Skin Concern

nattyskinfan user profile picture

nattyskinfan

Oily/Sensitive

30 April, 2022

dot1,862 Views

Face burning when I apply any moisturizer

My dermatologist prescribed a benzoyl peroxide wash in the morning and tretinoin at night, both of which have been harsh on my skin - but the main way I know this is when I apply moisturizer and my skin starts to burn. I can apply tretinoin without problem, but once moisturizer gets applied that’s when the redness and burning starts. It doesn’t seem to matter what moisturizer I use - ceramides, dinethicone, etc doesn’t make a difference. Why does this happen? Is it because moisturizers have ingredients that pull actives deeper into the skin? Is it normal when adding in these harsh ingredients? Thank you for your thoughts!
upvote

130

comment

37

37 Comments

Yourskintellectual user profile picture

Yourskintellectual

Oily/Resilient

30 April, 2022

I would imagine that your skin barrier has gotten damaged as you've started using two incredibly drying and irritating products. I'm actually surprised that your dermatologist prescribed both at the same time 🤔 Have you considered doing a sandwich method with tretinoin? At least at first whilst your skin adjusts.
upvote

33

comment

0

Yourskintellectual user profile picture

Yourskintellectual

Oily/Resilient

30 April, 2022

I don't think adding anything else would help. I would instead stop both tretinoin and benzoyl peroxide, wait until the skin has recovered and then gradually introduce them back in but one at a time. I know that's not what your dermatologist prescribed, but that's what I would personally do 😊
upvote

22

comment

0

Evieana user profile picture

Evieana

Oily/Sensitive

30 April, 2022

You may think your skin is tolerating Tret, but the burning is because your skin barrier is damaged from it. I find that once my moisturizer doesn’t burn as I keep applying it, then my skin barrier is starting to heal again. keep using ceramides!
upvote

14

comment

0

skintastica user profile picture
picky squad user badge

skintastica

Dry/Resilient

30 April, 2022

It sounds like your skin barrier is damaged. I hope you started introducing these products slowly in your routine so your skin can adjust to them. You may want to cut back on the tretinoin and/or benzoyl peroxide wash to once or twice a week until your skin barrier is repaired. Once it's repaired, you can increase the frequently.
upvote

11

comment

0

nattyskinfan user profile picture

nattyskinfan

Oily/Sensitive

30 April, 2022

Thank you for your input! I appreciate it 💕
upvote

5

comment

0

Hollys142 user profile picture
super picky user badge

Hollys142

Dry/Resilient

30 April, 2022

I don't think you should add anything else 😊
upvote

6

comment

0

Picky app preview

Join the Picky Community

The Picky community helps you discover new products through discussion boards, honest reviews, expert articles and redeemable free product rewards. #GetPicky!

apple store
play store