You should wait between 2 and 20 minutes to apply moisturizer after tretinoin treatment.
While tretinoin is a popular ingredient used to treat acne and fine wrinkles, it can also cause peeling skin, dryness, and potential irritation. Therefore, skincare routine should always include following up tretinoin use with a good moisturizer.
This article will explain everything you need to know about tretinoin and how to use it with a moisturizer in your skincare routine.
What is tretinoin?
Also known as retin-A, tretinoin is the form of vitamin A that your skin actually uses: retinoic acid.
Beyond its use to treat acne, topical tretinoin has benefits to clear up dark spots and boost collagen production. However, using tretinoin treatment can lead to skin irritation and skin dryness if you’re not careful.
Retin A is much stronger than over the counter retinol, so you will need to see a healthcare professional like a dermatologist to prescribe tretinoin.
Is tretinoin suitable for any skin type?
Topical retinoids like tretinoin use may not be suitable for individuals with a very dry skin type as it they can cause excessive dryness.
Do I use moisturizer after tretinoin?
Without proper use of moisturizer, retinoids like tretinoin cream can cause skin irritation and dryness. These are signs of a compromised skin barrier.
When your skin barrier is disrupted, this can make your acne outbreaks even worse and contribute to premature aging.
To prevent irritation and maximize the anti aging effects of tretinoin products, you should always use moisturizer after applying tretinoin.
Why should I use a moisturizer after tretinoin?
Skin creams and moisturizers are formulated with soothing ingredients to protect your skin barrier.
When a skincare treatment like tretinoin dries your skin out, adding nourishing ingredients like water and oil work wonders for keeping your skin soft and healthy.
When to Apply Moisturizer after Tretinoin
While some people suggest waiting from 10 to 20 minutes to maximize your skin’s absorption of tretinoin, this isn’t necessary.
Personally, I give retinoids a few minutes to absorb before following up with a moisturizer.
Do you put moisturizer on before or after tretinoin?
At the very least, your skincare routine should include applying moisturizer after tretinoin.
Depending on your skin’s sensitivity, you can also apply a thin layer of moisturizer before applying tretinoin. This will reduce the strength of the retin A product as your skin adjusts to it.
Then, apply tretinoin cream and follow up with a moisturizer after.
How to use Tretinoin Cream with a Moisturizer
To incorporate tretinoin into your skincare routine, follow these steps:
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser
Apply your toner and wait for it to absorb (optional)
Apply a pea sized amount of tretinoin to your pointer finger
Dot that pea all over your entire face
Gently rub in the tretinoin all over your face
Wait 2 minutes for it to absorb
Apply a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid (optional)
Follow up with a gentle moisturizer
Finish off with a good facial oil (optional)
As a heads up, first time users should apply tretinoin to completely dry skin to reduce your chances of irritation.
That’s it!
Should you moisturize after tretinoin?
Yes, you should absolutely use moisturizer after applying tretinoin.
While tretinoin cream is an effective treatment for acne and premature aging, it is one of the most irritating skincare products.
Using a moisturizer will fight the irritation and redness which are commonly associated with tretinoin.
What should I avoid when using tretinoin?
Avoid using moisturizer with isopropyl alcohol and synthetic fragrances when you’re using tretinoin. Artificial fragrances can be irritating to skin and can contribute to even more dryness.
Additionally, you will want to avoid layering exfoliating ingredients like salicylic acid and lactic acid with tretinoin. Similarly, while benzoyl peroxide is another popular topical acne treatment, don’t layer it with tretinoin.
Finally, you can use a vitamin C serum and sun protection in the morning, but you’ll want to avoid layering them with tretinoin.
Taking these precautions will help you avoid potential irritation and skin dryness.
How long after applying tretinoin can I apply moisturizer?
Tretinoin users should wait between 2 and 20 minutes before applying moisturizer.
Waiting longer will allow tretinoin to soak into your skin more efficiently, but applying moisturizer won’t reduce the efficacy of the treatment.
Summary: tretinoin before or after moisturizer?
In summary, tretinoin should be applied before your moisturizer to maximize its efficacy.
However, certain people should apply moisturizer before and after tretinoin:
People with dry skin conditions
Beginners to tretinoin
People with sensitive skin
Either way, always make sure that you’re using the right moisturizer for your skin type and skin goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
At the very least, your skincare routine should include applying moisturizer after tretinoin. Depending on your skin’s sensitivity, you can also apply a thin layer of moisturizer before applying tretinoin. This will reduce the strength of the retin A product as your skin adjusts to it.
Tretinoin is more effective before moisturizer. This is because moisturizer is heavier than tretinoin, and moisturizer will slow down the absorption of the treatment. Therefore, apply tretinoin first before moisturizer.
Tretinoin is more effective before moisturizer. This is because moisturizer is heavier than tretinoin, and moisturizer will slow down the absorption of the treatment. Therefore, apply tretinoin first before moisturizer.
Tretinoin users should wait between 2 and 20 minutes before applying moisturizer.Waiting longer will allow tretinoin to soak into your skin more efficiently, but applying moisturizer won’t reduce the efficacy of the treatment.
Yes, you should rinse your face off in the morning. This will allow you to rinse off your retinoid from the night before as well as any sweat, dirt, and oil that have accumulated overnight.
You can layer anything soothing and hydrating with tretinoin. Try layering a hydrating toner underneath your tretinoin, then following up with a thick moisturizer and facial oil. This combination will reduce irritation and dryness.
