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Starting a retinol or continuing your retinol journey can be a bumpy process, literally and figuratively. Although retinol is widely recognized as a gold-standard ingredient in topical skin care, as it can help reduce fine lines, clear acne, and visibly brighten skin, among other benefits, this potent vitamin A derivative can come with a learning curve. As anyone who’s used one will tell you, it’s pretty common to experience redness, flakiness, and irritation as your skin adjusts.

Retinol also has a reputation for making skin more reactive to the sun, but is this true or just a rumor? Can you safely use retinol in the summer, or should you press pause on your routine while you’re hopping from the patio to the beach in June, July, and August? Ahead, dermatologists explain why your skin may feel more sensitive in the summer when you’re using a retinol—and how to safely continue your regimen even on those bright, sunny days.

Meet the experts:

• Anetta Reszko, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
• Deborah R. Spey, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Livingston, New Jersey.
• Dendy Engelman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.

In this story:

• What is retinol?
• Does retinol make skin more sensitive?
• Reducing summertime retinol sensitivity
• Retinol tips for newbies
• Is it really safe to use retinol in summer?

What is retinol?

Retinol is a form of vitamin A and one of several types of retinoids. It stimulates cell turnover and collagen production, and is a bit of a Swiss Army Knife, helping with various skin concerns from diminishing the signs of aging and sun damage, to improving texture and acne.

If you’re confused about retinol, retinoids, retinoic acid, and the rest of the crew, that’s totally OK! It is confusing because “retinol” is often used as a catch-all term for the entire category, though that is not always accurate. Retinol—which is what we’re focusing on here—is the most commonly used ingredient of the bunch, and it’s what you’ll find in over-the-counter skin care products sold at drugstores, department stores, or specialty beauty stores like Sephora or Ulta. Retinoic acid, also known as tretinoin, is the more potent form of vitamin A you get via a prescription, and retinoids refer to the entire category of vitamin A derivatives.

Again, to reiterate: Retinoids are the vitamin A family, retinoic acid is the prescription-only heavy hitter, and retinol is the most popular ingredient that you can purchase at your favorite store.

Does retinol make skin more sensitive?

Retinol works by accelerating cell turnover which means retinol can temporarily affect the outermost layer of dead skin cells, says Anetta Reszko, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Many people notice that their skin seems more sensitive when starting a retinol because that top layer has been stripped away, leaving the fresh, vulnerable “new” skin exposed.

Deborah R. Spey, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Livingston, New Jersey, adds that while retinoids like retinol and tretinoin do not cause photosensitivity, they do make skin more sensitive to the sun. (Photosensitivity is a specific type of reaction to the sun, which often causes intense symptoms, like blisters or a rash.) This is because all retinoids, including retinol, “thin the stratum corneum, the protective layer of skin, and can make the skin more vulnerable to sunburn,” Dr. Spey explains. In addition, she adds, retinoids can “decrease cell-to-cell adhesion, making the burned skin more likely to blister.” There’s yet another reason to be diligent with your daily SPF.

It’s also important to note that the sun isn’t the only thing that can stress out your skin during summertime retinol use. The warmer temperatures can worsen the side effects. “High temperatures can dilate blood vessels and contribute to inflammation,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. That, in turn, may worsen redness and cause additional dryness or irritation.

How to reduce summertime retinol sensitivity

Do you need to stop using retinol entirely during the sunny season? Not necessarily. It’s all about how you care for your skin and protect it from damaging UV rays. In fact, Dr. Reszko says, “summer is a vital time to continue retinol use, as [it helps] address and prevent signs of cumulative and actively occurring sun damage, but the key is pairing retinol with diligent photoprotection.”

Derms unanimously agree that sunscreen is absolutely essential for anyone using retinol (and everyone else, for that matter—every single day). “Retinol in the summertime should be closely paired with diligent and strict sun protection,” says Dr. Reszko, who recommends applying broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher—ideally SPF 50—and reapplying every two hours when you’re outside. In addition, protect your skin with a big sun hat when you’re enjoying the sunshine and warm weather.

Dr. Reszko also recommends applying retinol in the evenings only and pairing it with a moisturizer to support the skin barrier. On top of that she suggests “avoiding overuse of too many other potentially irritating actives,” including exfoliating acids like glycolic acid, to help minimize sun sensitivity.

Another point in favor of applying retinol at night is that vitamin A derivatives themselves are sun-sensitive, Dr. Spey explains. “The primary reason retinol is recommended for nighttime use is that UV exposure deactivates the active ingredient, making the product less effective,” she explains.

Do you plan to spend significant time on the beach this summer, perhaps on a getaway with friends or a yearly family vacation? If so, Dr. Reszko suggests reducing retinol frequency or pausing use entirely for a few days should your skin start feeling particularly sensitive.

People with melasma who are using any type of retinoid to help treat the skin condition should be “especially diligent” about sun avoidance, says Dr. Spey. Wearing wide-brimmed hats and using a physical sunscreen with iron oxides is a great place to start, but folks with melasma may also benefit from “a seasonal switch to bakuchiol during peak summer months to maintain regimen continuity without the photodegradation or sensitivity risks,” she says.

If your skin is feeling irritated or dry after sun exposure, Dr. Engelman recommends focusing on reducing inflammation and replenishing moisture. “Keep the skin cool, hydrated, and protected as it recovers, and drink plenty of water,” she advises. Hydrating products with soothing ingredients like aloe vera and ceramides are helpful to reduce redness, Dr. Engelman adds. Lightweight is best, as heavy oils and occlusives can trap heat and worsen inflammation. (First Aid Beauty’s Hydrating Dewy Gel Cream would be a great summertime pick.)

And never ever apply retinol to sunburned skin, says Dr. Engelman; it can cause pain, redness, and irritation. Wait until your skin has recovered, then resume your routine.

Retinol tips for newbies

Just starting your retinol journey this summer? Don’t stress about it! The key is to go “low and slow,” says Dr. Reszko. “Begin with a lower-strength formula two nonconsecutive nights per week, then gradually increase frequency as tolerated,” she says. All you need is a pea-sized amount for your whole face. Dr. Reszko recommends letting it absorb for about 10 minutes and finishing with moisturizer to help ease dryness and irritation.

A “mild degree” of dryness, flaking, or irritation is normal as your skin adjusts to retinol, she adds. You can manage it by reducing your application frequency, keeping your skin hydrated, and slowly building tolerance. This little-by-little approach will “provide more optimal results than starting too aggressively and triggering significant irritation,” Dr. Reszko says.

So is it really safe to use retinol in summer?

As long as you’re practicing safe sun, you should be good to go. “It can be safe to continue retinol through summer,” says Dr. Spey. “There is no need to discontinue use entirely in a patient compliant with sun protection protocols.”