Skin Care Tip: Ease into retinoids

Many people quit using retinoids (Retin A, Tazorac, etc.) due to the peeling and red faces that often result with every night use. There are several options to ease into retinoid use.

1. Short Contact Therapy: After you have applied your tretinoin, wash it off after several minuites.

2. Buffer prior to application: Apply a moisturizer before you apply your tretinoin.

3. Buffer after application: After you apply your tretinoin, apply a moisturizer.

4. Space out your applications: You can do any of the above treatments and/or space out your tretinoin use. Even once a week will be better than not at all.

5. Always wear a high UVA/UVB sunscreen. European sunscreens with Mexoryl and Tinusorb will offer better UVA protection than American sunscreens.

I can now use Tazorac cream 0.05% every other day. I try to stick to this routine. If my face is a little red, I apply a light moisturizer about 1 hour after my Tazorac cream application.