Do I Need To Exfoliate If I Used A Retinoid?

Technically, retinoids are a form of vitamin A which makes them an antioxidant and not an exfoliant. As for the peeling and flakiness, one may experience it’s easy to assume it’s the skin exfoliating itself. However, those side effects are actually a result of irritation and dryness until the skin acclimates.

It’s important to understand that retinoids are ingredients that communicate with new skin cells to produce healthier younger cells making their way to the surface. It does not have the ability to clear away, dissolve or exfoliate dead skin cells. (Like AHA/BHA, enzymes or scrubs do!) That being said, flaky skin is just that…having the ability to dissolve dead skin is another!

That being said the skin may be more delicate when using a retinoid (especially tretinoin) so you may need to exfoliate less. I have found that swiping my skin with an acid toner once every 10-14 days does the job for me especially if I am experiencing flakey skin.