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.
Several people have a persistent query: can I use Vitamin C serum at night without moisturiser? No, you should not; ending the routine with a moisturiser (best if it is blended with vitamin C) will give the skin a wholesome treatment.
It's also important to note that using Vitamin C serum alone on active acne is not enough, it's best to combine it with other acne-fighting products such as retinoids, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide and a good skincare routine for best results.
Most experts recommend using vitamin C serum every other day, but it is safe to use it daily. Apply it as a moisturizer in the morning, but don't use it before bedtime.
It is not recommended to use serum without moisturizer because serums alone do not provide sufficient hydration to the skin. Serums are formulated to penetrate deeply into the skin and deliver active ingredients to the deeper layers of the skin, but they do not provide the hydration that your skin needs.
Yes! Your skin can benefit from both serum and moisturizer, and it's recommended to use both of these products. However, it's not strictly necessary when you are using a moisturizing face serum. You can adjust your skincare routine to suit your individual skincare needs, concerns, and goals.
Letting your skin breathe can bring numerous benefits. Some of which includes: When the skin pores are less clogged, they can absorb skincare products in a better way leading to better results. Your skin gets the opportunity to return to its natural pH levels, which can assist with dryness or oiliness issues.
While Vitamin C serum is generally well-tolerated, some individuals may experience skin irritation, especially if they have sensitive skin. Symptoms of irritation can include redness, itching, and a burning sensation.
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.
Acids, vitamin C serums and retinoids can all cause purging. Purging is an initial acne breakout that can occur when you're starting a new active skincare product—one that causes your skin cells to turn over more quickly.
What vitamin deficiency causes sagging skin? A deficiency in Vitamin C can accelerate skin ageing, resulting in premature skin sagging and wrinkling. This is because Vitamin C enhances the production of the protein collagen, which is vital to providing the firmness and vibrancy that counteracts skin sagging.
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.
And applying vitamin C serum in the morning helps you achieve that and more as it revives your skin's glow and leaves you with an even complexion. However, simply applying the serum isn't enough, you must follow the correct order to ensure it works to the full potential.
Unlike fat-soluble vitamins, it doesn't require food or specific timing to work effectively. However, some people may want to avoid taking it before bed: If you have acid reflux or a sensitive stomach – Vitamin C, especially in high doses, can increase stomach acidity, and lead to mild heartburn or nausea.
Though you can technically use Vitamin C serum without a moisturizer, it's generally recommended to follow up with a moisturizer. Vitamin C can be drying for certain types of skin, and a moisturizer supports to keep your skin supple and balanced.
Vitamin C serum up to 20% concentration can be applied twice daily both morning (AM) and night (PM) right after cleansing and hydration or toning. Take 2-3 drops of Vitamin C serum on your fingertips and gently apply them in your face and neck in circular motions.
The last step of your night-time vitamin C skincare routine is to hydrate your skin and lock in the goodness of all the other vitamin C skincare products that you used so far. A rich and nourishing moisturiser locks moisture in your skin and rejuvenates your skin overnight.
Signs of vitamin C deficiency include a tendency to bruise or bleed easily, bleeding gums, wobbly teeth, poor wound healing, tiredness, anaemia, and small red spots on the skin. Severe vitamin C deficiency is called scurvy.
It's perfectly safe and very effective to incorporate both retinol and vitamin C into your skincare routine, as long as you use them at different times of the day.
Ascorbic acid does not always penetrate into the skin very far, therefore it ends up oxidising on the surface of the skin, which causes dryness, damage and orange-tones. Ascorbic acid is acidic, so it can cause skin irritation such as peeling, stinging and excessive dryness, particularly when used in high percentages.
Natural exfoliation and cell turnover
Moisturising prevents the skin's natural exfoliation by smoothing the skin cells and stopping them from sloughing off. So by stopping moisturising, this actually stimulates cell turnover and encourages natural desquamation (that's the shedding of the outer layers of the skin).
Our top pick for the best night cream is Kiehl's Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream, as it's great for all skin types and provides long-lasting hydration. Another fantastic option is La Roche-Posay's Double Repair Moisturizer, which leaves the skin feeling nourished, soft, and supple—all for under $25.
Air-drying is not bad for your skin! There's no reason you would need to towel off after getting wet, other than the water may get on your clothes or make you a little colder. And as we've covered, air-drying can actually have benefits, so the answer is really quite the opposite!