Vitamin C, although generally beneficial, can be an irritant, tipping sensitive skin over the edge. Hydroquinone on top might amplify the sensitivity, causing irritation or even contact dermatitis for some unlucky troopers.
No. It is generally not advised as vit c and hydroquinone can make your skin really sensitive to sun and also cause irritation. Also applying both can make both components less effective.
What Goes First: Hydroquinone or Vitamin C. Vitamin C goes first, followed by hydroquinone if the former is in serum and the latter in a moisturizer. It's important to let your skin dry after using vitamin C serum and before hydroquinone cream.
Avoid using hydroquinone with peroxide products such as benzoyl peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, which can cause discoloration. 3. Avoid alpha hydroxy acids. The combination of hydroquinone and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) can irritate your skin.
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.
In other cases, mixing can destabilize or cancel out the benefits of the antioxidant. Here are some ingredients to never mix with vitamin C: Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Citric Acid, Tartaric Acid.
Mixing the types of hydroxy acids known as BHA and AHA and vitamin C tends to be too much for the skin, resulting in discomfort or unwanted side effects.
Hydroquinone and Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
AHAs, like glycolic acid and lactic acid, exfoliate the skin and boost cell turnover. When used with Hydroquinone, these acids can enhance the skin lightening and acne scar fading effect of Hydroquinone.
apply your vitamin c serum first then layer it up your TRANEXAMIC acid serum for the best results!
A major key to hydroquinone is short-term use. You can slather it on twice daily for at least six weeks (and no more than six months). After one to three months, you should start to see your hyperpigmentation fade away.
However, it is best to not mix or use Vitamin C at the same time as Tretinoin. This will avoid causing irritation. If you have sensitive skin opt for forms of Vitamin C that are less irritating. In any case, if you're starting out opt for lower strengths of Vitamin C.
Conclusion. The expert suggested that kojic acid is suitable for nearly all skin types and may work more effectively for pigmentation and dark spots. It usually does not cause acne or irritation. However, how you use it may depend on your personal preference and skin needs.
Dermatologists recommend you apply vitamin C serum before you apply moisturiser and sunscreen. The steps for application are [2]: Use a gentle cleanser to remove any makeup or free radicals from your skin. Apply a few drops of vitamin C serum to your face and neck, and gently rub it in.
Hydroquinone, a tyrosinase inhibitor, in a 4% cream can be used safely twice daily for up to 6 months to treat post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The efficacy of this treatment can be enhanced by using a retinoid nightly and a mid-potent steroid, which is applied twice daily for 2 weeks, then at weekends only.
We recommend pairing your vitamin C serum with a facial moisturiser and our CeraVe Eye Repair Cream during the day. If you have dry skin, you can also layer this serum with our CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum.
Alternative lightening agents including mequinol, arbutin, kojic acid, and others have shown comparable efficacy to hydroquinone in treating hyperpigmentation with less concerning side effects.
Results: At the end of 8 weeks, MASI, PGA and PtGA showed improvement with both tranexamic acid and vitamin C. However the improvement was more with tranexamic acid than with vitamin C, although not statistically significant.
It's important to check labels of skincare products before introducing tranexamic acid into your skin care routine. Avoid using other actives (brightening agents) such as azelaic acid, kojic acid, hyaluronic acid, alpha arbutin, and licorice root at the same time.
Combination Tip: Combining hydroquinone with Vitamin C may improve overall efficacy, but due to potential sensitivities, this combination should only be used under the supervision of a dermatologist. Sunscreen: How It Works: Sunscreen is essential for preventing further hyperpigmentation caused by UV exposure.
Avoid irritants: Be mindful of other skincare products or ingredients that may potentially irritate your skin. Avoid using harsh cleansers, exfoliants, or other products that can cause irritation or sensitivity while using hydroquinone.
Arbutin has been found to be the most effective active ingredient in our study, even more so than hydroquinone, despite being a naturally occurring derivative.
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.
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.