How to use Vitamin A and Vitamin C together

How to use Retinol and Vitamin C together is a common question I get asked everyday.

In this video we will address how to use vitamin a and vitamin c in your skincare routine.

Undoubtedly Vit A/ aka Retinoids and vitamin C are two of the most well-studied important, powerfully effective, and efficient ingredients for your skin. Both are known to fight wrinkles, build collagen and fade dark spots and pigmentation.

However, fitting them into your skincare routine can be super tricky. And I often get asked Can you actually use them together? Should you layer one on top of the other if so Which one goes on first? Can you mix them together? Do you need to wait in between them? And the answer is far from straight forward my friends it is not as simple as layering one ingredient over the other SO in this video, I am going to tell you The 5 best ways to use retinol and vitamin C in your skincare routine as well as My top retinol and vitamin C product picks.

Options #1:
Using a product that is already formulated with both ingredients. Why would you want to do this well. It's easiest. There’s no guesswork and Vitamin c actually helps retinol work better by stabilizing it, extending its effectiveness

 Option#2: Vitamin C in the Morning, Retinol at Night
Your easiest course of action is to separate vitamin C and retinol from each other and apply them at different times of the day. This decreases your risk of irritation takes out the guess work of how to layer things and allows you to incorporate and there get the benefit of each ingredient every single day. Additionally, Vit C has been proven to boost the effectiveness of your sunscreen so applying it right before your sunscreen gives an added boost to your protection.

Option #3
DNA damage continues for hours after exposure to UV light and suggests it could be prevented with a nightly antioxidant, like vitamin C. Vitamin C and Retinol on Alternate Nights. By using retinol and vitamin C on alternate nights, you'll get the benefits of both, without having to worry about interactions or irritation

Option #4
Vitamin C and Retinol at Night, 30 Minutes Apart
If you have resistant skin, never react to anything and insist on using retinol and L-ascorbic acid at the same time, separate them by 30 minutes. Apply your vitamin C first, since it has the lower pH of the two. Then, wait half an hour before you apply your retinol the waiting period allows your skin's pH to return to normal and decreases the risk of irritancy.

Option #5
Using a Retinol Mask and Vitamin C Derivative at Night or Vice versa.

Now that you’ve got it down and picked the perfect option for you to combine retinoid and vitamin C, here are my top product recommendations:

Combination Products:
Skinbetter- Overnight Serum

Naturium: Super Serum Plus

UrbanSkin RX overnight oil

Active Acne:
La Roche Posay Adapalene

Separate product Recs:
Skinbetter Alto Defense

Avene- RetinAl

Olay retinonal24 Max

Inkey List Vitamin C ECG

RoC encapsulated Vit A

Mask:
PCA- Brighten Up

Allies of Skin- retinal overnight mask

General Tips: Start low and go slow! Start using the product 1-2 times weekly then gradually increase.
Put a protective barrier on the corners of your eyes, nose, and mouth to avoid irritation.
Look for encapsulated technology because it has enhanced stability and skin penetration

Hope this helps! For more skin tips follow me on IG/Tiktok @dralexisstephens

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: ALL INFORMATION PROVIDED BY DR. ALEXIS STEPHENS ON THIS WEBSITE OR IN ANY OTHER FORMAT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT. ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR PERSONAL PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH PROVIDER WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE REGARDING A MEDICAL CONDITION. NEVER REPLACE PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE GIVEN TO YOU PERSONALLY OR DELAY IN SEEKING IT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON THIS WEBSITE. THIS INFORMATION IS NOT MEANT TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, OR CURE ANY MEDICAL CONDITION.

#vitaminc #retinol #vitaminA

AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER: The description may contain affiliate links for a small commission on purchased products. Affiliate links support my channel, so I can continue to make educational and fun videos for you. Also, some items may have been received through PR. I am the advising doctor for NATURIUM, UrbanSkinRX and other brands that were not mentioned in this video today. Thanks for watching and shopping!

[sumhithasrau]

1. Product with Vitamin A&C together
2. Vitamin C- morning, Vitamin A- night
3. Alternate nights
4. Same night, 30 mins apart (Vitamin C- serum, Vitamin A- moisturizer)
5. Mask (Vitamin C mask with Vitamin A moisturizer/ Vitamin A mask with Vitamin C oil)

[GoaWay...]

The 5 techniques to use the retinol/vitaminA & vitamin C together starts at 6:02

[vivian-qyzq]

You look like a barbie doll mashallah x

[mimicallsit]

My mom came to see you last week, you really helped her so much(and I know she told you that you’ve helped me as well!). We thank you soooo much!

[terrencetroope]

I am a 32 year old male just now getting into anti agin skin care. I played basketball outdoors in the sun for hours all of my teenage and young adult life. Due to this I suffered some skin damage(large pores and some fine lines). Vitamin A and C will be helpful to my skin care routine. Your video was very informative and educational. Thanks!

[lavayuki]

This is really useful. I use vitamin c in the morning and retinol in the evening, as being some who is olive skinned and prone to hyperpigmentation, I fear any irritation

[samminu]

You are the greatness on YouTube, we don't deserve you. Very insightful.

[TaraChurchGTB]

WOW! Seasoned esthetician w/a biochem degree and that was hands-down, the best explanation of free radicals and their synthesis and job in the body, and how retinoids and vitamin C works on the skin! Charts are SO comprehensive, great!! as I was typing this and listening in the background, I realized you recommended the product line that I just started with in our medical spa “Skin Better”…. So super happy to get that reinforcement about this line! TY

[lola.odetola]

who else gasps when they see dr alexis pretty face pop up on their feed? 😍❤️

[NubianOne]

Listen, I just found your channel and you are such a blessing. I’ve always had pretty clear skin, but now as a woman in my 30’s, I’m looking to be more intentional with my skin care routine. You have a video for every question I have.

I can’t wait to make my way through your video library. Thank you for everything you do. ❤️

[stephanieoyebamiji]

OMG, Dr Alexis' skin is so beautiful.

[saqarkhaleefah]

Happy belated international women’s day QUEEN thank you so much for sharing all your knowledge and making these videos❤️

[alanalopa]

I've been doing Option#2 since my mid 30s, very effective & I'm happy that you "expanded" my options.

[cynthiambelete]

Dr.Stephens...i really appreciate you writing notes in the description!Super helpful!💞

[congminhhuynh]

😳, YOUR SKIN LOOKS GORGEOUS, DEWY AND FLAWLESS. Amazing video as well.

[jesscouoh]

I’ve been trying to learn and incorporate these products into my routine for the past couple years but was always left confused about them and never went through with it because I wasn’t educated on it fully. And wow, you explained everything so well! I have never subscribed to anyone faster 😍

[gisselservin]

i love how you go straight to the point

[heatherqualy]

This is the first video on this topic that I’ve heard say “avoid the corners of your eyes, nose, and mouth”. Such a great tip for me getting started, since I have such sensitive skin and used to get irritation in these spots from even the gentle Differin cream I would use for acne. Also…I am definitely going to sit up and listen to skin advice from someone with such incredibly beautiful skin herself! Gorgeous and highly intelligent. I will be subscribing.

[faithdehi]

I have seen this video 3 times already and every time I learn more. You are truly the best I am getting you favorites since my skin is exactly like yours. Thank you, you have no idea how much your videos have helped in order to get the right product and stop wasting money on the ones that are not for me. 👏👏👏🙏🙏

[writemesoon]

Thank you for breaking things down. I know exactly what protocol to follow for my skin. You're amazing Dr. A.