I’ve been a big fan of retinol and prescription retinoids since their introduction for anti-aging in the early 1990s. However, due to the lack of education and only prescription retinoids available at the time, the side effects could be very serious. There is limited understanding of how to properly use them to minimize their effects, and unfortunately many people have been discouraged from trying them. Not only am I excited that retinol is now available without a prescription, I’m also very excited that we’ve discovered a new way to use it. Introducing the retinol sandwich method.
Having been working with vitamin A and retinoids for so many years, it’s really exciting to see what we can do with them now. So what is the reality behind this popular technique?
What is retinol?
Let’s start at the top: What are retinol and retinoids? Derived from vitamin A, they are powerful agents that address and reverse many signs of aging. These signs include fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, enlarged pores, and brown spots. Even if it’s a prescription (such as tretinoin), there are over-the-counter options (such as Advanced Resurfacing Serum), retinoids have the potential to significantly improve skin appearance and promote more youthful and radiant skin over time.
However, those who have used retinol or retinoids before may have experienced a cleansing period, also known as the “retinol scare.” This can include a variety of symptoms, from increased breakouts to dryness, peeling, and irritation. This process is almost instantaneous and occurs while the skin is adapting to increased cell turnover. This is why lingering breakouts that may have taken weeks (or even months) to surface appear all at once. This means that breakouts may actually get worse before they get better.
Not sure if this is right for your routine? Check out my beginner’s guide to using retinol and retinoids.
What is the retinol sandwich method?
Although it’s been trending on TikTok lately, the retinol sandwich method isn’t an entirely new concept in skin care. The idea of a retinol sandwich, born from the popular “moisture sandwich” method of layering products in order of viscosity, is to minimize viscosity by applying a retinol serum between two layers (i.e., bread) of moisturizer. That is. Its potential side effects. This is a great concept to try for those with sensitive skin, compromised barrier function, or those new to this ingredient.
How to sandwich retinol?
Trying this method is easy! The techniques I recommend are:
- Thoroughly cleanse your skin with PM
- Apply a toner (or moisturizing essence) and serum that suits your skin type
- Apply a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer to wet skin
- Let this dry completely
- Apply retinol or retinoid
- Give the retinol time to absorb before applying a second layer of the same moisturizer.
This technique allows the first layer of moisturizer to act as a buffer between your skin and the powerful active ingredients, while the second layer locks everything in. If you need additional buffering, we recommend using an essence such as: moisture infusion toner, along with lotion and serum. Alcohol-free toners are great because the water acts as a carrier to deliver the ingredients deep into the skin, but in this case that’s probably not what you’re looking for. Adding a serum-infused toner or essence gives it a little more cushioning as opposed to just a water-based toner.
best practice
I always recommend using a light, non-greasy lotion. skin quality. Because heavy creams have large molecules, applying them before retinol or prescription retinoids prevents the active ingredients from penetrating the skin. This is why we recommend a lightweight oil-free lotion such as: skin recovery lotionProvides a buffer layer of hydration without interfering with the action of vitamin A products. That’s important. Rather than diluting the drug until it is no longer effective, only dilute it a little to reduce side effects.
Is the retinol sandwich method effective?
This method helps reduce inflammation, dryness, and peeling while providing a youth-enhancing effect. If you have sensitive skin, want to focus on barrier protection, or are new to the ingredient, this is an effective option with fewer harsh side effects.
Will sandwiching retinol between moisturizers make it less effective?
In short, no. When you apply it, you apply a certain percentage, say 0.1%, to your face. No matter what you apply before or after, the percentage used remains the same. That is, it will not be less effective. What can change, however, is the product’s ability to penetrate the skin. Applying a moisturizer first doesn’t necessarily dilute it, but mixing the two does, but the ability of the active ingredient to penetrate the skin is minimized.
Overall, using a moisturizing cream before applying retinol does not make it less effective, it just reduces some of its negative side effects.
What are the benefits of the retinol sandwich method?
Eliminating the common side effects associated with retinol, it reduces opaque dead skin cells and leaves your skin smoother, more hydrated, and with a brighter glow. By creating a buffer, the skin barrier is less likely to be compromised, thereby reducing dehydration and sensitivity.
Additionally, retinol sandwiches are a great option for people with acne-prone skin. Since acne-prone skin is already active and facing inflammation, it is generally recommended to avoid using harsh active ingredients, as they can make the inflammation even worse. However, the sandwich method allows retinol to be absorbed into the skin, and even people with acne can benefit from anti-aging effects.
Should I add it to my routine?
If you decide it’s time to start using retinol, deciding whether to add sandwiches to your daily routine is very easy. Is it causing unwanted dryness, redness, or irritation? Then give it a try! If you want to treat areas that are especially dry, such as around your eyes, nose, or mouth, you can apply moisturizer just to those areas before using retinol.
However, if you want to reap the full benefits of retinol or retinoids and can tolerate the typical side effects associated with this serum, you may be better off ditching the sandwich altogether.
Best products to use in the retinol sandwich method
If you want to try this ingredient but are worried about possible setbacks, you can also start with a retinol or retinoid sandwich (here’s the difference). However, we recommend that you pay attention to one of these four factors.
However, if you want to skip the extra steps required for sandwiching, we recommend using a retinol that is mild enough to eliminate the need for a sandwich or phase-in period. Advanced Resurfacing Serum. Not all retinols are created equal, as they come in different strengths and strengths. This serum is formulated for sensitive skin or skin that cannot tolerate prescription retinoids. From here, you can reach more powerful options without the need for additional steps or products.
Have you experienced the fear of retinol? Our new rest day mask is a deep moisturizing and restorative treatment that instantly corrects dry skin, tightness, and visible peeling often caused by actives such as retinoids, exfoliating acids, and benzoyl peroxide.
What are the disadvantages of sandwiching retinol?
Pinching is a safe and effective way to reduce irritation, but there are some things to consider before trying it yourself.
- Slower results: Using a sandwich reduces product absorption, so it may take longer to see visible results compared to using retinol alone.
- Possibility of irritation: While pinching reduces the potential for irritation, some people may experience irritation depending on the thickness of the moisturizer, concentration of ingredients, and skin sensitivity.
- Cost and product usage: Using more product (two layers of moisturizer) each time you apply retinol can cause the product to wear out faster, increasing costs over time.
How often should I use this technique?
How often you use this method is very similar to weightlifting. Some days you might only want to lift 5 pounds, and other days you might choose 20 pounds if you know you’ll have some extra downtime afterwards. I truly believe that the “no pain, no gain” philosophy can be applied to the use of retinol.
If you’re new to retinol, we recommend using this method once or twice a week, gradually increasing the frequency as your skin gets used to it. But I know that if I don’t have a special occasion or don’t need to shoot right away, I don’t mind a little peeling if it means I get more noticeable results. Also, those with oily skin types may not need to sandwich as much as other skin types, as the oil acts as its own buffer.
Retinol makes your skin more susceptible to sunburn, so be sure to use it only at night (remember!) Sunscreen in the morning! ).
All in all, the retinol sandwich method is a great technique to utilize if you want anti-aging results without the drawbacks. If you haven’t pushed your skin beyond its limits, understand that you may not see results right away.
Celebrity Esthetician & Skin Care Expert
As an esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, René Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating audiences, and building an award-winning product line. Her hands-on experience as an esthetician and trusted skin care expert has resulted in real-world solutions: products formulated to: 9 different skin types So your face gets exactly what it needs to look and feel its best. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skin care enthusiasts around the world, it’s her vast real-world knowledge and constant research that has led Marie Claire to call her one of the “Most Passionate People We Know.” That’s why I call him a “specialist skin practitioner”.
