Since retinol and prescription retinoids first became popular in the early 1990s for anti-aging purposes, I have been a huge supporter of them. But back then, the side effects might be rather serious due to a lack of knowledge and the availability of only prescription retinoids. Unfortunately, a lack of knowledge about how to utilize them effectively to reduce these effects deterred many people from attempting. In the present day, I'm not just happy that retinol can be purchased over-the-counter, but I'm also quite enthused about the new applications we've found for it. The retinol sandwich approach is now available.
It's amazing to see what we can achieve with vitamin A and retinoids now that we've worked with them for such a long time. What then is the truth about this widely used method?
What is Retinol?
Let's begin at the top: Describe retinoids and retinol. These potent substances, which are derived from vitamin A, can treat and even reverse a number of aging symptoms. Fine lines, wrinkles, post-breakout marks, enlarged pores, and brown patches are a few examples of these symptoms. Retinoids, whether available as over-the-counter products like Advanced Resurfacing Serum or prescription drugs like tretinoin, have the power to dramatically improve the appearance of the skin over time, resulting in skin that appears more youthful and vibrant.
That being said, individuals who have previously utilized retinol or retinoids most certainly went through a purging phase, also referred to as "the retinol scaries." This could be dryness, flaking, inflammation, or an increase in outbreaks. This process occurs nearly instantly as the skin adjusts to a higher rate of cell turnover. This is the reason why persistent breakouts that could have taken weeks or even months to manifest will all happen at once. This implies that your breakouts may worsen before they get better.
What Is the Retinol Sandwich Method?
The retinol sandwich approach is not a novel concept in skincare, despite its recent popularity on TikTok. The retinol sandwich concept emerged from the widely recognized "moisture sandwich" strategy, which advocates layering products according to their viscosity. The goal of the retinol sandwich is to limit potential adverse effects by applying your retinol serum between two layers of moisturizer, or "the bread." If you're new to the substance or have sensitive skin or a damaged barrier, this is a fantastic idea to give a try.
How Is Retinol Sandwiched?
It's simple to try this strategy out! This is the method that I advise using:
In the evening, properly wash your skin.
Use the appropriate serum and toner for your skin type.
After dampening your skin, use a mild, oil-free moisturizer and let it dry fully.
Put your retinoid (retinol) on.
After allowing your retinol to absorb, reapply a layer of the same moisturizer.
By using this method, the first layer of moisturizer can serve as a barrier between your skin and the potent active substance, and the second layer will seal everything in. I suggest using an essence, such as Moisture Infusion Toner, in addition of your toner and serum if you require more buffering. Although you definitely aren't looking for that in this instance, alcohol-free toners are fantastic because they use water as a carrier to get chemicals deep into your skin. Instead of using only a water-based toner, you may add a little more buffering by mixing in an essence or serum.
Top Techniques
For any skin type, I always advise using a light, non-greasy lotion. Applying heavy creams before retinol or prescription retinoid keeps the active ingredients from entering the skin because of their bigger molecule. For this reason, I suggest using a lighter, oil-free lotion such as Skin Recovery Lotion, which will offer a layer of moisture that acts as a buffer without interfering with the action of the vitamin A product. The trick is to dilute it just enough to handle some of the negative effects without making it so diluted that it becomes ineffective.
Is the Sandwich Retinol Method Effective?
This technique still has anti-aging properties but can help reduce irritation, dryness, and flaking. This is a good way to minimize harsh side effects if you have sensitive skin, prefer to concentrate on barrier protection, or are unfamiliar with the substance.
Is It Less Effective to Sandwich Retinol Between Moisturizers?
Simply put, no. Applying it involves applying a certain percentage—let's say.1%—to your face. Whatever you apply before or after it doesn't affect the percentage used, therefore you're not lessening its effectiveness. The product's capacity to permeate the skin, however, may alter. While combining the two does dilute the active ingredient, applying moisturizer first does reduce its capacity to penetrate the skin.
Overall, retinol will still be potent even if you use a moisturizing lotion before applying it; the bad side effects will merely be lessened.
What Advantages Does the Retinol Sandwich Method Offer?
Reduced opaque, dead skin cells mean skin will be more hydrated, smoother, and glowier—all benefits of reducing the typical adverse effects of retinol. By building a buffer, the likelihood of the skin barrier being disrupted is reduced, which lessens the chance of dehydration and sensitivity.
Furthermore, retinol sandwiching is an excellent choice for people whose skin is prone to acne. I usually advise avoiding using a stimulating active ingredient on acne-prone skin because it can exacerbate the irritation already present in the skin. But by using the sandwich method, retinol can be more palatable to the skin, meaning that people with acne can still benefit from its anti-aging properties.
Does It Belong in My Routine?
It's easy to determine whether to incorporate sandwiching into your retinol routine once you've determined it's time to start taking it: is it causing you any unwelcome dryness, redness, or irritation? Then attempt it! You can apply moisturizer to the regions around your eyes, nose, and mouth before applying retinol, even if you merely want to spot treat those areas.
However, you might wish to completely forego sandwiching if you're willing to accept the usual adverse effects of this serum and want to maximize the benefits of retinol or retinoid.
Top Items to Use with the Sandwich Method of Retinol
If you're excited to use this substance but are worried about potential negative effects, you can begin by sandwiching with any retinoid (see this article for the difference) or retinol, but I suggest looking for one that has these four ingredients!
But if you want to avoid the extra steps involved in sandwiching, I suggest utilizing a retinol like Advanced Resurfacing Serum that is mild enough that it doesn't require a sandwich or phase-in time. Because retinols come in different strengths and intensities, not all of them are made equal. This serum is designed for people with sensitive skin or whose skin has not responded well to prescription retinoids. You can progress from this point to a more potent choice without having to buy any extra things or follow extra steps.
What Drawbacks Exist for Retinol Sandwiching?
Even though sandwiching is a secure and practical method of reducing irritation, there are a few things you should know before giving it a try.
Slower outcomes: Compared to utilizing retinol alone, sandwiching may produce a reduction in product absorption, which could delay the appearance of benefits.
Potential for irritation: Depending on the thickness of the moisturizer, component concentration, and skin sensitivity, sandwiching can lessen the chance of irritation, but some people may still suffer some.
Price and product utilization: Applying two layers of moisturizer or more product each time you use retinol can cause your products to run out more quickly and become more expensive over time.
How Frequently Should I Apply This Method?
The frequency of application of this technique can be likened to that of weightlifting. On some days, you might simply want to lift 5 pounds; on other days, you might want to lift 20 pounds if you anticipate needing more time to recover. I firmly think that using retinol can benefit from the adage "no pain, no gain."
I would recommend utilizing this method 1-2 times per week if you're new to using retinol, and you can increase the frequency as your skin adjusts. But I know that if it means getting more obvious results, I don't mind a little skin peeling off if I don't have any special occasions or need to film anytime soon. Additionally, because oil functions as an inherent buffering mechanism, skin types with higher oil content might not require as much sandwiching as others.
Retinol increases the likelihood of sunburns, so be sure to use it exclusively at night (and remember to wear sunscreen in the morning!).
All things considered, if you want the anti-aging effects without the side effects, the retinol sandwich method is a fantastic approach to use. Just be aware that if you're not pushing the boundaries of your skin, you might not notice benefits as rapidly.
