Overdid Tretinoin or Retinol? How to Heal Your Skin Barrier, by Dr. Shereene Idriss on YouTube. 1 min 35 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 35 s
- Time to do it
- 1 to 2 weeks
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Stop using your tretinoin or retinol right away. Do not push through the redness or peeling, and do not apply more to speed things up.
Cut all other actives for now. Pause acids like glycolic or salicylic acid, vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide and exfoliating scrubs.
Wash with a gentle, non-foaming cleanser and lukewarm water. Skip cleansing in the morning if your skin feels tight.
Pat your face dry and apply a plain, fragrance-free moisturizer while the skin is still slightly damp.
Try face basting at night. Spread a thin layer of zinc oxide cream over the irritated areas to seal in moisture and calm the skin.
Keep the routine to cleanse, moisturize and protect until redness and peeling settle, usually one to two weeks.
Wear sunscreen every day. Irritated skin burns more easily, so use a gentle formula and reapply when you are outside.
Restart the retinoid slowly once your skin feels normal. Use a pea-sized amount two nights a week and build up from there.
Tips and common mistakes
A retinoid does not need to sting or peel to work, so stop at the first sign of real irritation.
Apply moisturizer before your retinoid if your skin is sensitive, since it buffers the effect.
Avoid hot showers, scrubs and strong fragrances while the barrier heals.
See a dermatologist if the burning, swelling or peeling does not improve after a week or two.
Questions
How long should I stop tretinoin or retinol?
Pause it until redness and peeling clear, usually one to two weeks. Then restart at a lower frequency, such as twice a week.
What is face basting?
It means applying a thick layer of zinc oxide cream over your moisturizer at night to soothe and protect irritated skin. Wash it off in the morning.
Can I use vitamin C or acids while my barrier heals?
No. Leave out all actives until your skin feels calm, then add them back one at a time.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
