Can I Apply Moisturizer After Applying Retin-A-Micro .04% ?

When on Retin A, we advise patients to use Elevase Moisture Booster at least once daily to moisturize the skin. Elevase contains powerful Opti-Ceramides. Best, Dr. Karamanoukian Los Angeles

In our office, we routinely prescribe retinoids to our patients as we believe that it is one of the best products out there to keep the skin healthy and radiant. We recommend that patients mix the retinoid with Elevase Moisture Booster. It contains Opti-Ceramides to deeply hydrate the skin of all skin types. 

As topical retinoids can initially cause dryness and scaling of the skin, many patients can incorporate a moisturizer into their skin care regimen to minimize these effects.  The efficacy of the retinoid should not be diminished and it allows the patient to continue using the retinoid as the skin usually develops tolerance to the irritation.

Moisturizer can be applied before or after the application of retin-a micro.  I frequently will even suggest the product be mixed with a bland moisturizer such as cetaphil, then applied, to reduce the potential for irritation/redness/peeling.

I recommend using a very thin layer of Retin A on the sundamged area at bedtime, which can be combined with a moisturized to reduce the inherent drying effect as needed. I also recommend taper the Retin A to every other or every third night if the side effects are to much. Also, used Retin A only 9 months, non summer months, this gives your skin a break and reduces the thinning and capillary appearance that can develop by over using Retin A. Remember, too much of a good thing can be bad.