Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
[music] Hello, I’m Dr. Neal Schultz
[pause]
and welcome to DermTV.
There is a lot of confusion about what you can use Retin-A and other
retinoids with and what you cannot. As a matter of fact, in one week last
month, we had four different questions from viewers about this same
subject. The real issue here is the fragility or instability of retinoids
like Retin-A, adapalene, Atralin and Tazorac. That instability means you
cannot use those chemicals with acids, acids like glycolic acid or
salicylic acid, both of which are used to treat acne and also for
exfoliation. However, you can use Retin-A and other retinoids and those
acids as long as you are using them two opposite ends of the day, so one
does not touch the other. However, when it comes to antioxidants and
retinoids, I am happy to say: there is no conflict, there is no problem.
They can be used together as long as they are layered properly, so they
both can come into contact with the skin. So, with acids like glycolic and
salicylic, they cannot be used at the same time as retinoids, but at
opposite ends of the day, and with the antioxidants, they can be used with
the retinoids. And do not forget one other thing: In order for antioxidants
to work, they cannot be used in sunlight. So use your antioxidants at
bedtime. Please join me again at DermTv.com. If you have a question, please
send it to me by visiting: DermTv.com/question. I am Dr. Neal Schultz, and
thank you for watching today.