September is the retinol season. After months of avoiding your favorite skin-boosting powerhouse, it's finally time for the comeback tour. But here's what most people get wrong: they jump back in exactly where they left off in May, leading to irritation, peeling, and the dreaded "retinol uglies."
Your skin has "detrained" from retinol over the summer months. The key to a successful reintroduction isn't the strength you were using before; it's about gradually and strategically rebuilding your skin's tolerance. This is actually the perfect time to upgrade your entire retinol approach and build a sustainable routine that works year-round.
Here are 3 key principles we embrace for retinol reintroduction at Skindays:
Start Slow, Start Low
Begin with the lowest concentration available, even if you were using 1% before summer. Start with just once per week for two weeks, then twice per week for two weeks. Your skin needs time to rebuild its retinol tolerance safely.
Skin Cycling Method
Alternate your retinol nights with recovery nights. Use retinol one night, then spend the next 1-2 nights focusing purely on hydration and barrier repair. This cycling approach prevents overuse while allowing your skin to adapt gradually.
Buffer and Support
Use niacinamide in the morning to calm any potential irritation, and never skip your barrier repair products. Ceramides and hyaluronic acid become your retinol's best friends during reintroduction.
These are our curated essentials for a smooth summer to autumn transition:
On a personal note...
Honestly? My skin looks a bit sad right now. I'm losing my summer tan and everything just looks dull and flat - you know that post-holiday skin slump? I caught myself in the mirror yesterday morning and was like, "Where did my glow go?"
So I'm basically on a mission to get it back. Started with my Decree Treat Tincture last week because I genuinely missed how it made my skin look. I'm also back to properly exfoliating - nothing crazy, the Doctor’s Scrub from Goldfaden once a week because my skin feels texture-y without it.
The thing that's really helping, though, is layering my vitamin C serum back in. I forgot how much brighter it makes everything look. I'm doing more masks, too, mostly because it feels good, and my skin drinks them up right now.
It's funny how you don't realize how much you rely on that summer glow until it starts fading. But honestly, I'm kind of enjoying the process of building everything back up. My skin already looks more awake than it did two weeks ago.
Xx,
Diana