Retinol vs vitamin C: benefits, differences, and how to use each in your skincare routine

A pink and lilacframe containing an image of two pipettes, one spilling out a peach coloured serum and one a clear serum, on a beige surface.

If you're weighing up using retinol vs vitamin C, you're likely looking to address wrinkles, pigmentation, dullness, or acne. It's also likely you've heard these active ingredients are some of the best in modern skincare. Guess what? It's all true.

Both ingredients are found in a variety of beauty products, usually creams or serums, and are both vitamin-based. Retinol is derived from vitamin A and is used topically, as is vitamin C, but once applied, they get to work in different ways.