No Need to Dump Retinol This Summer - You Just Need to Date Smarter
Hello friends and enemies,
It’s that time of year again: iced coffee is a personality trait, your thighs are sticking to car seats, and the internet is full of "you have to stop retinol immediately or you’ll burst into flames."
Let’s clarify.
No, you don’t need to retire your retinoids just because the UV Index is giving apocalypse. But you do need to use them smarter, not harder.
Here’s the lowdown on retinol in the summer, straight from someone who believes in both SPF and skin goals.
Retinol and Summer: Why the Drama?
Retinoids (that includes retinol, retinaldehyde, and prescription-strength tretinoin) work by speeding up skin cell turnover. That means newer, fresher, more sensitive skin is being revealed.
So if you're using retinol and treating sun exposure like a suggestion, you're basically asking for:
Increased sun sensitivity
More chance of irritation and redness
Hyperpigmentation that laughs in the face of your brightening serum
But does this mean you need to stop using retinol in the summer? Not at all. It just means you need a better strategy.
How to Use Retinol in the Summer Without Wrecking Your Face
1. Use It at Night. Always.
Retinol breaks down in sunlight. Applying it in the morning is like setting your money on fire. Stick to nighttime use only.
2. Layer Like a Grown-Up
If your skin is easily irritated, buffer it with a hydrating serum or lightweight moisturizer first. Then apply a pea-sized amount of retinol. Follow with another layer of moisturizer if needed. This trick, sometimes called "retinol sandwiching," softens the impact without canceling the benefits.
3. SPF Is Mandatory
You must wear sunscreen in the morning. That includes cloudy days, "just walking the dog" days, and definitely "I forgot" days. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 50 and reapply every 2 hours or earlier when sweating or swimming.
4. Cut Back Before a Beach Trip
If you're heading into a week of intense sun exposure, ease off your retinol two or three days before and after. Give your skin a break so it doesn’t get overwhelmed when you're basking under the sun.
5. Pair It With Antioxidants
Use a vitamin C serum in the morning to support your skin against free radical damage from UV exposure. It won't interfere with retinol. In fact, they make a great team when spaced out properly.
6. Know When to Take a Break
If your skin is peeling, stinging, or in a full-blown tantrum, it's okay to pause. Skincare is not a punishment ritual. Give your skin a chance to recover, then ease back in slowly.
Bottom Line
Yes, you can use retinol in the summer.
No, you should not treat it like a year-round free-for-all.
Yes, SPF is your best friend or your worst enemy depending on whether you use it.
Respect the retinol. Respect the sun. And maybe don't try to do both full throttle without a game plan.
Until next time, glow like you mean it.
x Samm