How to apply topical retinoid, tips from dermatologist | Dr. Jenny Liu

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jenny Liu shares her tips for applying prescription tretinoin. These tips can also be used for adapalene and OTC retinol.
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Which retinoid should you use: types and percentages

Tips for Tolerating retinoids:

Retinoids for Sensitive skin:

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00:00 Intro
01:10: Benefits and side effects of topical retinoids
02:28 Tips for starting topical retinoids
04:40 Proper amount to use
05:55 How to apply topical retinoid
07:07 Traditional method
09:18 Sandwich method

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DISCLAIMER: The information in this video is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician. Also, product links may be affiliate links. Affiliate links support my YouTube channel so I can continue to create videos for you.

[kr]

I love using a light layer Zeriod Urea 5% cream under my tretinoin! It has the perfect texture + soothing ingredients. Tretinoin rarely causes any irritation now.

[mnlsls]

You’re the only dermatologist who taught me how to apply tretinoin as an oily skin person☺️ That’s why I noticed when I leave my skin like a glazed donut due to sandwich method, my face still has the rough texture. But when I started to damp gently my skin with a tissue after the sandwich method to lessen the oiliness before I go to bed, my face started to feel smoother🥰 I must now try the traditional method, since I’m already using tretinoin for 2 months~ now and I apply it every other night and I barely had any irritation. Hope it works on me🥰

[paulachristie]

I am fair and have dry sensitive skin. I use Tretinoin for anti aging. I tried a couple times to acclimate to Tretinoin before I was successful. Using moisturizer first was the answer for me. I have found the sweet spot for me is six nights a week. I still have to apply moisturizer first, let it dry, then apply Tretinoin. Lately I've been using Elf Holy Hydration and I like it.

[db-gbxi]

I hadn't heard about the determining between straight application and the sandwich method being based on skin type. That was interesting to hear.

[katiedemski]

14:02 I’m about three weeks into my Tret journey (third time I’ve tried, this time I think I came at it right)
For the first moisturizer I’ve been really liking a light layer of the CosRX All in one cream or the Plum Plump from Glow Recipe ❤

[DallasNatureLover]

So far the moisturizer I like most to use after tretinoin is the Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream. It’s so rich I have to be careful to not put too much on. And it costs only about $16 for 1.7 ounces which is very reasonable compared to other night creams.

[MsLoriKessler]

I’m currently dealing with minor peeling from tretinoin and this video came at the perfect time! I added my a.m. moisturizer (Purito oat-in calming gel cream) as my first sandwich layer, and used my regular nighttime moisturizer (aestura ato barrier 365 cream) to finish up.

[whitneybrown]

This is Gonna b so Helpful🔥🔥🔥👍n Happy Sunday😀….

[DallasNatureLover]

Thanks for putting all the important science about tretinoin in one video. I will be able to send people links to this video.

[gyang]

This was very helpful!! Thank you so much!! ❤

[liz]

Can you start recommending creams without Niacinamide, please? I’m very allergic to it.

[susanmcf]

I use Paula's Choice Resist Intensive Repair Cream under tretinoin nightly to prevent flaking.

[priyad]

Great tips Dr. Liu!

I started with retinoid directly just because I was using retinoid for a year before my pregnancy and restarting around 2 years postpartum. I was so wrong.. so I took a break and started with retinol for a month starting slowly like 1-2 times a week and now I am trying avene retinal everyday. It seems to be much more accepting for my skin.

My only question is, plan to get back on prescription retinoid (0.025 cream base) in couple of months. When I do that, do I start from scratch again going with 1-2 times a week? Does starting retinoid after retinol/retinal set me back? I am starting to feel retinol/ retinal I am not seeing much difference lately but I am able to tolerate the irritation better

[christinaeilers]

I use a Cerave night lotion with niacinamide, I put that on the top area of my face(cheeks, nose, forehead). Then Avene retinaldehyde balm from the cheekbones down to my neck. I then top off the rest of my face with Avene Retinaldehyde cream, it comes in a pump. I've tried Effeclar but find it too strong.

[catsandbatswithhats]

Hi Dr Liu! Do you have a video on OTC retinol products in increasing strength? I just started on my retinol usage journey while my mom has been using hers for awhile and wants to increase her percentage. We'd love to know what you recommend for increasing to different stages.

[LollaMostert]

Good afternoon, Dr. I hope you are well. What routine or products would you recommend for someone with combination skin when they aer in their early 20s?

[cathyjohnson]

Can we use the traditional or sandwich method with tretinoin microsphere gel? I heard you should not layer anything under or over the microsphere gel.

[claritanovelo]

Hi Dr. Jenny thank you for always bringing such great videos. I have a question regarding Skin better science Alpharet. Is it okay to use either the intensive or regular Alpharet nightly? If one’s skin tolerates it, is it safe as they include high percentages of glycolic acid. Would it cause over exfoliation? Also how does Alpharet compare to tretinoin?

[OliaKonJo]

Instree cream didn't work well for me for morning routine. It tends to dry and flake. I noticed that with all HA products. HA doesn't work on my face

[Njkk-user]

Hi Dr. Liu, how long do you have to wait in between applying each layer of the the moisturizer and Tretinoin sandwich method for dry skin? Is it 20 minutes wait time for each layer? Thank you for all the useful information.