If you're using tretinoin, you've probably given plenty of thought to your moisturiser, SPF and how often you should apply it. But there is another part of your routine that deserves attention: your cleanser.

Tretinoin is a prescription retinoid and one of the most established topical treatments used in dermatology. Depending on why it has been prescribed, it can help with concerns including acne, pigmentation, fine lines, skin texture and photoageing.

However, particularly when you first start using tretinoin, your skin may become drier and more sensitive. Peeling, tightness, redness and irritation can all occur while your skin adjusts.

This is why I think the products you use around your tretinoin are just as important as deciding which active ingredients to add.

And when it comes to cleansing, my approach is simple:

If tretinoin is your active, your cleanser doesn't need to be another one.

Here are four cleansers I would consider using alongside tretinoin and how to choose between them.

Read my previous guide to tretinoin here.

Why Does Your Cleanser Matter When Using Tretinoin?

Cleansing may only be the first step in your routine, but using a cleanser that is too harsh for your skin can contribute to that familiar feeling of tight, uncomfortable skin after washing.

When you're already using a potentially irritating prescription treatment such as tretinoin, I generally don't want to unnecessarily increase irritation elsewhere in the routine.

Your cleanser still needs to do its job. It should remove make-up, SPF, excess oil and the build-up of the day.

But it doesn't need to leave your face feeling squeaky clean.

In fact, one of the questions I often suggest asking yourself is:

How does my skin actually feel after I've cleansed?

If the answer is tight, dry, stingy or uncomfortable, I would reconsider what you're washing it with.

What Should You Look for in a Cleanser When Using Tretinoin?

There isn't one universally “best” cleanser for everybody using tretinoin.

Your natural skin type still matters, as does the strength and frequency of your tretinoin, the other products in your routine and how well your skin is currently tolerating treatment.

However, particularly if you're experiencing dryness or sensitivity, I tend to favour:

• Gentle cleansing formulations

• Cream or lotion textures

• Products that leave the skin feeling comfortable rather than stripped

• A relatively simple cleansing step without unnecessary exfoliation

Remember, your cleanser doesn't need to treat every skin concern you have.

If tretinoin is already addressing cell turnover, acne, pigmentation or signs of ageing, I'm perfectly happy for the cleanser to simply cleanse well.

Shop Cleansers at Villa Skincare

Dr Ahmed's Top Cleansers to Use With Tretinoin

1. SkinCeuticals Cream Cleanser

My pick for: dry or sensitive skin

SkinCeuticals Cream Cleanser is exactly the type of cleanser I would look towards when someone's skin has become noticeably drier or more sensitive after introducing tretinoin.

A creamy cleanser can feel much more comfortable than a highly foaming or exfoliating formulation when the skin barrier is already feeling challenged.

I particularly like this type of cleanser for someone who tells me that their skin feels tight immediately after washing or that products which were previously comfortable have suddenly started to sting.

Choose this if: dryness, tightness and sensitivity are becoming your main concerns.

Dr Ahmed's tip: Don't use that “squeaky clean” feeling as a measure of how well you've cleansed. Particularly on tretinoin, I want skin to feel clean and comfortable afterwards.

2. ZO Skin Health Hydrating Cleanser

My pick for: normal to dry skin that still wants a thorough cleanse

ZO Skin Health Hydrating Cleanser is another option I like when hydration and comfort are becoming more important.

It can be particularly useful for someone who is accustomed to the feeling of a traditional cleanser but finds their usual product increasingly drying after starting tretinoin.

Your cleanser doesn't necessarily need to remain the same throughout the year either.

Someone who tolerates a particular cleanser perfectly well during summer may find they need something more hydrating once the weather becomes colder, especially while using a retinoid.

Choose this if: you want that satisfying everyday cleanse but your skin is beginning to feel drier.

Revision Skincare Gentle Cleansing Lotion

My pick for: sensitive or easily irritated skin

Revision Skincare Gentle Cleansing Lotion is another option I would consider when the priority is keeping cleansing gentle.

The lotion format particularly lends itself to skin that doesn't enjoy aggressive cleansing and can be a good choice when your routine needs stripping back to the essentials.

This is an important point with tretinoin.

When irritation develops, people often start searching for another serum or treatment to “fix” it.

Sometimes what your skin actually needs is less.

A gentle cleanser, appropriate moisturiser and daily sunscreen alongside your prescribed treatment may be far more sensible than adding several more active ingredients.

Choose this if: your skin is sensitive, easily irritated or simply does better with a softer lotion-style cleanse.

4. iS Clinical Cream Cleanser

My pick for: dry, sensitive skin that prefers a richer cream texture

iS Clinical Cream Cleanser completes my four picks.

Again, we're looking at a cream-based cleanser rather than asking the cleansing step to exfoliate or resurface the skin.

I particularly like this type of texture when tretinoin-treated skin is feeling dry or uncomfortable, or when your previous gel or foaming cleanser suddenly feels like too much.

Choose this if: you enjoy a nourishing cream cleanser and your skin is leaning towards dry or sensitive.

The key theme across all four of these cleansers is deliberate:

gentle cleansing isn't a compromise when you're using tretinoin - it's part of a well-considered routine.

Can You Use a Salicylic Acid Cleanser With Tretinoin?

Potentially, but this isn't where I would start if you're new to tretinoin or already experiencing irritation.

Salicylic acid can be useful for oily, congested and acne-prone skin, while alpha-hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid can be useful for texture and pigmentation.

That doesn't mean you need them in your cleanser while your skin is adjusting to tretinoin.

One mistake I frequently see with skincare is the assumption that:

more active ingredients = better results.

It can lead to routines containing an exfoliating cleanser, acid toner, active serum and tretinoin all at once.

For some people, that's simply too much.

I would rather establish good tolerance to tretinoin first and then consider whether additional active ingredients are actually necessary.

Can You Double Cleanse While Using Tretinoin?

Yes, if you need to.

If you're wearing make-up or a water-resistant sunscreen, double cleansing in the evening can be useful.

But double cleansing shouldn't mean aggressively washing your face twice.

The purpose of the first cleanse is predominantly to remove make-up, SPF and surface debris. The second cleanse cleans the skin.

If you're not wearing make-up and your sunscreen is easily removed, you may find one thorough evening cleanse is sufficient.

Again, skincare doesn't need unnecessary steps simply for the sake of having them.

Should You Cleanse in the Morning When Using Tretinoin?

Yes, I generally recommend cleansing in the morning  but gently.

While you sleep, oil, sweat and residue from your evening skincare can accumulate on the skin, so I prefer to start the morning with a clean base before applying your daytime skincare and SPF.

The important thing when using tretinoin is not to over-cleanse or strip the skin.

If your skin is feeling dry, flaky or sensitive, this isn't the time to reach for an exfoliating or overly foaming cleanser. Instead, stick to a gentle cream or lotion cleanser and use lukewarm rather than hot water.

If your skin is tolerating tretinoin well, you can still choose a cleanser appropriate for your skin type  but I would always pay attention to how your skin feels afterwards.

Dr Ahmed's tip: Your skin should feel clean after your morning cleanse, but never tight, dry or uncomfortable. If it does, that's a sign to reassess your cleanser rather than stop cleansing altogether.

What Should You Do if Tretinoin Is Making Your Skin Peel?

Some dryness and peeling can occur when introducing tretinoin, but severe irritation isn't a goal of treatment and doesn't mean that your tretinoin is “working better”.

If your skin is becoming increasingly uncomfortable, look at your entire routine.

You may need to:

• Switch to a gentler cleanser

• Reduce other potentially irritating active ingredients

• Introduce appropriate moisturisation and barrier support

• Avoid physical scrubs and excessive exfoliation

• Review how frequently you're applying your tretinoin

• Make sure you're wearing broad-spectrum SPF every day

If irritation is significant or persistent, speak to the clinician who prescribed your tretinoin.

What Skincare Should You Use With Tretinoin?

One of the biggest misconceptions in skincare is that an effective routine needs to contain lots of products.

It doesn't.

A simple routine might look like:

Morning

Gentle cleanse if needed → antioxidant if tolerated → moisturiser → broad-spectrum SPF

Evening

Gentle cleanse → tretinoin as prescribed → moisturiser

The exact routine may vary depending on your skin and the instructions given by your prescriber.

If you're unsure about where each product belongs, you can also read our guide to the correct order to apply your skincare products.

Dr Ahmed's Take

When you're using tretinoin, let tretinoin be the active.

Your cleanser doesn't need to exfoliate, resurface, brighten and tackle every other concern at the same time.

I want a cleanser to do three things well:

Cleanse effectively. Respect the skin barrier. Leave the skin comfortable.

My four picks  SkinCeuticals Cream Cleanser, ZO Skin Health Hydrating Cleanser, Revision Skincare Gentle Cleansing Lotion and iS Clinical Cream Cleanser  all fit that philosophy.

Which one is right for you depends on your skin type, how you're tolerating tretinoin and, importantly, how your skin feels right now.

Because the best cleanser isn't necessarily the one with the longest ingredient list.

It's the one your skin is happy for you to use consistently.

Shop Cleansers at Villa Skincare

Using tretinoin doesn't mean abandoning the rest of your skincare routine. It means being more considered about the products you choose around it.

Shop our cleanser collection at Villa Skincare and discover gentle, professional skincare from brands including SkinCeuticals, ZO Skin Health, Revision Skincare and iS Clinical.

If you're unsure which products are suitable alongside your prescription skincare, you can also book a consultation with Dr Ahmed for personalised skincare advice.

Dr Ahmed
Aesthetic Doctor & Founder, Villa Skincare
NHS Doctor with 17+ Years’ Medical Experience

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