Can I use a retinol in the morning if I’m using tretinoin every night?

Question

I have currently been using 0.1% of tretinoin everyday for the past three years. Can I incorporate a retinol moisturizer in my morning routine? Specially Dr. Brandt’s glow Ruby Crystal Retinol Hydracreme. How can I also get rid of excessive oiliness and dry patches?

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Two point to make, 1) Adding a retinol in the morning should be done gradually because you are nearly doubling your vitamin A dose to your face. To prevent intense side effects of redness and peeling, you should incorporate the morning retinol gradually, starting every couple days to every other day, to once daily. And 2) You can use Retinol in the morning, but it is so important to apply an SPF (30 minimum) sunscreen daily because of it's ability to make the skin sensitive to sunlight. Topical creams, such as sunscreen, should be applied at least one hour after applying Retinol, and then you should allow another 20 minutes for sunscreen to set. While this extra step isn't mandatory, it is essential for preventative aging. Now for the Dr. Brandt's glow Ruby Crystal Retinol Hydracreme, the label says it is important to apply UV protection for the skin. This is where the product becomes counter-productive. When you apply a sunscreen over this Dr. Brandt cream, you are applying over the 'glow' of the product. If you are seeking 'glowing' skin, there are other products out there. My aestheticians personally like Rosehip Oil because it naturally tones skin color and adds glow to the skin, without risk of skin sensitivities. In regards to oily and dry patches of skin, you can use a Hyaluronic Acid serum to maintenance the hydration of the skin. My tip with these products is to dampen the face with a little water before application. This topical also pairs well with retinols or tretinoin, which you can ideally apply (at 1 hour) after your tretinoin night cream. Best, Dr. Anil Shah

Larissa Miller, MD · Answer

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Laura Riehm, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.  Retinol is broken down by exposure to the sun.  For that reason, we only recommend using it at night.  Otherwise, you are just wasting your money.  Best of luck.

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