Tretinoin and Sun Exposure: Practical Tips from May 2024

This May we published a hands-on guide to using tretinoin safely while spending time outdoors. If you use tretinoin or plan to start, these clear steps will help you avoid irritation, reduce sun damage, and get better results without guesswork.

Quick fact: tretinoin speeds cell turnover and thins the outer dead-skin layer, which makes newly exposed skin more sensitive to UV. That doesn’t mean you must stop going outside—just pair tretinoin with reliable sun protection and a gentle skincare routine.

Simple nightly and morning routine

Night: cleanse with a mild, non-foaming cleanser and dry your skin fully. Use a pea-sized amount of tretinoin and spread it thinly over the whole face; avoid applying heavy creams before tretinoin. If you’re new, start every third night for two weeks, then every other night, and move to nightly as tolerated.

Morning: never skip sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every morning. Apply sunscreen after your moisturizer. If you’ll be outdoors, reapply every two hours and after swimming or heavy sweating. Think of sunscreen as part of your tretinoin treatment—not optional.

Practical product and habit tips

Sunscreen choice: physical sunscreens (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) often sting less on treated skin. Pick “non-comedogenic” formulas if acne is a concern. For light daily wear, tinted mineral sunscreens can hide redness and reduce visible peeling.

Moisturizers: look for ceramides, glycerin, or hyaluronic acid. Use a simple, fragrance-free cream to calm the barrier. If tretinoin causes flaking, apply moisturizer first on nights you need a buffer, wait 5–10 minutes, then apply tretinoin.

Avoid layering strong actives the same night: skip AHAs, BHAs, and benzoyl peroxide until your skin adapts. Vitamin C works well in the morning under sunscreen, not at the same time as tretinoin at night.

Sun-safe habits: wear a wide-brim hat and UV-blocking sunglasses, and seek shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Use UPF clothing for long outdoor sessions. Remember indoor windows allow UVA through—keep sunscreen on if you sit near a window for hours.

Handling irritation: if you get persistent redness, burning, or open sores, stop tretinoin for a few days, use a gentle moisturizer and a soothing barrier product, and avoid other harsh treatments. If symptoms don’t improve within a week, contact your provider for a lower-strength formula or prescription advice.

Results take time. Expect early irritation, steady improvements in texture and acne after several weeks, and anti-aging benefits over months. Consistent sun protection speeds visible gains and lowers the risk of dark spots. For the full article with product examples, step-by-step photos, and answers to common questions, see the May 2024 post “Tretinoin and Sun Exposure: Essential Tips for Safe Use.”