Spring has arrived, and it’s time to review skincare: essential steps to adapt retinol without losing ground and to protect yourself from the sun all year round.
The first spring sun is felt on the face as soon as you step outside. Days stretch longer, outdoor plans multiply, and the skin begins to receive stronger UV radiation. This seasonal shift is the perfect excuse to pause, review your kit, and readjust daily habits. Far from abandoning the actives that accompanied us through winter, the key is to know how to adapt their use and reinforce photoprotection to care for skin health.
The UV radiation intensifies: why protect yourself beyond heat
With the arrival of warmer months, ultraviolet radiation increases gradually and its cumulative effect directly impacts skin health. Sunscreen protection is not a summer-only habit, nor does it depend on the day’s temperature; it should be maintained throughout the year.
According to Dr. Leisa Molinari, a medical dermatologist specializing in skin cancer (M.N. 116.628), roughly 80% of non-melanoma skin cancers are located on the head and neck, areas that tend to remain exposed year-round. In addition to preventing photoaging, dark spots and burns, protecting the face, neck, décolletage, ears, and hands is key to reducing the cumulative solar damage from childhood.
Retinol in Spring: how to adjust your routine without losing what you’ve achieved
Retinol is one of the standout actives for renewing skin texture, but it raises questions when solar radiation becomes stronger. The professional recommendation is not to discontinue it abruptly, since a prolonged interruption can lead to a loss of the results achieved.
Dr. Molinari notes that for those who have already incorporated it, the treatment can be sustained by adjusting the frequency according to geographic location and individual tolerance. While in the northern part of the country it is advisable to reduce applications from this season, in Buenos Aires or Patagonia it is typically maintained at two to three times per week. If there is burning, redness, or tightness, the instruction is to space out use and focus on repairing the skin barrier.
Everyday Habits and Complementary Protection Tools
Protecting the skin from the sun involves combining proper sunscreen use with daily precautions. Avoid direct sun exposure between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., seek shade, wear hats, UV-filter sunglasses, and appropriate clothing—these are fundamental measures to reduce daily damage.
The specialist notes that, alongside sunscreen and physical precautions, there are oral photoprotection options. These formulations combine antioxidants, vitamins, and natural extracts aimed at strengthening the skin’s response to sun exposure and other environmental factors, offering a comprehensive boost.
The Skin’s Memory and the Importance of Regular Check-Ups
Each skin reacts differently according to phototype, history, and the level of cumulative exposure.
Beyond the daily beauty routine, constant self-observation and annual professional consultations are essential to timely detect any anomaly.
As Dr. Molinari emphasizes, the skin remembers our decisions in the face of the sun. The appearance of a new mole or any change in the shape, size, or color of an existing lesion constitutes a mandatory dermatological consultation. Maintaining these cares throughout the year is the best long-term preventive-esthetic strategy.
Caring for the skin in spring doesn’t have to be complicated; it’s about learning to listen to what it needs at each moment of the year. Small adjustments to the routine ensure radiant, healthy, and protected skin so you can enjoy the sun responsibly.
This information is for educational purposes and does not replace medical consultation with a licensed clinician.
