How long should i expect retinoid irritation to last and affect my skin barrier?

[LoganL]

I’ve been using a prescription retinoid for about three months now to treat my persistent acne, and while the breakouts are finally slowing, my skin feels incredibly tight and it flaky. I’m moisturizing diligently, but I’m wondering if this level of irritation is just part of the process or if I should be concerned about my skin barrier.

[Scott4]

That sounds familiar. After a few months on a retinoid my skin felt tight and flaky too. I kept moisturizing, but the barrier still felt thin. It helped a bit when I switched to a richer ceramide moisturizer and put it on while my skin was still damp.

[SamuelPW]

I kind of pushed through for a while, and then one morning I woke up with really dry patches and a tiny crack. I paused the retinoid for a week, kept the routine simple, and noticed the tightness easing after a few days. Then I started reintroducing it at every other night and with a pea sized amount.

[Abigail_T]

Could the problem be the weather or the sunscreen you’re using? I kept thinking it was the retinoid, but maybe something else was stressing the barrier.

[Tyler_T]

I remember layering an occlusive at night, like petrolatum or a thick moisturizer, and that helped feel a bit more forgiving. I still wasn’t sure if I should keep going, but the morning tightness faded a little.