How long should you wait between Retinol and Vitamin C?
Does It Mix engine · wait time
Waiting a few minutes isn't the fix here: use Retinol and Vitamin C in different routines (morning vs night) or on different nights.
The routine
- AM: vitamin C serum, moisturizer, sunscreen.
- PM: Retinol, then moisturizer.
- If both feel fine after a few weeks, keep going. If not, use vitamin C fewer days.
Why: full Retinol + Vitamin C answer and sources.
FAQ
Does waiting 20 or 30 minutes between products help?
We haven't found good evidence that a set wait of many minutes changes how most skincare works. The practical reason to pause is letting each layer absorb so the next one doesn't pill or sting.
Sources
- Kafi R, et al. Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol). Arch Dermatol. 2007;143(5):606-612.
- Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM. The roles of vitamin C in skin health. Nutrients. 2017;9(8):866.
- Al-Niaimi F, Chiam NYZ. Topical vitamin C and the skin: mechanisms of action and clinical applications. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017;10(7):14-17.