Using moisturizer every day can stave off the worst of the dryness. It's also soothing. Choose a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic moisturizer made for sensitive skin. 2 These products will be less irritating.
“The symptoms related to tretinoin purging typically involve acne breakouts, severe skin dryness and peeling, redness and irritation, but it is important to know that this phase is temporary and once it's over, the skin will generally begin to improve, and you will be able to see the positive effects.
Regular use of oil-based creams or lotions helps to reduce skin irritation or dryness caused by the use of tretinoin.
Moisturizers marked for sensitive skin are great options because they're less likely to contain products that can further irritate your skin. If you're not prone to acne, you can try petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline or Aquaphor) as a barrier cream. You can also try aloe vera cream.
Generally speaking, let tretinoin absorb and fully dry before applying moisturizer.
Skin purging is common, but doesn't necessarily happen to everyone. In fact some people don't experience it at all. For those of us who do suffer from purging, it can look like: breaking out in pustules (pimples), the appearance of flaky, peeling skin, irritation and dry patches.
Any medication designed to combat acne by accelerating skin cell turnover, such as topical retinoids like tretinoin, can cause skin purging. ⁷ It's a temporary phase typically lasting a few weeks. Importantly, this is often considered a positive sign that your acne medication is working to clear dead skin cells.
You should aim to use tretinoin every night, however, you must start slowly as your skin needs to get used to it. The first 2 weeks apply it 2 to 3 nights per week, after that try applying it every other day, and then if your skin can handle it, apply it every night.
Topical tretinoin can cause your skin to become dry, red, swollen, blistered, or flaky. It may also cause your skin to itch, be painful, or feel like it is burning. Stop using topical tretinoin and call your healthcare provider if these symptoms become worse or do not go away.
Regular use of this medication over time will lead to healthier appearing skin with improved texture and less wrinkles. It can replace dull-appearing skin with a pink rosy glow. In summary, if used over many months and years, tretinoin can reverse signs of excessive sun exposure.
However, a 2019 study notes that using tretinoin with a moisturizer can help reduce its potential irritation and drying effects. However, while moisturizers may provide relief, combining other skin products with tretinoin could lead to further skin irritation or damage.
Vitamin A can be unstable as an ingredient, and this can mean your skin will become more sensitive. There is often an initial phase when using retinoids for the first time, known by many as the 'retinoid uglies'. Essentially, your skin can see a decline before improvement during an adjustment period.
If the skin purging stage is really troublesome, it can be helpful to decrease the frequency of your actives by alternating days of use. Stick with it - in time, things will likely improve. When the frequency of new spots starts to reduce, increase the frequency of your actives again.
Three inexpensive moisturizers that our physicians love are Vanicream Daily Facial Lotion with Hyaluronic Acid, Neutrogena Hydroboost Gel, and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid Serum. All three of these are affordable, non-comedogenic,and blend well with tretinoin.
Focus on hydration and barrier repair
To heal retinol burn fast, reduce skin irritation by avoiding harsh skincare products and applying gentle, soothing moisturisers. Keeping the skin hydrated and protected from the sun's ageing rays. There is urgent need to protect skin from Ultraviolet (UVA) radiation.
Tretinoin cream can improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin, including fine lines, dark spots, and rough patches. However, it does not permanently reverse these changes. It takes 3-4 months and sometimes longer (up to 6 months) to get a noticeable improvement in the appearance of your skin with tretinoin.
Moisturize. Using a water-based moisturizer after applying tretinoin is generally recommended. This can help protect your skin from some side effects of the treatment, including dryness, peeling, and irritation.
Option one: The sandwich technique
After washing your face, apply a layer of moisturiser. Allow it to dry down for 5-10 minutes. Then, apply a pea-sized amount of tretinoin to your entire face. Allow this to dry down for 5-10 minutes.
Once you've massaged the Tretinoin onto your skin, you can apply your serums and/or moisturiser if you use these at night. There isn't a golden rule about how long to wait before applying these as different formulations of Tretinoin take different times to absorb. If in doubt, wait for 15-20 minutes.