Can I use vitamin C serum after ordinary glycolic acid toner?

Author: Mrs. Renee Paucek  |  Last update: Saturday, January 17, 2026

Using glycolic acid and vitamin C together can have a massive, positive effect on your skin — if done in the right way. Applying your glycolic acid product first to clear the skin, followed by your vitamin C product, means that both products can be as effective as possible.

Can I use vitamin C serum after glycolic acid toner?

Yes, you can use glycolic acid and vitamin C together. If you're looking for a skincare duo to help you achieve the dewy, radiant, even skin of your dreams, look no further.

What serum can I use after glycolic acid toner?

Layering Order: Generally, you should apply the glycolic acid toner first, followed by the vitamin C serum. This way, the toner can exfoliate and prep your skin for better absorption of the vitamin C. Moisturizer and Sunscreen: After applying both products, follow up with a good moisturizer.

What cannot be used with glycolic acid toner?

What NOT to mix with Glycolic Acid. Retinol, other AHAs/BHAs, Vitamin C: Using these ingredients alongside Glycolic Acid in the same routine could irritate the skin. However, alternating them between your morning and evening skincare routine means that you can enjoy the benefits without the risk of damaging your skin.

Can I use the ordinary vitamin C suspension with glycolic acid?

Yes, you can use glycolic acid and vitamin C together. If you're looking for a skincare duo to help you achieve the dewy, radiant, even skin of your dreams, look no further.

What Can You Use Glycolic Acid With? | Retinol, Vitamin C, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Lactic Acid

Why can't you mix vitamin C with glycolic acid?

As for glycolic acid and other chemical exfoliants they have a much lower pH level that is acidic. If you use both vitamin C and glycolic acid together in either one product or layered quickly on top of each other this may result in the skin becoming irritated with flare-ups of redness and rashes.

What to layer with ordinary glycolic acid?

For even-looking skin, pair Vitamin C derivatives with Glycolic Acid. For smoother-looking skin, pair Retinaldehyde and Hyaluronic Acid. For clearer-looking skin, pair Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%. For hydrated skin, pair Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide.

What cancels out glycolic acid?

Glycolic acid and niacinamide.

Indeed, niacinamide used with AHA's like glycolic acid and lactic acid has no effect and can even cause redness. Since niacinamide has a pH of about 5-7, it can actually increase the lower pH of glycolic acid, which is about 3-4, and negate its properties.

What pairs well with glycolic acid toner?

Glycolic acid and vitamin C: This combination can increase collagen production and smooth skin, but it's best to stagger application to keep skin from getting irritated. Apply vitamin C in the morning and glycolic acid at night.

What should you not use with vitamin C serum?

Beta Hydroxy Acids

So that salicylic acid of yours should not be mixed with your vitamin C serum. It won't be able to help you with discoloration, collagen production, or protect you from UV rays. Additionally, combining the two can cause irritation and dryness.

What is the next step of glycolic acid toner?

Next, take an adequate amount of glycolic acid toner on your palm or a cotton pad and gently wipe your face and neck. Follow up with a hydrating face serum and face moisturizer for best results. Lastly, use an SPF or sunscreen before stepping out under the harmful UV rays.

In what order should I use my ordinary products?

How To Build A Skincare Routine With The Ordinary Products
  1. Cleanser. Cleansing should always be the first step in your routine. ...
  2. Exfoliator. Once you've cleansed your skin in the morning, exfoliating should be next. ...
  3. Hydration serum. ...
  4. Eye serum. ...
  5. Antioxidant serum. ...
  6. Moisturiser. ...
  7. SPF. ...
  8. Cleanser.

What is the best vitamin C serum?

Prices and availability are subject to change.
  • Amazon. iS Clinical Super Serum Advance. ...
  • Sephora. Tatcha Violet-C Brightening serum. ...
  • Sephora. Dr. ...
  • Dermstore. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic acid serum. ...
  • Amazon. Revision Skincare C+ Correcting Complex 30% ...
  • Sephora. Paula's Choice C15 Vitamin C Super Booster. ...
  • Maelove. ...
  • Sephora.

What serums to use after glycolic acid toner?

Once you have applied a glycolic acid toner, the best product to follow this with is a serum that enriched in with a hydrating ingredient, such as hyaluronic acid. As effective as glycolic acid is at exfoliating the skin, it can sometimes cause some mild irritation, no matter how much your skin has built a tolerance.

Which toner is best before vitamin C serum?

Opt for a Brightening Toner

With similar benefits to the vitamin C serum, this sake-infused toner can help brighten, soften, and rehydrate your skin. Additions of white mulberry and niacinamide create a skin-illuminating trifecta, to naturally lighten dull or hyperpigmented areas of your complexion.

Which is better for hyperpigmentation, vitamin C or glycolic acid?

Yes, but glycolic acid is better for normal to dry skin, while vitamin C works well for all skin types, especially those prone to dullness or pigmentation.

Can I use vitamin C after glycolic acid toner?

Using glycolic acid and vitamin C together can have a massive, positive effect on your skin — if done in the right way. Applying your glycolic acid product first to clear the skin, followed by your vitamin C product, means that both products can be as effective as possible.

What not to use after glycolic acid toner?

Because Glycolic Acid exfoliates the top layer of the skin, we would recommend avoiding any other products that also promote skin cell turnover. This would include ingredients such as Retinoids and Copper Peptides. Combining multiple resurfacing products may increase the chances of developing skin sensitivities.

How long should I wait to apply hyaluronic acid after glycolic acid?

Glycolic Acid: Follow with your glycolic acid treatment. Allow it to absorb for a good 5-10 minutes. Hyaluronic Acid: Apply hyaluronic acid serum next to flood your skin with moisture.

What is best paired with glycolic acid?

If your skin tolerates retinol well, combining it with glycolic acid is a good idea given their different actions. A study has shown that the combination of glycolic acid and retinol proves to be effective in treating acne and brown acne scars.

When to use vitamin C serum?

While you can work your vitamin C serum into either your morning or evening skincare routine, most dermatologists recommend the morning [2]. This keeps your skin protected from free radicals as you go about your day, and can work especially well with your sunscreen to keep you safe from UV radiation.

What cannot be paired with glycolic acid?

AHAs/BHAs and Retinol: Combining exfoliating acids (like glycolic acid or salicylic acid) with retinol can lead to excessive dryness and irritation.

Can I leave glycolic acid toner on overnight?

Usage of the glycolic acid toner 👇🏻(unsponsored reel) ✅ Make sure your skin barrier is healthy before applying this product otherwise your face might have burning sensation as soon as you apply it (can be applied by all skin types but sensitive skin avoid it) ✅Application of glycolic acid should be only at NIGHT TIME.

In what order do you use the ordinary serums?

You'll want to apply water-based treatments first, followed by anhydrous (water-free) solutions or oil formulations, followed by creams or suspensions. This means that you would apply a water-based serum such as Amino Acids + B5 before an anhydrous serum or oil such as Retinol 0.2% in Squalane..

Should you moisturize right after glycolic acid?

Always moisturize after use.

Glycolic acid exfoliates and hydrates the skin, but it can irritate or dry out sensitive skin. Always follow your glycolic acid application with an additional light moisturizer to reduce the effects of dryness and irritation on the skin.

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