By Junko

Four weeks ago I was sitting in front of the ophthalmologist in tears, telling him I thought I had a neurological problem that was making me go blind. He, skimming though four pages of a questionnaire that I had filled out upon coming in to his office said “stop using the Tretinoin, it’s toxic”. There was not only disapproval in his voice as he told me what Retinoids do, but disgust in his face too. He explained that Tretinoin changes the molecular structure and normal functioning of skin cells and oil glands. Eyes and tear ducts are a part of the network of cells and glands in the face. His diagnosis was that I was having a toxic allergic reaction to the Tretinoin (Retinoic Acid or Tretinoin is the active ingredient in Renova and Retin-A) cream I’d been using for the past four weeks.

The faces of my mid 50s doctor and mid 60s dermatologist, less lined than what you’d imagine for their years, both said Retin-A was the reason for their youthful looking complexions. It was the faces of these two doctors that had convinced me that I could be winkle free for the next 25 years too! Certainly my reaction to Tretinoin isn’t typical, as I haven’t been able to find any information similar to this posted on the web. I haven’t used Tretinoin in 4 weeks now, but my eyes still aren’t back to the way they used to be. Maybe it’s because although I’d stopped using Tretinoin, I was still using products that contained Vitamin A and it’s derivatives? Now I’m reading every label and have stopped using all products which contain vitamin A, Retinol, Retinyl Palmate, wheat germ oil, rosehip seed oil, carrots and spinach. If TIA readers have any others to add to my list, please post a comment as it just might help my recovery.

Also in kindness to my eyes, there are a few other things I’ve stopped doing to try and help them heal. I’ve stopped putting products with Argireline onto my eyelids. If Argireline inhibits the movements of muscles, then I shouldn’t be putting this on my lids, as eyelids need to move in order to blink. Common sense I know, but I just hadn’t given this any thought up until now. I’m no longer putting Osmotics FNS Follicle Nutrient Serum on my lash’s either. Although the ingredients for both the Serum and FNS Lash are identical, Osmotics has intelligently omitted bergamot oil, an eye irritant from their lash product making it a much safer product for the eyes. After four weeks of putting the Serum on my lashes though, they were starting to look really quite good! It would be a safe bet to say then, that the FNS Nutrilash Eyelash Growth & Thickener would do the same.

As you can see, I’m making quiet a few adjustments to my facial routines…again! Sadly, I used the last precious drops of my Eshee’s Vitamin C Serum last week and will be mixing up some DIY C’s to compare to the luxury of Eshees’ Revitalizing C. If you have a DIY Vitamin C recipe that you love, please share that love and comment with your recipe! I’m continuing with Eshee’s Revitalizing C Serum and I’ll be submitting a review to Marta on this lovely little ampoule in just a few weeks.

I’ve been using New Chapter Organic’s Tamanu oil and unlike Marta, not willing to give up as quickly on the touted abilities of this tropical oil. The study done on scar reduction was a 9-week trial, so I’m willing to give it at least that and maybe even more! New Chapter’s oil is very thick and as expected made me break out when I slathered it all over my face. Now I’m just spot treating a couple of small scars and putting it all over my neck, décolleté and hands at night. I had found some KaplanMD samples a while ago that I had squirreled away, and really liked the Cell Renewing Microfoliant, Perfecting Serum and Eye Cream. Being impressed with the samples made it easy to take advantage of the 25% savings bundle Marta offered last week on the Perfecting Serum and Eye Cream. I am really excited to add both these products into my new routines!

Again this month Truth In Aging readers, I ask you to share the love, post your comments and submit your reviews to Truth in Aging. Your contributions make Truth In Aging the best site on the web for information on personal care products & reviews!

Marta adds: I followed up on this post from Junko and here is a link to a roundup of some of the research on tretinoin and safety.