Who doesn’t want the map to the fountain of youth? We for sure do. But we don’t have that, so we got you the next back thing - retinol. A truly magical elixir and derivative of Vitamin A, retinol is known for its anti-ageing prowess. It’s no surprise then that your favourite celebs and influencers all harp about the benefits of this anti-ageing ingredient. Let’s dive a little deeper into the benefits of retinol for the skin.
- Benefits of retinol for skin
- What is retinol sandwich?
- Why is this method important and how to effectively use it
Benefits of retinol for skin
As mentioned earlier, retinol is derived from Vitamin A. It aids in the faster formation, better maturation of skin cells and decreases melanin synthesis, which results in even skin tone and texture. It's also known to boost collagen, helping with fine lines and wrinkles. So what’s the next step once you know these benefits? Adding it to your nighttime skincare routine and hoping to wake up with clean, glowing skin? If only it was that simple! First-time retinol users have often complained about its side effects such as irritation, redness, dryness and peeling. So, we got the best solution for this - retinol sandwich.
What is retinol sandwich?
A retinol sandwich is an effortless and quick method to soften the discomfort throughout the ‘routinisation’ (dry, flaky skin during the initial retinol usage) process. It requires sandwiching your retinol formulation between two layers of moisturisers. On your clean and damp skin, first, apply a layer of moisturiser and then apply retinol on top of it. After this, seal the product with a top layer of moisturiser. This will help prevent any irritation and possibly fight the dryness that is common during the initial retinol application phase. This method creates a barrier between your skin and retinol while still allowing you to reap its benefits. Use lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturisers if you have acne-prone skin and creamier, thicker lotion for dry skin.
Why is this method important and how to effectively use it
An array of benefits such as treating acne, preventing dullness, promoting plump and firm skin, and minimising fine lines and wrinkles make for a strong case to incorporate retinol into our skincare. But using the sandwich method is ideal especially for those with sensitive skin to prevent further irritation or redness.
Start with a pea-sized quantity and lower concentration. Retinol is always ideal to use at bedtime. Expect a little bit of dryness the next morning. If you don’t experience dryness, you can increase the quantity of retinol being used. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to protect areas around the eye and mouth with some petroleum jelly. Hydrogenated and encapsulated forms of retinol give longer and better drug delivery.
While retinol is a hero ingredient to add to your skincare routine, it's important to understand the right method and consult your dermatologist before adding this elixir to your skincare routine.
One of the safest picks to kickstart your retinol journey is the Dermalogica Retinol Clearing Oil For Acne-prone Skin. This facial oil not only contains retinol but also salicylic acid, rosehip, argan and jojoba oil to give you deep nourishment along with gentle exfoliation.
Written by Anyuktha Nallani on Jan 24, 2022
As a skincare and makeup hoarder who watched The Devil Wears Prada a hundred times, this seems like the perfect place to be! A writer with a degree in fashion, I love everything beauty, fashion, art, and literature. When I’m not working, you will find me talking about energy cleansing, binge reading books and binge watching Kdramas while trying to select the right shade of lipstick to go grocery shopping!