"Don't use with exfoliating/filling high-concentrate vitamin C or A products, or other products with BHA and AHA.
Can you use BHA and vitamin C together? Yes, you can, but only if you use each ingredient properly in your routine.
If you've had problems with AHA or BHA exfoliants in the past, they may have contained fragrance or sensitizing ingredients like denatured alcohol—both of which Paula's Choice Skincare products avoid.
The other products in your routine, like serums, boosters, and moisturizers, go on after your exfoliant in order from thinnest to thickest texture. (Don't forget to finish with sunscreen during the day.)
Niacinamide should be used after your BHA exfoliant. From there, you can apply the rest of your products in order of thinnest to thickest texture. For daytime, always finish with SPF 30+ as your last step.
Using a potent vitamin C after exfoliation will boost its brightening and firming benefits.
Start by applying just Vitamin C, every other day. Do this for a week and then add in your BHA. Once your skin can handle those two, it's time to add in your AHA. If your skin reacts well to all three, you can keep it to an every other day schedule, or move on to using the combo every day.
Short answer is: Yes! You certainly can. To make niacinamide and AHAs/BHA work together, layer them on your cleansed face—just 30 minutes apart. You can also use them at different times of day, use niacinamide in the morning and AHAs/BHA at night.
Gently apply using fingers or a cotton pad over entire face and neck, including the eye area (avoid lash line and eyelids) after cleansing and toning. Do not rinse. Start Slowly: Apply every other day and note skin's response. Then use up to twice daily.
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.
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.
Yes, you can, BUT you will get better results if you use vitamin C and glycolic acid/salicyclic acid separately. We recommend using vitamin C in the morning and your AHA or BHA at night.
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are chemical exfoliants that can totally transform your skin game. While AHA helps renew the skin's surface, BHA gets deeper into the pores to remove dead cells and excess sebum. Alpha hydroxy, beta hydroxy and Vitamin C are all acidic ingredients.
What if I want to use an AHA/BHA with my vitamin C product? Vitamin C can have exfoliating effects on the skin, which is why we generally don't recommend mixing vitamin C with your AHAs and BHAs. As with using AHAs and BHAs together, throwing vitamin C into the mix can be a recipe for irritation.
Yes! In fact, this is an ideal combination. Hyaluronic acid doesn't function like an AHA or BHA in that it does not strip your skin — it's actually highly nourishing and hydrating, so having “acid” in the name is a bit misleading. Hyaluronic acid is great for applying after any exfoliating acids.
Topical Vitamin C is a mild exfoliator that can help lighten brown spots with continued daily use. A great way to use Vitamin C as an exfoliator and skin brightener is Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Dark Spot Overnight Peel which helps evens skin tone and reduces the appearance of dark spots while you sleep.
AHA and BHA are the chemical exfoliators that clears out the dead skin and generates new healthy cells. Thus, it is never advised to use chemical exfoliators and Vitamin C as it will lead irritating and damaged skin.
To fight the good fight against acne, you may also use salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that increases skin cell turnover, to keep pores clear. But on its own, each can dry out the skin, so together they should be combined with caution.
Can niacinamide and salicylic acid be used together? The simple answer is yes. They complement each other well. Being oil soluble, salicylic acid can penetrate deeper into the skin layers, but it can also dehydrate and irritate skin.
When layering these powerful ingredients applying vitamin C first and leaving about 15 minutes in between applying your niacinamide product will give the skin enough time to absorb and remain comfortable before using niacinamide to lock moisture into the skin.
Niacinamide, on the other hand, is much less delicate and finicky than vitamin C, says Arch. You can find it in plenty of serums, moisturizers, masks, and more, at a variety of price points. But when it comes to which ingredient should go on your skin first, it doesn't really matter.
Both vitamin C and niacinamide increase the natural production of ceramides in your skin which helps to strengthen your skin barrier, keep your skin hydrated, and reduce irritation. However, niacinamide is probably the better option for sensitive skin as it's usually gentler than vitamin C.
Vitamin C works best in combination with Vitamin E, Ferulic Acid, Vitamin B, and Hyaluronic Acid.
Depending on the products you were using before, you may see an overnight improvement. Enhanced results will occur within 2–8 weeks, and will increase and be maintained over time.