5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting Tretinoin

Tretinoin has been used topically for decades but with about 550 million TikTok views and counting, it’s still one of the buzziest skincare ingredients around. Anti-Aging treatments formulated with 1% tretinoin are taking the world by storm due to their ability to actually make the skin younger! But there’s still a lot of confusion and misinformation out there about this powerful prescription retinoid.

Devotees of the coveted “tret glow” know that the much-studied ingredient can help treat a whole host of skin issues, including wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, clogged pores, and acne.

But here’s what many wish they knew before starting tret:

1. Skin must be totally dry

Unlike most OTC skincare products like moisturizers and hydrating serums, which can be applied to damp skin, tretinoin must be applied to dry skin. And it’s not enough to just towel off. It needs to be completely dry or the medication can cause more irritation and the moisture can prevent it from working properly. After cleansing, wait at least five minutes (even better if you can wait up to 20 minutes) before applying a pea-sized amount of a treatment such as The Anti-Aging Cream to your skin.

2. There's a lag time when you might experience side effects

Tretinoin is 10 to 20 times more potent and effective than OTC retinol. That means it works faster and better but it also has the potential to cause more side effects if used too aggressively from the get-go. First-time users sometimes get lulled into a false sense of security when they don’t experience any redness, dryness or peeling after the first or second use so they ignore advice to take it slowly. Just know that there’s often a lag time of a few days when you might experience side effects. Trust the process and take it slowly.

Tretinoin's side effects can be greatly minimized with proper use (e.g. appropriate strength level for your skin types, pairing tretinoin with compatible ingredients) and are typically temporary for the first 2-4 weeks as your skin learns to tolerate. Many of these minor side effects resolve on their own, while others are easily fixed by using a moisturizer or other skincare products to counter the dryness produced by tretinoin.

3. The purge period will pass

You may have heard of the “Retinoid Uglies,” that dreaded period in which some new users experience a fresh crop of pimples along with redness and dryness. Because tretinoin works by increasing the speed of your skin cell turnover to bring new skin to the surface, it can sometimes lead to what is known as a "purge period". During this time you may experience breakouts that can last anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks.

It's important to remember that acne triggered while using tretinoin would have developed on its own regardless, and that the tretinoin is simply speeding it up. Most importantly, remember: this period will pass. Don’t give up. This potential side effect can be managed by easing slowly into The Anti-Aging Cream, avoiding direct sunlight, and staying consistent with the process.

4. KISS: "Keep It Simple Stupid"

Tretinoin is a powerful Rx ingredient that doesn’t play well with some other common skincare actives, particularly other exfoliating acids. Especially when you’re first starting out, it’s best to keep your nighttime routine extremely basic. Here’s how it’s done! Start off by cleansing and then, apply The powerful and Anti-Aging Cream, then seal it with a thick, no-nonsense moisturizer like Cerave or Vanicream. Let the prescription ingredients do all the work!

5. Waxing and Tret don't mix

Waxing doesn’t just remove hair. It also removes skin cells, essentially exfoliating the skin. Tretinoin is also a powerful exfoliant, speeding up the turnover of skin cells. Rip a strip of hot wax off of your tret-sensitive skin and you could be left with an angry red wound.

No, you don’t need to give up waxing your face forever but experts do suggest you stop using tretinoin for 5-7 days before your next wax appointment. Or consider other hair removal methods like tweezing which pluck hair from the root but don’t disrupt the top layer of skin as much.

Tretinoin has been a buzzing topic across social media with many skincare influencers regarding the ingredient as the holy grail for anti-aging. If you're ready to begin your journey to youthful glowing skin, The Anti-Aging Cream is all you need to get started! Formulated with the powerful tretinoin and other prescription ingredients, The Anti-Aging Cream is your secret weapon against wrinkles, fine lines and acne. While tretinoin may take some getting used to at first, the end result is absolutely worth it! Just remember to take the proper steps needed to ensure that your treatment goes smoothly. Keep your routine simple with a tretinoin cream and avoid products and practices that may hinder your results. Say hello to the coveted “tret glow” and unlock the secrets of radiant, youthful skin with the Anti-Aging Cream!