How to use retinoids in summer
Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives known for its anti-aging benefits, including helping to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles. You may have heard before that retinoids increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight and risk of sunburn, but these can be managed by using certain forms of retinoids like retinal, used in Ao Skincare, and applying them only in the evenings.
Initially retinoids are normally used only 2 or 3 times per week, until your skin starts to tolerate them. But when applied regularly for a long period of time, they act at a cellular level to remodel and resurface your skin’s texture. So it’s important not to discontinue their use over the summer months.
Retinoids are normally used at night because they break down in sunlight, which is why they are packaged in opaque bottles. As long as you are using a UV broad spectrum SPF30 sunscreen, like 6000X Elemental Screen SPF 30, and reapplying it often to avoid sunburn, the use of retinoids in summer is completely safe. Here are a few tips to ensure you are effectively protecting your skin from the sun during the summer months:
- Apply sunscreen liberally to your face and neck in the morning after moisturizing.
- Reapply sunscreen regularly, especially after swimming and exercise. A good rule of thumb is every two hours.
- Avoid long exposure to sunlight, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Wear a hat, sunglasses, and long sleeves for additional protection.
As you enter your 20s, pollution and sun damage start triggering the degradation of your skin. The longer you leave it, undoing this damage becomes much harder and more complicated. So we recommend introducing retinoids to your skin care regime in your 20s.
Try out a gentle approach like Reverse Longitude PM Serum-Shot. Retinal has an indirect conversion process, compared to retinol or other retinoids, so it’s less likely to cause skin irritation and flaking. Our formula combines retinal with bakuchiol, a potent antioxidant shown to have similar benefits to topical vitamin A. Bakuchiol boosts the retinal and it works alongside the retinal to reduce any unwanted side effects like redness and flaking.