Best Face Wash to Use with Tretinoin Cream

People often ask me what the best face wash is to use with tretinoin cream or with any retinoid. This post will contain my top gentle cleanser picks that pair perfectly with tretinoin.

Almost all of these are water-based cleansers, ideal for use in double cleansing. 

If you’re looking for some oil cleanser instead, I have got a separate post for it as well.

What Is Tretinoin Cream And How Does It Work?

To find what the best face wash to use with tretinoin cream is, it is better to first understand what tretinoin actually is and how it works.

Tretinoin is a vitamin A, also known as Retin-A or retinoic acid. It is one of those topical retinoid used for both acne treatments and signs of aging.

You might know retinol, the OTC or cosmetic version of tretinoin. Retinol is a much weaker retinoid, meaning it works slowly. While both, the tretinoin and retinoids, aim to deliver skin benefits, tretinoin has been clinically proven to work, especially for acne and photoaging.

Because tretinoin is a prescription medication, it’s been studied deeply. While OTC retinol products often depend on brand-specific studies and may not have the same level of scientific backing.

Some Benefits Of Tretinoin Cream

Here are some of the key skin benefits of using tretinoin over time

• Reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Fewer breakouts in acne-prone skin 
• Fading of acne scars and post-acne marks
• Reduced extra oil production, helping balance oily skin
• Lightening of dark spots and hyperpigmentation
• More radiant, glowy complexion
• Smoother, softer skin texture, replacing rough or uneven skin

​Potential Side Effects Of Tretinoin

While tretinoin delivers effective results, it also has few potential side effects, especially in the beginning. The good thing is that these effects fade with regular use as your skin adjusts.

Tretinoin speeds up skin cell turnover, leading to dryness, flaking, and mild irritation. Many users experience light peeling, which can be uncomfortable at first 

Even tretinoin is used for acne prone treatment; it can make breakouts worse before they get better. This temporary process is called a purge on social media because tretinoin brings underlying congestion and acne to the surface more quickly.

This process usually lasts around 3–4 months, though it can be shorter or longer depending on your skin. The best results come from consistency with using a supportive skincare routine that includes a gentle cleanser and moisturizer to minimize irritation.

Creating The Perfect Tretinoin Skincare Routine

A lot of people have bad experiences with tretinoin because it is difficult to create a best-suiting skincare routine.

Choosing the best face wash to use with tretinoin cream is very important for irritation free results. But other factors are just as important;

• Choosing the right active ingredients to mix with tretinoin
• Sun protection
• Maintaining a healthy skin barrier

How Many Actives Are Too Many?

I think it is all about picking the right skincare products. Even if the products are gentle, it is necessary to ensure they will be too harsh when paired.

What counts as too much can vary from person to person, but in general, I would not suggest exfoliating more than twice per week when using tretinoin. As for me, I skip additional exfoliation altogether but I know that can feel a bit unusual for some people who are used to including it in their routine.

Should You Use An Exfoliating Cleanser With Tretinoin?

When it comes to your cleanser, you want something that cleans your skin effectively. Many cleansers have salicylic acid as their major ingredient, and people often overlook how that fits into the rest of their routine.

If you are using a salicylic acid cleanser twice a day, every day, you are exfoliating 14 times per week. When combined with tretinoin or other active ingredients, then it doubles the former routine.

Here are some gentle cleanser options that can keep your skin balanced while using tretinoin.

​Best Face Washes To Use With Tretinoin Cream

There is no such thing as the best face wash to use with tretinoin cream but here I am going to share a list of 25 face washes that pair perfectly with tretinoin.

Since I am a long-time retinoid user, I have included the first few from my must-try water-based cleansers list. 

These cleansers are very safe to use with tretinoin as none of them contain exfoliating ingredients.

Dermatica Balancing Glycerin Gel Cleanser

I love Dermatica’s range of gentle and efficient products. They are fragrance free and contain no essential ingredients, reasonable prices, and feature no wrinkle formulas that focus on skin health.

This water-based cleanser perfectly suits almost any skin type and has a texture similar to Dr Sam’s Flawless Cleanser (which I am currently using).

Dr Sam’s Flawless Water-Based Cleanser

I’ve used this cleanser for years and still haven’t tired of it. It is quite soothing, non-foaming, and contains allantoin and aloe vera for added calming benefits.

The texture might feel unusual at first, but it quickly becomes addictive.

SOS Cleanse Facial Cleanser

Another simple gel cleanser with just eight ingredients, this one from SOS Serum is perfect for sensitive or compromised skin and the best deserving to be added in best face wash to use with tretinoin. SOS is not a widely known brand (they mostly sell through Amazon), but they have minimal and gentle formulas.

I have also tried their SOS SPF, which worked well though after a while, it caused a few suspicious forehead spots (none on my cheeks).

Aveeno Calming Oat Cleanser

Aveeno’s Calm & Restore line is one of my favorite drugstore skincare ranges. The Aveeno Calming Oat Cleanser has a reasonable price and has a milky consistency more like a thick toner.

It is gentle, fragrance-free, and a solid choice if your skin leans dry, sensitive, or irritated from tretinoin.

Hyram Centella and Green Tea Hydrating Gel Cleanser

I do not follow skincare YouTubers anymore, but Hyram’s cleanser is one that always catch my attention. It is hydrating, water-based, and includes two of my favorite ingredients; centella and green tea.

Centella is fantastic for supporting the skin barrier, and as long as your skin tolerates it well, you can never really have too much of it.

[Coat]s Gentle Hydrating Facial Cleanser with Ceramides

Ever since I have discovered [Coat]s, I just love this water-based cleanser. It gives a softer finish to my skin that post-cleanse comfort is something I had not experienced before.

Overall, I like the [Coat]s range, and it deserves more attention. The only downside is availability it is not to find outside the UK and US. At the time of writing, it’s mainly stocked on Amazon and at CVS stores in the States.

Curel Foaming Gentle Cleansing Face Wash

Japanese brand Curel is another favorite of mine. Their gentle foaming cleanser suits anyone who enjoys the feel of foam wash but avoid the stripping surfactants that many foaming cleansers use.

It’s mild, soothing, and ideal for maintaining your skin barrier while on tretinoin especially for sensitive or dry skin types.

Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel

Stepping into K-beauty suggestions, Haruharu Wonder is a five star brand. Their Black Rice range is minimal, effective, and very gentle.

The Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Cleansing Gel maintains a slightly acidic pH supporting healthy functioning of skin. If you’re a fan of double cleansing, they also make a fragrance-free oil cleanser in the same line another great tretinoin-friendly option.

Prequel Non-Drying Glycerin Cleanser

There’s a lot of debate around dermatologist about Ellis’s brand Prequel, and honestly and it is justified.

This cleanser feels like washing your face with pure glycerin super hydrating, cushiony, and non-stripping. 

The only downside? It’s huge and not very travel-friendly, but perfect as an at-home staple.

Simple Replenishing Cream Cleanser

Simple was favorite brand in my teens and early twenties and it remains a reliable, budget-friendly option.

The Simple Replenishing Cream Cleanser is just that; simple, hydrating, and effective. It’s gentle enough for daily use with tretinoin and a good choice mif you want a drugstore face wash that supports barrier repair.

You can always count on Simple as one of the best face washes to use with tretinoin cream especially if your skin is prone to dryness or irritation.

The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser

I used to be a die-hard The Ordinary fan before getting deeper into skincare, and this cleanser reminds me the reason. It has just a handful of ingredients, is gentle and minimal, and works beautifully as a morning or second cleanser.

It’s simple, affordable, and one of the most tretinoin-friendly foaming cleansers you’ll find.

T-Zone Niacinamide & Cica Calm & Clarify Gentle Foaming Gel Wash

T-Zone has done a 180 shift in recent years, releasing some surprisingly good budget friendly skincare products. This gentle foaming gel wash is their best.

It is a little difficult to find, but you will usually spot it at Superdrug. Grab it if you can it is under 6$, fragrance-free, and a simple, effective cleanser that works well alongside tretinoin.

Krave Beauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser

Krave Beauty is my favourite K-beauty brands as they keep things simple, no unnecessary launches, just genuine basics.

The Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser is a great option for most skin types. It leaves the skin soft, clean, and calm without drying it out. But I would not suggest it to those with very dry skin, as it may not feel rich enough.

Paula’s Choice CALM Ultra Gentle Cleanser

I have not tried much from Paula’s Choice because it is a bit expensive, but it is worth mentioning. The CALM Ultra Gentle Cleanser is perfect if you are using a retinoid and want something that supports sensitive skin.

It soothes redness, leaves no residue, and helps protect your moisture barrier everything you want while using tretinoin.

Naturium Niacinamide Cleansing Gelée

This nicotinamide-infused cleanser from Naturium is a popular favorite among people with oily or combination skin. It is slightly more expensive than the average drugstore cleanser, but it’s gentle, hydrating, and helps refine texture over time.

It is an excellent face cleanser to use with tretinoin if you are looking for something that supports oil balance and barrier health.

Geek & Gorgeous Jelly Joker

I love Geek & Gorgeous as a brand because their formulas are minimal, and cheaper. Unfortunately, this cleanser did not work for my skin and caused a few breakouts, but it is still a fantastic option for many.

If you have super sensitive or easily irritated skin, the Jelly Joker is the best cleanser to use with tretinoin cream, because of its gentle, pH-balanced formula.

Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule Foam

The only complaint about gentle cleansers is that they do not feel like they are doing much, especially since many do not foam. If you miss that classic foamy sensation, this one strikes the perfect balance.

The Skin1004 Centella Ampoule Foam gives that satisfying clean feeling while still being barrier-safe. It is ideal for those who want a little foam without the harshness.

Be Minimalist Oat Extract 0.6% Gentle Cleanser

Minimalist is another top notch brand that reminds me a lot of The Ordinary; simple, evidence-based, and affordable.

This cleanser includes 0.6% oat extract, which gives it an extra-soothing, calming effect especially good if your skin tends to feel dry or tight from tretinoin.

It’s fragrance-free, non-stripping, and gentle enough for daily AM and PM use.

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser

I am not the biggest CeraVe fan overall (the Hydrating Cleanser isn’t for me), but the Foaming Facial Cleanser deserves its place on this list.

It is a classic, dermatologist-approved option that cleans effectively without drying the skin. It is rich in ceramides and nicotinamide, which help restore the skin barrier making it a safe and accessible face wash to use with tretinoin cream.

I’m From Mugwort Gel Cleanser

This K-beauty staple is known for gentle and hydrating products. The Mugwort Gel Cleanser soothes redness and irritation for any skin which is reactive or sensitized from tretinoin use.

It’s also free from active ingredients and fragrances, making it an great choice for maintaining skin barrier strength.

Byoma Creamy Jelly Cleanser

I want to love Byoma products more than I actually do, some are amazing, others leave me confused. But this Creamy Jelly Cleanser is genuinely great for most skin types.

It has a soft, cushiony texture that cleanses, and it’s one of Byoma’s more balanced, soft formulas ideal for tretinoin users looking for something light but effective.

No7 Derm Solutions™ Comforting Cream Cleanser

I like both of the new No7 Derm Solutions™ cleansers, but this one is uniquely efficient if you prefer a cream texture. It is formulated with shea butter, which might be a bit too rich for some, but since it is a wash-off formula, it is less likely to cause issues for most.

No7 Derm Solutions™ Calming Gel Cleanser

The gel version is from the same line and comes with a massive tube. It feels cooling and refreshing on the skin, making it a must choice for normal to oily skin types using tretinoin.

Isntree Green Tea Fresh Cleanser

You cannot  out number  green tea, and this Isntree cleanser is a lovely, simple option. 

It removes impurities gently without compromising hydration, and the green tea extract helps soothe redness and support barrier repair.

B_LAB Matcha Hydrating Foam Cleanser

Similar in feel and concept to the Krave and Isntree cleansers, B_LAB’s Matcha Hydrating Foam Cleanser offers gentle foam that feels refreshing.

It is a great tretinoin-safe cleanser, if you like green tea or matcha-based skincare for their antioxidant and calming properties.

What to Avoid in a Face Cleanser While Using Tretinoin

Just to be super clear, here are a few ingredients I prefer to avoid in cleansers 99% of the time. These apply not just to the best face wash to use with tretinoin cream, but to nearly any skincare routine:

• Essential oils of any kind
• Fragrance, whether natural or artificial
• Vitamin C, it’s a great ingredient, but too active and unnecessary in a cleanser
• Coconut oil can be comedogenic for many skin types

Conclusion

When using tretinoin, your cleanser does not have to be fancy it just has to be gentle, non-exfoliating, and barrier-supportive. Focus on formulas that clean effectively without leaving your skin tight or dry.

Remember, tretinoin does the heavy lifting in your routine. Keep the rest of your skincare simple, soothing, and consistent, and your skin will thank you for it.