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.
The order of application matters to maximize absorption and reduce irritation. Retinol + Hydroquinone: Apply hydroquinone first, followed by retinol. If both feel too strong, alternate nights. Vitamin C + Hydroquinone: Use vitamin C in the morning and hydroquinone at night to avoid product interaction.
Generally speaking, the best time to apply vitamin C serum is in the morning, after cleansing and toning your complexion, and before moisturizer and SPF. If you want to maximize the perks, and don't have overly sensitive skin, you can apply it in the morning and evening.
Mild burning, stinging, redness, and dryness may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. If your doctor has prescribed this medication, remember that your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
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.
Effectiveness in Brightening:
Vitamin C: Consistent and reliable. Best for gradually reducing hyperpigmentation, offering a bright, subtle glow. Hydroquinone: Aggressive but effective—unforgiving to dark spots but potentially harsh on surrounding skin. It's like choosing a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
It is best to layer niacinamide and vitamin C when incorporating them together in your routine. Find separate products including each ingredient rather than a serum or other skincare item that combines the two.
Within one week of starting to use this product, your skin will get better hydration, and your complexion will brighten. Even for hyperpigmentation, Vitamin C serum before and after changes are pretty evident. You will usually notice a reduction in dark spots within two weeks of using this product.
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.
You may not see significant improvement until 2 to 6 months after starting use. Hydroquinone can be applied morning and night. excess pigmentation such as the neck and back of hands.
Alternative lightening agents including mequinol, arbutin, kojic acid, and others have shown comparable efficacy to hydroquinone in treating hyperpigmentation with less concerning side effects.
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.
Vitamin C serum (leave to absorb for 1-2 minutes)
Dr Khan explains: “With vitamin C, you want to get the most out of the product by not diluting it. A couple of minutes should be an adequate time for the product to dry down before you go in with your next step.”
We now know that decreasing the amount of melanin in the skin, as hydroquinone does, creates photosensitivity. Without proper sunscreen use (SPF ≥30, with frequent reapplication), photosensitivity leads to inflammation which stimulates melanin production.
Can I use vitamin C with AHAs/BHAs? 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.
Cleansing and toning is an important part of preparing your skin before applying vitamin C serum. Think of it like preparing a wall for painting; you wouldn't put paint straight onto a dirty, peeling surface without some preparation, would you? (Or maybe you would!
Apply serums after cleansing and toning and before moisturizers to help active ingredients penetrate deeply and more effectively. Wait at least two to three minutes before layering your second or third serum to give each product enough time to fully seep into your skin and prevent pilling or rubbing off.
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.
The skin changes seen with Vitamin C do not occur quickly. Vitamin C serum can take 12- 16 weeks to work on dark spots and 6 - 12 months to work on wrinkles. But it is a very good skin care ingredient and is worth the wait in most skin types.