Can I use CeraVe SA Cleanser with retinol?

Why use them at different times?

Salicylic acid exfoliates skin and opens clogged pores. Retinol, a form of vitamin A, also exfoliates and helps prevent clogged pores. Both can belong in a routine for blackheads or acne, but adding more exfoliation is not automatically more useful. Splitting a salicylic acid cleanser and a retinoid between morning and night is one way to combine them without using both in the same session.145

How should I use them?

1. 1Before starting retinol, test a small amount on a small patch of skin. Check for redness or itching over a couple of days before applying it more widely.
2. 2In the morning, wet skin with lukewarm water, gently massage Renewing SA Cleanser in circular motions, then rinse. Apply moisturizer and broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
3. 3At night, wash with a gentle cleanser and pat dry. Do not scrub. Waiting 30 minutes after washing before applying retinol can help reduce irritation.
4. 4Follow your retinol package directions. General guidance is a pea sized amount spread in a thin layer over the face, avoiding the eyes, nose and mouth. Start every other night for the first couple of weeks, then finish with moisturizer.

Do I need the SA cleanser every day?

Not if daily use dries or irritates your skin. Some salicylic acid cleansers are gentle enough for daily use, but alternating with a mild cleanser is an option when they cause dryness. CeraVe's Renewing SA directions allow use at any time of day without specifying a daily frequency. You do not need to make every wash an exfoliating wash.27

Keep the routine to cleanser, retinol, moisturizer and sunscreen, rather than giving every bottle in the bathroom a speaking role. Avoid doubling up on retinol by adding a retinol moisturizer to a separate retinol serum. If retinol is irritating, a thin layer of moisturizer before it can provide a buffer.6

Who should be careful?

Retinol is more likely to irritate skin when you are new to it or have sensitive skin. Dryness, burning, itching, redness and peeling are reasons to step back from combining exfoliating products. If irritation persists, ask a dermatologist to help adjust the routine rather than pushing through it.456

If you use a prescription retinoid such as tretinoin, follow your dermatologist's instructions rather than substituting the retinol schedule above. Changes to the amount, frequency or moisturizer order should be made with their help. Do not use retinol or retinyl palmitate during pregnancy or breastfeeding.47

If your bottle is Acne Control Cleanser, its label specifically warns that another topical acne medication increases the likelihood of dryness and irritation. If irritation occurs, use only one topical acne medication at a time.3

How long before I see a difference?

Visible retinol changes take several weeks, with improvements from regular use often becoming noticeable around three months. Acne treatment generally takes at least 6 to 8 weeks before fewer breakouts appear. Persistent breakouts despite treatment are a reason to see a dermatologist, not to keep adding exfoliants.456