Should you stop tretinoin before heading to the beach?

In this article:

• Can you use tretinoin in the summer?
• Tretinoin and sun sensitivity
• Should you stop tretinoin or cut back?
• Starting in the summer
• Safety
• Managing a sunburn
• Summer skincare cost

In this article

• Can you use tretinoin in the summer?
• Tretinoin and sun sensitivity
• Should you stop tretinoin or cut back?
• Starting in the summer
• Safety
• Managing a sunburn
• Summer skincare cost

Tretinoin is a generic prescription retinoid  cream or gel that boosts collagen production. It’s often used to treat acne and melasma (dark patches on the skin), but it can also reduce signs of skin aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles. It works similarly to over-the-counter retinol by boosting collagen production and accelerating cell turnover. However, because it is much more potent, it is more likely to cause side effects such as skin peeling, redness, stinging, and increased sensitivity to the sun. Contrary to popular belief, tretinoin can be used in the summer—dermatologists generally recommend using it year-round.

Can you use tretinoin in the summer?

Many people believe they need to pause retinoid use in the warm months to avoid photodamage (sun damage), but that’s a myth. This misconception often stems from the FDA label warning consumers that the medication increases sensitivity to sunlight.

The key isn’t stopping the medication, however—it’s adequate sun protection. “It’s not the tretinoin; it’s the lifestyle of the patient that makes a difference,” says Richard Bottiglione, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Alliance Dermatology and Mohs Center in Phoenix, Arizona. “My patients still use tretinoin and see very little to no side effects when they limit time in the sun and wear sunscreen.”

Further, tretinoin should be used year round. “When treating skin conditions with retinoids, it is important to treat year-round, as skin conditions or disorders do not take a break during summertime,” says Tanya Evans, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and medical director of the Skin Cancer Program at the Melanoma Clinic at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, California.

Does tretinoin make your skin more sensitive to the sun?

First, let’s explain how tretinoin works. Essentially, it exfoliates the top layer of the skin to allow for a fresh, new layer—which can be sensitive. So, what’s the difference between photosensitivity and skin-barrier irritation? “True drug photosensitivity occurs when a chemical absorbs UV light and generates a reaction that directly damages the tissue,” Dr. Evans says.

That’s not what tretinoin does. “Tretinoin does not cause a true photosensitivity reaction; instead, it causes skin-barrier irritation,” she adds. While sensitivity is most likely during the early adjustment period (about two to six weeks after you start the medication), it will ease over time, especially if you use a moisturizer.

“I typically recommend that patients start using it two nights per week and increase by one night each week (three nights at three weeks, four nights at four weeks and so forth) until they reach nightly use,” Dr. Evans says.

Tretinoin is best applied at night for a few reasons. For starters, it may be less likely to interact with other skin products. Plus, nighttime is when the skin naturally repairs itself, according to Dr. Bottiglione. Additionally, UV light can make tretinoin less effective, Dr. Evans says, as well as increase your susceptibility to a sunburn.

When using tretinoin, the FDA recommends avoiding unprotected exposure to sunlight, including sunlamps and UV light. That’s because it increases photosensitization. Additionally, the FDA encourages people to exercise extra caution if they are exposed to UV radiation (ultraviolet radiation) or UV rays (ultraviolet rays) for extended periods. This could include people who play sports or work outside for long periods.

Should you stop or cut back on tretinoin in summer?

Stopping tretinoin in summer isn’t necessary—with nuance, of course. In certain situations, temporarily reducing the frequency might make sense. One example is when the medication causes the skin to become dry, red, or slightly irritated. “I usually tell my patients who don’t want dry skin all the time to use tretinoin every other day or three days in a row, then take a break and apply plain moisturizer for the other four days,” Dr. Bottiglione says.

You might want to cut back on tretinoin use during extreme weather (such as very dry or cold weather), during extended UV exposure, when you are susceptible to other skin conditions, or when using other skin-irritating medications, Dr. Evans advises.

With that said, Dr. Bottiglione emphasizes that the frequency should be personalized to the patient, taking into account why they’re using it and their goals. “If you pause the treatment, then you’re not getting any of the skin benefits of the active ingredient to help reduce acne, pigmentation, and wrinkles,” Dr. Bottiglione says.

If you do take a break, he recommends easing your way back in to build tolerance. You can use it one to three times a week and increase the frequency over time to prevent acne recurrences and other concerns. Also, you don’t have to jump right back in with tretinoin. “Other options include restarting or starting with milder over-the-counter retinol formulations and then advancing to stronger prescription doses of tretinoin,” Dr. Evans adds.

Can you start tretinoin for the first time in the summer?

Yes, you can start tretinoin during the summer months. Just be sure to use sun protection and apply it at night. First-time users should expect some side effects and irritation during the adjustment period, such as redness, dryness, and little bumps, Dr. Bottiglione says.

Dr. Evans provides the following tips to minimize irritation:

• Build tolerance by starting with a smaller amount and slowly increasing it.
• Start with a lower strength.
• Apply moisturizer beforehand.
• Try short-contact therapy, in which you leave the tretinoin on your skin for 30 to 60 minutes, then remove it with a gentle cleanser.
• Apply to dry skin to minimize irritation.
• Use gentle, non-medicated cleansers and noncomedogenic moisturizers twice daily.
• Use sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher.

How to use tretinoin safely in the summer

Take the following sun-protection precautions when using tretinoin:

1. Minimize unprotected exposure to sunlight (both artificial and natural).
2. Protect areas of the body that you apply tretinoin to with adequate sunscreen and protective clothing.
3. Avoid applying tretinoin to skin that is sunburned or severely and persistently irritated.
4. Check with your healthcare provider before using any other medication, and take tretinoin as prescribed.
5. When bathing, use a mild, non-medicated soap, don’t wash yourself more frequently than necessary, and avoid harsh scrubbing.

When choosing sunscreen and other sun protection products, consider the following:

• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher. Consider a product with an SPF of 50 or higher if you use tretinoin.
• If you have sensitive skin or psoriasis, use a sunscreen that has mineral ingredients, such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, rather than a chemical sunscreen.
• Apply two tablespoons (about a shot glass) of sunscreen each time, and don’t forget your ears and the back of your neck.
• If you use spray sunscreen, rub it in after spraying.
• Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going out in the sun, and reapply every two hours.
• Use sunscreen even when it’s cloudy, or you’re just going out for a drive.
• Limit sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Wear protective clothing, such as hats and sunglasses, and seek shade.

What to do if you get a sunburn while using tretinoin

Do not apply tretinoin to sunburned skin. “Tretinoin should not be used when someone has a sunburn, as it can worsen irritation and inflammation,” Dr. Evans says.

You can restart use after your skin has fully healed. When you resume tretinoin use—and before, when your skin is burnt—continue applying plain skin-repair moisturizer, aloe, natural oil, gentle cleansers, prescription anti-inflammatory topical creams, and sun protection when going outside, dermatologists say. “Restarting should be slow and gradual to minimize irritation,” Dr. Evans adds.

How much does summer skincare cost?

The typical cost of tretinoin with insurance depends on your health insurance plan, the plan’s formulary, and your coverage stage. Without insurance, tretinoin usually costs around $269 for a 45-gram tube of 0.025% cream. With a SingleCare discount card, that same strength and amount of tretinoin cream costs as little as $31. Brand-name Retin-A and generic tretinoin can differ in price, with the generic version usually costing less. Users can also start with a tretinoin alternative or switch later. Alternatives and their average costs with a SingleCare discount card are listed below:

• Differin (adapalene): $35 per 1, 45 gm tube of 0.3% cream of generic Differin at CVS Pharmacy
• Tazorac (tazarotene): $42 per 1, 30 gm tube of 0.1% cream of generic Tazorac at CVS Pharmacy
• Aklief (trifarotene topical): $671 per 1, 45 gm of 0.005% pump bottle of brand-name Aklief at Kroger
• Epiduo (adapalene topical/benzoyl peroxide topical): $42 for 1, 45 gm of 0.1-2.5% pump bottle of generic Epiduo at CVS Pharmacy
• Arazlo (tazarotene): $559 per 1, 45 gm of 0.045% tube of lotion of brand-name Arazlo at Kroger

Want to total up your summer skincare costs? Don’t forget sunscreen (whether OTC or medical-grade), which must be used with tretinoin, plus moisturizer, vitamin C serum, and aloe vera gels or lotions.

To reduce costs, use a SingleCare prescription discount card to save on medications and treatments.