Retinol: Is It for You, and Can You Use It This Summer?

What is retinol for? Everyone’s talking about it lately—is it just because it’s the trendy ingredient right now... or is it actually as good as they say?

Let’s be clear: yes, it really is that good. Retinol is the most extensively studied cosmetic ingredient out there today, and it’s proven to be the most powerful when it comes to well-aging or anti-aging benefits in your skincare routine.

A big part of how our skin looks and feels has to do with how much collagen and elastin we have. These are naturally present in our bodies, but over time, they degrade—and that’s when we start to notice more fine lines, sagging, enlarged pores, dullness… And retinol is the best active to fight all these signs of aging!

It’s honestly incredible—one of the best things you can do for your skin. But it’s so powerful that some skin types may struggle at first and experience redness or irritation during the adjustment period (aka the famous retinization phase). But don’t worry—at Two Poles, we’ve thought of everything. We’ve created the perfect retinol for beginners, for sensitive skin… actually, for everyone! It contains 0.3% encapsulated pure retinol (the current maximum allowed in facial skincare). This encapsulation tech makes it much more tolerable for your skin, and the formula is balanced with soothing ingredients and prebiotics to support your skin barrier.

And if your skin’s already a retinol pro, Night Serum will still work wonders—it includes 1% bakuchiol, which boosts and amplifies retinol’s anti-aging benefits without irritating the skin.

I know what you’re thinking—you want it! Buuut, considering the season we’re in, let’s tackle the next question that’s probably on your mind:

Can I Use Retinol in Summer?

You’ve probably heard that you can’t use retinol during the day, or that it’s off-limits in summer, and you should stop using it until at least September. But friend, that’s not exactly true. So let’s bust that myth right now:

There’s no problem using retinol if you’re going to be in the sun—retinol on its own won’t cause damage from sunlight. It’s true that sun exposure can slightly reduce its effectiveness, which is why it's usually recommended for nighttime use. However, if your skin is new to retinol and going through that adjustment phase, and you’re experiencing irritation, that’s when you should avoid sun exposure. Irritated skin is more sensitive to external factors like UV rays, and that could lead to things like dark spots. So, whether or not you can use retinol in summer really depends on your specific situation:

• If you’ve been using retinol for months, your skin is fully adjusted, and you’re not exposed to intense sun very often—keep using it! Going through the whole retinization process only to stop now and have to re-adapt in September doesn’t make sense. But if you’re spending a lot of time outdoors, at the beach or pool, it’s better to pause your retinol use a few days before and after that exposure. Be cautious and avoid irritation—that’s key.

• If you’ve never used retinol and want to start now, it depends on your lifestyle. Are you a summer beach/pool person? Wait until September or the end of the season to start. But if you’re spending summer mostly at home or in the office, and only getting sun for 1–2 weeks on holiday, you could start slowly. (Check out our website for guidance if you're unsure how.)

Now that you know more about what retinol is and how it works, you’re ready to enjoy all its amazing benefits!
And if you still have questions, don’t hesitate to message us—we’d love to help 

Big hug, catch me on @twopolescosmetics & @partners.incream

Anna

xx