8 Best Moisturizers to Use with Tretinoin (Retin-A) Creams 2024

• What is tretinoin? 

As the brand name for the drug tretinoin, Retin-A is only available through prescription. It's used mainly to treat acne, sun-damaged skin, and fine wrinkles. Tretinoin comes in several different dosage forms. It's most commonly sold as a cream, but it's also available as a liquid solution, as a gel and as a jelly. 

By speeding up the rate in which cells turn over, the skin is more quickly exfoliated. This rapid exfoliation keeps pore blockages at a minimum and works to clear and prevent acne, and evens skin tone. Unfortunately, is common for tretinoin to damage the skin's barrier and cause dryness and irritations. Because of this, you need a proper moisturizer to keep up with tretinoin's side effects.

• What moisturizer should I use with tretinoin?

As mentioned, with the drying and peeling effects of Retin-A, you will need to apply moisturizer religiously to keep the unsightly flaking out. If your skin barrier is happy and strong, it's less likely you’ll experience unwanted side effects. Harsh exfoliating treatments can compromise our skin barrier function if we don't restore balance.

When it comes to pairing a moisturizer with a prescription retinoid, Dermlogists recommend looking for bland moisturizers with ceramides, hyaluronic acid,  niacinamide (vitamin B3), or humectants.

• Best Moisturizers to Use with Tretinoin (Retin-A) Creams

| Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream Extra-Dry Skin

($18.79, up to 2% cashback at CVS)

Whether used as an everyday moisturizer or as a remedy for the aftereffects of Retin-A, Neutrogena Hydro Boost is one of the best hydration creams available on the market.

This moisturizer hydrates skin through an approach of replenishing water and rebuilding skin's barrier, leveraging two key ingredients, purified hyaluronic acid and olive extract. Purified hyaluronic acid is naturally found in skin and delivers a pure boost of hydration. It acts like a sponge for dry skin cells, absorbing up to 1000 times its weight in water and progressively releases water back into skin, keeping skin hydrated and supple throughout the day.

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| CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion

($15.99, up to 4% cashback at Walgreens)

This nightly moisturizer is beloved for its simple and effective ingredients that play nicely with a number of skin concerns, including Retin-A-induced irritation. 

PM lotion contains the three essential ceramides (called 1, 3, and 6-II) skin needs to help restore the protective skin barrier. The formula also contains hyaluronic acid to help retain skin's natural moisture and niacinamide to help calm skin. Its patented Multivesicular Emulsion (MVE) formulation releases these ingredients over time, penetrating deep into the skin to hydrate and nourish throughout the night. Additionally, the formula is noncomedogenic, hypoallergenic, and free of fragrance and oil.

| La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5

($14.99, up to 8% cashback at La Roche-Posay)

Your new secret weapon against dry skin and tretinoin irritation? La Roche-Posay's Cicaplast Baume B5. This rich cream is formulated with, Panthenol to soothe irritated skin and accelerate the skin's natural repair process. In addition, Shea Butter and Glycerin help to nourish skin and visibly reduce the sign of irritation caused by dryness, and [Madecassoside] + [Copper - Zinc - Maganese] helps to visibly reduce the appearance of dry, irritated skin.

It's very thick, so it's best used as a night cream, or as a spot treatment on particularly flaky patches.

| Avene Tolerance Control Skin Recovery Cream

($35, up to 4% cashback at Avène)

Designed for the most sensitive skin, this moisturizer is perfect for combating the aftermath of Retin-A. The formula is powered by Avene's iconic Thermal Spring Water to provide skin with 24-hour hydration, but the ingredient that really takes centre stage is Avene's new ingredient for 2024, D-Sensinose. This patented addition calms your skin in just 30 seconds and helps to rebuild the skin barrier in only 48 hours.

Formulated without fragrance and preservatives, due to its patented packaging and sterile production methods, it is a high-tolerance ultra-calming treatment. 

| SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2

($130, up to 6% cashback at Skinceuticals)

The Triple Lipid Restore moisturizer is one of the best moisturizers to use with Retin-A due to its combination of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids. These serve to restore the skin's barrier function.

More specifically, it's formulated with 2% pure ceramides, 4% natural cholesterol and 2% fatty acids. This unique ratio helps restore the skin's moisture barrier, support natural repair processes and correct signs of aging. The result is an improvement in elasticity, moisture levels and radiance, leaving your skin supple, healthy and radiant.

| Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance

($74, up to 5% cashback at Dermalogica)

If you have dry sensitive skin, that is prone to acne/breakouts, this is definitely one of the best moisturizers to use with Retin-A.

The powerful formula contains Dermalogica's proprietary BioReplenish Complex that mimics the skin's natural 3:2:1 lipid ratio to help strengthen the skin's lipid barrier. In addition, the innovative formula also contains a prebiotic Chlorella Algae complex to balance the skin's microbiome. Hyaluronic acid, Echinacea, Centella Asiatica and aloe vera all work in tandem to lock in hydration, diminish the appearance of fine lines and balance the skin's moisture content.

| PCA Skin ReBalance

($53, up to 8% cashback at SkinStore)

The nourishing and light cream by PCA Skin is one of the best moisturizers to use with tretinoin because it hydrates, calms, and soothes sensitive skin almost instantly. Its rejuvenating formula utilizes primrose and borage oils to soothe redness and diminish irritation. Vitamin B5 and niacinamide hydrate and promote a clear appearance. May also be used as a nightly treatment to keep your moisture levels balanced.

| Differin Oil Absorbing Moisturizer with SPF 30

($9.73, up to 4% cashback at Walmart)

It goes without saying that you need to be wearing sunscreen daily. But that's especially true when using a Retin-A cream because it makes your skin more sensitive to burning and irritation. Try this best moisturizer for Retin A dryness which is affordable while also being effective. Recommended by dermatologists, It comes with broad spectrum SPF 30 protection from the sun, helping you shoot two birds with one stone. 

It contains micro pearl technology that absorbs all the excess oil in the skin to give the best matte finish while hydrating the skin. Oil-free lightweight, non-greasy, non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. 

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