Is It Okay to Use a AHA Moisturizer While Using Tazorac 0.1% Cream?

AHA moisturizers may be a little too drying when on Tazorac or Retin A. In our office, we recommend Elevase Moisture Booster for those patients on Retin A.  Elevase contains Opti-Ceramides. Best, Dr. Karamanoukian Los Angeles

Everyone's skin tolerance is different.  Some patients can tolerate both Tazorac and AHAs, while some cannot tolerate either alone.  Since both Tazorac and AHAs can cause irritation, I would not start both of them together.  I would recommend beginning with Tazorac for 2-4 weeks before adding an AHA or vice versa. 

The combination of an AHA moisturizer with Tazorac 0.1% cream can be very irritating, possibly even causing a dermatitis (inflamed skin appearing red and flaky).   That being said, it is possible and safe to use both together so long as your skin can handle them both.  You may need to decrease the frequency of each or use them on alternating days.  You can start with just one and let your skin get used to it, and then slowly introduce the other. Tazorac should always be applied at night as it is photo-sensitizing.  Make sure to hydrate the skin routinely with a good moisturizer (with an SPF during the day!).  Hope this helps!