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 shortage of training and the supply of solely prescription retinoids meant that the negative effects might be fairly extreme. There was a restricted understanding of the right way to use them correctly to attenuate these results, which sadly discouraged many individuals from attempting. Quick ahead to at the moment, and I’m not solely thrilled that retinol is now out there 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 really thrilling to see what we will 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 numerous indicators of getting older. These indicators might embody tremendous strains, wrinkles, post-breakout marks, enlarged pores, and brown spots. Whether or not in prescription type (like tretinoin) or over-the-counter choices (equivalent 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 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 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. Because of this, earlier than it will get higher, your breakouts can truly worsen.
Undecided if that is proper in your routine? Take a look at my newbie’s information to retinol and retinoid utilization!
What Is the Sandwich Technique 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 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 attenuate its potential negative effects. This can be a nice idea to check out when 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 in your pores and skin sort
- Apply a light-weight, oil-free moisturizer to damp pores and skin
- Permit this to dry fully
- 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. In the event you’re in want of further 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 substances deep into your pores and skin, however on this case, that’s in all probability not one thing you’re searching for. By including a serum-infused toner, or essence, you’re offering a little bit additional buffering versus only a water-based toner.
Greatest Practices
I at all times 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. Because of this 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 a little bit bit to handle a number of the negative effects.
Does the Retinol Sandwich Technique 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, need 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?
Briefly, no. When making use of a it, you’re placing a selected proportion, say .1%, in your face. The share 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 may 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, but it surely does decrease the lively’s means 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 can simply mitigate a number of the unfavorable negative effects.
What Are the Advantages of the Retinol Sandwich Technique?
By eliminating the standard negative effects related to retinol, pores and skin will expertise elevated smoothness, hydration, and a brighter glow attributable to fewer opaque, lifeless 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 good choice for these with acne-prone pores and skin. Since acne-prone pores and skin is already lively and dealing with irritation, I usually advise towards utilizing a stimulating lively ingredient, as it will probably 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?
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 when you simply need to spot deal with notably dry areas, equivalent to across the eyes, nostril, and mouth, you may apply moisturizer to only these areas earlier than getting in 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, you could need to decide out of sandwiching completely.
Greatest Merchandise To Use With the Retinol Sandwich Technique
In the event you’re keen to do this ingredient however are involved concerning the doable setbacks, you can begin by sandwiching with any retinol or retinoid (right here’s the distinction), however I like to recommend holding an eye fixed out for one with these 4 issues!
Nonetheless, when 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 Superior Resurfacing Serum. Not all retinols are created equally attributable to 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 means 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 can immediately right parched pores and skin, tightness, and visual flaking typically attributable to actives equivalent to retinoids, exfoliating acids, or benzoyl peroxide.
What Are There Cons to Sandwiching Retinol?
Whereas sandwiching is a protected and efficient solution to scale back irritation, these are some things it’s best to take into account earlier than attempting 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 still expertise some, relying on the thickness of the moisturizer, focus of substances, 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 sooner depletion of your merchandise and elevated value over time.
How Usually Ought to I Use This Approach?
How typically you employ this technique will be similar to lifting weights. Somedays, you could solely need to raise 5lbs, whereas different days you could go for 20lbs if you understand you’re going to have some additional downtime after. I actually consider {that a} “no ache, no acquire” philosophy will be utilized to retinol utilization.
In the event you’re a retinol newbie, I might counsel utilizing this technique 1-2 occasions per week, step by step 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 a little bit if meaning receiving extra noticeable outcomes. Additionally, oilier pores and skin varieties might not have to 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 vulnerable to sunburns so ensure you are solely utilizing it at evening (and don’t overlook sunscreen within the morning!).
In the end, the retinol sandwich technique is a good 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 rapidly when 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 skilled has created a real-world resolution — merchandise which can be formulated for 9 various kinds 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 information and fixed analysis are why Marie Claire calls her “essentially the most passionate pores and skin practitioner we all know.”
