Retinol and Vitamin C: How to Combine These Two Powerful Anti-Aging Ingredients
Key takeaways:
Retinol and vitamin C are two ingredients with proven skin care benefits. They improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines and dark spots.
You can use vitamin C together with retinol to magnify their benefits. The trick is to use them in the correct order to minimize side effects like redness and peeling.
For best results, use vitamin C in the morning and retinol in the evening. Use them after washing with a mild cleanser and before applying moisturizer.
Table of contents
Retinol and vitamin C are two of the most commonly talked about skin care ingredients, and with good reason. They improve skin tone and texture and reduce the natural signs of skin aging.
If you’re wondering whether you can combine these two hero ingredients, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’ll answer all your questions about using retinol and vitamin C together, including how to do it and why it’s a good idea.
Can you use vitamin C and retinol together?
Yes, it’s possible to combine vitamin C and retinol into your regular skin care routine. But to maximize benefits and minimize side effects, you have to use these products in the right way.
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The best way to combine these two ingredients is by using vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night.
Vitamin C is best used in the morning because it can also help protect your skin from ultraviolet (UV) damage encountered during the day.
Retinol is best used at night because some formulations are broken down by UV light.
What are the benefits of combining vitamin C and retinol?
Vitamin C and retinol are two of the most studied and most effective ingredients for skin health. They each have many proven anti-aging effects. But they work differently on your skin. Using them together magnifies their many benefits.
Benefits of vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps prevent and repair damage caused by UV light and other toxins. It does this by fighting free radicals — unstable molecules that damage your skin and lead to signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, and loss of skin elasticity.
Some ways vitamin C works in your skin include:
Supporting collagen production
Fading dark spots
Replenishing vitamin E levels (another strong antioxidant)
Boosting the benefit of sunscreen
Not sure how to start using retinol? Dermatologists share their tips on which retinol to use and how to add it to your skin care routine.
What does vitamin C do for your skin? Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. When used correctly, it can result in brighter skin, fewer wrinkles, and a more even skin tone.
Managing a retinol burn: Learn about this common side effect and what you can do if it happens to you.
Benefits of retinol
Retinol is a form of vitamin A that’s added to many over-the-counter (OTC) skin care products.
Retinoids, which are stronger forms of retinol, are available by prescription (except for Differin, which is OTC).
Retinol and retinoids have many skin benefits, including:
Exfoliating the skin
Boosting collagen production
Minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Fading dark spots
Improving skin tone and texture
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Choosing the right products
With so many products available, it helps to know which formulations are worth the investment. A more expensive product doesn’t mean a better one.
For best results with vitamin C, look for products with a concentration between 10% and 20% and packaged in dark, airtight containers (vitamin C degrades easily when exposed to light and air).
When choosing a retinol, there are some things to keep in mind.
First, if you’ve never used one before, choose a low concentration. Retinol 0.2% is a good place to start. Retinol can be listed under a few different names. Here are some to look for, listed from weakest to strongest:
Retinyl esters
Retinol
Retinaldehyde
Retinoid (Adapalene 0.1%)
Second, choose products that are suitable for your skin type:
For dry skin, choose a hydrating cream with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides.
For combination skin, opt for a serum or a lightweight cream.
For oily skin, serums and gels are best.
How to combine retinol and vitamin C
Once you’ve got your products, here’s how to combine them safely to get the most out of their benefits.
Morning skin care routine
In the morning:
Wash with a gentle cleanser.
After your skin dries, apply your vitamin C product and let it absorb completely.
Moisturize.
Apply sunscreen.
Evening skin care routine
Before bed:
Wash with a gentle cleanser.
Optional: If your skin is very dry or sensitive, apply moisturizer before the retinol.
After your skin dries, apply your retinol product and let it absorb.
Moisturize.
Can combining vitamin C and retinol cause side effects?
Yes, combining vitamin C and retinol is more likely to cause side effects than using either product alone. That’s because both products can cause skin irritation.
Most commonly, side effects people experience include:
Skin redness
Pain and tingling
Itchiness
Flaking
But using these products correctly minimizes the risk of skin irritation.
If you have dry or sensitive skin, use caution when starting vitamin C and retinol. It’s best to start with one product at a time and let your skin adapt before adding the other.
Frequently asked questions
Retinol can cause skin irritation and sensitivity, especially when you first start using it. So, it’s a good idea to avoid other harsh products, including:
Alpha and beta hydroxy acids (like glycolic and salicylic acids)
Benzoyl peroxide (like in acne washes or creams)
Physical exfoliators (like facial scrubs and hard sponges)
Once your skin is tolerating the retinol, you can try adding in other products. It’s best to do this slowly. Add new products in one at a time, and start by using them on alternating days.
If you’ve never used retinol before, it’s best to start with a lower-strength OTC product, like retinol 0.2%. This will help your skin get used to it. Once you’re tolerating this daily, you can work your way up to higher strengths.
It depends on the product you’re layering. If it’s something potentially irritating — like salicylic acid — then you should avoid using them together at first.
Keep in mind: the stronger the retinol product, the higher the risk of irritation when combined with other products. Once your skin is used to the retinol, try alternating it with other products on different days.
For hydrating products, like hyaluronic acid, you can use these after applying vitamin C or retinol. If you’re not sure how to apply a certain product, a dermatologist can advise you.
The bottom line
Using both vitamin C and retinol can be better than using just one. Both ingredients can improve skin tone and texture, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and even out skin discoloration. But they work in different ways. Using them together can magnify their effects.
If you want to incorporate both vitamin C and retinol into your daily skin care routine, there’s a right and a wrong way to do this. For best results, use vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night. Don’t skip on the basics like moisturizer and sunscreen.
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References
Al-Niami, F., et al. (2017). Topical vitamin C and the skin: Mechanisms of action and clinical applications. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology.
Lau, M., et al. (2024). Cosmeceuticals for antiaging: A systematic review of safety and efficacy. Archives of Dermatological Research.
Pinnell, S. R., et al. (2001). Topical L-ascorbic acid: Percutaneous absorption studies. Dermatologic Surgery.
Zasada, M., et al. (2019). Retinoids: Active molecules influencing skin structure formation in cosmetic and dermatological treatments. Advances in Dermatology and Allergology.
