Is Vitamin C And Retinol Safe To Use Together?

One steadfast rule I hadn’t thought to question before is that vitamin C and retinol are not besties and should never be used together. On a surface level, it makes sense — these are two very potent ingredients. Vitamin C is often favored for daytime use thanks to its antioxidant properties, which protect skin against environmental aggressors like pollution. On the other hand, retinol should be used in the evening because it can make the skin irritated by UV rays. Vitamin C is water-soluble, whereas retinol is oil-soluble, so they would counteract when used together. But then two things happened: A number of brands started combining retinol and vitamin C, and board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Sheila Malek Kassir, encouraged me to start using vitamin C at night, rather than during the day, for maximum absorption.