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Do I Need to Stop Retinol, Tretinoin, Acids, or Other Active Skincare Products During the Summer?
In The Know with Dr. Parker | July 2026
This is a common question we hear in the summer, and there can be some confusion around what skincare products can be used during different times of the year. So let’s go over it from a physician and skin expert perspective!
Do I need to stop retinol, tretinoin, acids, or other active skincare because I’m getting more sun exposure?
The simple answer is no.
But summer is a time to be more thoughtful.
Our skin can experience changes when our environment changes. More “harsh” conditions apply to extreme cold, as well as to extreme heat or high UV Index. ☀️
Some active products can make the skin more sensitive or easily irritated. Irritation and inflammation are both things we want to avoid when it comes to our skin!
Inflammation and irritation of the skin can be caused by many things, but some common ones in regards to skincare product use (and that are within our control) tend to be overuse of products, combining too many products at once, using too much of a certain active, applying sun-sensitizing products during the day when they are only meant to be used at night (i.e. Tretinoin) or applying products to skin that is already compromised.
That’s where sun exposure comes into play, and being mindful of what you apply to your skin when it is sunburned. Burned skin is compromised, weakened skin. Topping it with active skincare products is going to cause further irritation, damage, and reaction.
More on this here for our skin enthusiasts: Understanding the Epidermal Barrier in Healthy and Compromised Skin: Clinically Relevant Information for the Dermatology Practitioner
The bigger concern is not the skincare; it’s the chain reaction
For example, you may notice that some of your skincare packaging containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) states “can increase sun sensitivity”, and although you may not have experienced any sensitivity using this product during the shorter days with decreased sun in winter, our risk of sensitivity increases when summer and more sun exposure come along. We are spending more time outdoors with longer, sunnier days while using the same active skincare product. Then factor in forgetting sunscreen while gardening and poolside for a few days in a row, still using said AHA skincare, and the next thing you know, you have a sunburn or irritated skin. You continue to use the AHA on this sunburn, and lo and behold, the sunburn is, in fact, more burned, won’t heal, and is more irritated than before.
Now, does this mean you can’t use this skincare product that contains AHA in the summer?
– No, you can absolutely still use it.
Should you discontinue the AHA-containing skincare while your skin heals from the sunburn and start applying sunscreen on a regular basis?
– Yes, and most definitely yes.
The key takeaway is that if you want to use these active products or serums throughout the summer, then you really need to be using sun protection and not allow your skin to get sunburned. This also applies if you have a heat rash, dermatitis, cut, etc. It’s best not to use these actives on compromised skin unless you want to make things worse.
The same logic applies to specific skin treatments, especially lasers. This is precisely why reviewing your pre- and post-care instructions for any laser or IPL procedure is so vital. Certain treatments can temporarily heighten sun sensitivity or involve healing periods where the skin is considered “compromised.” During these windows, you may need to hit pause on specific active skincare products for a set amount of time before or after your session.
Summer Skincare Do’s and Don’ts
In our professional experience, the more common skincare issue is not simply the use of a retinol or acid (that’s actually what we want our patients to do!), It’s more so applying them when our skin is compromised. If your skin is sunburned, stinging, peeling, more reactive, injured, or inflamed, that is not the time to keep applying your retinols or active serums. In fact, it’s a great time to dial back on the active-ingredient skincare products (vitamin C, retinol, AHA, BHA, or physical exfoliants) and use only gentle and basic products (gentle cleanser, hydrating moisturizer, and sunscreen). Do not reintroduce your active skincare until your skin has healed or recovered.
When to NOT use active skincare products:
- Sunburned skin
- Irritated skin from heat and sun exposure
- When sun exposure is increased and prolonged outside of your normal routine
- If you have an open wound or cut on your skin
- After certain skincare treatments and procedures (ask your Radiance provider about this!)
What should patients do in the summer for skincare?
Keep using your skincare products, and don’t forget your sunscreen! For most patients, the summer isn’t a season to halt your skincare; it’s a time to make slight adjustments while still maintaining good skin practices, skin care, and skin health.
- Yes, this may not be the best time for HALO or BBL…
- Slight adjustment…switch to Microneedling or Pico Genesis
- These treatments are more summer-safe, have less downtime, and pose less risk for sun-exposed skin.
- You’re going on summer vacation…
- Slight adjustment…Using your retinol or tretinoin less frequently
- Doing this as a precaution to prevent a sunburn can be helpful if you know you’ll be out in the sun more, such as on a summer vacation, out on the water, or on a hiking trip.
- You get sunburned and are unsure if you should use your retinol/salicylic acid/benzoyl peroxide/vitamin C serum…
- Slight adjustment…try to avoid further sun exposure and pause the active skincare products until your skin has healed.
- Stay consistent with SPF, hats, and sun protection habits when introducing these products back into your routine.
- You simplified your routine, improved your sun protection, and your skin is still reacting to products…
- Slight adjustment…this is the time to seek guidance and talk to a provider.
- You could be doing everything right, and there may be some things that need to be evaluated by a professional for the best next steps.
The takeaway for summer skincare
You do not need to stop retinol, tretinoin, acids, or other active skincare products during the summer, but we should be intentional about when we use certain skincare products around times of increased sun exposure, as well as before, during, or after specific skin treatments.Book a Summer Skin Consultation
Big Disclaimer!
While this information applies to most topical skincare actives, retinols, and skincare products, this does not apply when it comes to certain oral medications. It is extremely important to discuss with your provider, especially when prescribed Doxycycline, about the increased risk of sun sensitivity associated with this oral antibiotic or other sun-sensitizing medications.
