I think I've been using my Tretinoin incorrectly.
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Thu Mar 07, 2013 3:16 am

Feel like such an idiot. Embarassed

I've been using Tretinoin since August, phasing it in gently, started with once every four days and building up from there. Am currently using 0.05% three days on, one day off. I apply at night and use Environ AVST every morning and night. Over the last week my skin has suddenly become VERY red and dry. At first I put it down to my C serum. I make a 5% solution and apply every three days in the evening. I now think it's something to do with my Tretinoin because even though I haven't used the serum in four days my skin has been getting progressively worse.

I ran a couple of searches on the forum and found lots of posters talking about how long they wait before applying a moisturiser over their Tretinoin. It occurred to me that this week I haven't been adding a moisturiser over the top because I couldn't be bothered and didn't give it a second thought. More to the point, I don't usually wait before applying my moisturiser and posts I've read here discuss the possibility of adding a moisturiser too soon after Tretinoin might decrease the potency of the Tretinoin. I now wonder if the fact I stopped applying a moisturiser afterwards meant that my skin was suddenly getting a supercharged dose of the Tretinoin.

There have been no other changes to my routine, diet, environment or sudden stress etc. I'm not ill. I feel sure this is to do with my skincare regimen. What do you think of my theory? If you have any other ideas I would love to hear them! I didn't use my Tretinoin last night and plan to give my skin a break for a few days until the redness clears up. I'll baby my skin with lots of AVST and coconut oil in the meantime.

free skin care · Thu Mar 07, 2013 4:12 am

There are many here who do not advocate applying a moisturiser over the top of Retin-A - so you certainly haven't done anything "wrong". I like apply an oil after a wait period of 30 minutes, so you could try that.

free skin care · Thu Mar 07, 2013 5:50 am

I don't know if its winter where you live, but your skin will become more sensitive and dry from Retin A in the winter. It might be better to apply it every other night to give yourself some recovery time, rather than "3 days on then one day off." I didn't know there was a "wait time" between Retin A application and moisturizer. I used to be an outspoken propenent of "straight up Retin A" but this forum convinced me that moisturizer with it, IS ok, however I only dilute it in the winter, and go back to "straight up" in the warmer months when my skin can better tolerate it. Also, your Vit C serum is best applied in the morning since it gives you added UV protection.

Thu Mar 07, 2013 6:38 am

mountaingirl wrote:

I don't know if its winter where you live, but your skin will become more sensitive and dry from Retin A in the winter. It might be better to apply it every other night to give yourself some recovery time, rather than "3 days on then one day off." I didn't know there was a "wait time" between Retin A application and moisturizer. I used to be an outspoken propenent of "straight up Retin A" but this forum convinced me that moisturizer with it, IS ok, however I only dilute it in the winter, and go back to "straight up" in the warmer months when my skin can better tolerate it. Also, your Vit C serum is best applied in the morning since it gives you added UV protection.

I was applying my C serum at night because I'd read somewhere here that the homemade serums can react in sunlight and darken on the skin if applied in the morning. I used to use a C preparation by Environ in the morning and had no problems at all with that, but my homemade "serum" is just C, water and a tiny bit of glycerin to make it easier to apply.

Thanks both of you for your replies. I guess my real question is whether the contrast between Ret + moisturiser -v- Ret alone is causing the problem, i.e. does applying moisturiser right after the Ret somehow lessen the impact of the Ret on the skin.

Does that make sense?

free skin care · Thu Mar 07, 2013 6:58 am

I've never heard that Vit C can darken the skin when exposed to sunlight. Actually, its quite the opposite, and will actually protect you from sun-damage/ skin discoloration. I don't think that your skin is reddened and irritated from the timing of the moisturizer, but more likely it is just overkill from the Retin A or from the type of moisturizer you are using? What is it? I personally believe that using Retin A alone, undiluted, will yield the best results in the longterm, (but may cause more irritation during the process.)

Thu Mar 07, 2013 8:00 am

My moisturiser is Environ AVST 4, I'm really happy with it. I was using it long before I started with the Tretinoin so I think we can safely disregard the AVST.

Thank you for your input, I'll follow your advice and apply the Tretinoin a little less frequently. I think I'll still take a couple of days off to give my skin a chance to calm down and then go back to applying it every other day to see how that goes.

free skin care · Thu Mar 07, 2013 5:01 pm

ubar wrote:

My moisturiser is Environ AVST 4, I'm really happy with it. I was using it long before I started with the Tretinoin so I think we can safely disregard the AVST.

Thank you for your input, I'll follow your advice and apply the Tretinoin a little less frequently. I think I'll still take a couple of days off to give my skin a chance to calm down and then go back to applying it every other day to see how that goes.

The AVST 4 has high doses of A in it already, so you may be having a problem combing that with the tretinoin. I would use the AVST 4 in the morning only and if you need a moisturizer at night, I would use something plain with no actives in it.

free skin care · Thu Mar 07, 2013 9:36 pm

i would recommend an OTC cortisone cream for ONLY a couple of days , it works like a miracle for retin A redness & itching and pls dont use Retin A until ur skin is back to normal....

free skin care · Sat Mar 09, 2013 12:43 am

Honestly I don't know where the whole idea about using moisturiser over Retin a has come from but I have certainly never been told to do that by a medical professional. I really don't think it is necessary although I would welcome any medical literature indicating otherwise.

As far as I know you should put only Retin a on in the evening and then moisturise etc. in the morning. This, for me at least, is quite sufficient. You also don't want to be bombarding your skin with too many cosmetics. Retin a using aside, standard skincare advice is not to wear a moisturiser at night because the skin needs a break and you risk messing up the skins natural moisturising capabilities.

Another thought about the cause of the dryness: How much Tretinoin have you been putting on at night? You really only need a pea size amount for each side of the face. Any more than that can definitely cause red and raw skin.

Sat Mar 09, 2013 1:28 am

I apply in this order:

BHA or AHA
Hydroquinone
Retin-A or Differin
Antioxidant serum or retinol serum
Mosturiser

I don't wait between applications. Works for me Smile

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