What is Better for the Skin - Retinol or Vitamin C?
It cannot be generalized as both have different functions. Vitamin A, or stable and safe vitamin A derivatives, regulate the formation of the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of the skin). This process, known as differentiation, usually occurs within 28 days from the newly born skin cells in the stratum basale to the dead horn cells of the outermost layer.
When this process doesn't function properly, it can lead to severe skin problems like atopic dermatitis or even psoriasis, which signifies serious damage to the lipid barrier. Vitamin A brings this whole process back to a regulated youthful level. Vitamin C needs to be used in a stable form as it is highly susceptible to oxidation. Vitamin C acts as a free radical scavenger, providing brightening and skin tone evening effects. As a free radical scavenger, vitamin C protects the skin from free radicals and also possesses anti-aging properties.