Vitamin C vs Retinol:
Differences, Benefits and How Best To Adopt Them In Skin Care
Yes!
It’s no secret that Vitamin C and Retinol are among the most talked about skincare ingredients on the internet today. By now, you most likely would have seen before vs after images or videos of people showcasing the effects of these wonder ingredients.
Now, if you have wondered which of these skincare ingredients is supreme or creates better effects on the skin, you probably have stumbled into your answer.
However, while Retinol may seem selective to only create magic on less sensitive skin, Vitamin C is gentle but still a highly effective ingredient that works for most skin types.
Join us in this article as we outline the difference between these two, their benefits, and how to use them on the skin.
Retinol and Its Benefits
Retinol is a derivative of Vitamin A, which, when used topically on the skin, can enhance skin cell turnover rate, soften fine lines and improve general skin texture. Essentially, it’s a wonder when it comes to fighting aging signs like wrinkles & fine lines.
Aside from that, retinol can also benefit people with acne or oily due to its ability to promote skin cell turnover to get rid of dead cells. It minimizes the appearance of enlarged pores, unifies uneven skin tone and fades dark spots due to its exfoliating properties.
For the best results, it’s highly recommended to choose the right potent formula enriched with retinol for a well-improved appearance. Hence, we recommend our Shovalit Serum, the ultimate nourishing serum for rejuvenating the skin.
Vitamin C and Its Benefits
On the other hand, vitamin C is a strong antioxidant that can neutralize the effects of free radicals on the skin. They aid in the skin’s natural regeneration process and damaged skin tissue repairs. Topically, it provides protective and restorative effects to improve dull skin appearances.
Its other amazing benefits include brightening dull complexion, reducing hyperpigmentation marks, soothing inflammation, enhancing rough skin texture and improving collagen production. In some cases, vitamin C can help to fade the appearance of acne scars.
Suppose you are looking to prevent skin damage from UV rays, external pollutants or free radicals. Then, vitamin C-enriched products are what your skin needs. Hence, you should check out our Vitamin C from the Sea Serum, the ultimate collagen booster.
How Retinol and Vitamin C Differ
Regardless of these similarities in their benefits, here are the key differences between retinol and vitamin C.
Let’s take a look:
Retinol comes in various concentrations and styles, while vitamin C cannot. Some of these styles include retinol esters and prescription retinoids. Conversely, the percentage of Vit C in any formula determines the potency of that product.
Although both ingredients can work on wrinkles, spots, fine lines, acne and much more, Vitamin C can further protect the skin from damaging UV rays, external pollutants, and other irritating or harsh elements.
Vitamin C goes beyond those similar benefits it shares with Retinol to offer more. The difference is that the effects may not be as pronounced as the latter. In essence, vitamin C can be seen as a jack of all trades.
Generally, both ingredients can be used by anyone. If you are a pregnant or breastfeeding mother, using retinol can cause Fetal Retinoid Syndrome (FRS), which may trigger developmental issues. Hence, it’s best to avoid it.
Using Retinol and Vitamin C
Retinol and Vitamin C can both be seen in topical skincare products.
Hence, you can use them by applying them on well-cleansed skin. Let’s briefly go over how to use them.
Retinol
When adopting retinol in a skincare routine, it’s advisable to go slowly and gently on the skin because if used too frequently or if the formulation is too strong, it can cause skin irritation. Hence, we recommend slowly applying it and also in a low concentration.
Another critical point to note is that retinol is sensitive to light, which means it can break down in the presence of sunlight. This is why a retinol-enriched product is usually packaged in a dark container. For best rest, always apply sunblock over it during the day.
Using retinol after moisturizing can also help to prevent skin dehydration, and the skin cannot shed off dead skin cells if it is dehydrated.
Vitamin C
Since vitamin C is mostly infused inside serums for enhanced absorption, we recommend using it after applying your toner and before your moisturizers and creams. Toning first is crucial because it hydrates and prepares the skin to absorb products into your skin.
To maximize the effects of vitamin C, we recommend applying it twice a day, morning and night. Since UV ray exposure can reduce your skin’s vitamin C levels, applying topic vitamin C at night would be great for bringing it back to its normal level. And using it during the day can reduce the effects of damaging UV rays.
Can I Combine Both Ingredients?
Although most experts do not recommend using vitamin C and retinol simultaneously, some believe you can, especially if you understand how it works. If you must use both ingredients together, here are some tips you should take seriously.
Layering products with both ingredients can trigger skin irritation with flakiness and red inflammation. Aside from that, they both can lower each other’s efficiency. Another issue is that both work on different PH levels. For instance, retinol requires a PH range of 5.0 to 6.0, while vitamin C needs 3.5 or much lower to absorb into the skin.
To prevent this issue, we recommend using them separately. Vitamin C in the morning and retinol-enriched serum in the night. Also, wear sunblock daily and apply moisturizer after using retinol or vitamin C serums.
If you need further clarification on this topic, you can always visit our website to book an appointment at our physical location in Miami. Or, you can get in touch by scheduling a free consultation to speak with our experts online.
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