Do I use vitamin C or retinol first?Updated a year ago
Do I use vitamin C or retinol first?
We don’t recommend using vitamin C and retinol at the same time. The first ingredient that goes on your skin will have the biggest impact, and frankly, both vitamin C and retinol deserve to be used to their utmost potential.
Plus, vitamin C fits beautifully into a daytime routine while giving your sunscreen some added stability, while retinol is going to do the most for your skin at night, away from the degrading effects of the sun.
It’s also possible that using two such potent ingredients in a row will increase your chances of skin irritation, although this depends on your skin and on the specific products.
How long should I wait between vitamin C and retinol?
If you’re intent on layering vitamin C and retinol one after the other, give the first ingredient enough time to totally sink into the skin. Only apply the next product once there’s zero noticeable residue on the surface.
For even better results, give it a full 30 minutes before applying your next active. For best results, split them up - vitamin C in the morning, and retinol at night.