How often should I apply tretinoin on sensitive skin?

Question

My current skincare routine is in the morning I cleanse my skin, then I use aloe vera gel to moistrize it, then at night, I cleanse and then use tretinoin every night. My skin is starting clear up but I noticed that Im having side effects and my skin is peeling. I have combination skin and tretinoin already works well on my forehead, but the skin on my cheeks are peeling and slightly itching. I just wanna know how often should I use tretinoin and what is the correct way to use it?

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Tretinoin is a potent topical medication and it can cause skin irritation, especially in individuals with sensitive skin or those who are new to the treatment. Here's a general recommendation, If you're experiencing irritation, it might be beneficial to reduce the frequency of tretinoin application. Instead of applying it every night, you could try using it every other night or even 2-to 3 times per week. Apply a pea-sized amount of tretinoin to your entire face 20-30 minutes after washing to ensure your skin is completely dry. Consider applying a moisturizer before tretinoin to reduce irritation. Wait for the moisturizer to fully absorb into your skin (about 20 minutes) before applying tretinoin. Tretinoin can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every morning. It's normal to experience some dryness, redness, or peeling when you first start using tretinoin. Remember, tretinoin is a long-term treatment and it can take several weeks to see improvements. It's important to be patient and consistent with your application.

How often should I apply tretinoin on sensitive skin?

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