Best Beauty Products to use with Retin-A

I was not compensated in any way for this post. This post does contain affiliate links. All opinions expressed are mine.

Since turning the Big 4-0, I decided to kick my beauty routine up a notch. I went to the dermatologist and told her that I just turned 40 and that I’d like to give myself a present: a prescription for Retin-A. I used Retin-A as a teenager to take care of my acne. Now, I wanted to use it to prevent the onslaught of wrinkles that will be happening in the next two decades.

When I started using Retin-A this second time around, I was using my old face products that contained benzoyl peroxide. Bad idea. REALLY bad idea. My face stung as soon as I put on the product and it got redder and more irritated. I then started researching what products I should use while on Retin-A.

Looking back, I should’ve just called my dermatologist, but it didn’t occur to me. Instead, I read online forums where people had the same question. What I got out of it is that there are basically two brands you should use while on Retin-A because they are mild and non-irritating:  Cetaphil and CeraVe.

So below, as my present to you (to keepfrom turning into a beet red, peeling Retin-A user) is a round-up of the best beauty products to use with Retin-A:

Morning and Evening Cleansing:

It is so important to use a daily moisturizer that contains SPF, and it’s even more key when you are on Retin-A. As soon as I put on the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, I knew it wouldn’t irritate my skin. It was cool, calming and gentle. Exactly what my skin needs while using Retin-A.

Moisturizer during the Day:

The other facial moisturizers with SPF 15 burned my skin. Cetaphil’s, like it’s cleanser, was non-irritating.

Moisturizer at Night:

CeraVe has ceramides and for some reason this is what your skin needs while on Retin-A. I use Retin-A every other night and in order for it to not completely irritate my skin, what I do is wash my face with Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, wait 20 minutes then put on the CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM. Then about 60 minutes later, I put on a pea-size amount of Retin-A.

When You’re Out in the Sun:

When we went to Hershey Park and to Turks and Caicos, I needed a really good sunscreen, especially for my face. This is more expensive than others, but CeraVe is now a brand I trust, and I knew it would protect my face especially in Turks and Caicos. The lotion is light and waterproof (up to 40 minutes) and contains Invisible Zinc Oxide, which means it is powerful, but it doesn’t turn your face white. Even my husband who is not into sunscreen at all wore this all summer long and even asked for it during our two week vacation at the beach this past August.

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Have you used / are using Retin-A before? What beauty products do you use?