Every summer the same question returns:
Should you stop using retinol when the weather gets hot and solar radiation increases?
And as with many things related to skincare, the answer is not a simple yes or no. The reality is that it mainly depends on one thing: whether or not your skin is already adapted to retinoids, such as retinol or retinal.
If you already use retinoids, it is usually not necessary to stop using them.
There is a belief that retinol should be automatically discontinued when the good weather arrives, but that is not always the case. If you have been using a product containing retinol or some type of retinoid for months and your skin tolerates it well, you can continue using it during the summer in your night routine without any problem.
If your skin is adapted, does not show irritation, and you use sun protection appropriately during the day, the most common practice is to maintain its use in your night routine throughout the summer months as well.
In fact, stopping the application of a retinol product just because it is summer may not make much sense. When autumn arrives and you want to incorporate it again, you will likely have to do so gradually so that your skin gets used to the active ingredient again.
When might it be advisable to take a break?
Although it is not necessary to discontinue it as a general rule, there are situations where it is advisable to adapt its use.
If you notice that your skin is more sensitive than usual, or if irritation, stinging, excessive flaking, or increased reactivity appear after sun exposure, it might be a good idea to space out applications or even suspend it temporarily.
The priority should always be to keep the skin balanced. In these cases, reducing the concentration or frequency for a few days or weeks is usually more reasonable than insisting on continuing to use it when your skin is asking for a rest.
Starting to use retinol in summer is a different story
It is one thing to continue applying a product containing retinol that your skin is already accustomed to, and quite another to start using it for the first time during the summer.
If you currently do not use retinol products, this is not usually the time I recommend most for incorporating them on your own. Adaptation requires observing how the skin responds, adjusting the frequency of use, and accompanying the process with the right products.
That is why, in most cases, autumn is usually a more comfortable time to start. Sun exposure is generally lower, and it is easier to carry out a gradual adaptation without other factors interfering.
What if I want to start in the summer?
It can be done, but not just any way.
If you want to incorporate retinoids during the summer months, the ideal approach is to do so in a structured manner under the guidance of a professional who can assess the condition of your skin, your sun exposure habits, and the type of retinoid most suitable for you.
Not all skin types need the same concentration or frequency of use.
So, retinol in summer, yes or no?
If your skin is already adapted to retinol and is balanced, you can usually continue using it during the summer without any problem.
If your skin is sensitized or will be subjected to intense sun exposure, it may be advisable to reduce the frequency or take a temporary break.
And if you have never used retinoids, it is generally preferable to wait until autumn or start with a personalized plan.
Because it is not about using retinoids at any cost. Knowing when to use it and how to incorporate it is just as important as the product you use.
Every skin has its moment and its rhythm, and respecting them usually yields better results than trying to go too fast.
Best wishes,
Mercè 🖤
