Myth: You Should Only Use Retinol At Night - Is It True?

Dec 18, 2023
Myth: You Should Only Use Retinol At Night - Is It True?

 

In the realm of skincare, many people think that Retinol should be strictly reserved for your nighttime routine. But is that true or is it just an old myth?

Today, we're unraveling the myth surrounding the exclusive nighttime use of retinol, exploring the realities behind this belief, and shedding light on what you can actually do to make the most of this skincare powerhouse.

The Myth

It's a common piece of advice in the skincare world: apply retinol only at night. The reasoning behind this recommendation is often because of the idea that retinol makes the skin more sensitive to sunlight, which could potentially damage your skin and speed up the aging process.

While it's true that retinol can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, that doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s nothing you can do to protect your skin throughout the day if you want to use this powerful ingredient in your morning routine…

 

woman shielding face from sun 

The Truth

Yes, it’s true that retinol can make your skin more sensitive to the sun’s rays, but it doesn't mean it's a strict no-no to use it in your morning routine! The key lies in a very simple trick that everyone should be using anyway - using Sunscreen every day!

If retinol increases your sensitivity to the sun, the most simple and effective solution would be to make sure you stick to your SPF application every day. This will help prevent sun damage and make sure the retinol can do its job by helping erase signs of aging in your complexion without being interrupted.

dropper bottle serum 

 

What You Should Do

If it isn’t already clear, the best course of action is to use SPF in the morning before you go about your day. This will help to protect your skin and ensure you reap the benefits of retinol without damaging your complexion.

If you prefer to use retinol at night, that’s fine too! It really doesn’t matter where you fit this ingredient into your routine, as long as you’re staying consistent enough to allow it to get to work creating a more radiant and youthful complexion.

SPF on hand 

 

So, if you do decide to start using retinol in the morning, just remember to protect your skin with SPF and you should be setting yourself up for skincare success!