The Correct Way to Layer Vitamin C, Retinol and Peptides: An Esthetician-Backed Guide

If you’ve ever held a vitamin C serum in one hand and retinol in the other wondering “Am I supposed to mix these?”, you’re not alone.

Navigating active ingredients can feel overwhelming—even for skincare lovers, but don’t be afraid! We’ll walk you through how to layer products and explain how these products are working in order to help you better understand your skin routine.

To start, Vitamin C brightens and protects, retinol smooths and renews, and peptides strengthen your skin barrier… but when it comes to layering them, many people aren’t sure where to start.

These powerhouse ingredients deliver brighter, smoother, and more youthful-looking skin, but only when used correctly.

At The Treatment, client education is a core part of how we deliver results. Our estheticians spend every day helping clients understand which ingredients work well together, how to build a routine that fits their lifestyle, and how to apply products in the right order for the safest, most effective outcome. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about layering vitamin C, retinol and peptides—three of the most researched, most transformative ingredients in modern skincare—all explained through an expert lens.

Whether you’re new to active ingredients or looking to refine your routine in the new year, consider this your step-by-step plan for brighter, smoother, and more radiant skin.

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Can You Use Vitamin C and Retinol Together?

Yes—vitamin C and retinol can be used together, and many people benefit from incorporating both into their routine.

What matters is when and how you apply them.

Vitamin C and retinol are two high-performance ingredients with incredible benefits, but they’re most effective when used in separate routines. Vitamin C thrives during daylight hours, working in harmony with your SPF to protect and brighten your skin. Retinol performs best at night, when your skin is naturally in its repair cycle.

• Vitamin C is a daytime antioxidant that supports brightness and collagen.
• Retinol is a nighttime corrective that improves fine lines, texture, and cellular turnover.

When should I use Vitamin C and Retinol?

When used correctly, these two ingredients complement each other beautifully: vitamin C protects during the day, and retinol renews while you sleep.

Can vitamin C be used at night?

Yes, but vitamin C can become irritating to the skin if left on overnight, and daytime use mirrors normal metabolic activity.

Can retinol be used during the day?

Yes, but it is more effective at night because it causes the skin to become sun sensitive.

Many people worry the two ingredients will “cancel each other out.” Thankfully, that’s a myth. When used correctly, they actually make each other’s results more noticeable: vitamin C protects collagen during the day, while retinol stimulates renewal at night. Over time, this creates a powerful synergy that leads to:

• A more even and luminous complexion
• Smoother skin texture
• Reduced visible fine lines
• Healthier, stronger skin barrier
• Long-term collagen support

This is why pairing CE Ferulic with an evening retinol remains one of the most recommended dermatologist-backed routines in the world.

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Morning vs. Night: When to Use Each Ingredient

The secret to getting the most from your actives is understanding when each one works best. Morning and nighttime routines serve different biological purposes, and certain ingredients align more naturally with each phase.

Vitamin C in the Morning

Vitamin C is one of the beauty world’s most trusted antioxidants—and for good reason. During the day, our skin faces environmental stressors like UV rays, pollution, and free-radical damage. A daily vitamin C serum acts like a shield, helping neutralize those stressors before they can break down collagen or trigger dark spots.

Vitamin C is most effective in the morning, when it can:

• Defend against free radicals
• Support collagen stability
• Brighten dull or uneven skin
• Enhance the effectiveness of SPF
• Reduce long-term sun damage
• Improve firmness and elasticity

This is why CE Ferulic remains a client favorite—it offers long-lasting antioxidant protection that stays active on the skin throughout the day.

Retinol at Night

Retinol is a corrective ingredient that works best while you sleep. At night, your skin naturally enters a state of repair—cell turnover increases, hydration loss slows, and the skin barrier works to replenish itself. Applying retinol during this window helps amplify these restorative processes.

Retinol is best saved for your evening routine. Using it at night:

• Increases cell turnover
• Minimizes sensitivity to sunlight
• Supports overnight cellular turnover
• Smooths texture and softens fine lines
• Helps reduce visible signs of aging over time
• Reduces clogged pores
• Long-term anti-aging support

We recommend starting with retinol .03% and moving up to retinol .05% once your skin acclimates.

Since retinol can increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight, applying it at night also ensures your routine stays safe and effective.

[Caution: Retinol 1.% is for experienced retinol users only. Never use 1.0% retinol unless your skin is already acclimated to retinol .05%, or your medical skincare provider says otherwise.]

Peptides as a Buffer or Support Ingredient

Peptides are the “team players” in this routine. While vitamin C and retinol are your workhorse actives, peptides help reinforce everything happening beneath the surface.

Using peptides alongside vitamin C and retinol can:

• Strengthen your skin barrier
• Reduce redness or irritation
• Improve hydration
• Support firmness and elasticity
• Help your skin tolerate active ingredients more consistently

They can be used:

• Morning: for hydration + barrier support
• Night (with retinol): to buffer and reduce dryness, redness and irritation

Formulas like Triple Lipid Restore provide nourishment without interfering with your active ingredients.

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The Correct Order to Apply Vitamin C, Retinol and Peptides

Skincare layering doesn’t need to be complicated. Getting the order right ensures each ingredient works at its full potential. Once you understand the role of each ingredient, the order becomes easy to remember.

Morning Routine: Layering Vitamin C the Right Way

1. Cleanser
   Start with a gentle, non-stripping cleanser to remove overnight oils and prep your skin.
2. Vitamin C serum
   Apply CE Ferulic directly onto clean skin. Serums are formulated to absorb quickly and deliver ingredients efficiently.
3. Peptide moisturizer
   A moisturizer containing ceramides or peptides—like Triple Lipid Restore—helps lock in hydration and strengthen the skin barrier.
4. SPF 40+
   Sunscreen is non-negotiable, especially with active ingredients. Vitamin C and SPF work hand-in-hand to prevent premature aging.

For clients who want a glowing, makeup-ready finish, this routine builds an incredibly smooth canvas.

Pro Tip: SPF boosts the long-term benefits of your vitamin C routine.

SPF prevents UV rays from infiltrating your skin. UV rays cause ‘free radicals’ (high energy, destructive particles). These free radicals damage skin structures, including DNA. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which by definition, eliminates free radical activity. Peptides aid in the physical repair of damaged skin.

Evening Routine: Retinol + Peptides

1. Cleanser
   Remove makeup, SPF, and the day’s environmental buildup.
2. Retinol (.03% or .05% strength)
   Apply a pea-sized amount to dry skin. If you’re new to retinol, start with a lower strength and increase gradually.
3. Peptide or barrier-supporting moisturizer
   Follow with Triple Lipid Restore or a similar cream to support hydration and minimize potential dryness.

If you're new to retinol or tend to be sensitive, apply peptides first, then retinol on top; this method is sometimes called “retinol buffering”.

Retinol buffering works by decreasing the absorption rate of retinol.

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How to Avoid Skin Irritation When Combining Actives

Even when used separately, vitamin C and retinol are active ingredients—so be careful.

Vitamin C is ascorbic acid. It helps the skin tremendously but can cause skin irritation.

Retinol is a form of Vitamin A which is converted to retinoic acid. Again, retinoic acid is a powerful ingredient, but can cause skin irritation.

While vitamin C, retinol and peptides work beautifully together, the key to a comfortable routine is giving your skin time to adjust. These guidelines help ensure your transition is smooth:

Introduce products one at a time

When starting a new routine, allow one product to settle in for 1–2 weeks before adding the next. This helps you identify exactly how your skin is responding.

Start slower than you think

For retinol especially, consistency beats speed. Begin with two or three nights per week, then increase frequency as your tolerance grows.

Hydration is essential

A peptide-rich moisturizer reinforces your barrier and supports hydration, reducing dryness and redness.

Avoid combining too many actives at once

Vitamin C + retinol is a powerful duo, but adding exfoliating acids or harsh scrubs on the same day can overwhelm your skin.

Always protect your skin during the day

Daily SPF is your best anti-aging strategy—especially when incorporating retinol.

Pay attention to how your skin feels

If sensitivity occurs, decrease usage frequency and rebuild gradually.

These steps ensure your skin stays clear, bright, and comfortable while you benefit from high-performance actives.

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Esthetician Tips

“Think of vitamin C and retinol like your day and night team—each plays a different role, and together they create brighter, healthier skin. Pair them with peptides for comfort and consistency.”
— Erin Jensen PA-C

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A Daily Skincare Routine Recommended by Our Providers

Whether you’re building your first active routine or upgrading to medical-grade formulas, here’s a simple blueprint our estheticians often recommend:

Morning Ritual

• Cleanse with a gentle face wash
• Apply CE Ferulic
• Follow with Triple Lipid Restore
• Finish with SPF

Evening Ritual

• Cleanse thoroughly
• Apply Retinol .03% or 1.0
• Seal with Triple Lipid Restore or another peptide-rich cream

This balanced routine supports both protection and correction—giving your skin everything it needs to stay resilient, radiant, and youthful.