Can I Use a TCA Peel and Retinol in the Same Routine?

Yes—but only if you use them in the right order and at the right frequency. Combining a TCA peel and retinol can deliver transformative results by speeding up cell turnover, fading dark spots, and smoothing texture—but overdoing it can damage your skin barrier. Here’s how to do it right.

Why You’d Even Want to Combine Them

Both TCA (trichloroacetic acid) peels and retinol increase cell turnover—but they do it differently.

• TCA peels exfoliate dead skin cells and help lift pigmentation on contact.
• Retinol works deeper in the skin to stimulate new cell growth over time.

Used together, they work like a one-two punch: remove what’s dull and dead, then feed the skin what it needs to regenerate.

How to Safely Use a TCA Peel and Retinol Together

Here’s the protocol I recommend. This assumes your skin is already used to actives like peels and retinol. If not, ease in slowly.

Evening Routine

1. Cleanse – Use a gentle gel cleanser that doesn’t strip your skin.
2. High Frequency Device (optional) – Only if you're targeting breakouts or inflammation.
3. TCA Multi Acid Face Peel – Use after cleansing, before everything else. Let it dry fully.
4. EGF Serum – Helps calm skin and kick-start healing.
5. Retinol Serum – Wait until the EGF has absorbed, then apply.
6. Moisturizer – Always end with a rich, barrier-supporting moisturizer.

How Often Should You Use Them?

TCA Peel: 3–4x per week, ideally after dermaplaning (once a week max).
Retinol: 2–4x per week, depending on your skin’s tolerance.
Start by using them together just once a week, then build up. Alternate nights if your skin is new to either.

Don’t Do This

• Don’t use a TCA peel and retinol if your skin is peeling, raw, or inflamed.
• Don’t layer actives like Vitamin C, glycolic, or exfoliating masks on the same night.
• Don’t use your high-frequency wand after the peel. It goes before to calm skin and kill bacteria.

What I Recommend

This is the exact stack I use when combining these ingredients:

• Prebiotic Gel Cleanser
• TCA Multi Acid Face Peel
• EGF Activating Serum
• Advanced Retinol Serum
• Microbiome Moisturizer

Final Take

Combining a TCA peel with retinol can give you professional-level results at home—if you respect your skin barrier and give it time to adjust. Use the right products, layer them in the right order, and listen to your skin. That’s how you get glowing, not irritated.