There's a common belief that retinol and sunlight just don't mix (because skin becomes hyper-sensitive), which begs the question, is it okay to use retinol in the summertime? In short, the answer is yes, it is safe to use retinol in the summertime, but there's a right way and a wrong way to use it.
Should you stop retinol in summer? As mentioned above, you do not need to stop using vitamin A in the summer. As long as you're applying a sunscreen of at least 30+ the following morning after using vitamin A, you're ensuring that your skin stays protected against the sun's ageing and burning rays.
Use Retinol Only at Night and Wear SPF Every Day
“Although retinoids are not phototoxic, meaning they won't react with sunlight to cause a burn on the skin the way lime juice can, many of them do break down when exposed to UV rays,” explains Bowe.
If you're committed to daily SPF protection (you should be) then it is absolutely ok to start and/or maintain your retinal journey in the summer months. The only caveat is that retinal can make your skin more photosensitive, and therefore more susceptible to sun damage.
Thus, Fall is the best time to transition into using Retinols – by the time the seasons change, your skin would've gotten used to Retinol and Retinol use would've been strongly integrated in your routine already.
Retinol can make skin sensitive and flaky if overused but consultant dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto makes a strong case for using it in the autumn and winter months.
Possible treatments include: Retinoids, retinols: These topical products provide their best benefit when treating early signs of photoaging. These chemicals encourage skin cells to slough off so new cells come to the surface. They also stimulate collagen production, which keeps skin tighter.
Use retinol every other day rather than every day. Wait 30 minutes after washing your face before applying your retinol product. Avoid retinol products if you have a sunburn, broken skin or other skin irritations. Use SPF 30 and wear sun protective clothing and hats to reduce your exposure to the sun.
Retinoids are some of the most powerful anti-aging ingredients out there—but they are also some of the most unstable: Exposure to air, light, and heat can render them useless. Here's how to keep them fresh so they do their job.
Discontinue use three days before and after sunny trips.
By stopping retinol usage before your beach vacations, it can help prevent potential damage to your skin, like darkened hyperpigmentation, excess dryness, and hypersensitivity to the sun.
The Retinol Uglies: Fact vs Myths. Retinol can benefit skin in a myriad of ways. Often implemented into routines for anti-ageing and skin clearing, its potency can sometimes cause side effects in the short term. Termed 'retinol uglies', the skin shedding function of this ingredient results in sensitivity for many users ...
The combination of retinol and tanning beds doesn't just lead to sunburn—it can also trigger more severe skin reactions, including: Extreme dryness and irritation – Retinol already has a natural exfoliating effect, which can leave the skin feeling dry and sensitive.
Do you have to use retinol forever once you start? If you are using it correctly, where you are balancing getting an effect with minimizing irritation and dryness, then there is really no reason to stop (with the exception of during pregnancy).
Retinol purging is a temporary reaction where increased cell turnover brings underlying impurities to the surface, leading to breakouts, dryness, and irritation. Symptoms include flaking, redness, and rough texture. Although unsettling, this phase indicates that retinol is working to renew your skin.
If you stop using retinol, will your wrinkles come back? Yes the wrinkles will come back, but not right away. When you stop using retinol for wrinkles, your skin will eventually go back to the way it was before you began retinol. But- the good news is- you will get a sustained benefit for months after stopping retinol.
Retinols themselves are sensitive to light so if you expose your skin to the sun immediately after applying, the retinol does degrade to some extent2. That's why it's suggested that you use it in your evening routine (more on that later).
The results showed that the retinoids were degraded in almost all products, both at room temperature (0-80% degradation) and at 40°C (40-100% degradation). Retinol and Retinyl palmitate were similarly degraded, beta-carotene was slightly more stable and the most stable form was Hydroxypinacolone retinoate.
How Temperature And Light Affect Your Skincare. Temperature and sunlight have a bigger impact on your skincare products than you might think. Extreme temperature and sunlight can result in the breakdown, oxidisation, curdling, or melting of formulations.
This was driven by concerns over skin irritation and systemic absorption. These could pose health risks, particularly in vulnerable populations such as pregnant women. The ban reflects a broader precautionary approach by the EU.
Retinol Can Have Side Effects
Among the most common are dryness, peeling, redness, and discomfort. Usually, these retinol side effects are temporary and resolve once your skin gets used to the retinol product you're using (this phenomenon even has its own name: the retinization period).
If you want to target wrinkles, uneven texture, or acne, retinol is your best bet. If you're looking for brighter skin and protection from environmental damage, vitamin C is the way to go.
Retinol also speeds up the rate at which skin sheds, so the new cells underneath are more sensitive to the sun. All reasons why Dr Tewari advises you should only ever apply retinol at night during the summer and any other time of year.
As retinol stimulates the flaking of old skin cells, you might experience dryness and skin flaking, particularly in areas where you're prone to dryness. This shedding is a natural part of the renewal process, but it's crucial to maintain a proper skincare routine and protect the skin with adequate UV protection.
Pigmentation changes such as age spots, liver spots (solar lentigines) and freckles. Loss of skin tone (decreased elasticity) Rough, uneven skin texture. Broken capillaries (spider veins), usually around the nose and chest.