Aging gracefully is the goal of many women. While good genes help, there are some simple, low cost and very effective creams to maintain a youthful appearance. This post will give you a step by step guide on how to use Retin-A and Hydroquinone together for great skin.
If you are beautifying your skin in preparation for a trip, you may be interested in 5 Must Have Makeup Products which include travel sized products to keep your skin looking great on vacation. Other great beauty items can also be found in our 20 Minimalist Travel Accessories.
Retin-A (generic is tretinoin)
Most beauty professionals recommend the of retinoids by women over 35 at least once a week. Prescription strength Retin-A increases cellular turnover, improves skin tone and pore size, and increases collagen production. It is highly effective for treating wrinkles, acne, and sun damaged skin too.
Some women are concerned that their skin will become red and flakey due to Retin-A. If used correctly these potential side effects will not be present and the results will be glowing skin. Additionally, if you are experiencing break outs or have a teenager in your house, Retin-A may be the miracle you have been seeking.
How to use Retin-A
The thing that is difficult for most people is that they start using Retin-A too rapidly. There is a process that will help you ease into it so you can avoid peeling and redness. Always use at night.
- First 2 weeks – Apply Retin-A every 3rd day before bed.
- Weeks 3 & 4 – Apply every other day.
- Week 5 and beyond – daily usage.
- Make sure you are always wearing sunscreen and avoid direct sun exposure because the Retin-A will make your skin more sensitive. Tula makes a great broad spectrum sunscreen that can be worn with to without makeup. EltaMD is a broad spectrum SPF 46 Sunscreen that’s great for sensitive skin.
Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone Cream is a bleaching cream that is used to lighten uneven skin tone and brown spots. You can use Hydroquinone and Retin-A together to brighten your skin. The 2 creams can be used together for 3 months at a time, then you need to take a break.
Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C Serum rounds out the trifecta of making your skin look amazing. Use every morning under moisturizer and/or foundation. It is a wonderful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and stimulates collagen production.
Retin-A and Hydroquinone Application
- At night, wash your face. Once it is completely dry, apply Retin-A. Keep it away from your eyes, nostrils and mouth.
- Then apply Hydroquinone cream on top.
- Apply moisturizer.
- In the morning on clean skin, apply Vitamin C serum.
- Apply a broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen on top
Get maximum results by using all of these products on the neck, chest, the backs of the hands and the face. The use of these creams can dramatically transform skin quality in as little as a month. The low cost and no downtime makes good skin care one of the best investments you can make.
How to Buy Retin-A and Hydroquinone
Since these are prescription products, your first and best option is to contact your doctor. If you are not currently seeing a dermatologist, there are very convenient options to work with online doctors at a service like ForHers.com or Apostrophe.
For those in Los Angeles, Creative Aesthetics is a full-service medical aesthetics practice that offers injectables, medical chemical peels, microneedling, ultherapy and skin care.
Using Retin-A is one of the things that that will give you most bang for your buck. Since we are not medical professionals, work with your physician to design a plan that is best for you.
18 Comments
Monika
November 11, 2022 at 4:35 pmDue to hyperpigmentation can I use daily retinal and hydroquinone daily.
Jenifer
November 11, 2022 at 8:46 pmIf you are not using retinol and hydroquinone currently, it’s important to start slowly to let you skin adjust before daily use. It is also important to take a break from hydroquinone after 3 months. Most of all, it’s very important to have a dermatologist evaluate your skin specifically and make sure that it is the right choice for your situation. Hope it goes well for you.
Kara Fox
September 12, 2021 at 2:45 pmalways…useful and interesting information!
Aly
August 25, 2020 at 1:47 pmDo you apply the retina and hydroquinone all over your face or just the dark spots?
Jenifer
August 25, 2020 at 4:35 pmI put it on my entire face.
Aly
August 26, 2020 at 2:27 amThank you! My instructions on the rx are not clear.
Jenifer
August 26, 2020 at 3:23 amAbsolutely. Just make sure you don’t use it for more than 3 months in a row.
Shelli
June 6, 2022 at 9:50 pmHi Jennifer,
So if using Hydroquinone for 3 months how long should I stop for before starting again?
Jenifer
June 7, 2022 at 5:21 amHi Shelli. I don’t want to avoid answering your question but I really recommend that you talk to a dermatologist or esthetician for a qualified opinion about your skin and specific situation.
Pam
March 19, 2021 at 9:34 amThanks for sharing your wonderful posts.! 😊 I was suffering from acne due to my sensitive skin and severe summer heat. I tried my teenage time acne cream in my late twenties but i felt it was too mild to work on my much matured skin like now. Then one of my friend, was a satisfied user of Retin A, suggested me to use Retin A 0.05%. First 2 weeks my acne breakout little more than the usual. but after that, acne seemed to be decreased. Now I am cured and my skin is glowing. And I am quite satisfied with this 😊.
Summer
April 19, 2020 at 4:56 amWhat if your using the hydroquinone 2x a day along with retin a and vitamin c serum?
I know what to do it the pm but in the am would I put the serum on first or the hydroquinone?
Thanks!
Jenifer
April 19, 2020 at 3:46 pmI have always put the serum first but you should ask your dermatologist. I’m not a doctor and I wouldn’t want to give you the wrong advice. Be careful about how long you use hydroquinone – not more than a few months at a time. Also, make sure you are using sunscreen and a hat. The retin A will make your skin extra sun sensitive, even on a cloudy day.
Jessica Brown
November 22, 2019 at 7:06 pmCan you recommend a good Vitamin C serum?
Jenifer
November 22, 2019 at 7:49 pmI like Perricone MD
I included a link to Sephora for you. It’s a little expensive but you use a pea sized amount and it lasts forever.
Ree kritika
March 23, 2020 at 5:01 pmUse tretinoin n hydroquinone mix together put in hyperpigmentation after i left to use hydroquinone only use tretinoin. Is hyperpigmentation gone?
Jenifer
March 24, 2020 at 6:17 pmIf you are asking if this works for hyperpigmentation, I have a friend that did this and it was the only thing that worked for her to get rid of hyperpigmentation. I would guess like most things, it works for some people and not for others. Make sure you don’t use hydroquinone longer than you are allowed to. Also, since I am not a doctor, you should talk to your dermatologist about your specific condition to see what they recommend.
Kim
October 1, 2017 at 10:46 pmNice job! Beautiful design. Wishing you much success.
Ashley W Lewis
September 27, 2017 at 7:09 pmVery interesting info – like the lay-out!
Good job!!