Tretinoin is a powerhouse skincare ingredient, loved for its ability to treat acne, improve skin texture, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. However, many people struggle to use it correctly, leading to irritation, breakouts, and frustration. If you’ve tried tretinoin (or any retinoid) and experienced unwanted side effects or lackluster results, you might be making one of these common mistakes.
Let’s dive into the top five mistakes and how to fix them so you can get the most out of your tretinoin routine!
1. Stopping When You Experience Skin Purging
One of the biggest mistakes people make when starting tretinoin is quitting too soon because of skin purging. Purging happens when tretinoin accelerates skin cell turnover, pushing underlying acne to the surface faster than usual. This can make your skin appear worse before it gets better, leading many to believe that tretinoin isn’t working or is causing a bad reaction.
How to Fix It:
- Be patient! Purging is temporary and can last anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks.
- Understand the difference between purging and irritation. Purging will look like your usual acne but more widespread. On the other hand, irritation from tretinoin presents as redness, stinging, and dry patches.
- Don’t start tretinoin right before a big event. Give yourself time to adjust.
2. Using Too Much Product
More isn’t always better—especially with tretinoin. Applying too much can lead to excessive dryness, peeling, and irritation.
How to Fix It:
- Stick to a pea-sized amount for your entire face. If you’re unsure what that looks like, use less than you think you need.
- Apply a thin, even layer—tretinoin is a treatment, not a moisturizer.
- If your skin feels tight and uncomfortable, use the sandwich method (moisturizer before and after application) to buffer its effects.
3. Using It Every Night Right Away
Tretinoin is powerful, and your skin needs time to adjust. Jumping into daily use too soon can cause excessive irritation, making you more likely to give up on it.
How to Fix It:
- Start slow: Begin with once or twice a week and gradually increase frequency as your skin builds tolerance.
- Listen to your skin: If you experience excessive dryness or irritation, cut back on application days.
- Aim for 4-5 nights a week for long-term benefits—daily use isn’t necessary for most people.
4. Spot Treating Instead of Applying Evenly
Tretinoin is not a spot treatment. It works best when applied consistently across the entire face to prevent future breakouts and improve overall skin texture.
How to Fix It:
- Apply a thin layer over your entire face, not just on problem areas.
- Avoid sensitive areas like the corners of the mouth, eyes, and nostrils to prevent excessive irritation.
- If you experience dryness, buffer with moisturizer before and after application.
5. Layering It with Other Active Ingredients
Tretinoin is powerful enough on its own—mixing it with other active ingredients like acids and strong exfoliants can lead to irritation, redness, and peeling.
How to Fix It:
- Keep your routine simple: Cleanser, tretinoin, and moisturizer.
- Avoid using AHAs, BHAs, benzoyl peroxide, and vitamin C at the same time as tretinoin.
- If you want to use other actives, alternate nights or apply them in the morning instead.
Have you struggled with tretinoin before? Let me know your experience in the comments! And if you found this article helpful, be sure to share it with someone who might need it. 😊
