This Viral Skincare Trend Is Making Your Retinol Less Effective
Ever wonder if something you've seen trending on #BeautyTok is actually true or just a myth?
In BAZAAR Beauty Busters, we'll speak with top makeup artists, dermatologists, estheticians, and more to dispel or validate viral social media hacks and treatments. We'll also feature tips and product recommendations straight from the experts.
Though it sounds like something you could order from a deli counter, retinol sandwiching is actually a years-old technique that has just now gone viral on TikTok. It involves applying a layer of moisturizer before and after using a retinoid, and aims to reduce some of the unpleasant side effects of retinol. (You know the ones: redness, peeling, sensitized and flaky skin.) Skincare influencers and enthusiasts swear by this method, which has racked up over 22 million views on the term. But does "sandwiching" actually work?
The answer? It's a little complicated. We tapped Robyn Gmyrek, a board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic dermatology at Columbia University, to give her opinion on sandwiching's overall effectiveness (spoiler alert: it might actually lessen the effects of retinol). She ultimately recommends selecting retinol products that also contain moisturizing ingredients to achieve similar benefits without compromising the integrity of the formula.
Watch below or directly on Harper's BAZAAR's TikTok page as she breaks down why sandwiching can be a waste of time and money, plus the proper way to add a retinoid into your routine.
And check out Gmyrek's top retinol recommendations, along with some editor-approved picks, to incorporate into your rotation.
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