Who doesn’t want it all—beauty benefits included? A brighter complexion, fewer wrinkles, even texture and tone…there are hardworking products to address all of these wish list items—and more. But can you use multiple products at once? We asked dermatologists to weigh in on two of the most popular skincare warriors out there: retinol and vitamin C.

Meet the experts: Manish Shah, MD, FACS is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Denver. Tsippora Shainhouse, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles. Brendan Camp, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in NYC. Valerie Aparovich is a certified cosmetologist-aesthetician and biochemist. Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD is the owner of The Dermatology and Laser Group in NYC.

What is retinol?

“The term ‘retinoid’ describes a family of ingredients that includes both prescription Retin-A and over-the-counter retinol,” says Manish Shah, MD, FACS, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Denver. Though retinoids are more potent than retinols, both vitamin A derivatives promote faster skin cell turnover when used in a topical cream or gel, he explains. “This results in the renewal of the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) and thickening of the strength layer of the skin (dermis).” With consistent use, you’ll notice smoother skin, diminished fine lines and wrinkles, and fewer blemishes like acne, as well as dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

As a whole, retinol is generally regarded as safe—unless you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, says Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles. Retinol users should also be sure to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day. Because of their exfoliant properties, all retinoids can make skin more sun-sensitive, says Dr. Shainhouse.

What is vitamin C?

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that works to neutralize free radicals, unstable oxygen molecules that can damage cellular structures like DNA, lipids, and protein, says Brendan Camp, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC. “By preventing this damage, vitamin C products help maintain youthful skin and limit skin aging,” he explains. It can also help promote collagen production, plus decrease hyperpigmentation like sun spots. In the immediate, a high-quality vitamin C serum can even give skin a healthy glow.

So can I use retinol and vitamin C together?

As for the million dollar question: Dermatologists say you can absolutely use vitamin C and retinol together. In fact, some say you should use the two together, since they both deliver impressive anti-aging benefits. “You can use vitamin C and retinol at the same time in your skincare routine, because they work differently on the skin and target different concerns,” explains Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD, owner of The Dermatology and Laser Group in NYC. “As long as you do not experience any irritation, it is safe to use them together.”

Are there any risks associated with using retinol and vitamin C together?

Keep in mind: Both vitamin C and retinol are active ingredients, so simultaneous usage could potentially overload and stress the skin—especially if your skin is more sensitive— triggering reactions like irritation and redness, says Valerie Aparovich, a certified cosmetologist-aesthetician and biochemist. “The risk of incompatibility depends on the percentage of these ingredients in product formulations,” she explains. “Generally, an optimal potency for vitamin C is 10 to 15 percent, and a baseline of 0.5 percent for retinol.”

Should you use retinol or vitamin C first?

If you’re forging forward with a combination of vitamin C and retinol, the best way to match these two ingredients is to introduce vitamin C to the morning skincare routine and leave retinol for the evening, says Aparovich. Since vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals like pollutants and other environmental irritants, it’ll offer you more protection during the day. Conversely, retinol makes your skin more UV sensitive, so it’s best to let it work its magic while you sleep.

If you do decide to use the two at the same time, it’s still a good idea to start with vitamin C and proceed to retinol, says Dr. Akhavan. “You should wait about 30 minutes and make sure the vitamin C is fully absorbed before applying retinol.”