Can I use vitamin C serum after facial treatment?

Author: Ewell O'Reilly  |  Last update: Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Do not use your active products (Vitamin C, retinol, salicylic acids, etc) until the skin feels calm and has recovered from treatment. This typically occurs within three days, but can vary from person to person; please do not hesitate to give us a call if you have questions following your facial treatment.

What not to put on your face after a facial?

Other harsh products, like retinols, at-home peels, and salicylic acid-based cleansers or toners should also be avoided for a few days, as they turn that radiant glow into red, irritated skin.

Can I use serum after a facial?

You can boost the benefits of a face mask by applying the right serum afterward. After thoroughly removing your mask, choose a serum based on your skincare goals. For instance, if you need to nourish dry, rough skin, look for a serum with hyaluronic acid.

When not to use vitamin C serum?

To minimize aggravation if you have more sensitive skin, you can avoid applying it directly before or after other products that contain exfoliating ingredients including retinol, AHAs (such as glycolic acid and lactic acid), BHAs (i.e. salicylic acid) and benzoyl peroxide.

Can I use vitamin C after a HydraFacial?

Wait 24–48 Hours Before Applying Vitamin C

Your skin is deeply cleansed and exfoliated after a HydraFacial, which can make it more sensitive. Waiting at least 24–48 hours allows your skin to calm down and absorb the hydrating serums applied during the treatment.

How to use Vitamin C like a Dermatologist | Dr Davin Lim

Can I use vitamin C serum after a facial?

Do not use your active products (Vitamin C, retinol, salicylic acids, etc) until the skin feels calm and has recovered from treatment. This typically occurs within three days, but can vary from person to person; please do not hesitate to give us a call if you have questions following your facial treatment.

What cancels out vitamin C in skincare?

Niacinamide and vitamin C

This combination sparks a lot of debate among skincare experts. Some say that since both niacinamide and vitamin C contain antioxidants, they cancel each other out and might even lead to irritation.

What cannot be paired with vitamin C serum?

Vitamin C is effectively an acid (it's sometimes known as ascorbic acid), so layering it with AHAs and BHAs like glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids is a big no-no.

What are the negatives of vitamin C serum?

We recommend going with lower concentration if you're just starting out or you have sensitive skin. Remember, potential vitamin C serum side effects include itching, redness, irritation, tingling, and burning. If you experience any of these when using vitamin C, or any skincare product, it's best to shelve it.

What happens if I use vitamin C serum everyday?

Benefits of vitamin C for skin

Using vitamin C serum and face wash can help lighten acne marks. Vitamin C serum for face is known to brighten your complexion. The antioxidant-rich ingredient reduces dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Vitamin C serum for skin improves elasticity and prevents premature ageing.

What should I put on my face after facial?

After a facial, it's important to care for your skin properly. Aguliar shares she has an approach she calls "three days, three things." She says, “The idea behind this phrase is that in the three days following a facial, I recommend my clients only use three skincare products: cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen.”

What is the best vitamin C serum?

Best Vitamin C Serums
  • LANEIGEBouncy & Firm Radiance Boosting Serum with Peony & Collagen Complex™ ...
  • innisfreeGreen Tea Enzyme Vitamin C Brightening Serum. ...
  • Paula's ChoiceC15 Super Booster for Brightening Dullness & Uneven Tone. ...
  • innisfreeGreen Tea Hyaluronic Acid Refillable Serum.

Can I use vitamin C serum after a face mask?

You can! In fact, vitamin C serums work well with hyaluronic acid in promoting skin health.

What is the best aftercare for a facial?

Avoid picking, squeezing or touching the area • Avoid the temptation to apply make-up for 6-12 hours where possible • Avoid any other exfoliating skincare products for 48 hours after treatment • Do not have any other facial skincare treatments within 48 hours • Avoid sunbathing or sunbeds for 48 hours after treatment • ...

How often should you get facials?

Pavitt says six to eight weeks is an ideal timeframe in between appointments. Medina-Cleghorn is a fan of getting a facial every four weeks so it aligns with the lifecycle of skin cells and allows your facialist to continue working on your skin health as old cells turn over and new skin cells emerge.

Can you use hyaluronic acid after a facial?

This helps retain the benefits of your facial and keeps your skin hydrated. For extra moisture, we suggest using a product with hyaluronic acid, a natural humectant that attracts moisture to the skin and locks it in, improving hydration levels and boosting the skin's ability to retain moisture.

Who should avoid vit C serum?

1. Avoid AHAs/BHAs with Vitamin C: The combination of AHA BHA with Vitamin C is notoriously powerful and overwhelms the skin. It leads to out-of-the-blue breakouts, inflammation or irritation. If you have acne-prone or oily skin, try vitamin C in the morning with sunscreen and AHA/BHA during your PM routine.

Should I apply vitamin C at night or morning?

Nearly across the board, dermatologists recommend incorporating vitamin C serum into your morning routine as opposed to using it at night.

Why is my skin getting darker after using vitamin C serum?

4) Why does my skin look darker after using Vitamin C? If you are applying Vitamin C without sunscreen, it is likely that the Vitamin C degrades into Erythrulose, which is an ingredient you will find in many self-tanners. So please make sure you apply sunscreen always after applying Vitamin C.

What cancels out vitamin C?

Vitamin C + Niacinamide

However, when you combine niacinamide with Vitamin C, they'll cancel each other out chemically, making both formulas ineffective on your skin. Niacinamide takes out all the good properties of Vitamin C and makes it into a substance that can cause redness and trigger breakouts.

What compliments vitamin C serum?

What Can You Mix with Vitamin C?
  • Peptides. Can you mix peptides and vitamin C? ...
  • Vitamin E. Vitamin C and E are a highly efficacious ingredient combination, as vitamin E is also an antioxidant. ...
  • Ferulic Acid. ...
  • Hyaluronic Acid. ...
  • Niacinamide. ...
  • Hydroxy Acids. ...
  • Salicylic Acid. ...
  • Retinol.

What is a bad combination with vitamin C?

Skincare ingredients not to mix with vitamin C

Vitamin C, AHAs (glycolic acid), and BHAs (salicylic acid) are acidic in nature. Layering them together can lower the skin's pH, making it more acidic. When skin pH goes off balance, it becomes a recipe for skin irritation, redness, and peeling.

What deactivates vitamin C serum?

Here are some ingredients to never mix with vitamin C:
  • Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Citric Acid, Tartaric Acid.
  • Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs): Tropic Acid, Betaine Salicylate, Salix Acid.
  • Salicylic Acid.
  • Benzoyl Peroxide.
  • Retinol.

What happens if you put too much vitamin C on your face?

‍Too much vitamin C serum can cause skin irritation and too little may not provide the desired results. It's best to follow the instructions on the product label and start with a small amount of serum, gradually increasing the amount based on your skin's needs.

What method destroys vitamin C?

Vitamin C can be destroyed by heat and light. High-heat cooking temperatures or prolonged cook times can break down the vitamin. Because it is water-soluble, the vitamin can also seep into cooking liquid and be lost if the liquids are not eaten.

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