It's generally recommended to wait until your vitamin C serum absorbs before using other products like sunscreens or moisturizers. Then, in the evening, you can use your salicylic acid product. Serums and toners can work, or you can use a cleanser that contains the ingredient.
A salicylic acid cleanser can be combined with a serum for oily skin and acne-prone skin, but people with dry skin should not go overboard. Salicylic acid lotion and serum should not be used together for any skin type as too much of anything can be destructive.
AHAs and BHAs, such as glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids should never be used with Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an acid, too, and is unstable, so the pH balance will be thrown off by layering these ingredients together and might as well be useless.
Should I apply vitamin C in the morning or at night, or both? Apply vitamin C day and night UNLESS you're also using AHAs (like glycolic acid or lactic acid) or BHAs (like salicylic acid). If you're using AHAs or BHAs in your skin routine, apply vitamin C in the morning only, and apply AHA/BHA at night only.
Don't use with: Although salicylic acid can be combined with other exfoliating ingredients, Mudgil says that in order to avoid irritation, it's best to stick to only one exfoliant at a time.
A salicylic acid cleanser is a good ally for acne-prone skin types, as it'll help keep pores consistently clear, preventing breakouts before they occur. A serum is another good option, while easily overloaded skin will love a water-weight salicylic acid toner or treatment mist.
The percentage of salicylic acid in these topical treatments are the highest you can find and so expect to experience dryness and flaking. To counteract this skin-reaction it is best to follow the topical spot treatment with a hydrating serum containing hyaluronic acid which will help restore moisture.
Salicylic acid works more effectively when layered with niacinamide. Niacinamide is an antioxidant that reduces inflammation and helps with acne. It's always good to use salicylic acid in a cleanser or a face mask and layer it with niacinamide.
One of the most popular Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs), salicylic acid is an ultra-common ingredient in many acne fighting products, and is well-suited for both day and night.
Can I use a salicylic acid cleanser and exfoliator? No, avoid using a salicylic acid cleanser and exfoliator as this can cause extreme irritation and dryness.
When it comes to having a clear complexion, salicylic acid is a must-have. "Salicylic acid is a type of beta-hydroxy that is oil-soluble, so it penetrates deep into the pores to eliminate excess oil and unclog the pores," says Marisa K. Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist.
I recommend giving advice on combining acids based on age. “AHAs and BHAs can certainly be combined. For example, for oily skin, a salicylic-based cleanser can be used followed by a glycolic acid toner.
Can you use BHA and vitamin C together? Yes, you can, but only if you use each ingredient properly in your routine.
It is safe to use products with salicylic acid every day, unless it is specified otherwise on the product usage guidelines or by your health care professional. CeraVe's SA Smoothing Cream and SA Smoothing Cleanser are suitable for daily use.
A thick moisturizer with hyaluronic acid would be applied after a vitamin C serum, but a hyaluronic acid serum will come before a face cream with vitamin C in its formula. In the case that you have two separate serums, it still comes down to thickness. Apply whichever is thinner first.
And because they both promote cell turnover, experts do still advise against using these two ingredients together, Dr. Hogan says. But it's generally okay to use them on the same day at different times. Experts typically recommend using vitamin C products in the morning and retinoids at night.
"Because vitamin C serum helps protect your skin from free radicals, most dermatologists have recommended applying it in the morning to prevent damage during the day," says Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
Use your vitamin C serum first, and let it dry.
Then "Let vitamin C completely dry prior to placing niacinamide," says Lamm. That way, the ascorbic acid has a chance to settle into the skin, and there's a smaller chance of combining the two actives.
There's no proof that Vitamin C causes acne. In fact, it may even help treat it faster! And yet, many of my clients with oily, acne-prone skin complain their acne got worse after introducing a Vitamin C serum into their skincare routine.
You can absolutely use vitamin C and niacinamide together, Singh goes on to emphasize. That said, if you ever have any doubts as to whether it's safe to mix two skin care ingredients, a dermatologist can always offer advice. Your skin is affected by more than what you put on it.
Vitamin C contains anti-inflammatory properties and helps reduce the redness and swelling that comes with acne. The results are more pronounced when you use the vitamin topically. It, therefore, helps improve the appearance of acne wounds. It may help reduce hyperpigmentation.
No, it does not. It may stain your skin but it cannot darken your skin. It is important to know the difference between staining and darkening the skin. Staining is where the product reacts with your dead skin cells and leads to a change in the color of those dead cells.