Can you use vitamin C instead of retinol?

He generally recommends retinoids to patients looking for a product that helps with rejuvenating the skin. But in cases where retinol irritates the skin, he recommends vitamin C serum as an alternative, with the caveat that vitamin C serums aren't typically as effective as retinoids.
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Is it better to use vitamin C or retinol?

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. If you really want to give your skin a one-two punch, you can also try incorporating both into your routine.
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Can vitamin C replace retinol?

At the wrong time: The application process of both products is fairly similar, but the main difference in how to use retinol vs vitamin C is the best time of day to apply them. “While vitamin C is best in the morning, retinol can increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun, so it's best at night,” says Dr.
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Do I need both retinol and vitamin C?

The truth: You can use vitamin C with retinol and retinoids. Get them as separate products so you can tailor the concentration of each and use them at the right time of day. Although vitamin C can be used day or night, it is ideal for daytime use, while retinol and retinoids should be applied at night.
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Which is better for aging skin retinol or vitamin C?

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.
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How to use Vitamin A and Vitamin C together



Which is better for dark spots vitamin C or retinol?

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.
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Is vitamin C good for 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.
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What can you not mix 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.
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Can vitamin C serum used at night?

Experts typically recommend using vitamin C products in the morning and retinoids at night. This route often ends up working out best since retinol products can increase the skin's sensitivity to UV rays, which is why it's better to save them for p.m. use.
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How can I add vitamin C to my skin care routine?

When do I use Vitamin C in my routine? Vitamin C absorbs into skin most effectively after cleansing. AM: after cleansing, allow to absorb before applying a moisture lotion/SPF. PM: add a dose to your go-to night moisturizer, or layer a Vitamin C serum beneath it for a boost.
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Is retinol necessary?

It's absolutely important for everybody.” Dakar says that retinol is one of the most essential ingredients for slowing the process of aging in adults and helping erase acne scarring in teenagers, and that her product Retinu was created after meticulous research and development.
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Is vitamin C or hyaluronic acid better for skin?

Hyaluronic acid helps keep skin moisturized, while vitamin C protects from sun damage and can help fade skin discoloration. Both ingredients can help reduce the signs of aging in skin — especially when they're used together.
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Which is better niacinamide or vitamin C?

"Because it's a mild acid, vitamin C also gives you more of an exfoliating and brightening effect than niacinamide," says Dr. Lee. "Niacinamide has a greater impact in terms of hydrating the skin." Niacinamide is the gentler of the two, making it a great vitamin C alternative in those with sensitive skin.
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Which is better Vit C or hyaluronic acid?

Differences between hyaluronic acid and vitamin C serum

Hyaluronic acid works to leave the skin looking plump and keeps it hydrated and moisturized over time, while vitamin C specifically works to protect the skin from sun damage and fades discoloration in the skin due to acne.
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Should you put vitamin C in the morning or night?

There are new rules at play. "Because vitamin C serum helps protect your skin from free radicals, most dermatologists have recommended applying it in the morning to prevent damage during the day," says Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
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Can vitamin C be used under eyes?

Vitamin C serums can help smooth out fine lines by plumping and hydrating the under-eye area. Although vitamin C is more effective at reducing overall redness, some people say it can help alleviate discoloration associated with under-eye circles.
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Can you use vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night?

Using Vitamin C in the morning and Retinol at night provides your skin with the ultimate brightening and firming treatment. To reap the benefits of Retinol and Vitamin C without irritating or inflaming your skin, try using Retinol one night and Vitamin C the next.
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Can vitamin C clog pores?

It Helps With Pores

Since it's an antioxidant, vitamin C serum manages to unclog the pores, clear out dead skin, and reduce the overall amount of sebum. Additionally, it also minimises the pores — and since it's non-comedogenic, you know that you can kiss those social life-ruining blackheads goodbye.
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What comes first vitamin C or hyaluronic acid?

A thick moisturizer with hyaluronic acid would be applied after a vitamin C serum, but a hyaluronic acid serum will come before a face cream with vitamin C in its formula. In the case that you have two separate serums, it still comes down to thickness. Apply whichever is thinner first.
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When should I apply vitamin C to skin care routine?

Humphrey says the best way to use it is to apply a few drops of vitamin C serum on freshly cleansed skin every morning, followed by moisturizer and broad spectrum sunscreen.
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Can I use vitamin C serum everyday?

One study even recommends applying a vitamin C serum every eight hours, or twice daily for the pinnacle of protection. Vitamin C has photoprotective properties and staves off oxidative stress from the free radicals we meet throughout our day.
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Can you use too much vitamin C on your face?

A tell-tale sign of vitamin c over-use can be increased blackheads or a development of blackheads. General skin irritation and breakouts can also occur if you are using your vitamin c too much or too often. We recommend using your serum 1-2 times a day and 2-4 drops is all that is needed.
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Does vitamin C get rid of forehead lines?

If you're wondering how to get rid of forehead wrinkles without Botox, vitamin C serum could be the ideal solution. Formulas like vitamin C + E ferulic acid serum increase collagen production to fill in fine lines and make the skin look smoother, brighter and more vibrant.
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Can I mix vitamin C with retinol?

In short: yes, you can use vitamin C and retinol together; try retinol at night and vitamin C during the day—always with sunscreen.
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Does vitamin C fade dark spots?

Vitamin C-based skin care products may lighten patches that are darker than the rest of your skin, called hyperpigmentation. In one study, vitamin C applied to the skin for 16 weeks significantly cut down on these spots. But experts say it will take more research to confirm how well vitamin C creams work.
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