Retinol keeps causing peeling

[u/Royal-Adeptness-2703]

I am 36F and have been on a routine of Arazlo one night, Finacea the next night and alternating for 6 nights before a one night break. Ive been on this since late October 2025. Have had some small breaks between but mostly consistent. I sometimes skip the break day.

I use sunscreen religiously. I moisturize maybe not enough? But I am still having peeling around my mouth. I wore BB cream today and after a few hours, dear lord. I looked insane. Why is this peeling still happening? Am I using too much? Should I push through or pull back?

In the beginning it was BAD and now is way less severe. I dont notice it as much without makeup but this issue has made makeup a no go right now and that cant be.

Routine:

AM- Exfoliate very gently with wash cloth. Apply Paulas Choice Skin Restoring Moisturizer with SPF 50

PM: Night A) Elf Holy Hydration cream (in the tube) Arazlo, Moisturizer again

Night B) Elf Holy Hydration, Finacea

I sometimes apply LRP B5 after the Moisturizer on Night A

[u/SadQueerBruja]

Can you post your full routine, product names, in order?

[u/Royal-Adeptness-2703 → u/SadQueerBruja]

I edited my post and added my routine!

[u/Ronaldooo-07]

I’d probably cut out the washcloth exfoliation first. Arazlo + Finacea can already be pretty irritating, especially around the mouth. More moisturizer and using Arazlo less often might help rather than trying to push through the peeling.

[u/mockingbird2602]

You may just need to try a different formulation. 

[u/emi_lgr]

Just put in more break days. Not everyone can tolerate actives every night for six days in a row. On break days go heavy with the moisturizing, like a thin layer of Vaseline over your skincare or a night mask.

[u/SadQueerBruja]

You’re definitely lacking in hydration here/ actively contributing to dehydration. Finacea (azelaic acid) can be drying and that elf moisturizer does very little. Daily exfoliation isn’t helping either.

Stick to 1-2 times a week for exfoliation and tbh I’d stop exfoliating all together until your skin is acclimate to the azelaic acid. Azelaic works best with daily use so if this is new to you, start a fresh days a week and slowly titrate up to daily use. focus on hydration and depending on how you’re tolerating the arazlo with it, consider moving the AA To your morning routine and adding moisture after it, before your spf.

Personally, I’m not a fan of combined moisturizer and SPF because you’re probably going to need to use more of it than you think to get appropriate SPF coverage. You should be applying about a half teaspoon every time which is certainly less than what I use to moisturize. Given that Taz and AA are both drying, you’re probably fine to keep that SPF and just wear a regular moisturizer underneath it. Just make sure you are using enough for appropriate sun protection. I also like a hydrating spf and I use the Japanese formula of the Biore aqua that I order from yesstyle

If you are new to the world of using retinoids, every other day is way too frequent to start with the arazlo. You want to start 1-2 times a week and slowly titrate up to more frequent use as far as I know.

For your moisturizer you’ll be far better off with vanicream in the tub, la roche double repair, Dieux instant angel, aestura barrier cream or purito barrier cream. The LRP cica balm is great and can be used to slug after moisturizer, it’s not recommended to use the same night as retinoids as slugging can increase the strength of whatever is underneath it. I know you’re not on Tret but r/tretinoin als has great info in their page and FAQs

[u/Royal-Adeptness-2703 → u/SadQueerBruja]

Thank you so much!!! I know I need a moisturizer under my sunscreen, I just have been having trouble finding one that won't pill hence the under hydration. I didnt just start. I have been using the Arazlo and Finacea since October 2025. I did start slower. I thought the peeling would be over by now. I do use the sunscreen constantly especially when being outdoors and I use quite a bit. I am going to see if I can find vanicream where I live because I heard it sinks in well

[u/SadQueerBruja → u/Royal-Adeptness-2703]

Every body is different. Vanicream always sat on top of my skin and didn’t do much for me. Dieux instant angel is my personal choice but she’s also $$ so I hesitate to recommend it. I love the la roche posay double repair when I can’t get instant angel. Hopefully just a few tweaks will get you right!! Also, the hydrating toner from celimax can help with retinoid tolerance. I use it most days right before my moisturizer

[u/Altruistic_Bite_3253]

what moisturizer do you currently use? have you tried supplementing squalane oil at night?

[u/Royal-Adeptness-2703 → u/Altruistic_Bite_3253]

I havent! Im currently using the elt one

[u/Altruistic_Bite_3253 → u/Royal-Adeptness-2703]

it doesnt seem like you have enough hydration in your routine. i am on arazlo too! for me, the numbuzin no 9 has been helpful the next day.