Can You Use Retinol and Vitamin C Together? Pros Weigh In

Can You Use Retinol and Vitamin C Together? Pros Weigh In

Introduction

Vitamin C and retinol are two of the most popular skincare ingredients. But do they go well together? The answer is yes--in theory. Vitamin C can help boost your skin's defenses against external damage like UV rays and pollution, while retinol helps stimulate collagen production to keep your skin looking young. But there are some drawbacks to combining these two powerful ingredients: You may end up with an uneven complexion that looks patchy or dry from overexposure to sunlight or too much sun exposure in general; additionally, some people have sensitive skin when it comes to taking either vitamin A derivative orally (through food or drink) or topically applied directly onto their face (too much vitamin A will make you feel sick). So let's dive into how these two nutrients work together so that you can decide if this is something worth trying out for yourself!

Yes, in theory, you can use retinol and vitamin C together.

Yes, in theory, you can use retinol and vitamin C together.

Retinol is a form of vitamin A that helps increase collagen production. Vitamin A also helps protect the skin from free radicals and other harmful substances that cause damage to your barrier function.

Vitamin C has been shown to reduce inflammation by reducing oxidative stress caused by free radicals as well as improving skin barrier function (1). Since both retinol and vitamin C have antioxidant properties, they may work best when used together or with other antioxidants like green tea extract or rosehip oil

But it may not be the best idea.

But it may not be the best idea.

Both vitamin C and retinol are antioxidants, which means they help prevent damage from free radicals, an unstable molecule that can cause cell damage and inflammation. But while vitamin C has long been known to have anti-aging benefits, it's also a direct competitor for collagen production in your skin. If you're using both supplements at the same time, there's a chance your skin could get irritated by overuse of one or both of them (since they compete for similar proteins).

For this reason we recommend staying away from combining retinol with other anti-aging ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or alpha hydroxy acids—and instead choosing something else entirely if you want to reduce redness or irritation on your face!

Dr. Neal's Tip: Skip the sunscreen with retinol and vitamin C together.

If you want to use vitamin C and retinol together, it's important to wear sunscreen. Retinol can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so if you're going outside without doing any additional research on how much time you should spend in the sun, then it's probably not a good idea for your skin. You should still wear sunscreen when using retinol and vitamin C together because neither one by itself has enough protection against skin cancer or other health problems caused by the sun (like premature aging).

Vitamin A is important for healthy skin from head to toe, but some people get too much of it.

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Not all forms of vitamin C are created equal; the form you choose can make a big difference in how your skin looks.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect the skin from damage. It's also found in many fruits and vegetables, including oranges and strawberries.

The most common form of vitamin C is ascorbic acid (AA). It's important to choose a form of vitamin C that has been shown to be effective for your skin type—and there are different ways you can do this!

Your skin may be able to handle higher doses of vitamin C, but there's one definite downside to using both at the same time: They can make you sunburn faster!

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that's been known to help with skin damage caused by UV rays. But while it's great for your body, vitamin C can make you more susceptible to sunburns and skin cancer if you use it in high doses—which is why most doctors recommend avoiding retinol and vitamin C together.

While this may seem like an obvious warning sign, many people still continue using these drugs together because they don't know better. The truth is that combining the two could increase your risk of developing hyperpigmentation (sun spots) or even melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer).

So what do you do if you have already started taking both vitamins? You'll want to avoid sun exposure at all costs until your symptoms clear up!

Think about what your skin needs before adding another product into the mix.

Think about what your skin needs before adding another product into the mix.

If you have acne-prone skin, avoid using vitamin C (which can make acne worse).

If you have sensitive skin, avoid retinol (which may cause irritation).

Conclusion

There's no need to worry about your skin being burned, but you will want to watch out for any other side effects that might come up. If you have sensitive skin, or don't know if it can handle higher doses of vitamin C without getting sunburned, talk with an expert before adding any new products into your routine.