Topical treatments should be applied to clean skin. If the skin is moist the irritant effect of topicals will be enhanced so it is probably best, if possible, to wait ten or fifteen minutes after washing before applying your lotions or gels, or to ensure at least that you have dried your skin thoroughly. It is certainly advisable to wait about ten minutes after washing before applying tretinoin. It is also advisable to apply it at least half an hour before going to bed to minimise spreading to the corners of the mouth and eyelids, which are more easily irritated. Bed-time is usually a good time to apply any topical treatment designed to be used only once daily. It is also the best time to apply tretinoin because of its sun sensitising potential. Most topical preparations are not highly visible on the skin, so can be worn during the day and applied under make-up.
Make-up and moisturisers in acne
Most young acne suffers have excessively oily skin, making the routine use of moisturisers unnecessary. Dryness and irritation should not be a problem if you start with lower strengths of topicals and build up to greater strengths, allowing the skin to adjust gradually. Sometimes alternateday treatments are appropriate if your skin is very sensitive.
Unfortunately, when dryness and irritation from topical treatments become a problem, some women undo all the good work by using the wrong types of moisturiser. Oily moisturisers only aggravate acne by clogging pores and encouraging blackhead formation. Oil-free moisturisers can be used if dry skin becomes a problem. Likewise oil-free foundations should be used. Excellent oil-free make-ups are available which are suitable for acne patients and give good matt coverage.
