Can I use vitamin C instead of retinol?

Like so many other questions in life, the answer is: It depends. The choice should come down to what you're looking to do for your skin. While vitamin C is most notable for helping to brighten and improve hyperpigmentation, retinol is typically considered best-in-class for wrinkles and fine lines.

Does vitamin C work better than retinol?

So, should I use vitamin C or retinol for wrinkles? Well, when it comes right down to it, the choice is really in what you're looking to do for your skin. While vitamin C is incredible for the skin because of its ability to help brighten and improve hyperpigmentation, the best active ingredient for wrinkles is retinol.

Do you need both retinol and vitamin C?

Engelman and Dr. Mraz Robinson say yes, retinol and vitamin C should both absolutely be a part of your skincare routine. Having retinol and vitamin C in your skincare regimen is a great idea since both are powerful anti-agers that address skin appearance as well as skin health.

Is vitamin C cream the same as retinol?

Vitamin C: Key Differences. Both skincare ingredients improve skin tone, brighten the complexion, and enhance skin texture. However, vitamin C has other properties that retinol may not have, such as protection from harmful UV rays.

What can I use instead of retinol?

Can You Use RETINOL and VITAMIN C Serum Together? | Chris Gibson

What happens if you stop using retinol?

If you stop retinol and do not begin a prescription retinoid, the benefit of preventing acne will go away. The skin cycle of cells being “born” at the base of the skin and moving to the top, dying and desquamating into the surrounding environment takes about 4-6 weeks.

What is better than retinol for wrinkles?

Also known as retinoic acid, tretinoin is about 20 times more potent than retinol. It's stronger because retinoic acid is a form of vitamin A that acts directly on the skin to boost cell renewal, turnover, and DNA damage repair.

Which is better for dark spots retinol or vitamin C?

First, vitamin C works to help improve the look of dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin. Then, retinol steps in to help improve skin's elasticity. The result is that retinol and other retinoids may help improve skin's texture while helping to minimize the look of fine lines.

Is vitamin C more gentle than retinol?

Retinol vs vitamin C: w&h verdict

If you want a product that will improve your skin's tone, collagen production, and general health, as well as protect it day to day, Vitamin C could be the answer. It's also relatively gentle, so all but the most fickle skin types should tolerate it well.

Can vitamin C serum be applied under eyes?

Yes! In fact, so long as it is properly formulated for the face, Vitamin C ranks among the best nutrients to use around the sensitive eye area. This naturally sourced antioxidant has shown to balance uneven skin tone, boost collagen production, and increase hydration.

Should I start vitamin C or retinol first?

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.

Can you use vitamin C everyday?

The recommended daily amount for vitamin C is 75 milligrams (mg) a day for women and 90 mg a day for men. During pregnancy, 120 mg a day are recommended. The upper limit for all adults is 2,000 mg a day.

Does vitamin C reduce wrinkles?

Skin benefits of vitamin C

A few clinical studies have demonstrated that vitamin C can improve wrinkles. One study showed that daily use of a vitamin C formulation for at least three months improved the appearance of fine and coarse wrinkles of the face and neck, as well as improved overall skin texture and appearance.

At what age should I use retinol?

Begin in Your Mid 20s or Early 30s

"Your mid-twenties are a great time to start using retinol," says Ellen Marmur, M.D. "Many patients who have used it for years swear by it."

What is better for acne retinol or vitamin C?

If you're looking to add vitamin c vs retinol into your skincare routine but can't decide which one to choose – they're both effective anti-aging ingredients. However, retinol has the upper hand when it comes to acne treatment.

Which skin type should not use vitamin C?

Absorption of a vitamin C is largely contingent on its pH level. If you have normal skin, look for one with a low pH of approximately 3.5 for optimal absorption. If you have sensitive skin, you should use a formula with a pH of 5 to 6. "This is the skin's natural pH and will not be as irritating," says Wexler.

Why shouldn t you mix vitamin C and retinol?

Oils create a skin barrier, blocking the absorption of water-based products. Adding vitamin C (water-soluble) to retinol (oil-soluble) results in the non-absorption of vitamin C, thus no skin benefits. So, you see how mixing the two is a waste of skincare products, money, and time.

How long does vitamin C take to fade dark spots?

When Youll See Results: Once you add vitamin C to your skincare regimen, you may start seeing noticeable improvements in three weeks. It can help significantly fade hyperpigmentation in about two months.

What not to combine with vitamin C?

AHAs and BHAs, such as glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids should never be used with Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an acid, too, and is unstable, so the pH balance will be thrown off by layering these ingredients together and might as well be useless.

Is vitamin C better than retinol for wrinkles?

While vitamin C is most notable for helping to brighten and improve hyperpigmentation, retinol is typically considered best-in-class for wrinkles and fine lines. And if you really want to give your skin a one-two punch to get noticeably healthier, you can certainly try incorporating both into your routine.

What type of skin should not use retinol?

If you suffer from rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis, it's probably best to avoid retinol since it can be too powerful on skin that needs a gentle touch – it can increase inflammation, dryness and sensitivity in already delicate complexions.

Does retinol really slow aging?

Retinoids reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen. They also stimulate the production of new blood vessels in the skin, which improves skin color. Additional benefits include fading age spots and softening rough patches of skin.

Is retinol really necessary?

Retinol is a powerful tool against aging skin and acne, but it's not for everyone. If you're prone to allergies or have sensitive skin, you might want to try skincare products with alternative anti-aging or skin-clearing ingredients.

Why do my wrinkles look worse after retinol?

First, the answer is yes, retinol can make wrinkles worse, especially when you first start using it. What is happening is a drying effect, and one can get epidermal sliding from separation from the dermis.

Is retinol ruining my skin?

“If you're overusing your retinol, or if you're using a retinol that's too strong for you, it can lead to peeling, irritation, and excessive dryness, which may have led to retinol's association with skin thinning,” she says.