Retinol and your moisture barrier: how to keep skin comfortable

What is the moisture barrier?

Your moisture barrier is the outermost layer of your skin. It's made with skin's own lipids, like ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids, and it keeps moisture in.

When it's well moisturized, skin feels soft, smooth and comfortable. When it's dry, skin can feel tight, rough or stingy, and products you usually love may suddenly feel strong.

Why retinol can feel drying

Retinol is a strong ingredient, and it's common to notice dryness, flaking or tightness when you first start. For many people it settles as they build up slowly, but it's the moment a lot of people give up.

The goal is to keep your skin comfortable the whole way through, so you can stay consistent.

The sandwich method

The sandwich method is a simple way to make retinol feel gentler: you apply it between two layers of moisturizer.

1. 1

   Step 1: Moisturizer

   After cleansing, apply a thin layer of moisturizer and let it settle for a minute.

2. 2

   Step 2: Retinol

   Apply your pea-size amount of retinol over the top.

3. 3

   Step 3: Moisturizer again

   Finish with another layer to keep skin comfortable overnight.

Some people mix their retinol with a little moisturizer instead, which is sometimes called buffering. Either way, it's a good place to start if your skin is dry or easily irritated.

Ingredients that keep skin comfortable

• Ceramides: lipids that help moisturizers feel nourishing and keep skin soft.
• Glycerin and hyaluronic acid: humectants that hold on to water for a hydrated feel.
• Squalane: a lightweight oil that softens without feeling greasy.
• Panthenol: a form of vitamin B5 with a soothing, comfortable feel.
• Niacinamide: a versatile ingredient that's easy to pair with retinol.

What to pause while you build up

• Exfoliating acids (AHAs and BHAs) and at-home peels
• Scrubs and cleansing brushes
• Other retinoids
• Very hot water on your face
• Heavily fragranced products, if your skin is easily irritated

You can bring exfoliants back later, on nights you don't use retinol.

Signs to slow down

Ease off if you notice stinging that doesn't settle, burning, redness that lingers or patches of peeling. Go back to fewer nights a week, lean on moisturizer and pause other actives. If things don't feel better within a few days, stop using retinol and talk with your doctor.

How our night serum approaches it

We built moisture barrier support into our PDRN + Retinol Night Serum from the start, with a comforting serum-lotion texture made for nightly use. Start slowly, follow the directions on the box and keep a good moisturizer close.