Retinol, Peptides, Vitamin C — Oh My!

What Actually Works and When to Use It

Walk down any skincare aisle (or scroll Instagram for five minutes), and you’ll get hit with a whirlwind of buzzwords: retinol, peptides, vitamin C, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid… it's enough to make your head — and your face — spin.

So what actually works? And when should you use it?

Let’s cut through the noise and get to the truth.

Meet the MVPs of Modern Skincare

Here’s what each of these buzzwords really means — and why they matter.

🧬 Retinol: The Resurfacer

What it does: Speeds up cell turnover, improves skin texture, boosts collagen, fades dark spots, unclogs pores.
Best for: Aging skin, acne-prone skin, rough texture, fine lines

When to use:

• Evening only
  
• Start slow (2–3x/week), then increase as tolerated
  
• Always follow with moisturizer
  
• NEVER skip sunscreen during the day
  

Pro Tip: PCA SKIN’s Intensive Clarity Treatment is a game changer — combining retinol with acne-fighting salicylic acid.

💉 Peptides: The Builders

What they do: Signal the skin to produce more collagen and elastin (basically, they’re like little cheerleaders for your skin cells).
Best for: Firmness, elasticity, and reducing signs of aging

When to use:

• Morning or night
  
• Great layered under a moisturizer
  

Try: Nouve Peptide Eye Gel-Cream — firming, smoothing, and designed for delicate under-eye skin.

☀️ Vitamin C: The Brightener

What it does: Fights free radicals, evens out skin tone, boosts collagen production, and helps prevent pigmentation.
Best for: Dull skin, sun damage, dark spots

When to use:

• Morning — under SPF
  
• Don’t mix with strong exfoliants or retinol
  

Try: Nouve Vitamin C Serum — formulated for daily use and gentle enough for most skin types.

🌊 Hyaluronic Acid: The Hydrator

What it does: Pulls moisture into the skin and helps plump fine lines.
Best for: Everyone — especially dry, dehydrated, or mature skin

When to use:

• AM + PM
  
• Apply to damp skin and lock it in with moisturizer
  

Try: Nouve Skin Firming Serum with Hyaluronic Acid, DMAE & CoQ10 — extra firming bonus.

💡 Niacinamide: The Multitasker

What it does: Reduces redness, regulates oil, improves tone, calms irritation, boosts barrier strength.
Best for: Sensitive skin, oily skin, enlarged pores, and just... everything

When to use:

• Morning or night
  
• Pairs well with most actives
  

Try: Nouve 10% Niacinamide Serum — calming, brightening, and barrier-friendly.

So How Do You Put It All Together?

Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

Morning Routine

1. Cleanser
   
2. Niacinamide or Vitamin C Serum
   
3. Peptide Eye Gel-Cream
   
4. Moisturizer
   
5. SPF (EltaMD all day!)
   

Use Vitamin C if your focus is brightening and tone.
Use Niacinamide if your skin is sensitive or prone to redness.

Evening Routine

1. Cleanser
   
2. Niacinamide or Peptides (if you’re taking a break from retinol)
   
3. Retinol (PCA) – a few nights per week
   
4. Moisturizer or Tallow Cream (Nouve)
   
5. Optional: Face oil or Recovery Cream to seal in hydration
   

Final Thought:

Skincare isn’t about using everything — it’s about using the right things at the right time.

With Nouve’s gentle actives, PCA’s pro-level treatments, and EltaMD’s sun-smart protection, you’ve got all the pieces you need to build a results-driven routine without overwhelming your skin (or your brain).

And remember: Always patch test new products. And when in doubt? Consult your dermatologist or skincare professional.