Always apply tretinoin to your skin at bedtime. Never use it during the day. Never layer tretinoin with benzoyl peroxide and ideally don't apply it when you also have some of the popular acid products on your skin such as vitamin C or salicylic acid.
The skin will be more prone to sunburn, dryness, or irritation, especially during the first 2 or 3 weeks. However, you should not stop using this medicine unless the skin irritation becomes too severe.
🥪 The Sandwich
What this means is that tretinoin can layer really well with your more moisturizing and rich skincare products without hurting it's efficacy.
If you have normal skin, you can apply moisturizer with tretinoin, bearing in mind that you may dilute it, depending on the amount of each you use. Another method is called the sandwich technique. Apply a base layer of your favourite moisturizer, then apply tretinoin.
Using Tretinoin Correctly
The order of your skincare routine also matter. To get the most out of Tretinoin, always apply it to clean and dry skin straight after cleansing. Never use it on damp skin because this increases penetration and cause irritation. Also, remember that a little goes along way!
Tretinoin may cause irritation and dryness as you adjust. You can help protect your skin with a layer of moisturizer before applying the tretinoin. This generally doesn't reduce the effectiveness of the medication, but can help to soothe and moisturize the skin.
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.
You may also want to avoid salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and erythromycin gel (Erthygel), as these ingredients and products can cause dryness. Though, your dermatologist can help you decide if combining these products with tretinoin is safe. Tretinoin can also cause sun sensitivity.
Tretinoin peeling is a side effect many people experience, especially in the first few weeks of using this medication. Tretinoin (Retin-A) can help reduce acne and brighten skin, but it also speeds up the skin's natural exfoliation process, resulting in dry and flaky skin.
Tretinoin skin peeling is usually temporary and only lasts for a few months for most people, meaning patience is normally an effective approach. Use a moisturizer. It's totally okay to use a moisturizer with tretinoin. Apply the moisturizer first before tretinoin if you have skin dryness.
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.
Both hyaluronic acid and tretinoin are generally considered safe to use independently. They may also work well when used together. Hyaluronic acid and tretinoin tend to balance each other.
“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.
Do you have to wash tretinoin off in the morning? Yes, it's advisable to cleanse your face in the morning to remove the tretinoin before applying your morning skincare products and sunscreen.
Retinoids have been implicated in causing mild-to-moderate elevations in routine liver tests, but these elevations are usually asymptomatic and transient, resolving spontaneously even with continued therapy.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: fever; weight gain; swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs; shortness of breath; labored breathing; wheezing; chest pain; or cough.
In general, Hydroquinone is a powerful skin-lightening agent often compounded with Tretinoin to target hyperpigmentation and melasma. In addition to its own skin brightening effects, Tretinoin also enhances Hydroquinone's penetration. As such this duo work well together to tackle dark spots and uneven discolouration.
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.
It's true that some people with persistent acne use tretinoin for years, but generally speaking, most stop once they have clearer skin or if they're no longer seeing results. Other people may continue to use tretinoin after their breakouts subside for the most part for maintenance therapy.
Dr Kiran acknowledges some evidence that suggests tretinoin may aid in hair growth: Tretinoin promotes cell turnover, which can help rejuvenate hair follicles. It may enhance the absorption of other hair growth treatments, such as minoxidil.
Topical tretinoin stimulates epidermal proliferation and differentiation by upregulating heparin binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF), which causes increased exfoliation and thickening of the epidermis.
We also use it in anti-ageing treatments to target fine lines and increase skin elasticity. It can be tempting to use your retinoid treatment on your neck, chest or body, but you should only do this if advised by a dermatology expert. The skin here is different from your face, and easily irritated.
Yes, tretinoin can be used to treat dark circles under the eyes. It has been found to effectively reduce darkness related to pigment and improve overall skin texture. However, it's important to consult a dermatology provider before starting tretinoin treatment for dark circles.
After 4-6 weeks, your skin will get used to Tretinoin and will begin to be noticeably smoother and more even. Depending on how often you use Tretinoin, you may begin to see full benefits by this point. A lot of the initial irritation will settle down and true “retinization” of your skin is in full force.