If you wish to combine both products into a regimen, we recommend using them on alternate days and/or nights. Direct Vitamin C: With skin tolerance in mind, we do not recommend combining retinoids with Direct Vitamin C (LAA) as this may increase the chances of developing skin sensitivities.
We recommend applying our vitamin C infused serum - Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate every morning after cleansing. In the evening, after cleansing apply Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum.
Retinol and Vitamin C don't actually mix well and can degrade each other making them at best inert, at worst capable of causing a chemical burns or damage. Products like these use extremely low concentrations of actives to keep the products stable.
3. Why can't I use Vitamin C, Retinoids & Direct Acids in the same routine? The Ordinary: If you wish to incorporate multiple Vitamin C's, Retinoids, and/or Direct Acids into your skincare regimen, we suggest using them on alternate evenings and waiting until your skin has adjusted to one before introducing another.
Avoid layering The Ordinary retinol products and The Ordinary vitamin C/antioxidant serums. Rather, these ingredients are best used separately; retinol at night and vitamin C in the morning, and always follow with sunscreen.
We generally recommend using retinoids and Vitamin C at different times to optimise your regimen. As an example, use Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% (Vitamin C serum) in the morning and a retoind such as Retinal 0.2% Emulsion in the evening.
One of our fave combos is combining niacinamide and hyaluronic acid together before applying them to the skin. For those wondering "Can you use lactic acid and niacinamide together?", yes you can! Check out our guides on how to use The Ordinary's Lactic acid and how to use The Ordinary Niacinamide serum.
USE EACH INGREDIENT AT SEPARATE TIMES OF THE DAY
The first option you have to combine vitamin C and retinol is to use them at separate times of the day. Specifically, it's best to use vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night. The reason for that has a lot to do with how each ingredient works.
Beta Hydroxy Acids
So that salicylic acid of yours should not be mixed with your vitamin C serum. It won't be able to help you with discoloration, collagen production, or protect you from UV rays. Additionally, combining the two can cause irritation and dryness.
While you can work your vitamin C serum into either your morning or evening skincare routine, most dermatologists recommend the morning [2]. This keeps your skin protected from free radicals as you go about your day, and can work especially well with your sunscreen to keep you safe from UV radiation.
Retinol and other retinoids work best if you use them daily. But when you first start out, you should begin using retinol every 1 or 2 days. This helps your skin get used to it, and avoid irritation. After a few weeks, slowly work your way up to using it every night.
It's perfectly safe and very effective to incorporate both retinol and vitamin C into your skincare routine, as long as you use them at different times of the day.
Thin to Thick: Layer by lightest to thickest consistency. Many serums have a similar viscous consistency, but if you notice one is thicker, start with the thinner formula first. Take Your Time: Give each serum several seconds to set before moving onto the next.
Wait: Allow the retinol to absorb into your skin. Waiting 20-30 minutes can reduce the risk of irritation. Moisturize: Apply your moisturizer to lock in hydration and soothe the skin.
You can just apply the suspension as it is or with other water based products such as serums or toners, you don't really need to mix with a moisturizer, as long as the ingredients are compatible, the Vit C is a low pH ingredient.
In the morning, after applying your vitamin C serum, follow it with a layer of hydrating hyaluronic acid. In your nightly routine, apply hyaluronic acid serum before retinol, as it can increase its effectiveness while also helping to lock moisture in for maximum hydration.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Hyaluronic acid is the skin savior that every beginner needs in their routine. This lightweight serum boasts a hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 duo to leave skin soft, smooth and free of fine lines.
Retinol is recommended for overnight use only and vitamin C is well suited to apply in the morning. In light of this, using your vitamin C in the morning and your retinol at night is a simple and easy way to ensure that these ingredients won't interfere with one another.
If you use retinol, you'll sunburn more easily, which can damage your skin. Using high doses of retinol may also be associated with the development of skin cancer. Be sure to wear sunscreen and avoid direct sunlight (with clothing and hats) while you use retinol products.
While it is safe to use products with vitamin C serum for face twice a day, we recommend keeping your skin type and concerns in mind before you start. Ensure that you check the directions mentioned on the packaging to get the most out of your products.
If you wish to combine both products into a regimen, we recommend using them on alternate days and/or nights. Direct Vitamin C: With skin tolerance in mind, we do not recommend combining retinoids with Direct Vitamin C (LAA) as this may increase the chances of developing skin sensitivities.
You'll want to apply water-based treatments first, followed by anhydrous (water-free) solutions or oil formulations, followed by creams or suspensions. This means that you would apply a water-based serum such as Amino Acids + B5 before an anhydrous serum or oil such as Retinol 0.2% in Squalane..
The 3 Pure L-Ascorbic Acid (LAA) formulas (C23/C30/C100) are strongest but they sting as they are super potent. They are suspensions (since Pure L-Ascorbic Acid is only soluble in water but it's unstable in water) which means you must use tiny amounts per application to avoid balling up and product waste.