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 shortage of schooling and the supply of solely prescription retinoids meant that the unwanted side effects could possibly be fairly extreme. There was a restricted understanding of learn 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 with out 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 fact behind this well-liked approach?
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 older. These indicators could embody high-quality traces, wrinkles, post-breakout marks, enlarged pores, and brown spots. Whether or not in prescription kind (like tretinoin) or over-the-counter choices (resembling 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 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. 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 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 on 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 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 unwanted side effects. It is a nice idea to check out in case 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 approach I like to recommend:
- Within the PM, cleanse pores and skin completely
- Apply toner (or hydrating essence) and serum on your pores and skin sort
- 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 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 energetic ingredient, whereas the second layer locks all of it in. Should 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 components 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 somewhat additional buffering versus only a water-based toner.
Finest Practices
I at all times suggest utilizing a light-weight, non-greasy lotion on your pores and skin sort. 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. For this 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 unwanted side effects.
Does the Retinol Sandwich Technique Work?
This technique may help mitigate irritation, dryness, and flaking whereas nonetheless offering youth-boosting advantages. When you’ve got 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 unwanted 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 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. Nevertheless, 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, but it surely does decrease the energetic’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 should simply mitigate a number of the unfavorable unwanted side effects.
What Are the Advantages of the Retinol Sandwich Technique?
By eliminating the same old unwanted side effects related to retinol, pores and skin will expertise elevated smoothness, hydration, and a brighter glow as a consequence of fewer opaque, useless pores and skin cells. By making a buffer, the pores and skin barrier is much less more likely to grow 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 energetic and going through irritation, I usually advise in opposition to utilizing a stimulating energetic ingredient, as it may add much more irritation. Nevertheless, the sandwich technique could make retinol extra agreeable for pores and skin, permitting these with zits to nonetheless obtain anti-aging advantages
Ought to I Add It to My Routine?
Should you’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 case you simply need to spot deal with significantly dry areas, resembling across the eyes, nostril, and mouth, you may apply moisturizer to simply these areas earlier than moving into with retinol.
Nevertheless, if you wish to reap the utmost results of retinol or retinoid and are okay with the standard unwanted side effects related to this serum, chances are you’ll need to decide out of sandwiching solely.
Finest Merchandise To Use With the Retinol Sandwich Technique
Should you’re keen to do that ingredient however are involved concerning the potential setbacks, you can begin by sandwiching with any retinol or retinoid (right here’s the distinction), however I like to recommend holding a watch out for one with these 4 issues!
Nevertheless, in case 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 consequence 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 method 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 appropriate parched pores and skin, tightness, and visual flaking typically attributable to actives resembling retinoids, exfoliating acids, or benzoyl peroxide.
What Are There Cons to Sandwiching Retinol?
Whereas sandwiching is a secure and efficient technique to cut back irritation, these are some things it’s best to think about 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 cut back the chance of irritation, some individuals 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 quicker depletion of your merchandise and elevated value over time.
How Usually Ought to I Use This Approach?
How typically you employ this technique might be similar to lifting weights. Somedays, chances are you’ll solely need to carry 5lbs, whereas different days chances are you’ll go for 20lbs if you understand you’re going to have some additional downtime after. I actually imagine {that a} “no ache, no acquire” philosophy might be utilized to retinol utilization.
Should you’re a retinol newbie, I might recommend utilizing this technique 1-2 instances per week, steadily rising the frequency as your pores and skin adjusts. Nevertheless, 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 ensure you are solely utilizing it at night time (and don’t neglect sunscreen within the morning!).
In the end, the retinol sandwich technique is a good approach 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 rapidly in case you aren’t pushing your pores and skin’s limits.
Celeb Esthetician & Skincare Professional
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 several types of pores and skin so your face will get precisely what it must appear and feel 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.”
