Should we swear off our beloved serum in the summer?
Retinol is considered the ultimate skincare product for combating fine lines and blemishes. Nevertheless, there are still some misunderstandings about this miracle product. For example, is it wise to use it during the sunny summer months, or is it better to leave it alone?
How retinol works
Let’s get straight to the point: retinol is perfectly fine to use in the summer, although some caution is advised. Retinol is an ingredient from the vitamin A family and can reduce fine lines, skin pigmentation and acne. It also stimulates the production of collagen, which provides firmness. Sounds ideal, but retinol is also known for its irritating properties. Although this mainly happens if you do not incorporate retinol into your skincare routine properly. And the higher the percentage of retinol in your serum, the greater the chance of irritation.
When it comes to using retinol, it’s best to build up. “We recommend starting with a low concentration and low frequency,” Dr. Rahi Sarbaziha, an aesthetic physician, tells Huffpost. “This way, your skin can gradually get used to it. It’s recommended to do it once a week in the evening.” Don’t be stubborn about this, and really only use it at night. If you use it during the day, you’re more likely to get irritation from sun exposure. Plus, the sun breaks down retinoids.
Use in summer
We quickly mentioned that you can use retinol in the summer, but what exactly is that? “Many people think that it is better not to use retinol in the summer, but that is a misunderstanding,” shares beauty therapist Jan Marini. Dermatologist Dr. Fadi Haddad emphasizes this: “You can experience benefits if you use retinol every day, but the effect it has on the skin depends on the strength of the retinol and the frequency.” Haddad also wants to say that retinol itself does not cause sunburn. Although the dermatologist understands where this misunderstanding comes from: “Younger skin cells are revealed during cellular renewal, and they are extra vulnerable and sensitive to sun damage.” For that reason, it is important that you protect your skin with a good SPF.
So people can continue to use retinol, especially if your skin is already used to it – a process that takes about six months. Are you planning to spend a lot of time in the sun? Then it may be wise to adjust the frequency slightly in the summer. “It may then be good to adjust the cycle to slightly more ‘rest and recovery’ days,” shares Sarbaziha. Instead of applying retinol every evening, you could choose to do it every other evening or even once every three evenings. And, which also doesn’t hurt, is to use an extra strong SPF in the summer.
Source: Marie Claire, Huffpost | Image: Adobe Stock
