Retinol Safety
 

I was wondering if anyone knew if it was safe to use OTC Retinol SA if you have SFPN? The stuff that I want to buy is Neutrogenia Intensive Night Cream. I think it has 0.1% Retinol SA. It was recommended for adult acne. Below are the ingredients.

Thank you!!


Water, PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate, Cetearyl Alcohol , Cetyl Dimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Hexadecyl Stearate, Caprylyl Methicone, Dimethicone, Behenyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Squalane, Glycerin, Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii), BHT, Panthenol, Allantoin, Arginine, Erythorbic Acid, Tocopherol, Retinol, Polysorbate 20 , Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Bisabolol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyacrylamide, Nylon -12, Disodium EDTA, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben

There can be redness of the skin, burning and peeling with retinol.

Those are the most common side effects. I guess it is possible that if the nerves are already not in good shape they may be further damaged. But I am not sure about that.

You'd have to Google further for personal stories, etc.

I use a Retinol on my face and neck frequently for a few years now without problems.

Be sure to only ever use it at night, and even though you are not applying it during the day it's imperative you wear sunscreen always. You skin will become much, much more sun sensitive.

If you are unsure, perhaps try a small patch test for a week or so to see if your neuropathy reacts.

Was concerned
 

As I read that some people have gotten vitamin A toxicity with retinol. If you have vitamin A in a multivitamin it can be overload.

But what I am looking at is the cheaper OTC stuff so I can't see that being toxic on its own. I do have some facial PN and was worried about aggravating it. But I guess that can happen with just about anything applied to face.

Hi Aussie,
I also have SFN in my face and use retinol on my face. The neutrogenia did not bother my face at all. If it makes your face to dry use it very other day and a cream without retinol on alternate days.
Hopefully, it won't effect your PN. As I said, it did not bother mine.
Hopeful