How to do The Sandwich Method With Retinol

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 might overly dilute their effect.

Here's a step-by-step guide:

Cleanse your skin: Start with a mild, non-exfoliating acid cleanser suitable for your skin type to help remove excess oil, dirt, and sweat. After cleansing, pat your skin dry.

Apply a light layer of moisturizer (First layer): This acts as the "bottom slice" of your sandwich. Choose a moisturizer suitable for your skin type: a gel for oily skin and a lotion/cream for dry skin. Apply a bean-sized amount to your face and neck, allowing it to absorb for a few minutes.

Apply your retinol: Dispense 3-4 drops of retinol serum onto your hand or a pea-sized amount onto your fingertips. Blend them together, applying over the first moisturizer layer. Avoid the eyelids, eye corners, nose corners, and lips.

Apply a second layer of moisturizer (Second layer): Finish with the "top slice," another bean-sized moisturizer layer over the retinol.

I am not affiliated with or sponsored by any skincare company, as I create content independently.

Disclaimer: The content I share is designed to inform, educate, and entertain. I work hard to provide reliable and well-researched information based on the latest insights in skincare. While I am knowledgeable, I am not a healthcare provider. For specific advice about your skin, please consult an expert in your area.

[MarlynGa-ok]

Tnx for sharing this video. I just started my retinol journey. Ur videos helps me a lot.

[sannehilberts]

Thank you Melissa for this useful video ❤
I started using retinol 6 weeks ago and since then I started having very dry and flaky skin around my eyes that’s burning. But the retinol is working really well on the rest of my skin. In the beginning it made my skin worse, but now it has all cleared up really nicely except for around my eyes. Should I just wait a little longer and see if it will work on my eyes too? Or should I stop using it around my eyes?

[taranveersingh]

I am using the Naturium 0.05% Retinaldehyde serum and it's quite gentle, so haven't needed to use the sandwich method. But could you please give an approximate idea how long to wait between Retinal serum and moisturiser? Thanks 😇

[aahilkhan]

Hi Melissa ❤
Do you know what is that bakuchial?
I watched few videos in which they says bakuchial is better then retinol vitamin A
Can you please make a video on that or explain to us that what exactly good

[shemaindeed]

please suggest a retinol for combination acne prone sensitive skin that’s very gentle to the skin. Tia❤

[joebob]

Hello again, just renewed my retinol (0.2%; L’Oréal Laser Renewal) and my skin is not tingling at all like it was even after continued use for a month or two with my first purchase? I had been using it every other day and took a break for like two weeks and put it the fridge but the smell was less potent and didn’t make my skin tingle when I took it back out again… this new one has been in the fridge and does smell potent but again, don’t really feel anything. It’s recommended to store retinol in the fridge though and that retinol resistance is not a thing. Checked the product code and it’s been unopened on the shelf for 6 months. Also, will L’Oréal’s vitamin c+e salicylic acid (12%) serum —‘revitalift clinical’ is the name—that is designed to brighten and plump skin conflict with the retinol when used in the mornings? Many thanks. Always come to you for my skincare stuff :) You rock! Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you

[rabiayasir]

Hello Melissa is there any side effects of using tretinoin cream or adapelene for longer period of time???...as they are drugs

[MonnkaD]

Hi Melissa :) Would Cetaphil PS Lipoactive cream also be suitable?

[pesh]

Hi melissa
Would u recommend someone to use differin gel with the cosrx oil free moisturizer?

And is it good to do the sandwich method with those two products?

>> I have a combination skin(normal to oily)
Thank you.

[marczalala]

Hi quick Question(s) which is kinda off topic-ish but still about layering with Retinol and I didn't want to comment on a months old video

I'm using Differin Adapalene 0, 1% Gel and also wanted to incorporate Niacinamide beforehand in the evening. The 10% from Ordinary seems a bit too strong for me (But I guess the Skin can adjust?) but I've been looking at the Axis-Y Dark Spot 5% Serum but wondered if it can be used before the Retinol without caution since the texture is abit more creamy? And If yes, how much time inbetween the steps?

Also, I'm using a really soothing toner (centella/heartleaf mix) in the morning. Would a Toner in the evening on Retinol / BHA Days do any good or more bad since it kinda "regulates" the PH of the Skin (?). Can't seem to find much info on these specific things and I don't want to lessen the effect of the Exfoliation / Retinol.

Bonus Question which just popped in my mind: Is using a Toner which prepares the skin with a PH of about 5, 5 or something according to the shop-Page be bad before using a Vitamin C Serum (Cerave 10%) in the Morning or does it not matter for Vit C? I've read that Vit C Serums are lower in PH but don't really know how all of that really works


Thanks :)

[sharanramkorun]

Hi Melissa, thank you gor thr content! I wanted to ask if it's worth going back to using thr retinol less frequently - ive been using the CeraVe one for scars in my cheeks everyday now for 2 months but i seem to be just not getting out of the purge andd having some redness. I did ease my way inyo it from 2/3 times a week or every other say for a month each and i saw some improvements but since the past 2 months my cheeks have not been getting better . And I think 2 months is long enough for things to hsve starred getting better?

[SalmaMohamed-qstd]

Hello,
I've been wanting to start tretinion for a while, but i'm a beginner. Can i start with it using this method?

[FeryalAurora]

Hello, can I use my Cerave Sa smoothing cream with The ordinary 0.5 retinol in squalane together???

[amani]

Vit C from ordinary and vitchi

Retinol 1%

Alpha arbutin

Hyluronic acid
Cream hydration from ceravei


How can i use it step by step

My face is mix dry with fat

I wait yr answer pls melissa ❤❤❤

[suziarakel]

Can hyaluronic acid be considered as a “moisturizer”?

[Karafizow]

Can i use sandwitch metod with Cerave Retinol Resurfacing serum?
Ty!

[bhthana]

Can i skip moisturizer after retinol. Because my skin gets too oily when I use moisturizer after retinol?

[hope]

Does retinol works for closed comedones

[RAJPUTANAAAAAAAA]

I am using tretinion form 3 month still getting painful few acne
So i want to shift on retinol .015 percent cream for less irritation
What you say?