I’m using retinol (tretenoin 0.025) and witnessing dryness and peeling in winters. Any recommendation for a good moisturizer or face hydration cream/ gel. My skin is very sensitive and prone to acne, so I’m looking for a product that would not cause a break-out.

I have oily/acne prone skin. If you are new to retinol you have to build up your tolerance. Peeling is normal when your skin adjusts to retinol. If you stop using as frequently and then start again this process can happen again (like working out and taking a break)!
1. Only use retinol at night!
2. Always use sunscreen in the AM esp when using retinol as it sensitizes your skin to sun.
3. I use Versed Dew Point Moisturizer over retinol. Make sure the retinol is fully absorbed before applying your moisturizer.
4. Slugging method - use an occlusive (I like the CeraVe Healing Ointment) over areas where you have peeling/flaky/dry skin, after moisturizer is fully absorbed.
5. Sleep with a humidifier! Get a humidity thermometer and you want your room to be at least 40% humidity when you sleep.
6. Drink lots of water.
7. Wash your face in the AM with a gentle cleanser. I use CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser.
8. When I’m using retinol, the only other active I use is Vitamin C in the AM, then my moisturizer then sunscreen. Don’t use too many actives with retinol or you risk sensitizing your skin.
It’s all about taking care of and babying your moisture barrier!

I also have very sensitive skin & I use tretinoin .05. I swear by the Cereve moisturizing cream at night. It’s super thick & very affordable. During the day, I use the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream because, in my experience, it wears better under makeup.

Have you heard of skin cycling? It allows for a couple days for your skin’s barrier to recover from any products you use. It was introduced by a board-certified dermatologist and is now popular on the social medias lol. Here is how it works:
Night One: After cleansing, pat dry and then exfoliate with a chemical exfoliant. Then moisturize afterward.
Night Two: After cleansing, pat dry and apply retinol, then moisturize. If the retinol is causing irritation you can moisturize first and then apply the retinol on top so that there’s a buffer. At least until your skin builds a tolerance. Then you can switch the order and use retinol before moisturizing.
Nights three ad four: Recovery - cleanse, dry, and moisturize.

I use the Sandwich method. I use crème de la mer since it’s a very thick moisturizer.

La Roche Posay has some good ones! Try lipikar, cicaplast or hydraphase

I’m prone to both eczema and acne on my face and have been having a good experience with Youth to the People polypeptide cream, though it’s pricier. Also Herbivore Lapis blue tansy oil beforehand (oil might sound scary, but it’s made for breakout-prone skin, and you just press in a few drops).

K beauty sheet masks have helped me tremendously when I just can’t get moisturizers to sink in and hydrate deeply beyond just the top layer of my skin

When my skin is dry I will do a light layer of moisturizer on my freshly washed skin then do the retinol and then moisturizer again and it helps. I also has a friend who mixes her retinol with moisturizer

+1 to sandwiching your tret with moisturizer (apply moisturizer first, then your retinol, then moisturizer again.) try applying it every other night and contact your dermatologist if your skin can’t handle it. There are other options and brands of retinol that will help eliminate acne.

You need to wait 20 mins at least after washing your face to use tret. If you use it when your face is wet at all you’ll peel.
I also only use it every other night and put Vaseline on my face on off nights.
There’s a Reddit dedicated to tret and I recommend reading through the info there

Thanks everyone. Super useful!

Weleda skin food (lotion)!!

Moisturizer sandwich or skin cycling

Apply a hydrating toner or essence first and allow to dry. Then Layer on polyglutamic acid!!!! . Thank me later

Avene is a great brand! I did the treatment with the pills version of retinol and one thing that I learned is: Please invest on good products. Cera Ve, bepanthene, avene, la roche pose… all those a really good. Another tip is: talk with your dermatologist, and do not use retinol without sunscreen :)

Cauadlie S.O.S Intense Hydration Moisturizing Cream is my absolute favorite. It's ultra moisturizing and leaves my skin feeling hydrated, not greasy.

I have super dry, acne prone skin as well and this product helps on both fronts.

https://www.nordstrom.com/s/vinosource-hydra-hydration-essentials-gift-set-usd-68-value/7137761