Can You Use Tretinoin with Other Skincare Ingredients? What to Avoid & What Works
Can You Use Tretinoin with Other Skincare Ingredients?
Tretinoin is powerful — but that also means it doesn’t always play well with other active ingredients. Using the wrong products alongside it can lead to irritation, dryness, or reduced effectiveness. Here’s a quick guide to what pairs well with tretinoin, and what doesn’t.
✅ Ingredients That Work Well with Tretinoin
Moisturizers (ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin): Help hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier.
Sunscreen (SPF 30+): Protects skin from sun sensitivity caused by tretinoin.
Niacinamide: Calms redness and supports skin barrier function.
Peptides: Gentle, anti-aging support that complements tretinoin.
⚠️ Ingredients to Use with Caution
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid): Can be used, but best applied in the morning, while tretinoin is used at night.
Exfoliating acids (AHAs, BHAs, glycolic acid, salicylic acid): May cause extra dryness if used together — introduce slowly.
❌ Ingredients to Avoid Mixing with Tretinoin
Benzoyl Peroxide: Can deactivate tretinoin if layered together. If prescribed both, use at different times of day.
Harsh scrubs: Increase irritation and peeling.
Multiple strong actives at once: Leads to over-exfoliation and barrier damage.
How to Safely Combine Products
Use tretinoin at night and pair with a simple moisturizer.
In the morning, apply vitamin C (if tolerated), moisturizer, and sunscreen.
Introduce one new product at a time to see how your skin reacts.
✅ Takeaway: Tretinoin works best in a simple routine. Pair it with hydrating products and sunscreen, while avoiding harsh or competing actives that can irritate your skin.
