Should you cut your Renova/tretinoin/retinol back in the summer?
Here's the practical answer. It depends on how close you live to the equator and how much time you spend outside. AND, how amazingly careful you are about your sunscreen which has to have zinc oxide in it 9-20%. I know you ALL are very careful! :)

I cut mine back in the summer both in strength and frequency because, even though I live in Seattle (north), I'm an outdoor person. I love to be outside walking, hiking, cycling and open water swimming when I'm not at work. In the summer, I use the SkinMedica 0.25% twice a week. In the winter, I go back up to either retinol 0.5 or 1.0 (I have sensitive skin). The company that makes it is discontinuing Renova! If you aren't outside much and are careful about sunscreen, you DON'T really need to cut back at all. 

  

Related reading:
 
*Which retinol, Retin A, Renova, etc. is right for you?  here.

*How to use sunscreen effectively and not spend a fortune! Read more here.

* MY TOP 24 MUST HAVE SKINCARE PRODUCTS FOR 2018! See here.

All the best, 
Dr. I

Dr. Brandith Irwin
Board-Certified Dermatologist 
Co-Founder of  SkinTour
Guest Expert on Oprah


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