Can I Use Retinol and Vitamin C together?

Skin Benefits of Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerhouse in the skincare world, known for its potent antioxidant properties. It plays a crucial role in combating free radical damage from environmental stressors such as pollution and UV radiation, which can accelerate visible signs of ageing (4). Vitamin C is also essential for collagen synthesis (5), which helps keep skin firm and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, it's celebrated for its ability to brighten the complexion, reduce dark spots, and even out skin tone, making it an excellent choice for those dealing with issues like hyperpigmentation and uneven skin texture (6).

Incorporating Vitamin C into your skincare routine not only helps protect your skin but also enhances its natural radiance.

Can I Combine Vitamin C and Retinol Together?

Yes, you can combine Vitamin C and Retinol in your skincare routine, but it's important to do so carefully to avoid irritation. Both ingredients are potent and offer significant benefits to the skin; however, they can also cause sensitivity, especially when introduced together. When starting, introduce each ingredient gradually and monitor your skin’s response.

How to Combine Retinol and Vitamin C Together for Best Results

For optimal results, you should stagger the application of vitamin C and retinol to minimise potential irritation. Remember that retinol should be used only at night while vitamin C can be used both in the morning and at night. Let’s discuss the two approaches to skincare routine with Vitamin C and Retinol below.

Can I use Vitamin C in the morning and Retinol at night?

Yes, this is the recommended approach for integrating retinol and vitamin C into your skincare routine to maximise the benefits for your skin.

Apply vitamin C in the morning to harness its antioxidant properties to protect the skin against environmental damage during the day. Moreover, research suggests that using a product with Vitamin C before applying SPF cream can enhance the protection of your skin against UV damage (7).

Then, use retinol in your evening routine to work on cell renewal and repair overnight when your skin is naturally in recovery mode. Take advantage of nighttime when the skin's natural repair process takes place. It allows active ingredients to penetrate deeply to address specific skin concerns while minimising sensitivity to sunlight and environmental stressors.

Can you use Vitamin C and Retinol at the same time?

Yes, you can use both Retinol and Vitamin C together at the same time in your evening routine. If you choose to do so, apply one product and allow it to fully absorb into your skin before applying the next. Typically, vitamin C can be applied first due to its lower pH, followed by retinol after waiting at least 30 minutes to ensure the first has taken effect and to reduce chances of irritation.

In both cases, always incorporate a broad-spectrum SPF in your morning routine as retinol increases photosensitivity. Careful scheduling and attentive application can allow you to enjoy the synergistic effects of vitamin C and retinol without compromising your skin's health.

Vitamin C and Retinol Products to Try in Your Routine

Here are some of the best skin care products from Olay with vitamin C and retinol that you can incorporate into your routine. Developed based on decades of experience, these effective products are dermatologically tested and known to bring visible results in just 14 days of use.

Olay Vitamin C + AHA 24 Day Serum

This serum’s powerhouse formulation is designed to transform your skin. Experience visibly brighter skin in just 1 day and achieve a more even skin tone and texture in just 14 days. Olay Vitamin C + AHA 24 serum penetrates up to 10 layers deep into the skin's surface for optimal efficacy, providing instant 24-hour hydration while remaining lightweight and non-comedogenic. Use it in the morning followed by SPF to protect your newfound glow.

Olay Vitamin C + SPF 30 Day Cream

Elevate your skincare routine with Olay Vitamin C SPF30 moisturiser! This powerhouse product combines the brightening benefits of Vitamin C with SPF protection, delivering a potent shield against environmental factors and UV rays. Experience the transformative effects of Vitamin C and 99% pure Niacinamide, providing deep hydration, visibly healthy skin, and a more even tone and texture. With advanced Olay SolaSheer SPF30 technology, enjoy broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection without the heavy feel.

Olay Vitamin B3 24 + Vitamin C Eye Cream

Revive tired eyes with Olay Vitamin B3 24 + Vitamin C eye cream! Formulated with Vitamin B3, Vitamin C, and Peptides, this fragrance-free eye cream visibly brightens and enhances skin appearance while providing antioxidant protection against free radicals. Experience instant 24-hour hydration with a lightweight, non-greasy texture that absorbs effortlessly. Say goodbye to dull under eyes and hello to a brighter, more radiant complexion. Opt for the finest in skincare for your delicate eye area.

Olay Retinol 24 Night Serum

Achieve smoother, glowing skin overnight with Olay Retinol24 Night Face Serum. Infused with a potent blend of Retinoid Complex and Vitamin B3, this night serum hydrates your skin for 24 hours while targeting fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and pores. Designed for nightly use when your skin is most receptive, its fragrance-free formula penetrates 10 layers deep to deliver active ingredients for visible results.

OLAY RETINOL 24 NIGHT CREAM

Renew your skin overnight with Olay Retinol24 Night Cream. Formulated with Retinyl Propionate and antioxidant Vitamin E, this night moisturiser delivers transformative results instantly and over time. Experience 24-hour hydration and smoother skin after just one night. Dermatologist-approved by the Skin Health Alliance for its effectiveness in renewing skin and fragrance-free.

Olay Retinol 24 Eye Cream

Wake up to younger-looking, radiant eyes with Olay Retinol 24 Night Eye Cream. Infused with a powerful blend of Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) and Retinoid Complex, this night eye cream delivers 24-hour hydration and visibly smooths fine lines while you sleep. Specifically designed for the delicate eye area, it absorbs quickly and goes deep into the skin's surface for optimal results. Fragrance-free and suitable for daily use, it's the perfect addition to your skincare routine for glowing, youthful eyes.

Olay Retinol 24 MAX Night Serum

Experience the pinnacle of retinol skincare with Olay Retinol 24 MAX Night Face Serum. This powerful serum is formulated with Olay's most potent retinoid and vitamin B3 formula, providing 40% more hydrating ingredients (vs. Retinol24 serum) for maximum results. With daily use, you'll see visible improvements in fine lines, wrinkles, smoothness, brightness, firmness, dark spots, and pores. Unleash your skin's natural radiance with Olay Retinol24 MAX Night Face Serum.

Olay Retinol 24 MAX Night Cream

Renew your skin overnight with Olay Retinol24 MAX night moisturiser. Experience transformative results with 24 hours of MAX hydration and +40% more hydrating ingredients vs. Retinol24 night cream. In just one night, skin feels smoother, and over time, fine lines and wrinkles are visibly reduced. This supercharged formula contains Retinyl Propionate to smooth skin texture, antioxidant Vitamin E, and +40% Glycerin (vs. Retinol24 night cream) for ultimate hydration. Dermatologist-approved by the Skin Health Alliance, this moisturiser absorbs quickly, leaving a non-greasy feel.

Olay Retinol 24 MAX Eye Cream

Revive your eyes' glow with Olay Retinol24 MAX eye cream. This hydrating eye cream is formulated with Olay's most potent retinoid + vitamin B3 formula and contains 40% more hydrating ingredients (vs. Retinol24 eye cream) for visibly smoothed fine lines and a more even texture. Fragrance-free and designed for nightly use, this eye cream absorbs quickly and goes deep into the skin's surface, leaving your eyes looking younger and more radiant.

Vitamin C and Retinol FAQs

Can you mix Retinol and Vitamin C in the same routine?

Yes, you can safely mix retinol and vitamin C in your skincare routine. Both ingredients offer unique benefits for the skin and can complement each other well. Retinol promotes skin cell turnover and collagen production, while vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps brighten the skin and protect it from environmental damage. When used together, they can enhance each other's effectiveness and address multiple skin concerns simultaneously, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone.

Is Retinol serum better than vitamin C serum? Vitamin C or Retinol?

Deciding between vitamin C and retinol depends on your skincare goals and individual skin needs. Vitamin C is excellent for brightening the complexion, protecting against environmental damage, and promoting collagen synthesis, making it ideal for addressing issues like dullness and uneven tone.

On the other hand, retinol is renowned for its anti-ageing benefits, such as reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots, and improving overall skin texture. Consider incorporating both ingredients into your routine for comprehensive skincare benefits tailored to your specific concerns.

What to pair with retinol?

Retinol pairs well with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide, as they can help mitigate potential dryness or irritation associated with retinol use. Hyaluronic acid attracts moisture to the skin, keeping it hydrated and plump, while niacinamide helps strengthen the skin barrier and soothe inflammation. When used in conjunction with retinol, these ingredients can support skin health and minimise the risk of irritation, allowing you to reap the full benefits of retinol without discomfort.

When to use Vitamin C and Retinol?

For optimal results, use vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night. Vitamin C provides antioxidant protection against environmental stressors during the day, while retinol works to stimulate collagen production and promote skin renewal overnight. By incorporating both ingredients into your skincare routine at different times of the day, you can maximise their effectiveness and address multiple skin concerns simultaneously, such as dullness, uneven tone, and visible signs of ageing.

References:

1. Shao Y, He T, Fisher GJ, Voorhees JJ, Quan T. Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2017 Feb;39(1):56-65. doi: 10.1111/ics.12348. PubMed PMID: 27261203 [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27261203/]

2. Griffiths CE, Russman AN, Majmudar G, Singer RS, Hamilton TA, Voorhees JJ. Restoration of collagen formation in photodamaged human skin by tretinoin (retinoic acid). N Engl J Med. 1993 Aug 19;329(8):530-5. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199308193290803. PMID: 8336752. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8336752/]

3. Grimes, P., McDaniel, D., Wortzman, M., & Nelson, D. (2019). In Vitro and In Vivo Efficacy and Tolerability of a Non-Hydroquinone, Multi-Action Skin Tone Correcting Cream. Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD, 18 7, 642-648. [https://jddonline.com/articles/in-vitro-and-in-vivo-efficacy-and-tolerability-of-a-non-hydroquinone-multi-action-skin-tone-correcti-S1545961619P0642X]

4. Telang PS. Vitamin C in dermatology. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2013 Apr;4(2):143-6. doi: 10.4103/2229-5178.110593. PMID: 23741676; PMCID: PMC3673383. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3673383/]

5. Nusgens, B., Humbert, P., Rougier, A., Colige, A., Haftek, M., Lambert, C., Richard, A., Creidi, P., & Lapière, C. (2001). Topically applied vitamin C enhances the mRNA level of collagens I and III, their processing enzymes and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 in the human dermis.. The Journal of investigative dermatology, 116 6, 853-9 . [https://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X(15)41256-4/fulltext]

6. Saini, R., Badole, S., & Zanwar, A. (2013). Vitamin C ( l -Ascorbic Acid): Antioxidant Involved in Skin Care. , 61-66. [https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-62703-167-7_6]

7. Lin, J., Selim, M., Shea, C., Grichnik, J., Omar, M., Monteiro-Riviere, N., & Pinnell, S. (2003). UV photoprotection by combination topical antioxidants vitamin C and vitamin E.. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 48 6, 866-74 . [https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(03)00781-3/abstract]