Retin-A acne gel is burning my face.
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Jun 11, 2014
Jenna L.
I started using this only a few days ago, every second day and it's like making my skin peel.
What kind of moisturizer should I use?
Keep in mind I get really oily skin.
Jun 11, 2014
Lynzie B.
I'd stop using it if it's burning or at least wait a longer period between usage. I've read some people can't withstand retin a. It don't bother my skin that much unless it's near my under eye circles for lack of better words.
Jun 11, 2014
Roz X.
You should be using it very sparingly. I'd be sure to use a full spectrum sunscreen (CeraVe) with an SPF of 30-50 and zinc oxide as an active ingredient to prevent further irritation or possible burning. I'd also use a hydrating face wash like Cetaphil or CeraVe in conjunction with their moisturizer.
Jun 11, 2014
Roz X.
Peeling is normal for many people. Burning is not...unless the title is hyperbolic and you are instead dealing with irritation and/or redness. If burning, I'd call my doc. Irritation/redness, I'd skip another day and invest in the products recommended previously. Hope that helps!
Jun 11, 2014
Marleen B.
Whenever starting with retinols or retin A, you must start slowly. Use the smallest, thinnest application you can get away with. Wait at least 30 mins after cleansing to apply it. And don't use it everyday. Start off every 3 days or so, so your skin can get acclimated to it. And don't use any products with acid it on the same day as the retin a. And always wear sunscreen during the day. I've been using Retin-a for 15 years and had to learn all this the hard way.
Jun 11, 2014
Roz X.
^^ excellent advice.
Jun 11, 2014
Caitlin M.
I'm with Rozberry. It shouldn't be burning. Mine can make my skin very dry but never did it burn. Start even slower if you have to and definitely use it sparingly. One time it did leave quite an awful dry patch that wouldn't go away so I did a banana oatmeal mask and it cleared it up. That is literally the only diy mask I will ever recommend lol. But I love cerave products so I second that as well
Jun 12, 2014
Marleen B.
As I mentioned before, I have made all the possible mistakes you can make with retin-A. I have had red, hot, peely, burned, swollen, even blistery skin, all from using too much, using it too often, using it at the same time as other actives, putting it too close to my eyes, nose & mouth (which are areas you should keep retin-a away from at least at first). These are all common adverse reactions to misuse. Mostly everyone goes through this, because they treat Retin-A like a moisterizer and slather it allover their face which wil result in painful results.
Jun 12, 2014
Erin W.
Retin-A is the best and worst thing ever!! I have incredibly sensitive skin at baseline and I'm using it to treat my rosacea. Firstly, only use it at night. The retinoids are deactivated by UV light and lead to increased irritation. Secondly, definitely wait 15-30 min or more after washing/moisturizing. If your skin is at all damp (even if it isn't damp to touch), you'll have way more irritation.
Per the derms, you have to use it at least every 3rd night. If you space it further than that, your skin doesn't adapt and it's as though you're starting from scratch. Start using every 3rd night for maybe 2 weeks or so. Slowly increase until you're able to tolerate it nightly (some people can't use it nightly and that's cool too. Even every other day works!).
Your cleansers have to be super mild. Absolutely NO additional glycolic acids or AHAs in your cleansers or moisturizers/serums. Right now I'm using Purpose cleanser, but I'm waiting on a glycerin-based zinc bar to come in the mail. Try to avoid cleansers with sodium laurel sulfate (which my Purpose has, booooo). You absolutely MUST use a sunscreen daily, preferably a zinc or titanium based (less irritating). Your skin will be extremely photosensitive.
Unfortunately, irritation and mild peeling is a common and expected side effect of retin-a. If it's extreme, talk to your doc. You may need a less concentrated form. I use 0.05% but I've seen 0.025% and 0.1%. If used correctly, you will see AMAZING results! My skin is so much less red, which is a rosacea miracle! Plus there are studies that show that use do retin-a decrease instances of skin cancer! Good luck!
Jun 12, 2014
Erin W.
Also, I noticed that my skin, which is dry at baseline, became more oily for the first week or so. I think it was my skin's defense mechanism to the drying effects of retin-a.
Be judicious about how much you use. No more than a pea-sized dollop for your whole face.
As far as moisturizers, I love CeraVe. There is an AM version (with SPF) and a PM version. I use the PM version for both day and night because the chemical sunscreen is very irritating to my skin.