In the case of retinol sandwiching, the retinol is placed between two layers of moisturiser, with intention to prevent skin irritation and inflammatory 'hotspots' - particularly during the initial stage of incorporating retinol into one's skincare routine.
The "retinol sandwich method" involves layering a retinol product between two moisturizer applications to reduce the intensity of stronger retinol products and minimize skin irritation. It's ideal for potent retinols like 0.5% or 1%, but it's not recommended for low-strength retinols (0.1-0.3%) as it.
What is the sandwich method and how is it used? The sandwich method is a form of feedback that wraps negative feedback in praise. This means that the feedback discussion starts with positive comments, and is followed by negative criticism, before appreciative words are used again.
We recommend following the 1-2-3 rule: apply retinol once a week for one week, twice a week for two weeks, three times for three weeks, then move towards every second night if there are no side effects happening. If you do experience flaking, redness or sensitivity, simply move back to a lower frequency for a week.
Using moisture sandwiching when applying retinol can help you to make the most of these benefits while avoiding irritation. Use a lightweight moisturiser on top of damp skin, then apply your retinol product. After retinol, apply another layer of moisturiser on top to lock in hydration and help prevent flaking.
In an evaluation done by the Journal of Behavioral Studies in Business, researchers found that the method can be damaging for several reasons: Including positives may undermine the criticism involved, thus rendering that criticism ineffective.
Is 1% Retinol Too Much for Beginners? If you're a new retinol user, starting at 1% retinol may cause your skin to become irritated and sensitive. For new vitamin A users, we always recommend that you start on the lowest strength (0.01%) and gradually work your way up from there.
Wait: Allow the retinol to absorb into your skin. Waiting 20-30 minutes can reduce the risk of irritation. Moisturize: Apply your moisturizer to lock in hydration and soothe the skin.
Option one: The sandwich technique
After washing your face, apply a layer of moisturiser. Allow it to dry down for 5-10 minutes. Then, apply a pea-sized amount of tretinoin to your entire face. Allow this to dry down for 5-10 minutes.
The sandwich method is a layering technique designed to lock in hydration and maximize the efficacy of your skincare products. It involves alternating between layers of hydration (think toners, essences, or mists) and retinol layers (like creams or oils) to create a "sandwich" of moisture.
The “communication sandwich” technique offers a solution by combining positive reinforcement with constructive feedback, helping you navigate tough topics while minimizing defensiveness. Also known as the “feedback sandwich,” this method frames constructive criticism between two layers of positive remarks.
However, if you want to reap the maximum effects of retinol or retinoid and are okay with the typical side effects associated with this serum, you may want to opt out of sandwiching entirely.
The Wrinkle Worsening Myth
Here's the tea: Retinol does NOT make your wrinkles worse. But (and it's a big but), it can sometimes make your skin look worse before it gets better. When you first start using retinol, it's literally speeding up the process of cell turnover.
HA provides hydration, which can counteract the potential drying effects of retinoids. Since Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is a water-based serum, it would be applied first and then after, you would apply retinoids, such as Retinol 1% in Squalane, as it's an anhydrous formulation.
The retinol uglies can last anywhere from 4–8 weeks. The exact length of a retinoid purge depends very much on your skin type and sensitivity. The amount and strength of your retinoid product can also play a part. Some people experience a purge flare-up for only a few days, and others don't get it at all.
It's essential to make sure to wait until your skin is dehydrated before moving on to applying your retinol. If you use it on wet or even damp skin, there is a greater likelihood that you'll experience irritation. That is because cleansing the skin opens up the pores.
Hyaluronic acid and other moisturizers – hyaluronic acid, peptides, ceramides, and other moisturizing and skin hydrating ingredients pair well with retinol and help to minimize adverse effects like skin drying.
"The Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains 32 ingredients. This CeraVe serum retinol percentage is 0.3% encapsulated retinol..."
The skin goes red, inflamed, and peeling because retinol has chemically burned away the upper layer of skin, the new exposed skin has not had enough time to build up its natural protection film to UV light and pollutants that a good UV moisturising oil can help with and reduce the exposure to skin cancer risk, ...
What is the Sandwich Method? The sandwich is simple: You match an element of your top half (a top or jacket) to an element of your bottom half (pants, a skirt, or shoes), and sandwich a contrasting item in between. For example, if I were wearing a brown sweater and blue jeans, I'd opt for a pair of brown shoes.