Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Does the moisture sandwich method actually reduce the effectiveness of retinoids? A study circulating online has been used to claim that applying a moisturizer before and after a retinoid stops the retinoid from working. But there is much more to the study than that headline suggests.
In this video, dermatologist Dr. Dray explains why the study does not show that the moisture sandwich method eliminates retinoid activity. The research was presented as an abstract rather than a full peer-reviewed published study, used ex vivo skin explants, and measured retinoid activity using a less sensitive marker. The findings showed reduced activity, not an absence of activity.
So what does this actually mean if you use the moisture sandwich method with tretinoin, retinol, or another retinoid? Dr. Dray breaks down the study and explains why the results should be interpreted cautiously.
Watch to learn:
• What the study actually found
• Why “reduced activity” does not mean “no activity”
• The limitations of using skin explants in research
• Why the study's marker may not have been sensitive enough
• What this means for using moisturizer with retinoids
Have you tried the moisture sandwich method with your retinoid? Let Dr. Dray know in the comments!
#Retinoid #Tretinoin #MoistureSandwich #Skincare #Retinol #Dermatologist #SkincareMyths
FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links.
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Disclaimer: This video is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment or medical advice. Content provided on this Youtube channel is for informational purposes only. Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment options. Information on this Youtube channel should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. The statements made about specific products throughout this video are not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
Does the moisture sandwich method actually reduce the effectiveness of retinoids? A study circulating online has been used to claim that applying a moisturizer before and after a retinoid stops the retinoid from working. But there is much more to the study than that headline suggests.
In this video, dermatologist Dr. Dray explains why the study does not show that the moisture sandwich method eliminates retinoid activity. The research was presented as an abstract rather than a full peer-reviewed published study, used ex vivo skin explants, and measured retinoid activity using a less sensitive marker. The findings showed reduced activity, not an absence of activity.
So what does this actually mean if you use the moisture sandwich method with tretinoin, retinol, or another retinoid? Dr. Dray breaks down the study and explains why the results should be interpreted cautiously.
Watch to learn:
• What the study actually found
• Why “reduced activity” does not mean “no activity”
• The limitations of using skin explants in research
• Why the study's marker may not have been sensitive enough
• What this means for using moisturizer with retinoids
Have you tried the moisture sandwich method with your retinoid? Let Dr. Dray know in the comments!
#Retinoid #Tretinoin #MoistureSandwich #Skincare #Retinol #Dermatologist #SkincareMyths
FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links.
💜Shop my Amazon store https://o.bttn.io/0BwiPWFIZLG
💜Follow me on liketoknowit https://www.liketoknow.it/drdrayzday
💜Social media
Instagram @drdrayzday
Pinterest pinterest.com/drdrayzday
Facebook @DrDrayzDay
Twitter: @drdrayzday
Tiktok: @drdrayzday
Disclaimer: This video is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment or medical advice. Content provided on this Youtube channel is for informational purposes only. Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment options. Information on this Youtube channel should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. The statements made about specific products throughout this video are not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
