How to Layer Tretinoin With Other Products?

Tretinoin or retinoic acid is a powerhouse ingredient prescribed for many skin issues, including acne, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, UV damage, and skin texture.

It works by speeding up cellular turnover and sending new, young cells to the surface of the skin to improve the complexion’s health and appearance.

However, even though tretinoin is the remedy for many common skin concerns, using it often comes with initial side effects, such as dryness, peeling, and irritation.

These symptoms usually last anywhere between 2-8 weeks, but depending on the skin, the strength of the product, and the other products in your skincare regimen, they can stick around for longer or shorter than that.

This is why many people are wondering whether layering other hydrating products can help ease some of the initial discomfort.

And while the answer to this is yes, you need to be careful when layering other products with tretinoin because you want to make sure you are not slowing down its action or using it in a completely wrong way.

This is why, in this article, I will talk about how to layer tretinoin with other products and get the best results from your treatment.

How to Layer Tretinoin With Other Products - The Skincare Culture

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How to Layer Tretinoin With Other Products?

There are three most commonly applied methods of layering tretinoin with other products.

They consist of applying tretinoin at different points in your skincare routine and layering it with other products to target various skin concerns, such as excessive dryness, dehydration, and irritation.

Here are the three common methods of layering tretinoin with other products in your skincare routine and how each of them is beneficial:

The ‘Elaborate’ Method

The ‘elaborate’ method is suitable for maintaining hydration and avoiding excessive dryness and irritation.

It’s best for those who are increasing their tretinoin strength and are experiencing new initial dryness, but their skin is already used to tretinoin or stronger retinoids, so the concern is somewhat minimal.

Here are the steps on how to layer your tretinoin with other skincare products by using the ‘elaborate’ method:

  • Cleanse with a gentle cleanser.
  • Wait until the skin is dry (don’t pat or towel dry; let it dry naturally.)
  • Apply a hydrating toner while the skin is still damp but not wet.
  • Apply a hydrating serum while the skin is still damp from the toner.
  • Apply a moisturizer while the skin is still damp from the serum.
  • Wait 20-30 minutes.
  • Apply a pea-sized amount of tretinoin.

If you feel like removing one of these steps, for example, a toner or a serum, to keep your routine simpler, you may very well do it.

However, a gentle cleanser and a moisturizer are a must to minimize dryness and discomfort caused by tretinoin.

The ‘Sandwich’ Method

You might be familiar with the ‘sandwich’ method as this one is quite popular with people whose skin gets extremely dry and irritated, usually when starting tretinoin or increasing the strength.

It involves multiple layers of moisturizer and a long wait in between products, so while it might not be ideal for those who want to do a quick skincare routine before going to bed, it’s very efficient in soothing irritation and keeping the skin moisturized.

Here are the steps for the ‘sandwich’ method of layering tretinoin with other skincare products:

  • Cleanse with a gentle cleanser.
  • Wait until the skin is dry (don’t pat or towel dry; let it dry naturally.)
  • Apply a hydrating toner while the skin is still damp.
  • Apply a hydrating serum while the skin is still damp from the toner.
  • Apply a moisturizer while the skin is still damp from the serum.
  • Wait 20-30 minutes.
  • Apply a pea-sized amount of tretinoin.
  • Wait 20-30 minutes.
  • Apply another layer of moisturizer.

Waiting for at least 20-30 minutes before and after applying tretinoin is important because you can easily miss some areas or move the product around with the second layer of moisturizer, which will lead to uneven coverage and uneven results.

The ‘Simple’ Method

As the name suggests, the ‘simple’ method is the simplest and most straightforward technique of applying tretinoin.

It doesn’t really consist of layering products but rather the proper application of tretinoin.

This method is suitable for experienced tretinoin users who have passed the initial phase of tretinoin-induced discomfort and whose skin is used to the active ingredient, as well as anyone who prefers a short and straight-to-the-point skincare routine that doesn’t involve multiple steps.

The ‘simple’ method, in my opinion, is the best way to apply tretinoin; however, it might not work for everyone, especially for those whose skin gets very dry and irritated and requires extra nourishment.

Here’s how the ‘simple’ method of applying tretinoin works:

  • Cleanse with a gentle cleanser.
  • Wait until the skin is fully dry (don’t pat or towel dry; let it dry naturally.)
  • Apply a pea-sized amount of tretinoin on dry (not damp) skin.
  • Wait 20-30 minutes.
  • Apply a moisturizer.

Again, waiting 20-30 minutes is important because you don’t want to move the product around while applying moisturizer, as this will give you uneven coverage and uneven results.

Skincare Products You Shouldn’t Layer With Tretinoin

There are certain products you shouldn’t use while on tretinoin to prevent irritation and barrier damage.

Here are some products you should never layer with tretinoin:

  • Benzoyl Peroxide: This popular acne treatment can oxidize and degrade tretinoin, neutralizing its effect when used together, and can also cause dryness and irritation, along with long-term barrier damage.
  • AHAs and BHA: Any product that contains an exfoliating acid such as glycolic, lactic, mandelic, and salicylic acid shouldn’t be layered with tretinoin. These components work by shedding the dead skin cells rapidly while tretinoin renews them rapidly. Pair them together, and your skin will be left with young and immature cells on the skin’s surface that are unable to hold moisture, thus leaving the skin dry and irritated.
  • Retinol: Layering retinol with tretinoin can cause irritation and discomfort and is also not necessary because tretinoin is essentially a stronger dose of retinol.
  • Vitamin C: Layering vitamin C and tretinoin work at different pH levels, therefore, using them together can disrupt the skin’s pH balance, which will lead to redness, irritation, and discomfort.

Best Cleansers To Use With Tretinoin

While using tretinoin, your skin is likely to get somewhat dry and irritated. This is why having a gentle cleanser that isn’t going to strip your skin is important.

Here are my top three cleansers to use with tretinoin:

La Roche Posay – Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser

Toleriane – Hydrating Gentle Cleanser – The Skincare Culture

Best for sensitive skin.

The Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser is the perfect match for tretinoin, and dermatologists frequently recommend it to be paired up with this potent active.

It has a light, milky texture and contains hydrating ingredients that won’t strip or irritate the skin. It can also be used as a first cleanse to remove makeup and sunscreen.

CeraVe – Hydrating Cream-To-Foam Cleanser

CeraVe – Hydrating Cream-To-Foam Cleanser - The Skincare Culture

Best for dry skin.

CeraVe’s Hydrating Cream-To-Foam Cleanser is particularly good for people with dry, sensitive, and irritated skin as well as someone that suffers from atopic conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. 

That being said, it is also an affordable and excellent option for tretinoin users that are experiencing that initial irritation, flaking, and peeling.

SkinCeuticals – Gentle Cream Cleanser

SkinCeuticals – Gentle Cream Cleanser – The Skincare Culture

Best for all skin types.

SkinCeuticals Gentle Cream Cleanser is a very mild, gentle, and non-foaming cleanser that contains moisturizing and soothing ingredients such as propanediol, allantoin, and glycerin.

It’s amazing for those with dry and irritated skin and is the perfect luxurious addition to the skincare of a tretinoin beginner.

Best Toners To Use With Tretinoin

Toner isn’t necessary in a skincare regimen, but it can help relieve irritation and hydrate the skin. So, it’s not a bad idea to include a toner for an extra boost of hydration while on tretinoin.

Here are the best soothing toners to use with tretinoin:

Cetaphil – Healthy Radiance Refresh Toner

Cetaphil – Healthy Radiance Refresh Toner – The Skincare Culture

Best for all skin types.

Cetaphil’s Healthy Radiance Refresh Toner is a lightweight toner that instantly revitalizes the skin and makes it softer, smoother, and brighter-looking.

It contains brightening and soothing ingredients such as niacinamide, anhydroxylitol, and xylitol, which are sugar-derived molecules that are excellent for moisturizing and softening the skin.

Sadly, the Healthy Radiance Refresh Toner isn’t available in the US, but it’s easily found throughout pharmacies in Europe and other parts of the world.

SoonJung – pH 5.5 Relief Toner

SoonJung – pH 5.5 Relief Toner – The Skincare Culture

Best for dry skin.

The SoonJung pH 5.5 Relief Toner is a lightweight toner that has a low pH of 5.5 to keep skin balanced and hydrated throughout the day.

Free of potential irritants such as fragrance and alcohol, the toner contains soothing and hydrating ingredients such as barrier-strengthening panthenol, moisturizing madecassoside, and soothing chamomile extract.

KLAIRS – Daily Skin Hydrating Water – $28

KLAIRS – Daily Skin Hydrating Water - The Skincare Culture

Best for sensitive skin.

The Daily Skin Hydrating Water by KLAIRS is a very lightweight, hydrating toner that instantly soothes angry and irritated skin.

It contains calming and soothing ingredients such as chamomile leaf, hydrating glycerin, soothing and repairing panthenol, and calendula flower extract, which is a non-fragrant antioxidant with redness-reducing properties.

Best Serums To Use With Tretinoin

A nourishing serum is an excellent addition to your skincare regimen when starting tretinoin, as it can help hydrate the skin and ease some of the initial discomforts.

However, when using a hydrating serum, always apply it before tretinoin and follow up with a thin layer of moisturizer to create a barrier between the skin and the active ingredient.

This is because hydrating serums work best when applied to damp skin. Tretinoin, on the other hand, should only be applied to dry skin to prevent irritation.

Therefore, if you wait for your serum to fully dry out so that you can apply tretinoin over it, you will diminish the efficacy of your serum and potentially dehydrate your skin.

On the other hand, if you apply tretinoin while your skin is still damp from your serum, you are increasing your skin’s permeability and, therefore, getting an even more potent dose of tretinoin, which can lead to irritation.

This is why you should apply a thin layer of moisturizer to create a barrier between the two products and get the most out of both without potential irritation and discomfort.

That said, here are the best hydrating and soothing serums to use with tretinoin:

Paula’s Choice – CALM Repairing Serum

Best for sensitive skin.

The Paula’s Choice Repairing Serum from the CALM line is a lightweight and straightforward serum that contains a high concentration of barrier-repairing components, including ceramides, hydrating hyaluronic acid, brightening licorice extract, and Beta-Glucan to soothe and hydrate sensitive, irritated, and dry skin.

Besides its main active ingredient, the serum also contains feverfew extract, which is a component that helps improve the appearance of facial redness and has potent antioxidant properties that help repair cellular damage.

All in all, this serum has a simple and effective formula and is loaded with components that will help soothe damaged skin barrier as a result of tretinoin use.

CeraVe – Hyaluronic Acid Serum

CeraVe – Hyaluronic Acid Serum – The Skincare Culture

Best for dry skin.

The CeraVe Hyaluronic Acid Serum is another great product for dry, dehydrated, sensitive, and irritated skin due to its ability to hydrate, soothe, calm, and support a strong and healthy skin barrier.

Its main ingredient – hyaluronic acid – along with glycerin, are great humectants that attract and retain moisture in the skin to make it look plump and healthy.

Besides that, the serum contains CeraVe’s signature three essential ceramides, which work to strengthen the skin’s protective barrier.

Lastly, the formula also contains panthenol, which is a B5 vitamin with soothing and healing properties that help irritated or compromised skin repair and heal.

Sounds perfect for skin that’s getting used to the tretinoin ickies.

Medik8 – Hydr8 B5 Intense

Medik8 – Hydr8 B5 Intense – The Skincare Culture

Best for all skin types.

The Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense is the supercharged version of Medik8 regular B5 serum, and while there’s also a slight price difference, I prefer the Intense version for those who are dealing with excessive dryness and irritation while starting tretinoin.

The Hydr8 Intense is slightly thicker, has a silkier consistency, and contains ultra-hydrating ingredients such as multiweight hyaluronic acid, soothing panthenol, moisturizing allantoin, and Saskatoon Berry, a Canadian-native plant containing wonder antioxidants called anthocyanins.

Saskatoon Berry is also a superior hydrator as it helps to block the enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid, leaving a reservoir of hyaluronic acid within the upper levels of the skin.

Best Moisturizers To Use With Tretinoin

Moisturizer is an absolute must while on tretinoin, as this is the product that’s responsible for strengthening your skin barrier and preventing long-term skin damage.

Here are the best moisturizers to use with tretinoin that will soothe and soften the skin:

La Roche Posay – Cicaplast Baume B5

La Roche Posay – Cicaplast Baume B5

Best for all skin types.

The Cicaplast Baume B5 by La Roche Posay is a product that delivers immediate relief within seconds of applying it to dry, sensitive, and skin irritated by tretinoin.

It’s a thick balm that contains many soothing, repairing, and moisturizing ingredients, including softening shea butter, hydrating glycerin, soothing and repairing panthenol, nourishing magnesium, anti-inflammatory zinc, as well as Madecassoside, which is one of the four main compounds in the plant extract Centella Asiatica, an incredibly soothing and repairing agent that helps strengthen the skin barrier.

Embryolisse – Lait Creme Sensitive

Embryolisse – Lait Creme Sensitive - The Skincare Culture

Best for sensitive skin.

Embryolisse’s Lait-Creme Sensitive is a deeply moisturizing and nourishing cream developed for irritated and sensitive skin, which makes it a perfect moisturizer for when on tretinoin.

The soothing cream is fragrance-free and rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins that provide the skin with nutrients and protect it from pathogenic aggressors while helping it retain moisture and a healthy barrier.

Besides that, there are also soothing aloe vera and moisturizing shea butter and beeswax in the formula, making it a thick, nourishing product suitable for dry, mature, sensitive, and irritated skin.

Paula’s Choice – Omega+ Complex Moisturizer – $36

Paula's Choice – Omega+ Complex Moisturizer – The Skincare Culture

Best for dry skin.

Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Moisturizer is a silky smooth cream formulated with ingredients that aim to restore dehydrated skin and strengthen the skin barrier.

The Omega Complex Moisturizer contains ingredients such as Omegas 3, 6, and 9, which act as building blocks in the skin cells and strengthen the skin barrier.

Additionally, anti-inflammatory passion fruit and guava extracts work to soothe the skin and relieve irritation caused by excessive tretinoin peeling.

RELATED: Best Paula's Choice Products For Acne-Prone Skin.

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