Can I use Vitamin C before Retinol?
There is a lot of uncertainty about how to use these two powerful ingredients and whether you should. This is often the result of outdated research on retinol and vitamin C alone or in combination. The truth is, vitamin C and retinol work perfectly together to give you a healthy, radiant complexion. Warning: Make sure you use these powerful skincare heroes correctly to fight signs of aging, uneven skin tone, and dull complexion (to name a few) and avoid unnecessary skin irritation and breakouts.
With that in mind, the question for today’s blog post is: Can I use Vitamin C before Retinol? If you want to learn more about using Vitamin C and Retinol together, check out our dedicated blog post: Can You Use Vitamin C with Retinol?
Can I Use Retinol After Vitamin C?
Yes, you can. It is completely safe to use retinol after Vitamin C if used correctly. What I mean by this is to allow enough time between applications to allow the pH of the skin to balance and prepare for the retinol. When using skincare, it’s important to consider the pH of your skin, as using the wrong products can cause an imbalance that can lead to irritation and allergic reactions. The skin naturally requires a lower pH to be at its healthiest, typically between 0 and 3.5. This means that the skin can absorb Vitamin C effectively, but it’s too low for Retinol. For this reason, it’s generally recommended not to layer these powerful ingredients directly on top of each other. This prevents the pH levels of Vitamin C and Retinol from affecting each other and not achieving the desired results for your complexion.
Can Vitamin C Serum and Retinol be used together?
No, it’s best not to use Vitamin C and Retinol together, because as I mentioned before, the imbalance caused by different pH levels can affect the effectiveness of these ingredients. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t use them in the same routine. Here are some of the key benefits you can expect when you use this anti-aging, skin-rejuvenating duo together.
A more even skin tone, signs of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and acne scars.
Creates a more radiant all-over complexion
Reduces skin inflammation
Smooths skin texture for a more even-toned complexion
Fights acne and other breakouts
Provides a firmer, tightened effect to skin
Reduces the appearance of premature aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles
No wonder so many of you use these ingredients in your daily routine. Both are designed to fight signs of aging, whether natural or caused by damage from exposure to free radicals. Retinol works on the lower layers of the skin to boost collagen production, supporting the skin and making it firm and soft. Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants that strengthen the skin barrier and block harmful free radicals.
Should I apply anything after retinol?
Yes, absolutely! Many skin care experts believe that after using a retinol product, it’s best to use another product that contains a hydrating ingredient like hyaluronic acid. This helps combat the common drying side effects of using retinol in your skincare routine, especially if it’s a new ingredient in your routine.
Retinol needs to be used at night because exposure to the sun’s UVA and UVB rays causes retinol to lose its effectiveness, rendering it pointless. In the morning, your retinol product will work while you sleep, leaving you with no issues during the day. Don’t forget to apply an SPF 30 or higher sunscreen after your morning skincare routine to ensure your face is protected from skin damage caused by UV rays and other environmental aggressors.
Can I use Vitamin C at night?
Yes, you can, but it really depends on you and your daily routine. Personally, I love the glow I get after using a Vitamin C serum and think it’s a waste of my evening skincare routine. Because it’s packed with antioxidants that fight free radical damage, applying Vitamin C before applying your sunscreen helps strengthen your skin’s barrier so it can function optimally throughout the day.
If you want to apply Vitamin C at night, you can. Many believe that the antioxidant properties of Vitamin C can reverse signs of damage caused throughout the day.
Why Vitamin C and Retinol Don’t Work Together?
It’s best to avoid using Vitamin C and Retinol together. This means mixing product formulas, which only causes the individual ingredients to compete with each other and become useless. As I mentioned before, you can still use both ingredients in your daily routine, but there are a few skin care rules you should follow. To ensure you’re taking full advantage of each powerful function.
Remember to start slow
It’s important to slowly introduce new skincare ingredients into your routine, especially when they’re as effective as retinol. By building your skin’s tolerance and watching how it reacts, you’ll avoid irritation and establish an effective and soothing routine. Over time, your complexion will benefit without damaging or disturbing the skin’s surface.
Apply SPF daily
This is probably one of the most important steps in your routine that you should never skip. Even on cloudy days, UVA rays are always present. This is the radiation that causes skin aging and can pass through glass and water. Applying SPF daily will protect the skin’s surface and fight free radical damage.
Combine it with hydration
Both Vitamin C and Retinol are known to be somewhat drying to the complexion, especially when used together. By adding hydrating ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, you can keep the skin’s surface hydrated and soft.
Hopefully, you now have a better idea of what you can expect when using Vitamin C before Retinol and when combining the two. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and reach out to me via direct message if you have any questions.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.