11 replies to this topic

[Ghostrider]

I find that Retin-A seems to either over-dry my skin or even irritate it (causing a little acne). If I apply the Retin-A and then follow up with a moisturizer 2-3 hours later, my skin is not too dry the next morning and not irritated. But does the moisturizer cancel out the benefits of the Retin-A? I understand that Retin-A is supposed to repair skin damage occured throughout the day due to the sun. I don't want the moisturizer to cancel out the benefits of the retin-A and want to ensure I am applying it effectively.

[immortali457]

Should be o.k after 2 hours. Maybe not. I dont apply anything after tretinoin after what I've read here and elsewhere. I dont want to take the chance.

I've never actually read any real studies on this. Anybody have any links?

[TheFountain]

I think it takes between 1-2 hours for the tretinoin to fully absorb, so it is probably okay to apply a moisturizer at the 2 hour mark. If you are peeling then cell turnover is occurring and it is obviously working.

Admittedly I just started using this stuff 2 months ago myself but I've noticed peeling regardless of how long I wait to apply moisturizer after application. I often wait only 2 hours myself.

The only way I think moisturizer can really negate some of the effects is if you applied it prior to the retin-a.

Edited by TheFountain, 14 June 2009 - 08:24 AM.

[Ghostrider]

I think it takes between 1-2 hours for the tretinoin to fully absorb, so it is probably okay to apply a moisturizer at the 2 hour mark. If you are peeling then cell turnover is occurring and it is obviously working.

Admittedly I just started using this stuff 2 months ago myself but I've noticed peeling regardless of how long I wait to apply moisturizer after application. I often wait only 2 hours myself.

The only way I think moisturizer can really negate some of the effects is if you applied it prior to the retin-a.

Ok, I hope that's true. My skin looks better the next morning after adding the moisturizer 2-3 hours after applying the Retin-A vs. Retin-A alone.

[TheFountain]

I think it takes between 1-2 hours for the tretinoin to fully absorb, so it is probably okay to apply a moisturizer at the 2 hour mark. If you are peeling then cell turnover is occurring and it is obviously working.

Admittedly I just started using this stuff 2 months ago myself but I've noticed peeling regardless of how long I wait to apply moisturizer after application. I often wait only 2 hours myself.

The only way I think moisturizer can really negate some of the effects is if you applied it prior to the retin-a.

Ok, I hope that's true. My skin looks better the next morning after adding the moisturizer 2-3 hours after applying the Retin-A vs. Retin-A alone.

What percentage tretinoin is it? Are you peeling?

[Ghostrider]

I think it takes between 1-2 hours for the tretinoin to fully absorb, so it is probably okay to apply a moisturizer at the 2 hour mark. If you are peeling then cell turnover is occurring and it is obviously working.

Admittedly I just started using this stuff 2 months ago myself but I've noticed peeling regardless of how long I wait to apply moisturizer after application. I often wait only 2 hours myself.

The only way I think moisturizer can really negate some of the effects is if you applied it prior to the retin-a.

Ok, I hope that's true. My skin looks better the next morning after adding the moisturizer 2-3 hours after applying the Retin-A vs. Retin-A alone.

What percentage tretinoin is it? Are you peeling?

0.05%. When I don't use the moisturizer, I get peeling. I don't recall pealing w/ moisturizer added after 2 hours, but I went with a light dose of Retin-A last night. Tonight will be a better test.

[TheFountain]

I think it takes between 1-2 hours for the tretinoin to fully absorb, so it is probably okay to apply a moisturizer at the 2 hour mark. If you are peeling then cell turnover is occurring and it is obviously working.

Admittedly I just started using this stuff 2 months ago myself but I've noticed peeling regardless of how long I wait to apply moisturizer after application. I often wait only 2 hours myself.

The only way I think moisturizer can really negate some of the effects is if you applied it prior to the retin-a.

Ok, I hope that's true. My skin looks better the next morning after adding the moisturizer 2-3 hours after applying the Retin-A vs. Retin-A alone.

What percentage tretinoin is it? Are you peeling?

0.05%. When I don't use the moisturizer, I get peeling. I don't recall pealing w/ moisturizer added after 2 hours, but I went with a light dose of Retin-A last night. Tonight will be a better test.

Cell turnover is constant, it could be that you are exfoliating without noticing it, like in the shower for example. I usually experience peeling regardless of whether I apply the moisturizer the same night as the tretinoin. Are there any other dry skin symptoms you're noticing, like fake wrinkles? I had those for a couple of weeks at one point.

[Fredrik]

Applying moisturizer on top of a retinoid does not cancel out the benefits. Actually it´s recommended by both the makers of Renova (tretinoin) and Tazorac (tazarotene).

The patient material to Renova recommends waiting 1 hour after. The Tazorac website recommend applying moisturizer BEFORE the medication to buffer it or after.

One recent paper on retinoids recommend waiting 20 minutes and in the book "Cosmetic dermatology" (2009) the authors recommend waiting 30 minutes between applications if using a topical alpha hydroxy or salicylic acid preparation at the same time.

Based on that you can pick your own time frame. I apply Replenix green tea caffeine cream (constricts blood vessels and reduce UV-induced inflammation) before tazarotene and another moisturizer on top without waiting in between. With tretinoin I wait at least 20 minutes.

Edited by Fredrik, 15 June 2009 - 10:26 PM.

[goatz]

Applying moisturizer on top of a retinoid does not cancel out the benefits. Actually it´s recommended by both the makers of Renova (tretinoin) and Tazorac (tazarotene).

The patient material to Renova recommends waiting 1 hour after. The Tazorac website recommend applying moisturizer BEFORE the medication to buffer it or after.

One recent paper on retinoids recommend waiting 20 minutes and in the book "Cosmetic dermatology" (2009) the authors recommend waiting 30 minutes between applications if using a topical alpha hydroxy or salicylic acid preparation at the same time.

Based on that you can pick your own time frame. I apply Replenix green tea caffeine cream (constricts blood vessels and reduce UV-induced inflammation) before tazarotene and another moisturizer on top without waiting in between. With tretinoin I wait at least 20 minutes.

Can I ask where you are getting your Replenix from ?

[Fredrik]

Goatz: I have sent you a PM. I don´t think we´re allowed to mention commercial outlets. I´ve been guilty of doing that before. I will only mention product names here and let people google the best prices for themselves. It´s the most fair thing to do. I choose the ones with lowest shipping to europe, I have no other criteria really.

Edited by Fredrik, 17 June 2009 - 12:34 PM.

[Ghostrider]

Applying moisturizer on top of a retinoid does not cancel out the benefits. Actually it´s recommended by both the makers of Renova (tretinoin) and Tazorac (tazarotene).

The patient material to Renova recommends waiting 1 hour after. The Tazorac website recommend applying moisturizer BEFORE the medication to buffer it or after.

One recent paper on retinoids recommend waiting 20 minutes and in the book "Cosmetic dermatology" (2009) the authors recommend waiting 30 minutes between applications if using a topical alpha hydroxy or salicylic acid preparation at the same time.

Based on that you can pick your own time frame. I apply Replenix green tea caffeine cream (constricts blood vessels and reduce UV-induced inflammation) before tazarotene and another moisturizer on top without waiting in between. With tretinoin I wait at least 20 minutes.

Fredrik, I wish I had you as my dermatologist. I am amazed by how much you know about skin care.

[Fredrik]

Fredrik, I wish I had you as my dermatologist. I am amazed by how much you know about skin care.

Haha thanx. I like to stay up to date.