I’ve been a giant fan of retinol and prescription retinoids since they got here on the scene for anti-aging within the early ’90s. Nonetheless, again then, the dearth of schooling and the supply of solely prescription retinoids meant that the uncomfortable side effects might be fairly extreme. There was a restricted understanding of tips on how to use them correctly to reduce these results, which sadly discouraged many individuals from making an attempt. Quick ahead to as we speak, and I’m not solely thrilled that retinol is now out there and not using a 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 technique.
Having labored with vitamin A and retinoids for a very long time, it’s really thrilling to see what we will do with them now. So, what’s the fact 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 getting older. These indicators could embody positive traces, wrinkles, post-breakout marks, enlarged pores, and brown spots. Whether or not in prescription kind (like tretinoin) or over-the-counter choices (comparable 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.
Nonetheless, those that have used retinol or retinoids earlier than have doubtless skilled a interval of purging, in any other case referred to as “the retinol scaries.” This may be something from a rise in breakouts to dryness, flaking, or irritation. Happening 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 which 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.
Undecided if that is proper on your routine? Take a look at my newbie’s information to retinol and retinoid utilization!
What Is the Sandwich Technique for Retinol?
Whereas lately 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 thought 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 uncomfortable side 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?
Making an attempt out this technique is straightforward! Right here’s the method I like to recommend:
- Within the PM, cleanse pores and skin completely
- 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
- Permit this to dry utterly
- Apply your retinol or retinoid
- Give your retinol time to soak up, then apply a second layer of the identical moisturizer
This method 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. If you happen to’re in want of extra buffering, I counsel utilizing an essence, like Moisture Infusion Toner, alongside together with your toner and serum. Alcohol-free toners are nice as a result of water acts as a service to ship components 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 somewhat additional buffering versus only a water-based toner.
Greatest Practices
I all the time suggest utilizing a light-weight, non-greasy lotion on your pores and skin kind. Heavy lotions have a bigger molecule and, when utilized earlier than retinol or a prescription retinoid, forestall the actives from penetrating the pores and skin. Because of this I like to recommend a lighter, oil-free lotion, like Pores and skin Restoration Lotion, that may 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 somewhat bit to handle among the uncomfortable side effects.
Does the Retinol Sandwich Technique Work?
This technique may also help mitigate irritation, dryness, and flaking whereas nonetheless offering youth-boosting advantages. You probably have delicate pores and skin, wish to concentrate on barrier safety, or are new to the ingredient, that is an efficient choice for limiting harsh uncomfortable side 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 proportion used doesn’t change it doesn’t matter what you apply earlier than or after it, which means you aren’t making it much less efficient. Nonetheless, 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 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 is going to simply mitigate among the unfavourable uncomfortable side effects.
What Are the Advantages of the Retinol Sandwich Technique?
By eliminating the standard uncomfortable side effects related to retinol, pores and skin will expertise elevated smoothness, hydration, and a brighter glow as a result 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 lively and dealing with irritation, I typically advise towards utilizing a stimulating lively ingredient, as it may possibly 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?
If you happen to’ve determined it’s time to start out 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 wish to spot deal with notably dry areas, comparable to across the eyes, nostril, and mouth, you’ll be able to 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 everyday uncomfortable side effects related to this serum, chances are you’ll wish to decide out of sandwiching totally.
Greatest Merchandise To Use With the Retinol Sandwich Technique
If you happen to’re keen to do this ingredient however are involved in regards to the doable setbacks, you can begin by sandwiching with any retinol or retinoid (right here’s the distinction), however I like to recommend preserving an eye fixed out for one with these 4 issues!
Nonetheless, in the event you’re trying 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 Superior Resurfacing Serum. Not all retinols are created equally as a result 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’ll be able to 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 remedy that may immediately right parched pores and skin, tightness, and visual flaking typically brought on by actives comparable to retinoids, exfoliating acids, or benzoyl peroxide.
What Are There Cons to Sandwiching Retinol?
Whereas sandwiching is a protected and efficient option to scale back irritation, these are some things it’s best to take into account earlier than making an attempt it out your self.
- 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.
- Potential for irritation: Whereas sandwiching can scale back the chance of irritation, some folks should expertise some, relying on the thickness of the moisturizer, focus of components, and sensitivity of pores and skin.
- Value 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 Approach?
How typically you employ this technique might 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 already know you’re going to have some additional downtime after. I actually consider {that a} “no ache, no achieve” philosophy might be utilized to retinol utilization.
If you happen to’re a retinol newbie, I might recommend utilizing this technique 1-2 instances per week, progressively growing the frequency as your pores and skin adjusts. Nonetheless, I do know that if I don’t have any particular events or a must 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 could not must sandwich as a lot as others since their oil acts as their very own built-in buffering technique.
Bear in mind, retinol causes pores and skin to be extra inclined to sunburns so be sure to are solely utilizing it at evening (and don’t neglect sunscreen within the morning!).
In the end, the retinol sandwich technique is a superb method to make the most of if you need 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.
Movie star Esthetician & Skincare Skilled
As an esthetician educated 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 resolution — merchandise which are formulated for 9 several types of pores and 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.”
