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

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 training and the provision of solely prescription retinoids meant that the unwanted effects could possibly be fairly extreme. There was a restricted understanding of the way to use them correctly to attenuate these results, which sadly discouraged many individuals from making an attempt. Quick ahead to right this moment, and I’m not solely thrilled that retinol is now accessible 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 really thrilling to see what we are able to do with them now. So, what’s the truth behind this fashionable 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 handle and reverse numerous indicators of getting older. These indicators might embrace nice traces, wrinkles, post-breakout marks, enlarged pores, and brown spots. Whether or not in prescription kind (like tretinoin) or over-the-counter choices (corresponding 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 known as “the retinol scaries.” This may be something from a rise in breakouts to dryness, flaking, or irritation. Happening 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 which may’ve taken weeks (and even months) to floor will all seem directly. Which means, 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 Methodology for Retinol?

Whereas just 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 attenuate its potential unwanted effects. It is 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?

Making an attempt out this technique is straightforward! Right here’s the method I like to recommend:

1. Within the PM, cleanse pores and skin totally
2. Apply toner (or hydrating essence) and serum in your pores and skin kind
3. Apply a light-weight, oil-free moisturizer to damp pores and skin
4. Enable this to dry utterly
5. Apply your retinol or retinoid
6. 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. In case 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 most likely not one thing you’re in search of. By including a serum-infused toner, or essence, you’re offering a bit of 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 kind. 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 wish to dilute it to the purpose that it doesn’t work, simply sufficient to take the sting off a bit of bit to handle a few of the unwanted effects.

Does the Retinol Sandwich Methodology Work?

This technique might help mitigate irritation, dryness, and flaking whereas nonetheless offering youth-boosting advantages. When you have delicate pores and skin, wish to give attention to barrier safety, or are new to the ingredient, that is an efficient possibility for limiting harsh unwanted effects.

Does Sandwiching Retinol Between Moisturizer Make It Much less Efficient?

Briefly, no. When making use of a it, you’re placing a particular share, 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 decrease the energetic’s capacity to penetrate the pores and skin.

All in all, utilizing a hydrating cream earlier than making use of retinol gained’t dilute its efficiency, it would simply mitigate a few of the unfavorable unwanted effects.

What Are the Advantages of the Retinol Sandwich Methodology?

By eliminating the same old unwanted effects related to retinol, pores and skin will expertise elevated smoothness, hydration, and a brighter glow resulting from fewer opaque, useless pores and skin cells. By making a buffer, the pores and skin barrier is much less prone to develop into compromised, leading to much less dehydration and sensitivity.

Moreover, retinol sandwiching is a good possibility 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 could possibly add much more irritation. Nonetheless, 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?

In case 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 when you simply wish to spot deal with significantly dry areas, corresponding to across the eyes, nostril, and mouth, you possibly can apply moisturizer to simply these areas earlier than getting into with retinol.

Nonetheless, if you wish to reap the utmost results of retinol or retinoid and are okay with the standard unwanted effects related to this serum, you might wish to decide out of sandwiching fully.

Greatest Merchandise To Use With the Retinol Sandwich Methodology

In case 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 retaining 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 light sufficient {that a} sandwich or phase-in interval isn’t required, like Superior Resurfacing Serum. Not all retinols are created equally resulting from 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 possibly can work your means as much as a extra highly effective possibility 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 usually attributable to actives corresponding to retinoids, exfoliating acids, or benzoyl peroxide.

What Are There Cons to Sandwiching Retinol?

Whereas sandwiching is a protected and efficient approach to cut back irritation, these are some things it’s best to take into account earlier than making an attempt 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 cut back the probability of irritation, some individuals should still expertise some, relying on the thickness of the moisturizer, focus of substances, 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 quicker depletion of your merchandise and elevated value over time.

How Usually Ought to I Use This Approach?

How usually you employ this technique will be similar to lifting weights. Somedays, you might solely wish to raise 5lbs, whereas different days you might go for 20lbs if you recognize you’re going to have some additional downtime after. I actually imagine {that a} “no ache, no acquire” philosophy will be utilized to retinol utilization.

In case you’re a retinol newbie, I’d counsel utilizing this technique 1-2 occasions per week, regularly 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 a bit of if which means receiving extra noticeable outcomes. Additionally, oilier pores and skin varieties might not must sandwich as a lot as others since their oil acts as their very own built-in buffering technique.

Keep in mind, retinol causes pores and skin to be extra inclined to sunburns so be sure to are solely utilizing it at night time (and don’t neglect sunscreen within the morning!).

Finally, the retinol sandwich technique is a good method to make the most of in order for you the anti-aging outcomes with out the drawbacks. Simply perceive that you could be not see outcomes as shortly when you aren’t pushing your pores and skin’s limits.