How to Use Retinol and Vitamin C Effectively

Held up as the pinnacle of anti-aging ingredients, vitamin C and retinol both have impressive reputations in the skincare world. Although beneficial on their own, they can also have a complementary effect on the skin when used in harmony.

But do you know how to use how to use retinol and vitamin C correctly?

When blending two ingredients together – especially such potent ones – it’s vital to apply them in the right order and at the right time. So, we’ve curated this expert guide to help you understand how to use retinol and vitamin C safely and effectively in your skincare routine.

The Ultimate Anti-aging Skincare Routine

What is retinol vs vitamin C?

Before we can master how to use retinol and vitamin C, let’s take a look at these powerhouse ingredients one by one.

Retinol: heralded as one of the most effective anti-aging ingredients, retinol is a vitamin A derivative that stimulates skin cell turnover and collagen production. This helps smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, correct uneven skin tone, and manage blemish-prone skin.

Vitamin C: this star antioxidant helps protect the skin by neutralising free radicals that damage (and prematurely age) skin cells. The role of vitamin C in skincare is to target hyperpigmentation, brighten skin tone, and help boost collagen production.

The benefits of using vitamin C and retinol

Alone, vitamin C and retinol can each deliver a wealth of benefits. When we learn how to use retinol and vitamin C as a pair, though, it can amplify their anti-aging effects. Both ingredients help synthesise collagen, which is particularly effective in anti-aging skincare. Lancôme Australia’s National Skincare Expert Brittany Hanchard shares her insights:

Skincare Expert Tip:

“Our collagen is responsible for our skin’s elasticity and volume. But as we age, our collagen production natural slows down. Both retinol and vitamin C are considered the holy grail of anti-aging ingredients because they help increase collagen production.”

“There is a certain amount of ‘purging’ that happens when you first start using retinol – called the retinol uglies,” Brittany explains. “The retinol uglies can be managed by upping your moisturising and lowering your dosage but you’ll have to monitor your skin closely.

This potent anti-aging duo can also tackle a host of other anti-aging skin concerns, including:

Dull, uneven skin tone
Discolouration like post-blemish parks and dark spots
Textural concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, and enlarged pores

5 expert tips on how to use retinol and vitamin C effectively.

While we can certainly use retinol and vitamin C together, this harmonious pair does come with a few caveats.

Retinol is most commonly applied to the skin in serum form, for example (although it can also be formulated in a moisturiser). As for vitamin C, you’ll often see it formulated in a range of skincare products – including moisturisers, toners, and cleansers – as well as in face serums. Before introducing both ingredients to your skincare regime, it’s important to have all the facts. So read on for our top five tips on how to use retinol and vitamin C together.

1. Assess your sensitivity

Retinol is very potent, so knowing how to use retinol and vitamin C starts with assessing your skin’s level of sensitivity. Not all skin types will be able handle both ingredients – especially if you’re choosing skincare for sensitive skin. Generally, vitamin C is safe for most skin types, but if you have particularly sensitive skin, you might want to do a patch test first.

Retinol can have a drying effect on sensitive or very dry skin: triggering tightness, redness, flaking, peeling, or itching sensations.

2. Use vitamin C in the morning, retinol at night

One of the most important factors to consider when using retinol and vitamin C is when you apply both ingredients.

Retinol increases your skin’s photosensitivity, which puts you at a higher risk of UV damage. That’s why the best time to apply retinol in your skincare routine is at night. Thanks to its status as an antioxidant, vitamin C neutralises free radicals that contribute to UV damage. This is why you will achieve the best results with vitamin C when you apply it in your morning skincare routine. What’s more, spacing out your usage – alternating between vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night – will help minimise your chances of sensitisation.

3. Start slow

One of the most important tips we can impart for how to use retinol and vitamin C is to introduce these ingredients slowly. Alternating your vitamin C and retinol morning and night is essential, but you can also stagger your application. For example, you can apply vitamin C every other day as your skin adjusts, before increasing in increments to daily usage.

How often you use retinol will depend on your skin type and if you have used retinol before. First-timers or dry, sensitive skin types may want to trial using retinol once per week, before upping to two to three times after the first couple of months. If you have used retinol before – or have a more tolerant skin type like oily or combination – you may be able to work up to nightly use.

4. Keep skin hydrated

Hydration is paramount when determining how to use retinol and vitamin C effectively.

The key? Include hydrating ingredients throughout your routine to help mitigate the drying effects of retinol. Hyaluronic acid is one such ingredient, since it attracts water to the skin surface to nourish the skin moisture barrier.

You can seek out a hyaluronic acid-rich moisturiser like our Rénergie H.P.N 300-Peptide Cream, which works to penetrate the outer layers of the skin to deliver intense hydration and soften rough patches. Our Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum utilises the power of vitamin C and hyaluronic acid: two highly compatible ingredients that, combined, deliver a blend of brightening and hydrating benefits for the skin.

5. Protect with SPF

In addition to only using retinol in your evening skincare ritual, it’s essential that you protect your skin from UV damage during the day. While vitamin C helps defend the skin from environmental stressors, it certainly isn’t foolproof – and you’ll need to apply your SPF each morning at least 20 minutes before exposure and re-apply as needed throughout the day.

Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen (UVA and UVB protection) with a high protection factor. If you’re wearing makeup, you can seek out cosmetics formulated with SPF to further support the skin. Consider our UV Expert BB Cream Complete SPF 50+, which offers the protection of a sunscreen while unifying your skin tone for a radiant finish.

Now you’re up to speed with how to use retinol and vitamin C together, explore our tried-and-tested tips for brightening dull skin.