Building Retinoids Back Into Your Routine After Summer

I think most of us know by now that Summer and retinoids do not always mix well. Sun, heat and travel can leave skin more sensitive, and I tend to advise that people pause their retinoids while they are away. Which is fine, but now is the perfect time to reintroduce them and get your skin back on track for autumn.

WHAT ARE RETINOIDS?

Retinoids, which are part of the vitamin A family, are the gold standard in skincare for a reason. They increase cell turnover, stimulate collagen and elastin, and help refine texture, tone and clarity. So basically, the skin is smoother, firmer and brighter over time.

But they need to be well formulated. Using a cheap retinol without the right delivery system is like throwing vitamin A onto your face and hoping for the best. That is where irritation, redness and peeling often come from. High quality medical grade formulas avoid this by delivering retinoids into the skin rather than leaving them sitting on top.

WHERE TO START?

If you are rebuilding your routine after summer, start with supportive products around your retinoid. Think of it like training for a marathon, you would not begin with the hardest run without conditioning first. The Forlle’d Refining Lotion is my hydration hero here. It provides deep moisture and helps the skin barrier stay strong, which makes your retinoid experience far more comfortable. Pair it with a lightweight moisturiser such as the Forlle’d Basing Emulsion to lock everything in and keep the skin balanced.

Forlle'd Hyalogy P-effect Refining Lotion

Buy Now

Forlle'd Hyalogy P-effect Basing Emulsion

Buy Now

Once your skin feels calm and hydrated, it is time to bring vitamin A back!

My top picks are SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream, a clinically brilliant blend of retinoid and AHA that delivers results with little to no irritation. My absolute favourite for smoothing lines and boosting radiance. SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Peel Pads are great two to three times per week for an extra hit of resurfacing. They combine glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids with AlphaRet technology, keeping the results high and the irritation low. Click here to order.

The Nimue Retinal Power+ Serum is another excellent option, powerful yet gentle, that improves skin clarity and texture while still being suitable for sensitive skins. Click here to order.

To really supercharge your results, add Skinade Derma Defence A and D. This boosts your skin’s vitamin A levels from the inside, supporting the topical products and enhancing repair. Pairing topical and internal vitamin A is like a sandwich approach for collagen and skin health.

Skinade Derma Defense

Buy Now

Remember consistency is everything. One night with a retinoid will not make you wake up looking ten years younger. But give it three months of steady use, supported by hydration and SPF in the day, and you will notice a visible change in your skin. Speaking of SPF, do not skip it. Retinoids make your skin more photosensitive, so daily protection with something like Nimue Sun-C SPF 40 or SkinBetter ToneSmart SPF 50 is absolutely essential. Click here to order.

Autumn is the perfect season to rebuild retinoids into your skincare plan. Hydrate, repair, introduce slowly and stay consistent. Think of it as the long game and your future self will thank you.

If you are not sure where to begin or which retinoid is right for your skin, fill in my free Skin Check-In and I will create a personalised plan.

I hope you found this useful,

Thank you so much for reading,

Emmaline