R&R Aesthetics founder Caroline Hall recently shared her expert advice with Woman & Home on one of the most common summer skincare mistakes: using powerful active ingredients without adapting your routine to increased sun exposure.
Pigmentation is one of the skin concerns we see frequently in clinic, and it can often become much more noticeable following the summer months.
We tend to think that sunshine simply means we need to be more diligent with SPF. And while sun protection is absolutely essential, it’s also worth looking at the rest of your skincare routine.
Some of the ingredients we rely on to improve texture, fine lines, breakouts and pigmentation can leave skin more vulnerable to irritation when they’re overused — particularly alongside increased UV exposure.
Why can pigmentation look worse after summer?
Pigmentation occurs when the skin produces excess melanin, resulting in areas of uneven colour or darker patches.
UV exposure is one of the factors that can stimulate melanin production, which is why existing pigmentation can appear darker or new areas may become more noticeable after periods in the sun.
Inflammation can also play a part.
As Caroline explained to Woman & Home, if you’re already prone to pigmentation or melasma, intense sun exposure is a particularly important time to be mindful of your active skincare. Over-exfoliating with acids or using retinol too frequently can compromise the skin barrier, making it easier for UV exposure to contribute to excess melanin production.
The frustrating result can be dark patches that are much more difficult to correct than they would have been to prevent.
Do you need to stop using active skincare in summer?
Not necessarily.
The Woman & Home feature makes an important distinction: ingredients such as retinoids, AHAs and vitamin C aren’t simply “unsafe” during summer. How they’re being used, your individual skin and the level of sun exposure all matter.
This is also why copying somebody else’s skincare routine from Instagram or TikTok isn’t always the best approach.
Your skin may need something completely different.
If your skin starts to feel tight, sensitive, unusually dry or irritated, continually adding more exfoliation and active ingredients in pursuit of brighter skin can sometimes make matters worse.
Sometimes less really is more.
What should you focus on instead?
During periods of high sun exposure, think about protecting and supporting the skin rather than constantly pushing it to do more.
That means consistent broad-spectrum SPF, sensible sun avoidance, appropriate reapplication and a skincare routine that supports hydration and the skin barrier.
The Woman & Home feature also highlights ingredients including glycerin, panthenol, ceramides, ectoin and niacinamide when the skin needs greater hydration and barrier support.
And don’t forget the simple things: hats, shade and avoiding unnecessary direct exposure when UV levels are high all matter.
What if the pigmentation is already there?
This is where I think a personalised approach becomes particularly important.
Not every brown mark is the same.
Sun-induced pigmentation, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and melasma can behave differently, and the right approach will depend on what’s causing the pigmentation, your skin type, how established it is and what you’re currently using at home.
Rather than immediately reaching for the strongest acid or brightening product you can find, have your skin properly assessed first.
At R&R Aesthetics, we can look at your skin, current routine and concerns and put together a treatment and homecare plan appropriate for you.
And autumn can be an ideal point to reassess skin after the summer months and decide what it actually needs next.
Caroline Hall featured in Woman & Home
Caroline was invited to contribute her expert opinion to Woman & Home’s feature “The common summer skincare mistake that could be causing your hyperpigmentation – according to the experts”, published in July 2026. The article explores how active skincare and intense sun exposure can contribute to inflammation and pigmentation when they’re not used appropriately.
Read Caroline’s Woman & Home feature →
Read the Woman & Home article
