Retinol has become the active principle focused on fighting the signs of aging par excellence. It is a derivative of vitamin A that stimulates skin renewal, reduces pores, and results in a brighter, more rejuvenated face. Thanks to its regular application, it is possible to improve the texture and firmness of the skin, it also unifies it thanks to its depigmenting effect. One of its main virtues is that it penetrates the deep layers of the skin. However, certain aspects must be taken into account to avoid making some of the most frequent mistakes when using retinol.
The particularity of retinol is that, unlike other cosmetic products, it requires an acclimatization time for the skin. That is to say, a complete treatment with this active principle cannot be started as if nothing had happened. So it’s important to know exactly how retinol should be used before including it in your skin care routine. In addition, the time of year will be a factor to take into account.
The problem with retinol is that, as with other active ingredients, it causes photosensitivity in the skin. For this reason, it could be thought that it is not a recommended product during the summer season, since it is when the hours of exposure to the sun and the intensity of its rays increase. However, the reality is not so. Using retinol during the summer is safe, but precautions regarding the use of sunscreen will be maximum.
Dermatologists always warn of the importance of using sunscreen at any time of the year. Something that becomes mandatory if you use a product like retinol, which must be applied at night. But in summer its use is even more pressing. And more importantly, replication. It is not enough to apply the sun cream on the face before leaving home, since its effectiveness time is limited. If more hours are going to be exposed to the sun, it should be reapplied, and for this the stick formats are very useful.
So, to the question of whether or not it is safe to use retinol in the summer, the answer would be yes, as long as these precautions are taken. However, there is a particular case and this is when you want to start the treatment from scratch. As already mentioned, starting to use retinol involves a progressive process, since the dose included in the daily routine must be minimal and gradually increase as the skin gets used to and accepts it. But this can be more complicated in summer, since the reactions that retinol can cause are aggravated due to factors typical of this time, such as sweat, sea salt or the color of the pools. Therefore, the recommendation for those who want to start with retinol in summer is to postpone it until after the season.
