I’ve been an enormous fan of retinol and prescription retinoids since they got here on the scene for anti-aging within the early ’90s. Nonetheless, again then, the shortage of schooling and the provision of solely prescription retinoids meant that the negative effects could possibly be fairly extreme. There was a restricted understanding of methods to use them correctly to attenuate these results, which sadly discouraged many individuals from attempting. Quick ahead to in the present day, and I’m not solely thrilled that retinol is now obtainable and not using a prescription, however I’m additionally extremely excited concerning the new methods we’ve found to make use of it. Introducing: the retinol sandwich technique.
Having labored with vitamin A and retinoids for a very long time, it’s actually thrilling to see what we will do with them now. So, what’s the truth behind this common method?
What’s Retinol?
Let’s begin from the highest: What are retinol and retinoids? Derived from vitamin A, these are highly effective brokers that may tackle and reverse numerous indicators of growing old. These indicators could embody fantastic strains, wrinkles, post-breakout marks, enlarged pores, and brown spots. Whether or not in prescription kind (like tretinoin) or over-the-counter choices (similar to Advanced Resurfacing Serum), retinoids have the potential to considerably improve the pores and skin’s look, selling a younger, radiant-looking pores and skin over time.
Nonetheless, those that have used retinol or retinoids earlier than have probably skilled a interval of purging, in any other case often known as “the retinol scaries.” This may be something from a rise in breakouts to dryness, flaking, or irritation. Going down virtually instantly, this course of occurs whereas pores and skin is adjusting to a rise in cell turnover. It’s due to this that lingering breakouts that may’ve taken weeks (and even months) to floor will all seem without delay. Which means, earlier than it will get higher, your breakouts can truly worsen.
Unsure if that is proper on your routine? Take a look at my beginner’s guide to retinol and retinoid usage!
What Is the Sandwich Methodology for Retinol?
Whereas not too long ago trending on TikTok, the retinol sandwich technique isn’t a brand new idea in skincare in any respect. Sprouting from the ever-popular ‘moisture sandwich’ technique, which promotes layering your merchandise so as of viscosity, the concept of the retinol sandwich is to use your retinol serum in between two layers of moisturizer (i.e. the bread) in an try to attenuate its potential negative effects. It is a nice idea to check out in the event you’re somebody with delicate pores and skin, a compromised barrier, or are new to the ingredient.
How Do You Sandwich Retinol?
Attempting out this technique is straightforward! Right here’s the method I like to recommend:
- Within the PM, cleanse pores and skin totally
- Apply toner (or hydrating essence) and serum on your pores and skin kind
- Apply a light-weight, oil-free moisturizer to damp pores and skin
- Enable this to dry fully
- Apply your retinol or retinoid
- Give your retinol time to absorb, then apply a second layer of the identical moisturizer
This system permits the primary layer of moisturizer to behave as a buffer between your pores and skin and the hard-hitting lively ingredient, whereas the second layer locks all of it in. Should you’re in want of extra buffering, I counsel utilizing an essence, like Moisture Infusion Toner, alongside along with your toner and serum. Alcohol-free toners are great as a result of water acts as a provider to ship elements deep into your pores and skin, however on this case, that’s most likely not one thing you’re looking for. By including a serum-infused toner, or essence, you’re offering just a little further buffering versus only a water-based toner.
Greatest Practices
I all the time suggest utilizing a light-weight, non-greasy lotion on your skin type. Heavy lotions have a bigger molecule and, when utilized earlier than retinol or a prescription retinoid, stop the actives from penetrating the pores and skin. That is why I like to recommend a lighter, oil-free lotion, like Skin Recovery Lotion, that can present a buffering layer of hydration with out blocking the vitamin A product from working. That’s the important thing— you don’t wish to dilute it to the purpose that it doesn’t work, simply sufficient to take the sting off just a little bit to handle among the negative effects.
Does the Retinol Sandwich Methodology Work?
This technique can assist mitigate irritation, dryness, and flaking whereas nonetheless offering youth-boosting advantages. If in case you have delicate pores and skin, wish to deal with barrier safety, or are new to the ingredient, that is an efficient choice for limiting harsh negative effects.
Does Sandwiching Retinol Between Moisturizer Make It Much less Efficient?
In brief, no. When making use of a it, you’re placing a particular share, say .1%, in your face. The share used doesn’t change it doesn’t matter what you apply earlier than or after it, that means you aren’t making it much less efficient. Nonetheless, what may change is the flexibility of the product to penetrate the pores and skin. Making use of moisturizer first doesn’t essentially dilute it, whereas mixing the 2 collectively would, nevertheless it does reduce the lively’s capability to penetrate the pores and skin.
All in all, utilizing a hydrating cream earlier than making use of retinol received’t dilute its efficiency, it’ll simply mitigate among the unfavourable negative effects.
What Are the Advantages of the Retinol Sandwich Methodology?
By eliminating the standard negative effects related to retinol, pores and skin will expertise elevated smoothness, hydration, and a brighter glow resulting from fewer opaque, lifeless pores and skin cells. By making a buffer, the pores and skin barrier is much less prone to turn out to be compromised, leading to much less dehydration and sensitivity.
Moreover, retinol sandwiching is a superb choice for these with acne-prone pores and skin. Since acne-prone pores and skin is already lively and dealing with irritation, I typically advise towards utilizing a stimulating lively ingredient, as it may well add much more irritation. Nonetheless, the sandwich technique could make retinol extra agreeable for pores and skin, permitting these with pimples to nonetheless obtain anti-aging advantages
Ought to I Add It to My Routine?
Should you’ve determined it’s time to start using retinol, then deciding if you wish to add sandwiching to your routine is fairly easy: is it inflicting you undesirable dryness, redness, or irritation? Then give it a go! Even in the event you simply wish to spot deal with significantly dry areas, similar to across the eyes, nostril, and mouth, you may apply moisturizer to only these areas earlier than moving into with retinol.
Nonetheless, if you wish to reap the utmost results of retinol or retinoid and are okay with the standard negative effects related to this serum, chances are you’ll wish to choose out of sandwiching totally.
Greatest Merchandise To Use With the Retinol Sandwich Methodology
Should you’re keen to do this ingredient however are involved concerning the potential setbacks, you can begin by sandwiching with any retinol or retinoid (here’s the distinction), however I like to recommend holding a watch out for one with these four things!
Nonetheless, in the event you’re seeking to skip the extra steps required for sandwiching, I like to recommend utilizing a retinol mild sufficient {that a} sandwich or phase-in interval isn’t required, like Advanced Resurfacing Serum. Not all retinols are created equally resulting from various strengths and intensities, and this serum is formulated for delicate pores and skin and for these whose pores and skin has been unable to tolerate prescription retinoids. From right here you may work your method as much as a extra highly effective choice with out the extra steps or merchandise.
Experiencing the retinol scaries? Our new Rest Day Masque is a deeply moisturizing and reparative therapy that can immediately appropriate parched pores and skin, tightness, and visual flaking typically attributable to actives similar to retinoids, exfoliating acids, or benzoyl peroxide.
What Are There Cons to Sandwiching Retinol?
Whereas sandwiching is a protected and efficient approach to cut back irritation, these are some things you must think about earlier than attempting it out your self.
- Slower outcomes: As a result of sandwiching reduces the absorption of product, it could take longer to see seen outcomes in comparison with utilizing retinol alone.
- Potential for irritation: Whereas sandwiching can cut back the chance of irritation, some individuals should expertise some, relying on the thickness of the moisturizer, focus of elements, and sensitivity of pores and skin.
- Price and product utilization: Utilizing extra product (two layers of moisturizer) every time you apply retinol can result in quicker depletion of your merchandise and elevated price over time.
How Usually Ought to I Use This Method?
How typically you utilize this technique may be similar to lifting weights. Somedays, chances are you’ll solely wish to carry 5lbs, whereas different days chances are you’ll go for 20lbs if you’re going to have some further downtime after. I actually consider {that a} “no ache, no acquire” philosophy may be utilized to retinol utilization.
Should you’re a retinol newbie, I’d counsel utilizing this technique 1-2 instances per week, steadily rising the frequency as your pores and skin adjusts. Nonetheless, I do know that if I don’t have any particular events or a have to be filming anytime quickly, then I don’t thoughts my pores and skin peeling just a little if meaning receiving extra noticeable outcomes. Additionally, oilier pores and skin varieties could not must sandwich as a lot as others since their oil acts as their very own built-in buffering technique.
Keep in mind, retinol causes pores and skin to be extra vulnerable to sunburns so ensure you are solely utilizing it at night time (and don’t overlook sunscreen within the morning!).
Finally, the retinol sandwich technique is a superb method to make the most of in order for you the anti-aging outcomes with out the drawbacks. Simply perceive that you could be not see outcomes as rapidly in the event you aren’t pushing your pores and skin’s limits.
Celeb Esthetician & Skincare Skilled
As an esthetician skilled in beauty chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching pores and skin, educating her viewers, and constructing an award-winning line of merchandise. Her hands-on expertise as an esthetician and trusted skincare professional has created a real-world answer — merchandise which can be formulated for nine different types of skin so your face will get precisely what it must feel and appear its finest. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare obsessives across the globe, her huge real-world information and fixed analysis are why Marie Claire calls her “probably the most passionate pores and skin practitioner we all know.”
