Can You Use Vitamin C and Retinol Together? A Guide for Brighter, Smoother Skin

The short answer to this question is yes—you can use vitamin C and retinol together, but the best method depends on your skin sensitivity, the strength of your formulas, and how well you support your skin barrier. When used strategically, this powerhouse pairing can help improve dullness, uneven tone, visible pores, and fine lines—without unnecessary irritation.

Why Vitamin C + Retinol Works So Well

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps:

• Brighten the look of skin and boost radiance

• Support a more even-looking tone

• Defend against environmental stressors (especially helpful under SPF)

Retinol (vitamin A) helps:

Vitamin A comes in many forms, and the way it is delivered and converted in the skin affects both results and irritation potential. In Dubois Beauty’s Vital A Serum, we use a gentler bio-retinoid called Retinart alongside bakuchiol—a plant-derived retinol alternative. Retinart offers many of the benefits of traditional retinol but with lower irritation risk because it interacts differently with skin receptors, and bakuchiol supports collagen and renewal without the typical sensitivity associated with regular retinol. These advanced delivery forms help smooth texture, refine pores, and soften fine lines with greater tolerance for sensitive skin.

The key is timing: vitamin C tends to shine in the morning, while retinol is typically best at night.

Can You Use Vitamin C and Retinol Together in the Same Routine?

Yes—but most people do best using them in separate routines (AM/PM) to reduce irritation. Here are the three most effective approaches.

Option 1 (Best for Most People): Vitamin C in the Morning, Retinol at Night

This method is simple, effective, and easier on the skin barrier.

AM Routine (Brighten + Protect)

1. Cleanse

2. Vitamin C serum

3. Moisturizer

4. Sunscreen (daily)

PM Routine (Renew + Restore)

1. Cleanse

2. Vital A Serum (which features gentle Retinart and bakuchiol instead of traditional retinol, helping reduce irritation while still promoting renewal)

3. Moisturizer

Dubois Beauty integration: If you wear SPF or makeup, begin with Marula Bloom Cleansing Oil to dissolve sunscreen, makeup, and impurities while leaving skin feeling soft, nourished, and hydrated. Its omega-rich oils (like marula and chia) plus soothing propolis support comfort—especially valuable when your routine includes active ingredients.

Option 2 (Ideal for Sensitive Skin): Alternate Nights

If your skin flushes easily or tends to feel dry:

• Night 1: Retinol + moisturizer

• Night 2: Hydration/rest night

• Night 3: Retinol (or vitamin C if you prefer it at night)
  Repeat.

This still delivers results—often with fewer setbacks.

Option 3 (For Experienced Users): Same Night, Carefully

If you already tolerate both ingredients well, you can layer them, but proceed with caution:

• Cleanse

• Vitamin C (gentler/stable formulas are best)

• Wait a few minutes

• Retinol

• Moisturizer

If you notice stinging, redness, or peeling, revert to AM/PM separation.

Do Vitamin C and Retinol Cancel Each Other Out?

No. The bigger concern isn’t “incompatibility”—it’s overdoing actives and compromising your barrier. What does influence irritation most is the form and delivery of the vitamin A you choose. Dubois Beauty’s Vital A Serum uses a next-generation bio-retinoid (Retinart) and bakuchiol, which are designed to be more tolerable for many skin types compared with traditional retinol, helping you enjoy benefits without unnecessary sensitivity. Modern skincare routines can absolutely include both vitamin C and gentle forms of vitamin A, as long as you introduce them slowly and support your skin.

How to Use Vitamin C and Retinol Together Without Irritation

These tips make the difference between glowing progress and a disrupted barrier.

1) Start Low and Slow (Especially with Retinol)

• Begin retinol 2–3 nights per week

• Increase frequency only when skin feels stable (no persistent dryness or burning)

2) Cleanse Gently—Don’t Strip

Harsh cleansers can magnify dryness and sensitivity.

Dubois Beauty recommendation: Marula Bloom Cleansing Oil is designed to effectively remove makeup (including long-wear formulas) and sunscreen while infusing skin with nourishing omegas—making it a smart first step in a vitamin C + retinol routine.

3) Buffer Retinol if You’re Dry or Reactive

Try the “retinol sandwich”:

• Moisturizer → retinol → moisturizer
  This can reduce visible flaking and tightness while your skin adapts.

4) SPF Is Mandatory

Retinol can increase sun sensitivity. Vitamin C supports antioxidant defense, but it doesn’t replace sunscreen. Daily SPF protects your results and helps prevent new discoloration.

Who Should Be Extra Careful with Retinol?

Proceed slowly or consult a professional if you have:

• Very sensitive skin or a compromised barrier (even gentler vitamin A forms can irritate if introduced too fast)

• Active dermatitis/eczema flares

• Recently had peels or laser treatments

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding (avoid retinoids unless medically approved; while Retinart and bakuchiol are gentler, it’s still best to follow medical guidance)

A Simple Dubois Beauty-Friendly Routine (AM/PM)

Morning: Brighten + Defend

• Cleanse

• Vitamin C serum

• Defend Serum (add for extra daily support)

• Moisturizer

• SPF

Night: Renew + Restore

• Marula Bloom Cleansing Oil (especially if you wore SPF/makeup)

• Vital A Serum (featuring gentle Retinart and bakuchiol; start 2–3 nights/week)

• Moisturizer

Final Thoughts

So—can you use vitamin C and retinol together? Yes, and the most reliable approach is vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night, supported by gentle cleansing, barrier care, and daily SPF. When you build your routine with intention, you get the benefits of both actives—without the drama.

Ready to combine vitamin C + retinol the right way? Start with Marula Bloom Cleansing Oil to melt away SPF and makeup, then power your routine with Defend Serum by day and Vital A Serum at night for a smoother, brighter-looking complexion—shop these Dubois Beauty essentials on the Dubois Beauty website today.