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Benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

Benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin: keep them apart

Keep them apart

Use them at different times of day, applying benzoyl peroxide in the morning and tretinoin at night, because they cancel each other out. Combining them in the same routine causes the benzoyl peroxide to oxidize and deactivate the tretinoin, which stops them from working properly. You can change your routine by using a gentler strength, or by putting more time between the two products.

Retinoids: a journey from the molecular structures and mechanisms of action to clinical uses in dermatology and adverse effectsWhy Topical Retinoids Are Mainstay of Therapy for Acne

Benzoyl peroxide products

Tretinoin products

Questions and answers

Can you use benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin together?

Keep benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin apart because benzoyl peroxide causes oxidation and deactivation of retinoids. Use benzoyl peroxide in the morning and tretinoin in the evening to avoid this issue.

Which goes first, benzoyl peroxide or tretinoin?

You should keep benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin apart in your routine because mixing them can deactivate the retinoid. Use benzoyl peroxide in the morning and tretinoin at night.

Are benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin good for sensitive skin?

No, benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin should be kept apart in your routine because mixing them causes oxidation and deactivation of retinoids. You can use benzoyl peroxide in the morning and tretinoin in the evening to avoid irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Research on benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin

Behind this pairing advice

Lovi checks every pairing with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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