The Sun and Your Skin : 10 Essential Tips for Summer Skincare | by Kendra Clark
Eyes , lips , and feet are not only greatly exposed but are neglected areas of the body when it comes to protecting from the sun ’ s harmful rays .
The Rewards of Retinol .
We all love retinol for its anti-aging benefits , but there ’ s a common belief that you should only use this ingredient during the winter months because it increases your skin ’ s sensitivity to sunlight .
Contrary to popular belief , it ’ s actually good for your skin to start using retinol in the summer , especially if you tend to be drier in the winter . The summer humidity leaves your skin naturally more moisturized during the warmer months . Often because of the additional hydration , you ’ ll actually see less of the dryness and flaking that often accompanies retinol use . Well-known and common side effects are redness , flaking , and peeling ; however , know that this is often not seasonally dependent . Having stated this , there are a few aspects that should call for heightened awareness during the summer or anytime you will face prolonged sun exposure . Here is a crash course on Vitamin A and its effects on your skin , discussing both retinoids and retinol .
Retinoids are the group of Vitamin A derivatives that have been proven , in study after study , to unclog pores , stimulate collagen production , and improve collagen density . The active ingredient that repairs photoaging and alleviates acne is retinoic acid . Your skin is only able to use retinoids that are , or can be converted to , retinoic acid because retinoic acid works by binding to retinoic acid receptors found on the outer membrane of cells . On the acne-fighting front , it penetrates sebaceous glands and reduces sebum production . 3
Retinol is a very popular version of Vitamin A found in over-the-counter products . Retinol is not retinoic acid ; rather , it works because it converts to retinoic acid . It ’ s important to remember that all Vitamin A derivatives must convert to retinoic acid . Their effectiveness depends on the number of conversion steps , stability , and concentration .
If either retinoid or retinol is chosen , the product is to be applied at night only . A caution of which to be aware : Retinoid and retinol thin the outer skin barrier and cause increased sensitivity to ultraviolet light , which leaves your skin more prone to sunburn . If sunburn occurs , be advised to pause on retinol use as you should not apply anything potentially irritating to your skin . Instead , use plenty of moisturizer and restart your routine once the skin improves and the sunburn completely resolves . It is imperative that you apply an SPF of 30 or higher , even if you remain indoors and use UPF clothing along with a wide-brimmed hat for added protection .
26 iS Skin Source