Once you dive headfirst into the world of skincare, retinol is one of those buzzy ingredients you'll hear about a lot. Got uneven skin texture? Retinol. Dealing with dark spots? Yep, you know what to use. Want to minimize large pores? Retinol saves the day.
That said, it's a pretty potent and powerful ingredient to be able to do all that heavy lifting, which means that it can be a little too much, especially for people with sensitive skin. Retinol users are more prone to dry patches, irritation, peeling, and even a burning sensation—eep! However, there is apparently a way to prevent these from happening. Enter, the "retinol sandwich" technique. Interest piqued? Read more about it below:
What is retinol?
Okay, before we discuss this method, let's talk about the star of the show: Retinol. It's a type of Vitamin A and is mostly used to slow down signs of aging by stimulating the production of collagen. It's also lauded for its ability to minimize the appearance of pores, brighten dark spots left behind by acne breakouts, smoothen out uneven skin texture, and even prevent acne.
However, retinol is a very potent ingredient, so you must proceed with caution if you're thinking of introducing it into your skincare routine (especially if you have sensitive AF skin). It can cause dryness, peeling, purging, and increased sun sensitivity. The use of retinol is also not recommended while you're pregnant.
READ MORE: How To *Properly* Add Retinol To Your Skincare Routine
What is the "retinol sandwich" method?
You might be scared to try including retinol in your routine after reading all those things, but don't let them dissuade you from incorporating it into your skincare rotation! After all, when used correctly, it can aid in granting you a super smooth, luminous, and acne-free complexion—you just have to be smarter in how to go about using it.
This is where the retinol sandwich method comes into play. The Derm Guru on TikTok details that a retinol sandwich involves "sandwiching the retinoid between two moisturizers." Just like a sandwich, your moisturizer will act as the two slices of bread while the retinol serves as the more potent ingredient in the middle—the palaman, if you will.
"This is really good for those people who are struggling to tolerate a retinoid, flaking, dryness, irritation, burning, [and] sensitivity," she further explains.
@dermguru How to do a retinol sandwich.. and why. In the setting of classical music. #dermguru #retinolsandwich #retinolsandwichmethod #retinoidsandwich #retinoluglies #retinoidtips ? Chopin Nocturne No. 2 Piano Mono - moshimo sound design
Pros of the retinol sandwich method
People with sensitive skin and those who find it difficult to fully incorporate retinol into their routine might find the retinol sandwich method helpful, as it helps to avoid irritation. Another advantage of this technique is that it allows for more frequent nightly applications. Normally, your skin may only be able to tolerate retinol once a week, but by diluting it, you might be able to apply it more often.
Cons of the retinol sandwich method
While diluting retinol can be a great option for those with sensitive skin to minimize irritation, it's important to note that this approach can weaken the product's overall efficacy. If you don't have sensitive skin and you want to see results quicker, it might be wise to skip this technique.
However, using retinol always means exercising caution, so if you want to include it in your routine without diluting it, we recommend taking it slow. Begin by only applying it once a week at night until you can feel that your skin can tolerate it; you can then add more days in a week if you think your skin has adjusted well. Make sure to also use sunscreen during the day when you're on retinol, as using it can increase sun sensitivity!
