CAN YOU USE BOTH GLYCOLIC ACID AND VITAMIN C? While both glycolic acid and vitamin C are skincare superstars, using them together requires a bit of caution, and it's generally not recommended to use them at the same time. If you're not sure about your routine, it's best to avoid using them in unison.
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 mix with Glycolic Acid. Retinol, other AHAs/BHAs, Vitamin C: Using these ingredients alongside Glycolic Acid in the same routine could irritate the skin.
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.
It's best to avoid combining glycolic acid (or lactic acid) and vitamin C in the same skin care session if you have a more sensitive skin type. For optimal results and to minimize potential irritation, utilize these powerful ingredients in separate sessions, establishing a separated AM & PM skin care approach.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Apply vitamin C in the morning and glycolic acid at night. Glycolic acid and hyaluronic acid: Since hyaluronic acid loads up skin with moisture, it makes for an excellent pairing with glycolic acid. Look for a product that combines both for easiest application, though you can also layer serums.
Don't Mix with Certain Ingredients:
Avoid applying Vitamin C with products containing AHAs, BHAs, retinol, or benzoyl peroxide in the same routine. These ingredients have different pH levels that can clash with vitamin C, reducing its effectiveness and potentially causing irritation.
As for whether you should apply glycolic acid morning or night, we recommend applying it as part of your evening skincare routine. Glycolic acid can cause “photosensitivity,” which means it makes your skin more sensitive to the sun's UV rays, upping your chances of a sunburn or skin damage.
Using these two ingredients together at the same time can cause redness and itchiness on your skin. Does this mean you can't include niacinamide and glycolic acid in your skincare routine? No, you most definitely can!
USE THEM AT DIFFERENT TIMES
By alternating between the two ingredients, you remove the risk of skin irritation. Apply glycolic acid to cleanse the skin of impurities, makeup and oil buildup from the day. Apply vitamin C in the morning to protect against free radicals throughout the day.
Possible interactions include: Aluminum. Taking vitamin C can increase your absorption of aluminum from medications containing aluminum, such as phosphate binders. This can be harmful for people with kidney problems.
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.
Additionally, vitamin C blocks abnormal production of pigmentation to even skin tone and fade dark spots. While it's best known for brightening, it can also be instrumental in skin firming. Vitamin C works best in combination with vitamin E, ferulic Acid, vitamin B, and hyaluronic acid.
Anyway, heat and water are the enemies of vitamin C in potatoes, as they are in all vegetables. Vitamin C is soluble in water, and too long an exposure to heat causes nutrients to vanish. Minimise the time, temperature and amount of water.
What's the best way to combine vitamin C and AHAs? For best results, Dr. Lee suggests exfoliating your skin before using vitamin C. Try using glycolic acid at night (to minimize its photosensitizing tendencies), followed by vitamin C in the morning (to maximize its antioxidant potential).
Mixing ceramides and vitamin C enhances their overlapping skin benefits. They include boosting skin hydration, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, protecting against UV ray damage, encouraging healthy cellular turnover and reducing hyperpigmentation.