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Vitamin C and retinol

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

Vitamin C and retinol: keep them apart

Keep them apart

Use them at different times of day with Vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night, because combining them causes skin irritation. Layering these two potent ingredients together can dry out and irritate the skin. You can avoid this by using a gentler strength or waiting longer between applications.

Retinoids: a journey from the molecular structures and mechanisms of action to clinical uses in dermatology and adverse effectsWhy Topical Retinoids Are Mainstay of Therapy for Acne

Vitamin C products

Retinol products

Questions and answers

Can you use vitamin C and retinol together?

Keep vitamin C and retinol apart by using vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night because combining them may increase irritation and instability.

Which goes first, vitamin C or retinol?

Keep vitamin C and retinol apart by using vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night, because combining them in the same routine increases irritation and instability.

Are vitamin C and retinol good for sensitive skin?

Combining vitamin C and retinol is not recommended for sensitive skin because using them together may increase irritation and instability. Instead, alternate your routine by using vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night.

Research on vitamin C and retinol

Behind this pairing advice

Lovi checks every pairing with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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