G
about 2 months ago
Layering question(s)
I have started tretonoin. I use it twice a week so far. The day after I use it my skin is a little sensitive. Regarding serums, what can be used before the tretinoin? I just got the Cosrx The 6 Peptide serum, and I also have Dr Re-Ju All copper peptide. Not exactly sure when to use which! I figured one in morning and one in evening? Please help! 🙏
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Comments (6)
I am using Tazarotene and tried using actives with it as well, but to be honest I switched to hydration, hydration, hydration until my skin is totally used to a retinoid. If your skin is sensitive after using Tretinoin, I would also first focus on calming and hydrating your skin until it tolerates Tretinoin well. Maybe that's just me being overly cautious though :) I am using the Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner and the Hado Labo lotion with the Zeroid Soothing cream right now on days when I use a retinoid and my skin is way happier
@mabrina my skin is normal to slightly dry and I live in South Texas (so hot and humid). It's only the day after using tret that it gets a little sensitive and only for that day. I do the sandwich method with the tret. Have only been on it a month now. Was wondering about layering serum before the tret or if should just stick with sandwich method and don't worry about serum. Glad your skin is happy now!
I don't think it would hurt to try using Tretinoin after one of your serums. The actives in your serums won't interfere with its effectiveness. IMO, try it, see if it works for you!
@Gabking1217 I agree with the other comment, both should be fine, either before or after Tretinoin. Maybe your skin is a bit stressed by the climate in Texas as well, at least it was that way for me this summer, I was sweating buckets and my skin did NOT like it 🥲. I always wait around 20 minutes after using Tazarotene before I use any serum, to not make the retinoid even more potent (my dry skin can only handle so much :D). Hope your skin calms down soon, the effect of a retinoid is amazing, but the first few months are rough 😮💨
Hi @Gabking1217 :) I am using Altreno 5 nights a week and I use my copper peptide serum every morning under my moisturizer and SPF. I treat it as my antioxidant as my skin doesn't tolerate vitamin C. I haven't had any problems with this for now. I make sure I focus on tret in my night routine and adding a lot of hydrating layers after Altreno, sometimes with thick barrier cream even vaseline in extra dry spots on my face. Hope this helps a little:)
Hi! As all the others already pointed out, hydration is definitely the right focus! Make sure your skin is 100% dry before applying your tretinoin. If you apply tretinoin over damp skin or a wet serum layer, the water creates channels that dramatically accelerate penetration, causing that next-day irritation and sensitivity. If you do sandwich with a light moisturizer/hydrating toner underneath, wait a full 10–15 minutes until it is completely dry to the touch before applying your pea-sized tretinoin. That said, I'll keep your Copper Peptide in the morning and the evening with tretinoin very simple! 💫❤️