Can I use petrolatum on nights I use tretinoin?

Why placement matters

Petrolatum, also called petroleum jelly, is occlusive: it forms a protective surface layer that slows water loss. That helps dry skin retain moisture, but retinoids trapped underneath can irritate skin. Tretinoin is a retinoid. Slugging means coating your face with petroleum jelly overnight, a remarkably grand project name for opening a jar.23

How to use petrolatum on a tretinoin night

1. 1Wash your hands and face with a mild cleanser. Let your skin dry as directed for your tretinoin product.
2. 2Before tretinoin, apply a small amount of petrolatum under your eyes and at the corners of your nose and mouth, particularly if your skin is sensitive.
3. 3Apply tretinoin with clean fingertips in a thin layer over the prescribed treatment area. Keep it out of your eyes, mouth and nose corners. Do not apply it to sunburned skin or areas affected by eczema.
4. 4Use a moisturizer for dryness as directed by your prescriber. Do not finish by covering the tretinoin treated area with petrolatum.

Follow your prescription's schedule rather than changing it to accommodate slugging. General retinoid guidance suggests starting two to three times weekly for a couple of weeks, then increasing frequency if there is no excessive irritation. If your tretinoin prescription gives a different schedule, ask your prescriber before changing it. More frequent application than prescribed is not the answer to slow results.13

What if tretinoin makes my skin dry?

Use a moisturizer daily when your skin feels dry. Tretinoin can dry and irritate skin, and moisturizer can help you tolerate treatment. For acne prone skin, look for "noncomedogenic," "oil free" or "won't clog pores" on the container. These descriptions mean the moisturizer is unlikely to cause acne. A fragrance free, water based moisturizer is another practical choice when acne and dryness occur together.45

Can I slug on nights without tretinoin?

If your skin is dry rather than oily or acne prone, keep slugging to nights without tretinoin. Leave out alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids and other retinoids too. No special slugging products are needed, despite the routine sounding like it should have its own equipment department.2

1. 1Cleanse and moisturize.
2. 2Apply a tiny amount of plain petroleum jelly to dry areas; a full face coating is unnecessary.
3. 3Allow about 30 minutes before bed, then wash your face in the morning.

Slugging rarely needs to be a nightly routine. Avoid it on oily, acne prone or infected skin, or over open wounds. A couple of nights can help dehydrated skin retain moisture, but slugging could worsen acne. If you use tretinoin for acne, choose an acne friendly moisturizer instead.2

When should I stop and get advice?

Stop slugging and contact a dermatologist if it leaves your skin red or irritated. Tell your tretinoin prescriber about severe or persistent burning, peeling, redness, swelling or blistering. Call your doctor immediately for rash, hives, or pain or discomfort at the treatment area. Do not try to manage those symptoms by adding a thicker petrolatum layer.23

Tell your prescriber if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding; call your doctor if you become pregnant while using tretinoin. Discuss other topical medicines before combining them with tretinoin. During the day, use sunscreen and protective clothing and avoid unnecessary prolonged sun exposure.3