While tretinoin is extremely effective in treating acne, it can also cause dry skin. If you have been prescribed tretinoin, dermatologists might have advised you to avoid skincare products contributing to skin irritation and dryness and use a good-quality moisturizer to help reduce excessive dryness associated with tretinoin use. This blog will explain how to use tretinoin cream with moisturizer to minimize dryness and recommend top moisturizers to pair with tretinoin formulations.
Tretinoin: an effective solution for acne and skin issues
Acne is a complicated skin issue requiring frequent dermatologist visits to clear it. Unfortunately, things don’t end here; treating acne is not easy. It requires patience, the right products, and methods to treat it. People often lose their patience in between the treatments because of time constraints. The acne treatment sometimes takes too long to fade off; any interruption with acne treatment in between can worsen your acne.
It has been found that the topical formulation works best if it suits your skin type, for example, tretinoin. One should follow a dermatologist’s advice to treat the condition. Tretinoin is one of the most prescribed products recommended by many dermatologists. The efficacy of tretinoin is clinically proven; the topical formulation is also known as retinoic acid (a generic name for synthetic vitamin A), and it works by irritating the skin and boosting the speed of skin cells to form healthier cells in place of dead cells. Tretinoin treats acne and helps erase fine lines and dark spots. The cream is sold under various brands with different strengths and forms. Amongst all brands, Retino A and Retin-A are the most researched and populous tretinoin brands. Retino A is comparatively more affordable than other brands. When used appropriately, tretinoin helps improve the skin’s overall appearance but can also cause dryness. Therefore, dermatologists may recommend using moisturizers to minimize the side effects associated with tretinoin.
Safe use of tretinoin to avoid side effects
Skin irritation is the common side effect of tretinoin, leaving you with inflamed, red, and flaky skin. A good moisturizer is essential to alleviate skin irritation if you have dry skin. It seems like tretinoin and moisturizer go hand in hand, but not all moisturizers go hand in hand with tretinoin; you must pay attention to choosing the right moisturizer that works well with tretinoin.
Tretinoin is not recommended for individuals with extremely sensitive skin or those who frequently experience skin redness. Redness may occur due to sensitivity and dryness experienced during early use. Other common side effects of tretinoin are redness, peeling, a sensation of warmth or stinging, peeling blistering or swelling, and initial worsening of acne sores.
Is moisturizer safe to use with tretinoin?
Despite being a highly effective topical formulation, the possible side effects of the acne formulation may make its utilization difficult. However, according to dermatologists, using tretinoin with a moisturizer can cause a significant reduction in potential irritation and drying effects. Moisturizers play a crucial role in managing these side effects. However, a moisturizer may relieve excessive dryness, and combining other skincare products with tretinoin could lead to potential damage.
How can a moisturizer be used? Can you put moisturizer over tretinoin? Well, moisturizers help reduce irritation and sensitivity. This is why, when combined with tretinoin, a nighttime moisturizer can be extremely beneficial, as it can soothe and provide hydration to the skin, preventing dryness and flaking. The good news is that noticeable improvement can be observed quickly when using a moisturizer with a tretinoin formulation at night. You can put tretinoin gel before or after moisturizer; ensure you keep a gap of at least fifteen minutes between each application. You will get smoother, brighter, and bouncier skin within a few days of regular application.
Best moisturizers to use with tretinoin cream
To help keep your skin soft, smooth, and flake-free, find below a few best moisturizer for tretinoin or retino A cream to use:
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- La Roche- Posay– Dimethicone, Shea butter, Glycerin, Panthenol, and Madecassoside are the main key ingredients of this moisturizer. La Roche-Posay increases the antioxidant level in your skin to keep it hydrated, and its formulation is so gentle that it is even recommended for newborn babies by many pediatrics.
- CeraVe moisturizer – Glycerin, Ceramides (3 types), Dimethicone, and Hyaluronic Acid are the key ingredients of CeraVe moisturizer. The product works well in restoring skin moisture to combat inflammation and flaky skin issues.
- Avene eau thermale skin recover cream – This cream is specially designed for sensitive and easily irritated skin. The product counteracts skin burning, dryness, and stinging. Its thermal spring water helps to soothe and soften skin. Avene Eau Thermale is an oil, fragrance, and paraben-free product.
- Neutrogena’s hydro boost gel –The gel-based technology offers all the hydration that the skin needs. The gel has glycerine and hyaluronic acid that can moisten skin for up to 24 hours. The brand claims the gel can lock the moisture for 48 hours if applied correctly.
- Simple’s replenishing rich moisturizer – The moisturizer hydrates your skin and makes your skin soft and supple. It has glycerine, provitamin B5, and bisabolol that moisturize your skin well. Simple’s Replenishing Rich Moisturizer can keep your skin hydrated for up to 24 hours.
- Herbal moisturizers –If you find the above moisturizers costly or have any budget constraints, go for any popular herbal moisturizer with the best reviews. The properties used in herbal products are usually very light and leave no or minimal side effects.
Using a moisturizer along with tretinoin cream is the best way to fight dryness and irritation, particularly when applied once nightly. Moreover, pairing with the right moisturizer involves several trials and errors, but this information should be helpful to those looking for a good quality moisturizer with maximum benefits.
Also Read: How to Choose a Healthy Facial Moisturizer
