Do you put vitamin C or retinol first?

Author: Lucius Goldner  |  Last update: Saturday, May 10, 2025

Apply vitamin C first due to its lower pH, then wait at least 30 minutes for your skin pH to neutralise before applying your retinol.

Do you apply vitamin C before or after retinol?

If you're determined to use vitamin C and retinol together in the same routine, you'll need to make sure to put enough time between them. It's also essential to apply your vitamin C first because it has the lower pH of the two ingredients.

What order should I layer retinol in?

Just apply it following the order of your normal skincare routine ``from the thinnest consistency to the thickest''. So, it means that you need to apply retinol serum first and followed by a moisturizer. In case you use 2 serums in your routine. Again, remember to start from the thinnest consistency to the thickest.

How to use vitamin C and retinol together in The Ordinary?

For application: 2-3 drops of each serum and 1 pea-sized amount of creams should be enough for your face and neck. If you plan to incorporate multiple Vitamin C's, Retinoids, or Direct Acids into your routine, use them on alternate evenings. Make sure your skin adjusts to one before introducing another.

What order to layer serums?

For optimal results, we recommend incorporating serums into your skincare routine in the following order:
  1. Step 1: Cleanser.
  2. Step 2: Toner.
  3. Step 3: Pre-Serum or Essence.
  4. Step 4: Active Serum.
  5. Step 5: Moisturiser.
  6. Step 6: Sun Protection.

Confused? Here is your weekly skincare calendar with retinol!

What not to mix with vitamin C retinol?

Some active ingredients such as retinol and vitamin C can irritate the skin if used in conjunction with exfoliants such as acids, while more gentle humectants such as hyaluronic acid can make a harmonious pairing with just about everything.

What is the 123 rule of retinol?

We recommend following the 1-2-3 rule: apply retinol once a week for one week, twice a week for two weeks, three times for three weeks, then move towards every second night if there are no side effects happening. If you do experience flaking, redness or sensitivity, simply move back to a lower frequency for a week.

Do you put vitamin C on before or after moisturizer?

Dermatologists recommend you apply vitamin C serum before you apply moisturiser and sunscreen. The steps for application are [2]: Use a gentle cleanser to remove any makeup or free radicals from your skin. Apply a few drops of vitamin C serum to your face and neck, and gently rub it in.

What should I layer over retinol at night?

Retinol should be applied first, followed by hydroquinone in your nighttime regimen. As both are potent ingredients, you should wait 30 minutes so you give your skin's pH the time to rebalance before following with hydroquinone gel or cream.

Should you rub in retinol?

You'll want to use clean, dry fingertips for application. We recommend starting at your chin and working your way up to your face. Use your fingertips to apply the product to your skin using gentle, outward, upward strokes. Never rub the skin, as this can lead to increased irritation.

Do you put hyaluronic acid on before or after retinol?

HA provides hydration, which can counteract the potential drying effects of retinoids. Since Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is a water-based serum, it would be applied first and then after, you would apply retinoids, such as Retinol 1% in Squalane, as it's an anhydrous formulation.

What is the retinol purge?

Retinol purging is a temporary reaction where increased cell turnover brings underlying impurities to the surface, leading to breakouts, dryness, and irritation. Symptoms include flaking, redness, and rough texture. Although unsettling, this phase indicates that retinol is working to renew your skin.

Do you put serum or retinol first?

Retinol and other retinoid treatments should be applied after serums because they are often thicker and more occlusive. "By applying the retinol cream after the serum, you ensure that the active ingredients in the serum have already penetrated the skin.

Should I apply vitamin C at night or morning?

Nearly across the board, dermatologists recommend incorporating vitamin C serum into your morning routine as opposed to using it at night.

What not to use with retinol?

Don't combine retinol with alpha or beta hydroxy acids, benzoyl peroxide, vitamin C, and other retinols or retinoids. Don't skip sunscreen Retinols are usually used as part of nighttime skincare routines, but even when they're applied at night, they can lead to lingering sun sensitivity.

What order for retinol and vitamin C?

USE VITAMIN C IN THE MORNING AND RETINOL AT NIGHT

Applying your products at opposite ends of the day means your skin will be at its regular pH level for each application.

What is the correct order for face products?

Table of contents
  • 1 Step 1: Cleansing.
  • 2 Step 2: Exfoliation.
  • 3 Step 3: Mask.
  • 4 Step 4: Toner.
  • 5 Step 5: Serum or concentrate.
  • 6 Step 6: Eye contour.
  • 7 Step 7: Moisturising cream.
  • 8 Step 8: Sun protection!

Can I use retinol and vitamin C together?

The answer is a resounding YES! The combination of Vitamin C and Retinol in a skincare regimen can help you achieve glowing, healthy-looking skin, while improving the look of dark spots and uneven skin tone, as well as visibly improving signs of skin aging including fine lines, wrinkles and loss of firmness.

What is the 3 month rule for retinol?

1️⃣ month 1: use retinol every third night of the week. 2️⃣ month 2: use retinol every other night of the week. 3️⃣ month 3: use retinol every night.

Why wait 20 minutes before applying retinol?

“It is important to leave a 10-20 minute wait time before applying the next product. Retinols are powerful antioxidants and it is important to allow it to fully absorb if you want to avoid your skin becoming sensitive,” says Dr Liakas.

Is 1% retinol too strong for me?

For beginners, most dermatologists recommend a retinol with a concentration of 0.25 percent to one percent to see results. If your skin is not sensitive, you can usually tolerate something right in the middle; Dr.

What is the best moisturizer to use after retinol?

The Best Moisturizers to Use After Retinol

Hyaluronic acid is the ultimate hydrator, she says, while products with ceramides help restore the skin barrier and lock in moisture. She also suggests using a formula that's fragrance-free (to prevent further irritation) and non-comedogenic (to avoid clogging pores).

Do I need to exfoliate if I use retinol?

It depends. In many cases, combining retinol and exfoliants can provide faster and better results, especially if you have very specific goals, like reducing breakouts faster or targeting discoloration. However, for simple skin maintenance and age prevention, using a retinoid alone can be more than enough.

What is the most effective retinol serum?

Best retinol serums and treatments
  • The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane Serum. ...
  • PEACH & LILY Retinal For All Renewing Serum. ...
  • Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Retinol Serum. ...
  • La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Face Serum for Fine Lines & Wrinkles. ...
  • e.l.f. Cosmetics Youth Boosting Blue-ty Sleep Night Oil. ...
  • Naturium Retinol Complex Serum.

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