Help! How do I apply foundation to flaky, peeling Retin-A skin?

[Aisling29]

I am just starting out with Retin-A (Tretinoin) cream and have the dreaded peeling. My skin is all over the place naturally as it is combination, I have mild hormonal acne, rosacea and sensitive skin. I use nothing but “clean” skincare and makeup on my face ( no silicone, oil free, fragrance free, vegan, cruelty free). I currently use Drunken Elephant skincare and Milk Makeup, with the REN primer.  I don’t use any oils on my face as they break me out but I have a very hydrating Drunken Elephant moisturizer without oil. What tips does anyone have for foundation application while in the peeling phase of prescription Retin a? (I know to avoid brushes, use a beauty blender) Please, I need serious help here! My foundation looks horrible, but I need the coverage for my rosacea redness. To my Retin a users, how did or do you apply foundation over the peeling skin without it looking horrible?

[meganlisa]

@Aisling29 Don't.  Why further irritate your skin?  When I have a reaction like what you are describing - I stop putting much beyond simple coconut oil on my face until the irritation goes away (and just touch up with a little concealer).

If you must, I'd mix some foundation into face cream and gently tap it on and then touch up with concealer.

And, I would consider different skin care.  I can't use Drunk Elephant on a daily basis (except for the C and sunscreen) because it is much too harsh for my skin (all those AHAs and BHAs lead to redness and bumps in about 2 days).  So, I would question if what you are using is just too harsh for your skin.  Everyone responds differently to certain ingredients so maybe cut back on certain products you are using and mix in gentler ones.

[ysatis830]

Are you mixing the retinol with a face lotion? The Drunk Elephant retinol is powerful so I use it every other night and mix it with a nights cream from Acure. I use the F Bomb on the off nights and cut back with the retinol if things get too flakey. Give your skin a few nights off and see what happens.

[JessRachael]

I haven’t used Retin-A, but I do have eczema. So I am very familiar with the problem of working with flaking or peeling skin! 😞 In my experience, applying a gel moisturizer before makeup is a good way to help makeup go on as smoothly as possible. I use and love Hada Labo’s Skin Plumping Gel Cream, but I think the gel texture is the most important thing.) A primer applied after moisturizer also does help, though I’ve never found one that I *really* liked the feel of. I personally avoid foundation when my skin is flaky, but I know that’s not an option for everyone! Hope you find something that works well for you(and that you get through this phase of your Retin-A treatment quickly)!

[tg1973]

Have you ever tried the Amore Pacific Treatment Enzyme Peel? If not, it's a powder that foams on your skin to exfoliate with absolutely no grit or harsh acid, it just kinda dissolves dead skin. It's pricey, so if you're interested, try to get a sample before you buy. I don't know how sensitive your skin is after using Retin-A, but if it's pretty hardy, try using a weak AHA on clean skin. That's kind of hardcore and may be something you have to work up to. In terms of gentleness, I would say the Amore Pacific is actually more gentle than a washcloth, and an AHA is definitely less gentle than a washcloth. Another idea is squalane, if you haven't already ruled it out. It's not actually an oil, more of a dry essence, and it didn't break me out back when I was still breaking out if I even looked at an oil. I found that it made an amazing primer for my foundation and added an extra glow. It hydrated my skin so we'll that the flakes nearly disappeared and foundation went on like a dream. Fortunately, it doesn't require a huge outlay, as The Ordinary offers an inexpensive vegan option. One product I'm falling in love with right now is the Dr. Jart+ Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment. I got a sample with my points, and I'm pretty amazed that it actually does what it promises. It's like a combination of calming cream, green color correcting primer, and a high end BB cream. It feels like a calming cream going on, is really soothing, and changes from light green to your skin tone. It doesn't look heavy like foundation, it just evens out skin and hides redness, actually soothing the red skin as it hides it. It also has sunscreen in it so you don't have to worry about getting sunscreen on your flaky, sensitive skin. I find that putting extra on redder areas doesn't make it look heavier or cakey, it just gives more cover. I wouldn't say that the final effect is a super polished airbrushed foundation perfection, but it's definitely a lot more even and together than nothing or a caked on mess. The only thing about that is that I don't know how versatile the color change technology is, meaning how dark it will go. I have fair skin and it works great, but deeper skin tones may not be covered. Korean brands are not known for their wide shade ranges. I wish I had some secret surefire method to impart to you, but I never found one. There must be some trick makeup artists use, so maybe try hitting up the closest Sephora store and asking their staff. I know that I have seen some people on TV with flaky skin absolutely pancaked over, so it may be a challenge even for pros. The more makeup you have on, the more evident it will be if a flake comes off and leaves a blank spot. Honestly, when mine was bad I used a brush and circular motion, figuring at least all sides of the flakes were even. Remember that the worst will pass, the flakes won't last forever, and keep your eye on the prize--years of ageless skin that doesn't break out! And play up your gorgeous eyes so you don't notice the flaking as much. Nobody notices our flaws as much as we do. And if anyone does notice the flaking and is rude enough to say so, tell them you're allergic to cheap perfume and to stand further away from you.

[DeeLyn0921]

I feel your pain! I also have hormonal acne, rosacea and sensitive skin. for the retin A, I would space out your days using it if your peeling and assure your face is completely dry b4 applying. I have been using a warm wash cloth at night to physically exfoliate my face followed by fresh rose deep hydration face serum. As for your foundation, maybe try switching to a cc cream until you get your flaking under control.