{"id":74844,"date":"2026-08-03T12:20:20","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T10:20:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/?p=74844"},"modified":"2026-08-03T12:20:23","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T10:20:23","slug":"keep-retinol-in-the-summer-unless-you-make-this-mistake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/retinol-en-ete-a-garder-sauf-si-vous-faites-cette-erreur\/","title":{"rendered":"Retinol in the Summer: Keep Using It\u2014Unless You Make This Mistake"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/retinol-ete2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-74845\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/retinol-ete2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/retinol-ete2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/retinol-ete2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/retinol-ete2-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/retinol-ete2-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Credit: @envato<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every spring, it\u2019s the same routine: we tuck our retinol serum away at the back of the drawer until September. This is a common belief, but it\u2019s worth taking a closer look. Depending on your situation, continuing to use retinol in the summer is perfectly possible\u2014with one non-negotiable condition and one clear exception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>See also:<\/strong>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/bakuchiol-vs-retinol-natural-scam-scientific-truth\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"71464\">Bakuchiol vs. Retinol: The \"Natural\" Scam<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Retinol Is a Cause for Concern in the Summer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/retinol\/\">retinol<\/a> is the gold standard in anti-aging ingredients. It stimulates collagen production, visibly reduces wrinkles, and helps fade dark spots. It\u2019s hard to imagine anything better on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The problem stems from two factors. First, retinol breaks down when exposed to light: that\u2019s why it should be applied in the evening, never in the morning. Second, it can increase the skin\u2019s sensitivity to UV rays, especially when you first start using it, before the skin has had a chance to adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/Dbkt73_oOIH\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/Dbkt73_oOIH\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewbox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">See this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/Dbkt73_oOIH\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A publication shared by Beautydecoded (@skincaredecoded)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That's where the concern comes from: more sun means more risks. But the answer depends entirely on two factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"You&#039;re Using Retinol the Wrong Way: The Routine That Changes Everything\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/GOccxnEh4CA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you're already using retinol, you can keep using it<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your skin has already adjusted to the serum and it no longer causes irritation or flaking, there\u2019s no reason to stop using it. You can continue your routine throughout the summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On one strict condition: rigorous sun protection, every day, without exception. SPF isn\u2019t optional here\u2014it\u2019s what makes summer use safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And that\u2019s exactly where the real tipping point lies. If you\u2019re unable to maintain this daily sun protection (due to vacations, extended outdoor activities, or frequent lapses), it\u2019s best to temporarily stop using retinol. It\u2019s better to take a controlled break than to use it without adequate protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you're new to retinol: wait until after summer break<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s a mistake you should avoid. Starting a retinol regimen in the middle of summer is strongly discouraged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The reason is simple: the initial adjustment phase almost always causes irritation, redness, and flaking. Irritated skin exposed to the sun is the perfect scenario for triggering new dark spots\u2014exactly what retinol is supposed to combat in the long term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In other words, starting in the summer means running the risk of making the problem you\u2019re trying to solve worse in the short term. September is a much better starting point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Beauty Decoded's Review<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u00abThe question isn't&nbsp;<em>\u00abRetinol or no retinol in the summer\u00bb<\/em>, but&nbsp;<em>\u00abHow's your skin?\u00bb<\/em>. If your skin is already tolerant to retinol and you apply SPF religiously every day, you can definitely continue using retinol during the summer. However, I strongly advise against starting a retinol regimen during this time: the adjustment phase makes the skin more sensitive, and sensitive skin exposed to the sun is the surest way to develop the very dark spots you\u2019re trying to fade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u00bbIf you have any doubts about your ability to maintain strict sun protection, taking a break during the summer is still the wisest decision.\"<br><strong>\u2014 Dr. Sylvain David, plastic surgeon and founder of Beauty Decoded<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Community's Opinion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the Beauty Decoded app, serums with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/retinol\/best-retinol-serum\/\">retinol<\/a> and retinal are among the most searched-for anti-aging ingredients, and the feedback perfectly illustrates the importance of a gradual approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The highest-rated methods are those that involve low doses introduced gradually. The&nbsp;<strong>A-Game by Geek and Gorgeous<\/strong>&nbsp;(Retinal 0.05 % and 0.1 %) has received excellent reviews, with a common thread in the feedback: start with two nights a week and gradually increase the frequency. Many users with sensitive skin confirm good tolerance precisely because they took it slowly. The same logic applies to the&nbsp;<strong>Granactive Retinoid by The Ordinary<\/strong>, often cited as a good product \u00abto get started without causing irritation.\u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Conversely, more concentrated formulas such as the&nbsp;<strong>CLINICAL 1% Retinol by Paula\u2019s Choice<\/strong>&nbsp;(4.88\/5) are very effective but result in more reports of dryness or irritation on sensitive skin, even among people who are already accustomed to retinol. Review after review confirms that a high concentration introduced improperly can lead to reactions and, therefore, an increased risk when exposed to the sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One comment alone sums up the basic rule of thumb for using a retinol serum: applying it in the morning is not recommended because retinol breaks down when exposed to UV rays. The message is clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Check your retinol concentration before summer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">0.05 %, 0.2 %, 1 %? Retinol or retinal? Is your skin ready for summer use? It all comes down to the concentration and your tolerance level. Download the app&nbsp;<strong>Beauty Decoded<\/strong>&nbsp;(free, iOS and Android): Scan your serum, identify its exact concentration, and tailor your routine to the season by keeping only the products that are truly right for your skin.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every spring, it\u2019s the same routine: we tuck our retinol serum away at the back of the drawer until September. It\u2019s a common belief, but it\u2019s worth taking a closer look. Depending on your situation, continuing to use retinol in the summer is perfectly possible. There\u2019s one non-negotiable condition, and one clear exception. See also: Bakuchiol vs. Retinol: The \u201cNatural\u201d Scam\u2026<\/p>","protected":false},"author":120,"featured_media":74846,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-74844","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-actualites"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":1,"label":"Actualites"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/retinol-ete-1024x683.jpg",1024,683,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Sylvain David","author_link":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/author\/beautydecoded\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":1,"name":"Actualites","slug":"actualites","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":1,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":326,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":1,"category_count":326,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Actualites","category_nicename":"actualites","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74844","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/120"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=74844"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74844\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":74882,"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74844\/revisions\/74882"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/74846"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=74844"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=74844"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=74844"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}