Vitamin C in the Morning, Retinol at Night: The Exact AM/PM Serum Routine

Vitamin C and retinol are the two most effective non-prescription actives for ageing and pigmentation, and people constantly ask whether they can be used together. The answer is yes — and the pairing is the backbone of a serious routine — but not in the same application. One belongs in the morning, one at night. Here is the exact order, step by step.

Why not at the same time?

High-strength L-ascorbic acid works at a low pH; retinol is happiest closer to skin's natural pH. Layered together they can reduce each other's performance and roughly double the chance of irritation. Splitting them also matches what each ingredient is for: vitamin C is an antioxidant that defends the skin during the day, and retinol supports cell renewal, which happens mostly overnight. Retinol is also degraded by UV, so night use protects the product as well as your skin.

The morning routine (protect and brighten)

1. Cleanse with a gentle cleanser — our Gel Cleanser with AHA if your skin tolerates a light exfoliant daily, or water alone if you cleansed thoroughly the night before.
2. Tone with White Tea Toner to leave skin damp and calm.
3. Hydrate with Hydrating Hyaluronic 97% on damp skin. This is the layer that stops vitamin C from feeling harsh.
4. Vitamin C — a pump of AM Brightening C 20% pressed over the face. Wait a minute for it to settle. A light tingle is normal in the first weeks.
5. Moisturiser and SPF 30+. Non-negotiable. Vitamin C and sunscreen do different jobs: SPF blocks UV, vitamin C mops up the free radicals that get through.

The evening routine (repair and renew)

1. Cleanse thoroughly to remove SPF and the day.
2. Tone with White Tea Toner.
3. Hydrate with Hydrating Hyaluronic 97% — the same serum, and the layer that reduces retinol dryness.
4. Optional: niacinamide. Balancing B3 if pores, oil or redness are concerns. It sits well under retinol and calms the adjustment phase.
5. Retinol — a pump of PM Anti-Age Retinol 0.5% on dry skin, avoiding the eye area.
6. Eye serum — Stem Cell Eye Serum dabbed around the orbital bone as the final step.
7. Moisturiser if your skin needs it.

How to introduce both without irritation

Do not start both on the same day. The order below takes about six weeks and is the single biggest predictor of whether you will still be using them in six months.

If you get flaking or persistent redness, drop the retinol back a step for a week and keep hydration underneath. Never add a third active during this period.

Common mistakes

• Using retinol in the morning — it degrades in daylight and raises sun sensitivity.
• Skipping SPF because “it is cloudy”. Australian UV is high year-round; retinol users burn faster.
• Applying retinol to damp skin — increases penetration and irritation. Damp for hyaluronic, dry for retinol.
• Judging results at four weeks. Radiance improves early; pigmentation and fine lines take 8–12 weeks of consistency.
• Using an eye cream that is not built for the eye area — retinol face serums are too strong for orbital skin.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use vitamin C and retinol on the same night? It is not recommended. Keep vitamin C for the morning and retinol for the evening.

Can I use niacinamide with vitamin C? Best at different times of day: vitamin C in the morning, niacinamide at night.

What if I am pregnant? Skip retinol entirely. Hydrating Hyaluronic 97% and AM Brightening C 20% are the two serums we recommend during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Do I need all of these products? No. Hydration plus vitamin C in the morning and hydration plus retinol at night is the core. The rest are additions for specific concerns.

Get the whole routine

The Bundle Pack contains the four serums in this routine — Hyaluronic 97%, Brightening C 20%, Retinol 0.5% and Stem Cell Eye Serum — at 25% off. Add the cleanser and B3 if pores are a concern. Layering questions are answered in the FAQ.

General information only, not personalised skincare or medical advice. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a diagnosed skin condition or use prescription topicals, consult your dermatologist or GP first.