Summer is here and although the sun is shining brightly, you don’t have to stop enjoying the benefits of your skincare routine for fear of the sun acting negatively. We always say that skincare should be consistent and continuous over time, and stopping your skincare routine during the summer months can be a mistake.
What’s the truth about the relationship between retinol and the sun?
There are many myths about retinol and the sun. Undoubtedly, the most widespread belief is that retinol is a photosensitising active ingredient for the skin and therefore not appropriate to use during the peak sun exposure months.
There are several nuances to this. The first is that retinol is not by nature a photosensitising active ingredient but a photosensitising active ingredient, i.e. it will degrade more rapidly under solar radiation and lose some of its effect. This is why, in order to maintain the stability of the formulations, it is generally recommended that retinol be used at night.
If there is one thing that can be related to photosensitivity of the skin after retinol use, it is the inflammation or peeling that it can cause. If the skin is inflamed or peeling, it will be somewhat more sensitive to sunlight, regardless of whether or not you have used retinol that day. This is why we cannot state categorically that it is not retinol that photosensitises the skin, but rather the inflammatory state that retinol can produce. To put it very simply, a person who uses retinol and does not become irritated or inflamed will not have skin that is more sensitive to the sun than if they did not use it. On the other hand, a skin that uses retinol and has flaking may increase its degree of photosensitivity to some extent.
At this point, what are the keys to continuing to benefit from the results of retinol in summer?
Tips for using retinol in summer:
Always apply retinol at night: As explained above, retinol is a molecule that can be photosensitive and lose effectiveness if used while receiving UV radiation. To ensure that your retinol product does not lose its effectiveness, the best method is to always use it at night.
Adjust dosages: To avoid excessive inflammation after retinol use, it is important that you adjust the percentage of retinol and the nights of application according to your skin’s tolerance. Your trusted cosmetologist will be able to help you find the ideal regimen for your skin.
Avoid combining with other active ingredients that may be irritating: During the summer it is advisable not to irritate the skin too much. It may be important not to use retinol at the same time as other irritating active ingredients such as glycolic acid.
Don’t forget to treat your skin’s barrier function: Excessive sun exposure, relaxed diet and reduced physical activity are common summer habits that can diminish the skin’s barrier function and make it more sensitive and reactive to the application of topical products. Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits and applying barrier-strengthening creams will help keep your skin healthy and comfortable all summer long.
Use sunscreen daily: The use of sun protection methods is a must all year round regardless of the cosmetic routine you are using. Avoiding the sun and using oral sunscreens to complement your topical sunscreen will keep your skin protected during the peak sun exposure months.
If you still don’t have your retinol, or your complete kit to continue using it this summer without endangering your skin, you can visit our online shop and discover the products we trust the most.
We advise that if you want to start using retinol, you should first consult with our cosmetic advisors so that they can tell you which one is best for you.
