Yes, retinal can be used in summer too. The usual rule applies, just a little more strictly: apply it in the evening, and wear sunscreen when you go out the next morning. The sun doesn’t “cancel out” retinal: the real risk is something else, freshly renewed skin, which is more delicate in the sun. Here’s what’s true, what’s a myth and what to do in the city, at the beach and on holiday.
Why retinal and the sun don’t mix (and how to make it work)
There are two reasons. First, light breaks down the molecule. That’s why retinal is used in the evening and comes in an opaque tube, never a clear jar. Second, retinal speeds up skin renewal, and new skin at the surface has less protection against the sun. Neither is a good reason to stop using it. They’re both good reasons to use it in the evening and apply sunscreen in the morning. If you do that, summer changes nothing.
Summer rules
- Use it only in the evening, as always. Never before going out.
- Apply sunscreen SPF 30 or higher every morning, even in the city and even when it’s cloudy. It’s part of the treatment, not an extra.
- During weeks at the beach, cut back: go back to 3–4 evenings a week, even if you were already using it every night. Your skin already has enough to deal with in the sun.
- Don’t apply it after sunburn. Wait until your skin is back to normal, then start again gradually.
- If you’re just starting and spending your days at the beach, start slowly or wait until the end of the season. If you’re in the city and apply sunscreen in the morning, you can start whenever you like.
Retinal and a tan
Retinal doesn’t remove your tan or stop you getting one. It speeds up skin renewal, so your colour may fade a little sooner: it’s the same reason your texture becomes finer. If your tan matters to you, cut back during your weeks at the beach and go back to your usual rhythm afterwards.
Sun spots: does retinal help?
Yes, on two conditions. Sun spots are pigment left behind in old cells: retinal helps your skin replace those cells, and niacinamide helps even out your skin tone. But without sunscreen, the spots come back, and darker. The best time to work on them is from September onwards: there’s less sun, and your skin has time to renew. Read more in Dark spots and uneven skin tone.
What Retinal Booster does in summer
Dr.Luvion Retinal Booster contains pure 0.3% retinal, with niacinamide to strengthen your skin and panthenol to calm and hydrate it: two things that help when your skin is already stressed by the heat. The protocol is the same as always: in the evening, 3–4 times a week at first; after 1–2 months, once your skin has adjusted, every day. You’ll find everything in the protocol.
Frequently asked questions
Does retinal make your skin sensitive to the sun?
Renewing skin is more delicate in the sun, so you need to apply sunscreen every morning. Used in the evening with sun protection during the day, retinal won’t cause any problems.
Can I use retinal before going to the beach?
Yes, the evening before, as long as you apply sunscreen the next morning and reapply throughout the day. Never use it that same morning.
Is it better to stop using it completely in summer?
There’s no need. It’s better to cut back during weeks of strong sun and pick up again afterwards: you lose less ground than by stopping for three months.
Should I apply sunscreen even if I’m in the office?
Yes. The light that comes through windows and the walk to and from work are enough. Sunscreen every morning is the rule that makes everything else safe.