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Want to know if retinol and vitamin C can be used together? Here is everything you must know.
Yesterday I was happily doing my skincare routine and a thought came through my head: can I mix retinol and vitamin C together? I regularly use both of these ingredients and I was wondering if I could mix them to make room for new products.
So I did a little bit of research, as one does, just to be extremely disappointed.
Retinol and vitamin C should not be used together. While they wouldn’t lose their effectiveness, pairing these two ingredients together could cause irritation and extreme sensitivity. This doesn’t prevent you to use them separately though.
Even if they should be used separately, it doesn’t mean there aren’t exceptions. I found a few tips and tricks to kind of layer them and also maximize their benefits separately. Keep reading to know more.
Also, if you want to know more about vitamin C derivatives and what is best for you or are interested in a comprehensive retinoid guide check out these two articles!
Why you should not mix vitamin C and retinol
As we already established you should not layer these ingredients. This is because not only they are both active ingredients that lead to similar effects but also these are possibly irritating ingredients. This could be too much for your skin that could be left strongly irritated.
Not only that but each product operates best at different pH levels. Without getting too sciency about it, because of that, layering these actives together can cause each to be less effective when applied to the skin.
It’s important to know though, that not everyone reacts badly to combining these skincare ingredients. If you really want to use them together you could try layering them and see how it works out for you.
Before you risk irritating your skin make sure to read the tips below, you may find the solution you are looking for.
Benefits of using retinol and vitamin C
Combining these ingredients in your skincare routine basically is the perfect combo for radiant and wrinkle-free skin.
In fact among all of vitamin C’s properties, it improves the look of dark spots and wrinkles as well as skin firmness, leaving you with radiant and supple skin.
As probably most of you know, retinol has great effects in rejuvenating the skin. It improves its elasticity, look and feel. But this is not all, while retinol is able to minimize the look of fine lines and wrinkles, it can also improve skin texture and tone. Plus retinol and retinoids are great solutions for lightening dark spots and getting rid of acne as well.
Here is a table for you to compare common benefits and differences.
| VITAMIN C BENEFITS | RETINOL BENEFITS |
|---|---|
| Improve the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines | Improve the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines |
| Can lighten dark spots | Can lighten dark spots |
| May improve acne | May improve acne |
| Exfoliates your skin | Exfoliates your skin |
| Brightens the skin | Improves skin texture |
| Prevents sun damage | Can unclog pores |
Side effects of using them combined
While having both these products in your skincare routine can make wonders for your skin, it may also lead to some side effects.
Vitamin C can sometimes cause breakouts on acne-prone skin. This is why it’s best to use products with 5-10% ascorbic acid (i.e. vitamin C) if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Of course, using both of these products can lead to irritation. If you never used retinol or vitamin C, you can start by adding just one to your skincare routine. Build up a tolerance to it and when your skin is not irritated by the product anymore gently introduce the other ingredient.
Naturally, the extent of the irritation also depends on if you are using over-the-counter retinol or prescription retinoids, as the latter is definitely more potent.
If you are interested in how you can manage retinol and retinoid irritation I have an article where I talk more about it!
How to use retinol and vitamin C together
We said that it’s best not to layer these ingredients, so how do we use them together?
You can absolutely alternate retinol and vitamin C. In fact, having them both in your skincare routine may even enhance their effects. The easiest way to alternate the two is by using one in the morning and one at night. I recommend using vitamin C in the AM as it can boost your SPF, then retinol in the PM.
The reason why it’s best to use retinol in the evening is that it can lead to skin photosensitivity (a fancy word to say your skin will be more sensitive to sun damage).
For those of you who really want to use them together or can’t bother with both AM and PM skincare, I found the perfect loophole for you! It’s possible to use retinol and vitamin C together without causing irritation as long as you pick just one product that has both of them.
Here are two great products that I love and that contain both of these actives:
I have to admit I also found some advice that was a bit different. A dermatologist said that it’s okay to use both products at night as long as you have a plan to deal with the irritation that will likely occur.
Basically, if you know how to take care of irritated skin, go for it. Honestly, though, I don’t think it’s worth the risk.
You may also want to know
Is vitamin C or retinol better for dark spots?
Vitamin C is known for its brightening properties which means it is great to treat dark spots. On the other hand, retinol also stimulates collagen production, which is another way to diminish dark spots. I think the best way to choose is not to: use a product that contains both of them.
Which is better for acne vitamin C or retinol?
The best vitamin C serums tend to focus on bettering skin tone, therefore, improving the look of acne. On the other hand, the best retinol creams speed up cell turnover, improving your chance not only to get rid of acne but also improving the look of wrinkles and skin texture.
This post was all about using retinol and vitamin C together.
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