Ask A Dermatologist: Can I Use Tretinoin In Winter?

Whether you’ve spent all summer and autumn perfecting your routine, or you’ve made a New Year’s resolution to level up your skincare game, you might have a few questions about winter. Can you use tretinoin during the chilly months and, if so, should you adapt your routine? 

We asked our in-house Dermatologists Dr Jason Thomson and Dr Malvina Cunningham for their cold weather advice, so you can keep your skin healthy and happy all winter long.

Can I use active ingredients in cold weather?

As the temperature drops, you might notice that your skin is changing a little. “Cold weather and reduced relative humidity means that our skin is generally more prone to dryness and sensitivity,” explains Dr Jason, Head of Medical at Skin + Me. 

So, should you halt your tretinoin and pause your azelaic acid? Well, the good news is that you can often offset irritation by upgrading your supporting skincare routine instead. Embrace richer, skin barrier-friendly formulations when the temperatures drop, and you can continue using your active ingredients right through till spring.

The best cleansers for winter

A gentle cleanser will support your skin during winter, giving it a deep cleanse without compromising its protective barrier. Look for options that are fragrance-free, marked as ‘cream’ or ‘hydrating’ and water-soluble to preserve your skin barrier without drying out or irritating your skin. 

We created our Skin + Me Purify + Prep Cleansers specifically to work alongside active ingredients. If your skin is feeling dry, then you might want to swap your Clarifying Cleanser for the Hydrating version. It’s packed with nourishing ingredients including glycerin, a humectant that keeps skin cells healthy and protects against irritation.

The best moisturisers for winter

A hardworking moisturiser is the key to repairing your skin barrier and allowing your active ingredients to work most effectively. As the weather gets colder, you may want to swap your moisturiser for a slightly richer formula. Look for one that hydrates your skin and doesn’t clog your pores, especially if your skin has a tendency to break out.

If you’re using our Skin + Me Soothe + Smooth Light Moisturiser, you might want to consider switching to the Rich version. It has all the ingredients you know and love – hyaluronic acid, ceramides and glycerin – with the addition of nourishing shea butter, a rich emollient that regenerates, protects and soothes the skin.

You can also use the sandwich method to keep your skin well-hydrated all winter long. Apply a layer of moisturiser before you apply your tretinoin, then smooth on a second layer after your treatment to lock in all that goodness.

Wearing sunscreen in winter

We’re big advocates of sunscreen all year round – even in the depths of winter. “Winter sunlight can be strong, particularly when at altitude and near reflective surfaces such as snow so you should definitely protect exposed skin in these situations,” Dr Jason explains. 

“Sun protection is one of the most important, and beneficial things you can do for maintaining your skin’s health,” Dr Jason continues. “UV damage is the biggest contributor to skin ageing (around 80%), so regularly applying a high factor (at least SPF30), broad-spectrum sunscreen every day is essential.”

Some active ingredients, including tretinoin and azelaic acid, can increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight, so it’s ultra important to shield your skin if you’re using a powerful treatment. 

That’s why we designed our Skin + Me Daily Defence Oil-free SPF 50 Sunscreen specifically to work alongside active ingredients all year round. It won’t interfere with your treatment, and it’s an acne-safe formulation that dries down clear, without leaving a white cast.

Final thoughts

You can protect your skin and minimise irritation when using active ingredients this winter with a few simple skincare swaps. However, if your skin is feeling really unhappy in the cold, you should get in touch with your dermatology clinician for advice – your treatment might need to be slightly tweaked. 

Skin + Me members can email the experts at hello@skinandme.com at any time for advice on their formulation or daily regime. Armed with the right routine, your daily forecast will be fresh and glowing – whatever the weather.