morning?
Yes. Non-negotiable.
Can I combine retinol with vitamin C?
Yes — vitamin C in the morning (with SPF), retinol at night.
How long until I see results?
Plumpness at 4 weeks. Glow at 8 weeks. "Have you had something done?" at 12 weeks.
Can I use retinol in pregnancy?
No — avoid retinol in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
If You Take Nothing Else From This Post
Two nights a week. Sandwich method. SPF in the morning. Patience. That's it. And our Egyptian Gold Retinol Serum is BOGOF all November. Future you says thank you.
