If you’ve recently added exfoliating acids or retinol to your skincare routine, congrats! You're on your way to smoother, brighter, more even-toned skin.
But there’s one non-negotiable step that must go hand-in-hand with these powerful ingredients: daily sunscreen.
Below, we break down why sunscreen is essential when using exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs, or retinoids like tretinoin and retinol, and what can happen if you skip it.
Exfoliating acids (like glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid) work by dissolving dead skin cells on the surface of your skin. Retinoids, on the other hand, speed up cell turnover and stimulate collagen production from within. Both leave your skin looking fresher, clearer, and more youthful over time.
But here’s the catch: they also make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
This happens because:
When your skin is in this more vulnerable state, unprotected sun exposure can lead to:
In other words: skipping sunscreen can undo all the progress you're trying to make with your retinol or acid exfoliator.
If you’re investing in products like glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or retinol, don’t let UV rays sabotage your results. Wearing sunscreen daily is the single best way to protect your skin while using actives, and to maintain long-term skin health and radiance.
With Haldi Skin, you can say goodbye to the chaos of the beauty aisles and hello to a truly personalized skincare experience. Simply take our skin quiz to receive a shelf analysis and ultra-personalized recommendations tailored to your unique skin needs.
Learn about why custom skincare routines help the environment.
