Do I Need Vitamin C If I Use Retinol? The Real Skincare Truth
Understanding Retinol and Vitamin C: A Power Duo?
What does retinol actually do?
Let’s start with the basics. Retinol is a vitamin A derivative and it's famous for its ability to:
Speed up cell turnover
Reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Treat acne and improve texture
Fade dark spots over time
It’s basically the holy grail of anti-aging, but it can be a bit harsh, especially if your skin’s not used to it.
And what about vitamin C?
Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant. It protects your skin from environmental damage (think UV rays, pollution), helps brighten the complexion, and boosts collagen production.
So, yeah… they sound like a dream team. But do you need both?
Do you really need vitamin C if you’re already using retinol?
The short answer: Not strictly… but it helps
No, you don't need vitamin C in a life-or-death kind of way if you're using retinol — your skin won’t collapse without it. But if you’re looking for optimal results, yes, it’s a smart combo.
Retinol works on the skin’s structure from the inside out. Vitamin C protects and enhances from the outside in.
Together? You’ve got brightness, firmness, AND long-term repair.
Some people say it’s too much – is that true?
Okay, yeah, layering both at once can be irritating, especially if you have sensitive skin. That doesn’t mean you ditch one — you just separate them.
Use vitamin C in the morning (it works well under sunscreen too)
Use retinol at night (since sunlight breaks it down anyway)
Boom. No irritation, and both ingredients do their job.
How to layer vitamin C and retinol safely
Morning routine (vitamin C)
Gentle cleanser
Vitamin C serum (10–20% is a good range)
Moisturizer
Sunscreen (always. seriously.)
Night routine (retinol)
Cleanser
Wait 10–15 minutes (important if your skin’s sensitive)
Retinol (pea-sized amount only)
Moisturizer (maybe even sandwich it if you’re dry)
Some people add hyaluronic acid to both routines for extra hydration. Totally fine. I do that too, actually — especially in winter when my face turns into parchment paper.
What if my skin freaks out?
Redness, peeling, burning? Chill and reset
It happens. Overdoing it with actives (especially vitamin C + retinol) can cause irritation. My advice?
Dial back to vitamin C every other morning
Use retinol 2–3x a week until your skin builds tolerance
And for the love of glow, don’t skip moisturizer
You can also look for buffered retinol or vitamin C derivatives (like magnesium ascorbyl phosphate) — gentler, but still effective.
Conclusion: Do you need vitamin C if you use retinol?
Technically? No. Practically? Yes.
Vitamin C isn’t mandatory, but if you want brighter, smoother, firmer skin — it’s a great companion to retinol.
Just don’t throw them on your face at the same time like you're baking a cake. Treat your skin gently. Space it out. Moisturize like a boss. And give it time.
Because real skincare isn’t about rushing — it’s about consistency. And, okay fine… maybe a little obsession with serums.
How much height should a boy have to look attractive?
Well, fellas, worry no more, because a new study has revealed 5ft 8in is the ideal height for a man. Dating app Badoo has revealed the most right-swiped heights based on their users aged 18 to 30.
Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.