What Is the Retinol Sandwich Methodology, and Does It Work?

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. Nevertheless, again then, the dearth of schooling and the supply of solely prescription retinoids meant that the unintended effects may very well be fairly extreme. There was a restricted understanding of the way to use them correctly to reduce these results, which sadly discouraged many individuals from attempting. Quick ahead to immediately, and I’m not solely thrilled that retinol is now accessible with no prescription, however I’m additionally extremely excited in regards to the new methods we’ve found to make use of it. Introducing: the retinol sandwich methodology.

Having labored with vitamin A and retinoids for a very long time, it’s really thrilling to see what we are able to do with them now. So, what’s the fact behind this widespread 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 varied indicators of growing older. These indicators might embody superb strains, wrinkles, post-breakout marks, enlarged pores, and brown spots. Whether or not in prescription type (like tretinoin) or over-the-counter choices (akin to Superior 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.

Nevertheless, those that have used retinol or retinoids earlier than have possible skilled a interval of purging, in any other case often called “the retinol scaries.” This may be something from a rise in breakouts to dryness, flaking, or irritation. Going down nearly 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 directly. Because of this, earlier than it will get higher, your breakouts can really worsen.

Undecided if that is proper in your routine? Try my newbie’s information to retinol and retinoid utilization!

What Is the Sandwich Methodology for Retinol?

Whereas not too long ago trending on TikTok, the retinol sandwich methodology isn’t a brand new idea in skincare in any respect. Sprouting from the ever-popular ‘moisture sandwich’ methodology, 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 reduce its potential unintended effects. This can be 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 methodology is simple! Right here’s the method I like to recommend:

1. Within the PM, cleanse pores and skin completely
2. Apply toner (or hydrating essence) and serum in your pores and skin sort
3. Apply a light-weight, oil-free moisturizer to damp pores and skin
4. Enable this to dry fully
5. Apply your retinol or retinoid
6. Give your retinol time to soak up, 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 energetic ingredient, whereas the second layer locks all of it in. In the event 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 nice as a result of water acts as a provider to ship elements deep into your pores and skin, however on this case, that’s in all probability not one thing you’re in search of. By including a serum-infused toner, or essence, you’re offering somewhat additional buffering versus only a water-based toner.

Finest Practices

I all the time advocate utilizing a light-weight, non-greasy lotion in your pores and skin sort. 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. This is the reason I like to recommend a lighter, oil-free lotion, like Pores and skin Restoration 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 need to dilute it to the purpose that it doesn’t work, simply sufficient to take the sting off somewhat bit to handle a number of the unintended effects.

Does the Retinol Sandwich Methodology Work?

This methodology will help mitigate irritation, dryness, and flaking whereas nonetheless offering youth-boosting advantages. In case you have delicate pores and skin, need to give attention to barrier safety, or are new to the ingredient, that is an efficient choice for limiting harsh unintended 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 proportion, 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. Nevertheless, what would possibly change is the power 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, however it does decrease the energetic’s skill 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 is going to simply mitigate a number of the adverse unintended effects.

What Are the Advantages of the Retinol Sandwich Methodology?

By eliminating the same old unintended effects related to retinol, pores and skin will expertise elevated smoothness, hydration, and a brighter glow because of fewer opaque, useless pores and skin cells. By making a buffer, the pores and skin barrier is much less more likely 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 energetic and going through irritation, I usually advise in opposition to utilizing a stimulating energetic ingredient, as it will possibly add much more irritation. Nevertheless, the sandwich methodology 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?

In the event you’ve determined it’s time to begin utilizing 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 need to spot deal with significantly dry areas, akin to across the eyes, nostril, and mouth, you may apply moisturizer to only these areas earlier than getting in with retinol.

Nevertheless, if you wish to reap the utmost results of retinol or retinoid and are okay with the everyday unintended effects related to this serum, it’s possible you’ll need to choose out of sandwiching solely.

Finest Merchandise To Use With the Retinol Sandwich Methodology

In the event you’re keen to do that ingredient however are involved in regards to the potential setbacks, you can begin by sandwiching with any retinol or retinoid (right here’s the distinction), however I like to recommend retaining a watch out for one with these 4 issues!

Nevertheless, in the event you’re trying to skip the extra steps required for sandwiching, I like to recommend utilizing a retinol light sufficient {that a} sandwich or phase-in interval isn’t required, like Superior Resurfacing Serum. Not all retinols are created equally because of 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 manner as much as a extra highly effective choice with out the extra steps or merchandise.

Experiencing the retinol scaries? Our new Relaxation Day Masque is a deeply moisturizing and reparative therapy that can immediately appropriate parched pores and skin, tightness, and visual flaking typically brought on by actives akin to retinoids, exfoliating acids, or benzoyl peroxide.

What Are There Cons to Sandwiching Retinol?

Whereas sandwiching is a secure and efficient strategy to scale back irritation, these are some things it is best to think about earlier than attempting it out your self.

1. Slower outcomes: As a result of sandwiching reduces the absorption of product, it might take longer to see seen outcomes in comparison with utilizing retinol alone.
2. Potential for irritation: Whereas sandwiching can scale back the chance of irritation, some folks should still expertise some, relying on the thickness of the moisturizer, focus of elements, and sensitivity of pores and skin.
3. Price and product utilization: Utilizing extra product (two layers of moisturizer) every time you apply retinol can result in sooner depletion of your merchandise and elevated price over time.

How Typically Ought to I Use This Method?

How typically you utilize this methodology will be similar to lifting weights. Somedays, it’s possible you’ll solely need to raise 5lbs, whereas different days it’s possible you’ll go for 20lbs if you already know you’re going to have some additional downtime after. I actually imagine {that a} “no ache, no achieve” philosophy will be utilized to retinol utilization.

In the event you’re a retinol newbie, I might counsel utilizing this methodology 1-2 occasions per week, step by step growing the frequency as your pores and skin adjusts. Nevertheless, I do know that if I don’t have any particular events or a should be filming anytime quickly, then I don’t thoughts my pores and skin peeling somewhat if meaning receiving extra noticeable outcomes. Additionally, oilier pores and skin sorts might not have to sandwich as a lot as others since their oil acts as their very own built-in buffering methodology.

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 neglect sunscreen within the morning!).

In the end, the retinol sandwich methodology is a superb method to make the most of if you’d like the anti-aging outcomes with out the drawbacks. Simply perceive that you could be not see outcomes as shortly in the event you aren’t pushing your pores and skin’s limits.

Celeb Esthetician & Skincare Knowledgeable
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 knowledgeable has created a real-world answer — merchandise which can be formulated for 9 several types of pores and skin so your face will get precisely what it must feel and appear its greatest. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare obsessives across the globe, her huge real-world data and fixed analysis are why Marie Claire calls her “probably the most passionate pores and skin practitioner we all know.”