How to Use Retinol and Vitamin C in Your Skincare Regime

Dive into your vanity, and chances are you have multiple heroes in your skincare collection. Hyaluronic acid is the ultimate hydrator. Retinol is a must-have for anti-aging. Vitamin C is an effective brightener. SPF is non-negotiable. However, there is always a right and wrong way to use them to reap the maximum benefits. So, now we answer all that you need to know before you start incorporating Retinol and Vitamin C in your skincare routine. Retinol and Vitamin C are the two most potent skincare ingredients for the skin and are cherished to fight signs of aging like wrinkles, build collagen and diminish dark spots and pigmentation.

But fitting them two into your AM and PM routine can be a little tricky. Depending on your skin texture and type, you can use them thrice a week or every day if your skin can tolerate them.

Here's what happens to them when you use retinol and vitamin C at the same time and why it matters.

The pH level may get affected

Mostly, skincare products are water-based and formulated to be effective at a certain pH. On the other hand, the products which are not water-based don’t have a pH level. Retinol performs best at 5.0 – 6.0 pH and Vitamin C needs to be at pH 3.5 or lower to effectively penetrate the skin. With considerable gap in the pH between the two ingredients, using them together will lower retinol’s pH and raise the Vitamin C’s pH. Thus, it will affect the efficacy of both the ingredients.

The Ingredients may not dissolve

Retinol is oil-soluble and will only dissolve in the oil, and L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is water-soluble and will only dissolve in water. We all are well aware of the fact that water and oil do not mix well together. So, if you mix water-soluble vitamin C into oil-soluble retinol, it won’t dissolve and penetrate into the skin and won’t benefit the skin.

Also, always remember that oil creates a barrier on the skin’s surface and blocks the absorption of water-based products. It is another important reason to keep in mind before you mix oil-based and water-based ingredients.

The ideal way to introduce Vitamin C and Retinol in your skincare routine

Vitamin C in the morning, Retinol at Night

The most convenient course of action is to separate vitamin C and retinol from each other and apply them at different times of the day. It will help maintain the correct pH level of the skin.

Vitamin C and Retinol on Alternate Nights

Retinol should always be applied at night. It is believed that applying vitamin C and retinol alternate nights will benefit the skin with best of the both worlds without the worry about interactions.