When it comes to retinol and sun exposure, follow these two golden rules.
Are retinol and sun exposure a badskincare combination?
How does this fare for wearing retinol in the summer months?
What Is Retinol and What Are Its Benefits?
Retinol is a bang out of retinoidand an ingredient often added to skin care products.
When using aretinol serumfor the first time, start with a low percentage and work your way up steadily.
The same is true for those with darker skin tones or skin sensitivities.
As you monitor your skin’s reaction and tolerance, you may be able to increase the strength.
Benefits of Retinol Use
It’s no skincare secret that retinol is a superstar ingredient.
But for all the good it does, retinolcanirritate the skin.
“Many of my clients find retinol extremely daunting, especially in the summer,” Ukeleghe says.
Summer humidity lends more moisture, which is very helpful for starting retinol products," Ukeleghe explains.
During summer months, apply retinol at night and goheavyon the SPF the next morning.
It will still be effective at this dose since a small amount of retinol goes a long way.
“Also, see to it to reapply sunscreen every two hours.”
Because retinol can cause skin irritation, using retinol on sunburned skin can worsen the already irritated area.
Give your skin time to heal from the sunburn before applying retinol.
Make this period without retinol even longer if you plan to get a tan.
(Better yet, don’t do that.)
Additionally, avoid skin treatments like chemical peels or exfoliation.
They typically strip the skin of crucial oils and can leave it exposed to potential irritation or inflammation.
Stick to gentle cleansers and moisturizers instead.
Choose products with ingredients like ceramides andhyaluronic acid, which pair well with retinol.
“double-check you’re only combining ingredients that work well with retinol.
Some toners, astringents, and medicated cleansers can be too harsh and clash when used alongside retinol.”
