☀️ Should You Stay on Correctives During the Summer?

 

Short answer: YES.

At Spruce, we never pause correctives based on the season. Here’s why:

 

🌿 What Are “Correctives”?

Corrective products create real, lasting change in your skin. These include:

• Hydroquinone (HQ)

• Glycolic or Salicylic Acids

• Retinol or Tretinoin

• Light exfoliants

 

They all work by increasing cellular turnover, which also makes your skin more sensitive to the sun.

 

But here’s the truth: If a product isn’t affecting your skin at a cellular level, it’s not going to make a real difference.

 

🚫 What You Can’t Do

You can’t say:

• “I want better skin” but skip your skincare responsibilities.

• “I want pigment to fade” but then lie out in the sun unprotected.

• "I want my skin to improve, but I'm going to pick and choose how to follow my protocol, how much product to use, and when to use it."

 

You can’t have your cake and eat it too.

Yes, you can still enjoy summer—just be smart and consistent.

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Yes, you can still enjoy summer—just be smart and consistent.

 

👒 What Summer Responsibility Looks Like

• Wear a wide-brim hat

• Reapply SPF frequently

• Avoid direct sun during peak UV hours

• Stick to shaded areas when outdoors

✨ It’s not the skincare that causes pigment. It’s unprotected sun exposure while using those products.

 

🔬 What About Hydroquinone (HQ)?

Worried it might make pigment worse? That’s a myth.

 

HQ actually calms down the pigment-producing cells in your skin, helping to prevent dark spots.

 

The real risk? Burning—only if you aren’t protecting your skin.

If you’re using HQ (or any correctives), treat your skin like it matters. Because it does.

 

🙅‍♀️ Not Using HQ?

If you want a non-HQ routine in summer, we usually recommend avoiding all correctives.

 

Why?

Because your skin becomes more sensitive without anything actively suppressing pigment—meaning you’re more at risk for sun-triggered damage.

 

🧭 Trust the Process—And Trust Us

Even during maintenance, we may keep you on low-dose HQ to help manage flare-ups from heat, sun, and stress.

👉 Skipping your check-ins or stopping products on your own can undo your progress. Most people who try to “DIY” their routine end up right back as a returning member—because this stuff is complex.

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🚗 You’re in Control—We’re Here to Guide You

You’re driving the journey—we’re just your GPS.

But if you:

• Quit your protocol

• Skip protection

• Stay in the sun without care...

Your pigment will come back—worse than before.

 

But if you stay on track? Any pigment that returns is way easier to clean up than the first time.

 

✅ The Bottom Line

• Correctives don’t cause pigment—sun exposure does.

• Consistency and protection are everything.

• One foot in, one foot out? That never works.

You’ve invested in your skin—don’t waste that effort by going halfway.

 

📝 YES, You Can Stay on Correctives This Summer

Just make sure you’re:

• Telling us your summer plans

• Filling out your check-in forms

• Following your protocol exactly

 

And if you’re not ready to change your habits in the sun?

Then be honest with yourself: You’re choosing pigment, aging, and long-term damage. You're going to look old AF fast! Just being honest!

 

But if you stay committed? You’ll be investing in skin that looks better for years to come.