Vitamin C and Retinol are two different powerhouses that target their own set of concerns. If you’re looking to incorporate retinol with your Vitamin C skincare routine or vice versa, then this is for you. Vitamin C is best used in the day time, while Retinol is best used at night. This allows readers to include both in one overall skincare routine without needing to layer them together. Sunscreen should be the final skincare step in the morning, while retinol should be introduced gradually according to the product instructions and skin tolerance.
In this dermatologist-approved blog, we help you navigate how to incorporate either ingredient in your skincare routine.
Can You Use Vitamin C Sunscreen and Retinol in the Same Routine?
Here is a dermatologist-approved routine and the safest way for using vitamin c and retinol in the same routine.
The golden rule: split your AM and PM routine
You can use both of them in the same routine, but the safest way is to split them into your AM and your PM routine.
Applying both retinol and vitamin C in the same session is generally not recommended by dermatologists, especially for beginners and those with sensitive skin.
It is also not recommended to use multiple actives together in the same routine.
It may cause pH conflicts, disrupt your barrier and cause stinging and irritation.
(National Library of Medicine).
What Does Vitamin C Sunscreen Do in the Morning?
The Morning Routine: Protect and brighten
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Your skincare routine should be all about defence. Vitamin C is best used in the morning since it helps neutralise free radicals in the air, reducing oxidative stress and environmental damage from stressors like UV, pollution.
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Vitamin C, formulated in sunscreen enhances your protection against UV damage. It helps mop up any free radicals that your usual sunscreen misses, boosting protection and adding an environmental shield.
What Does Retinol Do in Your Night Routine?
The Night Routine: Repair and Renew.
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Retinol helps accelerate skin cell turnover and boosts collagen production which reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and rough uneven texture over time. It is best used at night since it blends with your skin’s natural turnover process, which occurs in the night time.
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Plus, retinol makes your skin extra photosensitive (sensitive to sunlight), breaking it down and leaving your skin extra vulnerable to UV damage).
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Your skin also goes into natural repair mode at night, allowing the active to work without the interference of daytime environmental stressors.
Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
The Correct Morning Skincare Routine With Vitamin C Sunscreen
Step 1: Cleanse Your Face
Apply your face with a gentle, non-stripping face wash
Step 2: Apply your Vitamin C serum
Apply 2-3 drops of your Vitamin C serum on your clean, dry skin. Pat gently in your skin. Don’t rub.
Step 3: Apply Moisturiser
Follow up with a hydrating moisturiser to help retain moisture balance
Step 4: Apply your Vitamin C Sunscreen
The most important step is your sunscreen. Use an SPF 30 for indoor exposure and an SPF 50 broad spectrum sunscreen for optimal protection against UV damage. Dermatologists recommend that you reapply your Vitamin C sunscreen every 2-3 hours, and immediately after sweating, swimming and towel-drying.
Morning routine summary:
The correct order with a vitamin C sunscreen routine in the morning.
Cleanser → A Vitamin C serum → Moisturiser → Vitamin C sunscreen.
A vitamin c serum is a great option for anyone looking for a more targeted treatment with their dull, tired looking skin and pigmentation, dark spots and uneven skin tone.
The Correct Night Skincare Routine With Retinol
Step 1: Cleanse and Dry Your Skin
Keep your skin freshly cleaned, removing all the daytime dirt, sunscreen and any residue. If you’re using heavy makeup and water-resistant SPF, go for a gentle hydrating cleansing balm.
Step 2: Apply Retinol as Directed
Apply a pea-sized amount of retinol. Dot it onto your forehead, cheeks and chin. Gently smooth it across your entire face. Stay away from sensitive areas like the eyes.
Step 3: Apply Moisturiser
Don’t forget a moisturiser. It helps retain moisture in the skin and help your barrier. You could also choose moisturisers with barrier supporting ingredients.
Night routine summary:
The correct routine order for routine for your PM routine with retinol.
Cleanser → Retinol → Moisturiser.
Important note: Beginners to retinol should not assume they need to use retinol every night.
Frequency should depend on the concentration, the formula and skin tolerance.
How to Start Retinol Without Irritating Your Skin
For beginners, it’s recommended to begin using retinol 1-2 times per week, assessing how your skin tolerates and responds to it, then gradually building frequency from there.
Then move on to 2-3 times per week.
Another option is to try the sandwich method. It’s also frequently recommended for anyone with sensitive or reactive skin. Here’s how to use sandwich method: It involves applying a thin layer of moisturiser, adding retinol after, and then follow it up with some more moisturiser.
And if you’re wondering if the sandwich method works, it does, and helps newbies and those with sensitive skin get acclimated to retinol.
Product recommendations:
Brightening Sunscreen from Deconstruct is a great example of a gentle, lightweight formula of sunscreen with 4 new-gen UV filters that are highly photostable (do not degrade with sun exposure) and keep your skin highly protected from both UVA+ UVB protection.
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Formulated with 5% vitamin c to help protect your skin from oxidative damage, reduce pigmentation, dark spots and improve uneven skin tone.
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In-vivo tested SPF 50 broad spectrum protection for optimal UVA+ UVB protection
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All day oil control
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No white cast, blends seamlessly with skincare and even makeup, making it easy for layering.
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Contains carrot root extract for added antioxidant boost
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Lightweight, fast-absorbing and lightweight texture.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Pairing Vitamin C Sunscreen and Retinol
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Using too many new active ingredients at once.
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Starting retinol at a frequency that causes persistent irritation.
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Skipping moisturiser when the skin is dry or uncomfortable.
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Treating vitamin C as a replacement for SPF.
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Applying sunscreen in insufficient amounts or failing to reapply as directed.
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Assuming that more products automatically deliver better results.
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Continuing retinol despite significant irritation without reviewing the routine.
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Assuming that everyone needs a separate vitamin C serum when their sunscreen already contains vitamin C.
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for the perfect recipe for glowing, youthful and radiant skin, you’re looking at the right ingredients. But how to use them correctly helps decide that. Together, they’re the holy trinity of dermatological care. Handling everything from fine lines to UV-induced damage. But using them in the same routine to help accelerate results, may do more harm than good. The most recommended routine for using Vitamin C and retinol in the same routine is to split them and use vitamin c in your AM routine, and retinol in your PM routine.
And the sandwich method is often recommended for beginners and sensitive skin users for retinol.
Use gentle, non-irritating and beginner-friendly formulas like Deconstruct that keep use lightweight, water-based Retinol serum at night, along with your non-negotiable Vitamin C sunscreen with broad spectrum protection.
FAQs
Can you use both retinol and vitamin C together?
Yes, but it's recommended that you split them: Vitamin C in your morning routine, and Retinol at night. Beginners should always assess skin tolerance, build frequency gradually from there.
Can I use retinol in the morning?
You can, but it’s generally best used as part of your night routine. It accelerates cell turnover and helps repair. It also boosts collagen production. This is best used at night as your skin’s natural repair cycle is at night time. And this boosts recovery while not having external stressors like UV damage, pollution,etc getting in the way.
What should I apply first, retinol or moisturiser?
You usually apply retinol first, then follow up with moisturiser. But if you’re a beginner, you can try to use the sandwich method. This involves using a thin layer of moisturiser first, then applying a pea sized amount of retinol, and then following it up with one more layer of moisturiser, again.