Should retinol be applied at night?

Retinol belongs in the evening routine, according to Cleveland Clinic: "It’s best to use a product with vitamin C in the morning and keep the retinol for nighttime." The time of day is the first thing to settle.

A second source on timing

DermNet, writing about topical retinoids more broadly, also puts the application at bedtime. It describes them as "Applied to the face once daily at bedtime". Two publishers, then, point to the same part of the day.

Reading around the routine

For the rest of the routine, see Dermatologist-Approved Tips for Healthier Skin from the Cleveland Clinic newsroom and the AAD's skin care secrets. Houston Methodist covers a skin care routine for your 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond.

Setting up your day and night

Keep the vitamin C product for the morning and the retinol for the evening, then look at your skin each morning. Readers in St. Johns, Florida, who are unsure how the two fit together can ask a provider to go over the order with them.