The Truth About Retinol and Vitamin C: Can They Be Used Together?
Are you wondering if you can safely use retinol and vitamin C together in your skincare routine? Let’s dive into the science behind these anti-aging powerhouses and see if they’re compatible in your skincare routine.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase. These are products I’ve personally used, as well as are recommended by other skincare experts.
Retinol and vitamin C are two anti-aging skincare ingredients that have gained immense popularity in recent years. However, there’s a common misconception that these two potent ingredients shouldn’t be used together. But is this really the case?
Let’s explore the science behind retinol and vitamin C and whether they can complement each other in your skincare routine.
Plus, I’ll share some expert tips on how to safely and effectively incorporate both ingredients into your daily regimen for optimal results.
What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C, or L-ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that can naturally be found in some foods and dietary supplements.
It’s one of the most extensively researched skincare ingredients available today. Due to its proven efficacy and benefits, it has become one of the most popular skincare ingredients.
Vitamin C Benefits:
- Brightens Skin: Got dark spots or uneven tone? Vitamin C helps even things out.
- Anti-Aging: As we age, our skin loses collagen leading to wrinkles and fine lines. Vitamin C boosts collagen, which means fewer wrinkles and a firmer face.
- Protection: It’s like a shield against pollution and UV rays, neutralizing the bad stuff before it messes with your skin.
- Hydration: Dry skin? Vitamin C helps keep things moisturized.
- Fights Acne: Some types of Vitamin C (e.g. sodium ascorbyl phosphate) can actually kill acne-causing bacteria. Plus, it can lighten acne scars.
Types of Vitamin C
L-Ascorbic Acid: This is the gold standard of Vitamin C. It’s great for boosting collagen and reducing discoloration. But it’s not perfect—it oxidizes easily, losing its potency over time. Plus, it needs a low pH to be effective, which can irritate some skin types.
Vitamin C Derivatives: These are the alternatives developed to address L-ascorbic acid’s shortcomings. They’re generally more stable and less irritating, but the jury’s still out on whether they’re as effective.
Most Common Vitamin C Derivatives :
- Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP): This one’s stable and has similar benefits to L-ascorbic acid, like evening out skin tone and boosting collagen. It’s also antimicrobial, making it a good pick for acne-prone skin.
- Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP): Another stable form, but it’s less potent. It’s often mixed with other antioxidants to up its game. You’ll need at least a 10% concentration for noticeable brightening effects.
- Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (TA): Also known by a few other names like VC-IP and Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, this derivative penetrates the skin deeply. It’s shown to be effective in antioxidant protection, collagen boosting, and skin brightening. Some studies even suggest it might be better at collagen synthesis than L-ascorbic acid.
- Ascorbyl Glucoside (AG): This water-soluble form is more stable than pure Ascorbic Acid and converts into AA in the skin. It’s non-irritating and offers the same benefits like antioxidant protection and collagen production.
So, depending on your skin’s needs and how you like your products formulated, there’s likely a Vitamin C option that’s right for you.
- Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that offers a variety of benefits for the skin, including brightening, anti-aging, protection from environmental stressors & harmful UV rays, hydration, and acne-fighting properties.
- L-ascorbic acid is the most effective form of Vitamin C in promoting collagen synthesis and reducing discoloration, but it can be less effective over time due to its volatility and tendency to oxidize easily.
- Vitamin C derivatives, such as sodium ascorbyl phosphate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, and ascorbyl glucoside, have been developed to address these issues and offer more stable options for skincare products.
Best Vitamin C Serums
- Skinceuticals CE Ferulic: The original Vitamin C serum with vitamin E + ferric acid. The gold standard Vitamin C serum on the market. Clinically proven results to prevent wrinkles, boosts sun protection, and brighten the complexion.
- Paula’s Choice C15 Booster: A Vitamin C serum that brightens skin and fights premature aging.
- Goodal Green Tangerine Vita C Dark Spot Serum+: Korean Vitamin C serum with a High concentration of pure vitamin C from green tangerine extract which brightens, evens out skin tone and reduces dark spots.
- Neogenlab Dermalogy Real Vita C Serum: Korean vitamin C serum that packs a punch with its 10% sodium ascorbyl phosphate and 12% vitamin C acerola-plex formulation. This serum has acne-fighting properties and can improve the appearance of dull skin, even out skin tone, and reduce redness and irritation caused by acne.
What is Retinol?
Alright, let’s chat about retinol. You’ve probably heard the buzz—it’s the skincare superstar that actually reduces wrinkles, not just their appearance.
But did you know it’s just one form of Vitamin A? Yep, there are others like Retinaldehyde and Retinoic Acid.
The Vitamin A Family:
Retinol: This is the one everyone talks about. It’s effective but not too harsh on the skin.
Other Forms: Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Retinaldehyde, Retinoic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, and Retinyl Retinoate. These vary in strength and how quickly they convert to Retinoic Acid, the active form that does the magic.
Retinol Benefits
- Speeds Up Turnover: It helps your skin shed dead cells, which is great because that process slows down as we age.
- Brightens Skin: It can reduce dark spots and even out your skin tone, thanks to its exfoliating powers.
- Boosts Collagen: Collagen keeps your skin firm, and retinol helps make more of it.
- Reduces Wrinkles: It’s the only thing proven via research to actually reduce wrinkles, not just make them look less noticeable.
- Fights Acne: It can unclog pores and prevent breakouts, so it’s a win for acne-prone skin too.
The Catch:
Retinol can be irritating, especially when you first start using it. You might experience dryness, redness, or flaking. So, start slow—low concentrations a couple of times a week—and see how your skin reacts.
- Retinol is a form of Vitamin A and is proven to reduce wrinkles.
- There are other forms of Vitamin A, but retinol is the gold standard of effectiveness and gentleness.
- Retinol has multiple benefits for skin, including speeding up cellular turnover, brightening skin, boosting collagen production, improving fine lines and wrinkles, and treating acne.
- Retinol can increase skin sensitivity and cause dryness, redness, and flaking, so it’s important to start with low concentrations and give your skin time to adjust.
Best Retinol Products
- SOME BY MI Retinol Intense Serum: 0.1%, Retinal 1ppm, and Bakuchiol 5,000ppm to promote the synthesis of collagen and elastin in the skin.
- Paula’s Choice CLINICAL Treatment: 0.3% Retinol, 2% bakuchiol extract & peptides stimulate collagen to tackle signs of aging for a radiant, youthful appearance.
- Skinceuticals Retinol Night Cream: 0.3% retinol cream that packs an anti-aging punch. It reduces wrinkles and fades away dark spots.
- Paula’s Choice 1% Retinol Booster : 1% retinol booster. Mix with your moisturizer to reduce irritation.
Benefits of Using Retinol and Vitamin C Together
We all know vitamin c and retinol are the Beyoncé and Jay-Z of skincare. But have you ever wondered if using them together in your skincare routine is a good idea?
Here’s the scoop:
pH Differences Debunked
You might’ve heard that mixing vitamin C and retinol is a no-go because they operate at different pH levels, which could irritate your skin. But here’s the real talk: L-Ascorbic Acid (that’s your pure vitamin C) needs a pH of around 3.5 to get into your skin, while retinol is looking for a pH of about 5.6.
Guess what? Your skin naturally hangs out at a pH of around 5.5. That means when you apply L-Ascorbic Acid, it’s already adjusting to a higher pH. So, the whole pH argument? Not really a big deal.
Why the Combo Works
On their own, vitamin C and retinol are like the skincare MVPs for anti-aging. But together? They’re a dynamic duo that takes your skin to the next level.
Vitamin C handles the brightening and collagen-boosting, while retinol tackles cell turnover and wrinkle reduction.
Another perk is that when used together, they can fast-track the fading process for hyperpigmentation.
Here’s how it works:
Retinol: This guy helps fade dark spots by promoting cell turnover. Basically, it swaps out the darker cells for lighter ones.
Vitamin C: On the other hand, vitamin C puts the brakes on melanin production, which is what causes those dark spots in the first place.
So, when you use them together, they’re like a tag team against hyperpigmentation, attacking it from different angles to help it fade more quickly.
- Research shows that this dynamic duo increases collagen production, which keeps wrinkles at bay and reduces hyperpigmentation faster.
- In fact, a 2005 study performed on menopausal women shows that “repeated topical application of a preparation containing both retinol and vitamin C is able to reverse, at least in part, skin changes induced by both chronologic aging and photoaging.”
- Research shows that L-Ascorbic Acid (the pure form of Vitamin C) needs to be formulated at a pH of 3.5 to penetrate skin, while retinol needs to be converted into Retinoic Acid to work its anti-aging magic.
- Your skin’s natural pH is around 5.5, which means that the second that Vitamin C (in the form of L-Ascorbic Acid) touches your skin, it needs to adjust to a higher pH anyway.
- Using Vitamin C and retinol together increases collagen production to keep wrinkles at bay and reduce hyperpigmentation faster.
- Vitamin C and retinol work on hyperpigmentation on different fronts, helping it fade away faster.
What are the risks of using Retinol and Vitamin C Together?
Alright, let’s talk about mixing vitamin C and retinol. Sure, they can coexist in your skincare routine, but that doesn’t mean it’s a one-size-fits-all solution.
Both can be pretty intense on your skin, and using them together can up the irritation factor.
Who Can Use Both?
If you’ve been using these ingredients for a while and your skin’s cool with it, you’re probably good to go. But if you’ve got sensitive skin or you’re new to these actives, it’s smarter to start using one before the other.
How to Start:
Start off with vitamin C—it’s the less intense of the two. Use it in the morning after your cleanser and toner. Then apply your moisturizer and sunscreen. If after a month your skin isn’t irritated, start incorporating retinol into your night routine about 2-3 times per week.
Check out my post on how to incorporate vitamin C into your skincare routine.
What About Vitamin C Derivatives?
They’re generally easier on the skin, so you can often use them with retinol. But to play it safe, stick with vitamin C in the morning for that extra sun protection and save retinol for nighttime use.
Bottom line: Skincare’s not a sprint; it’s a marathon. Listen to your skin and adjust as you go. That way, you can get all the benefits without the drama.
- Both L-Ascorbic Acid and retinol are harsh and irritating on the skin increasing the risk of skin irritation.
- If your skin is very resistant or has built a tolerance to them over the years, you can use them together.
- If you have sensitive skin or are still a newbie when it comes to these actives, use them separately. Start with Vitamin C first. Use it every morning under sunscreen. After a month, if your skin is fine with it, add retinol two nights a week to your routine.
- Then, use Vitamin C in your morning skincare routine to boost sun protection and retinol at night for the best results.
- Vitamin C derivates are gentler on the skin, so you can usually get away with using them together with retinol.
How To Use Retinol And Vitamin C Together
Alright, you’re sold on the vitamin C and retinol combo, but how do you use them without turning your face into a red, flaky mess? Here’s your game plan:
Alright, you’re sold on the vitamin C and retinol combo, but how do you use them without turning your face into a red, flaky mess? Here’s your game plan:
Timing is Everything
Use them at different times. Vitamin C is your morning buddy; it boosts sun protection. Retinol is your night owl; sunlight breaks it down, so save it for bedtime.
One at a Time, Please
Don’t go all in at once. Add one product and give it a month. That way, if your skin throws a fit, you’ll know who the culprit is.
Slow and Steady
Ease into it. Use vitamin C daily unless your skin’s super sensitive. For retinol, start with a couple of nights a week and then ramp it up as your skin gets used to it.
Keep It Hydrated
Your skin might get a bit dry, so keep it moisturized. Look for creams with ingredients like niacinamide or ceramides. Need more hydration? Add a few drops of hyaluronic acid to your moisturizer.
Don’t Forget the SPF
Retinol makes your skin sun-sensitive. So, sunscreen isn’t optional; it’s a must. Every. Single. Day.
Wrap-Up
Retinol and vitamin C are like the dynamic duo of skincare. They’re not just for specific skin types; whether you’ve got oily, dry, or sensitive skin, you can make them work for you.
Together, they can seriously level up your skincare game—think more collagen, quicker fading of dark spots, and a more even skin tone. But remember, if you’re new to these actives or have sensitive skin, take it slow. Start with vitamin C in the morning and ease into retinol at night.
Follow these guidelines, and you’re on your way to healthier, more youthful-looking skin.
