Moisturizers to Use with Tretinoin Creams for Silky Smooth Skin

When it comes to skin care, it is all about addressing skin woes without compromising on the moisture levels of the skin. That’s the secret to beautifully balanced skin. So, while you use tretinoin or a Retin-A creams, ensure to use a good moisturizer. Tretinoin has proven to be effective in treating a wide range of acne, fine lines, and fading hyperpigmentation but unfortunately, it comes with a few banes. One of the issues that arise when using a tretinoin cream is that it dries out the skin. But your sincere effort of hydrating your skin with a good quality moisturizer can come to your rescue.

When you figure out what’s the best moisturizer to use with tretinoin cream, it can help restore your skin’s natural barrier and soothe your skin by providing intense hydration. And a combination of a good tretinoin cream and moisturizer equals acne-free skin that’s well hydrated. Let us run you down through a list of the best moisturizers to use with tretinoin cream for a smooth and flake-free skin.

10 Best Moisturizers To Use With Tretinoin Creams To Soothe Your Skin

1. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream Extra-Dry

This is indeed one of the best moisturizers to use with tretinoin cream and together, they work like the Batman and Robin in terms of skin care. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, this facial moisturizer for Retin A peeling leaves dry skin smooth, supple, and super hydrated. It locks in moisture for long hours and restores skin’s natural barrier. The non-comedogenic formula of the gel- cream from this dermatologist-recommended brand absorbs quickly like gel and is suitable for any skin type. It repairs skin damage and is oil-free, dye-free, and fragrance-free.

Pros

  • Fragrance-free
  • Suitable for extra dry skin
  • Makes your skin smooth and soft
  • Non- comedogenic
  • Dermatologist-recommended
  • Oil-free and dye-free

Cons

2. CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion

While acne itself can be painful, it can be even more difficult if your Retin A treatment causes any discomfort or side effects. Hence, you need the best moisturizer to use with tretinoin cream. Add this facial moisturizer as a last step in your evening skin care routine to soothe your skin. Formulated using MVE technology with 3 essential ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid, it helps soothe and calm your skin. The lotion is one of the best products to use with Retin A as it retains your skin’s moisture and restores its natural barrier. It is a dermatologist-recommended product that is gentle on the skin and hence is suitable for dry, sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Uses MVE Technology
  • Restores skin’s natural barrier
    • Dermatologist- recommended
  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Fragrance and paraben-free
    • Non- comedogenic
  • Allergy-tested

Cons

3. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

One of the best moisturizers to use with retinol cream for all the right reasons, this can be your own personal holy grail moisturizer. It helps restore the health of your skin with its high concentration of prebiotic thermal water, ceramide-3, niacinamide, and glycerin. The oil-free moisturizer with a creamy texture moisturizes skin and locks it in for up to 48 hours! Dermatologist- recommended and allergy-tested, it is suitable for sensitive skin, and does not clog your pores. It helps restore and maintain skin’s natural barrier. With all that’s been said about this product, we’re sure you understand how it can be a perfect addition to your at-home self-care routine.

Pros

  • Fragrance and paraben-free
  • Non-comedogenic
  • Allergy-tested
  • Oil-free
  • Restores skin’s natural barrier

Cons

4. Differin Oil-Absorbing Moisturizer With Sunscreen

You need not think about robbing a bank for great skincare. Try this best moisturizer for Retin A dryness which is affordable while also being effective. Recommended by dermatologists, It comes with broad spectrum SPF 30 protection from the sun, helping you shoot two birds with one stone. Its lightweight and non-comedogenic formula utilizes micropearl technology and oleosome technology to soothe your skin, protect it from sun damage, and to absorb surface oil for a matte-finish. It provides maximum hydration to your skin and does not leave your skin greasy or sticky. Thus, this moisturizer can be a perfect addition to your self care routine.

Pros

  • Non-greasy
  • Non-comedogenic
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Fragrance-free
  • Dermatologist- recommended
  • Offers matte-finish
  • Hydrates your skin
  • Protects from harmful sun rays

Cons

5.Vichy Laboratories Aqualia Thermal Riche – Rich Moisturizer

We call this among the best moisturizers to use with retinol cream as it meets all the criteria of an exceptional moisturizer to be a part of your skin care routine, especially when you are undergoing a tretinoin treatment. It not only provides 48-hour moisturization to your dry and parched skin but also gets absorbed into the skin in no time to strengthen the skin barrier. This rich and refreshing cream contains 97% natural origin ingredients like hyaluronic acid, plant sugar, and 15 mineral-rich vichy volcanic water that soothe your skin and improve your complexion. This is a good moisturizer to use with Retin A as it also smoothes out fine lines to make your skin soft and supple while adding a natural glow.

Pros

  • Reduces fine lines
  • Offers deep moisturization
  • Rich, creamy texture
  • Strengthens skin barrier
  • Dermatologist-tested
  • Paraben-free and allergy-tested

Cons

6. Eau Thermale Avène Skin Recovery Cream

Skin irritation and redness due to tretinoin cream can make every day a challenge, but not anymore. Boost your self-confidence with this moisturizer to use with Retin A. The face moisturizer is made with minimum ingredients to provide maximum tolerance against skin irritation and redness. The ingredients include parcerine, plant squalene, glycerin, and avene thermal spring water that help calm your skin and restore its natural barrier. Recommended for irritated and hypersensitive skin, it protects and nourishes your skin by providing deep hydration. Look no further as this is your solution to soft and smooth skin.

Pros

  • Hypoallergenic
  • Non-comedogenic
  • Paraben and fragrance-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Oil and soy- free
  • Helps reduce redness and irritation

Cons

7. Simple Kind to Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturizer

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Treating acne with tretinoin cream can be expensive and hence, if you would like to cut down on the budget, you can try this moisturizer to use with retinol cream. This budget-friendly product is effective in moisturizing and nourishing your skin with its skin-loving ingredients like pro-vitamin B5, glycerin, bisabolol, and allantoin. The face moisturizer works for up to 12 hours and leaves your skin silky smooth. Cruelty-free and vegan, this non-comedogenic moisturizer is tested and approved by dermatologists even for sensitive skin. As it does not contain any harmful chemicals, it mostly does not cause any skin irritation and does not clog pores. See? not all good products need to be expensive.

Pros

  • Non-greasy
  • Suitable for sensitive skin
  • Does not clog pores
  • Brightens complexion
  • Cruelty-free and vegan
  • Dermatologist-tested
  • Hypoallergenic

Cons

8. Juice Beauty The Organic Solution SPF 30 Oil-Free Moisturizer

Sunscreen is an inevitable part of your skin care, especially if you are using a tretinoin cream as it makes your skin more photo-sensitive. So, buy one product and get 2 major benefits. This lightweight, zinc-based broad spectrum SPF 30 moisturizer provides protection from harmful rays of the sun and helps prevent early signs of aging. This is one of the best moisturizers to use with tretinoin cream as it is suitable for oily, combination, and blemish-prone skin. Formulated with organic grape and pomegranate, soothing aloe vera, vitamins, antioxidants, and nutrient rich sea alga, it hydrates your skin quickly and promotes healthy-looking skin. The hyaluronic acid present in the non- comedogenic formula helps restore skin’s moisture and natural barrier.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Helps prevent early signs of aging
  • Antioxidant-rich formula
  • Absorbs quickly into skin
  • Promotes healthy-looking skin
  • Non-comedogenic
  • Reef- friendly
  • Formulated with organic ingredients

Cons

9. COSRX Comfort Ceramide Cream

Your skin will thank you for relieving irritation and dryness when you use this K-beauty product which easily counts as one of the best moisturizers to use with retinol cream. Its buttery-smooth formula gets absorbed quickly into your skin to soothe and comfort it. The key ingredients of this good moisturizer to use with retin A that include ceramide NP, centella asiatica medical grade extract, and centella asiatica leaf water help repair your damaged skin and protect it from environmental irritants and loss of moisture. The matte balm texture does not leave your skin greasy or sticky, and can be used by anyone irrespective of their age. This cream is all the more beneficial when you use it post-breakout.

Pros

  • Repairs damaged skin
  • Improves skin elasticity
  • Maintains skin’s natural barrier
  • Promotes healthy skin
  • Rich and creamy texture

Cons

10. SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2: 4: 2 Moisturizer

Find your true beauty with this moisturizer that can be used with tretinoin cream. Its one-of-a-kind formula that contains lipids, including 2% pure ceramides, 4% natural cholesterol, and 2% fatty acids help restore skin’s natural barrier and promote natural healing of your skin. As it helps improve skin’s ability to self-repair, over a period of time, you’d notice better skin texture. The moisturizer for Retin A peeling offers intense hydration for 24 hours to your dry skin. It helps improve the appearance of fine lines and evens out your skin tone. With better skin elasticity and reduced pore size, you can flaunt your skin without any hesitation.

Pros

  • Improves skin’s ability to self-repair
  • Restores skin’s natural barrier
  • Improves texture and radiance
  • Anti-aging formula
  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Evens out skin tone
  • Helps soothe fine lines and firmness

Cons

How To Choose Moisturizer To Use With Tretinoin Cream

It is advised to avoid using moisturizers with harsh alcohols, vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, glycolic, and lactic acids while using a tretinoin cream. Gentle moisturizers and cleansers would be the best for your skin care routine. You can look for ingredients like glycerin, oat kernel extract, bisabolol, ceramides, and antioxidants as they help to soothe and hydrate your skin.

As you use a Retin-A cream, your skin will become more sensitive to sun even though you apply the cream at night. Hence, you can look for a moisturizer with SPF to protect your skin from sunburn and save the efforts of your Retin-A cream.

While you pick a moisturizer, look for hypoallergenic ones if you have sensitive skin as it tends to prevent any allergic reactions. Hypoallergenic products are mostly free of common allergens. And if you are on a Retin-A cream for your acne-prone skin, you should check if the formula is non-comedogenic so that it does not clog your pores and makes your breakouts worse.

Now that you have learnt how to pick a moisturizer to use along with your Retin- A cream, let’s look at how to use one.

How To Use Moisturizer To Use With Tretinoin Cream

Step 1- Wait for at least 20 minutes after you apply the tretinoin cream.

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Step 2- Apply your moisturizer, but avoid applying too much or too little of it at once.

Step 3- If you are leaving the tretinoin cream overnight, wash it off in the morning with a gentle cleanser.

Step 4- After cleansing, apply the moisturizer, preferably, a water-based one.

Retin-A can damage your skin’s barrier and dehydrate it. So, you need the best moisturizer to use with tretinoin cream to repair the skin’s barrier and provide deep moisturization. It is recommended that you use gentle moisturizer and no harsh products while you are on tretinoin treatment for your acne. Moisturizer can help you a great deal with post breakout skin care by reducing inflammation, redness, irritation while caring for your skin when you’re using a tretinoin cream. We hope our list of the best moisturizers that go well with tretinoin helps you pick the right product!

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you apply Retin-A?

When you start using it, it is generally advised that you apply Retin-A every other night or every third night. As your skin starts adjusting to it, you can apply more frequently.

Can you leave tretinoin cream on overnight?

You may leave the cream on overnight and wash it off with a gentle cleanser in the morning so that it does not cause any problem with any other topical products you use during the day.

How to prevent dry skin when using tretinoin?

If your skin dries when you use tretinoin, you may use a moisturizer that is free of potential irritants.

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