A tell-tale sign of vitamin c over-use can be increased blackheads or a development of blackheads. General skin irritation and breakouts can also occur if you are using your vitamin c too much or too often. We recommend using your serum 1-2 times a day and 2-4 drops is all that is needed.
Those with highly inflammatory acne should see the most dramatic results when using topical vitamin C. Vitamin C's anti-inflammatory properties will reduce the severity and redness of this type of acne. Vitamin C is also effective in treating comedonal acne, specifically blackheads.
It is unlikely that vitamin C serums will cause acne. There is some evidence to suggest that using a vitamin C serum may make your skin more vulnerable to bacteria.
However, oral administration of vitamin c has demonstrated the ability to improve skin texture and appearance of pores as well as increasing elastin and collagen levels.
Occasionally, though, serums can actually cause acne—so proceed with caution. "They can lead to breakouts—especially if you're using the wrong one for your skin type," says Green.
Can Vitamin C Serums Cause Acne? No, vitamin C serums cannot cause acne. One of the main arguments leveled against vitamin C is that it acts as a pro-oxidant. This means that instead of neutralizing free radicals, it will act as a free radical itself and begin to damage skin cells.
"Plus, vitamin C is often combined with other antioxidants, including vitamin E (tocopherol). Even though the combination of C and E has been shown to have greater skin benefits than either vitamin alone, vitamin E is oil, so the combination can cause breakouts for people who have acne-prone skin."
Ascorbic acid and L-ascorbic acid can make blackheads worse
“Ascorbic acid and L-ascorbic acid are known to oxidize quickly on the skin in the presence of light and air,” Rouleau states. “This can cause unwanted side effects like more noticeable blackheads.”
Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, is known for fighting free radical damage to skin cells and may help treat acne. Topical vitamin C products may improve hyperpigmentation and reduce acne-induced inflammation, but further research is necessary.
A good Vitamin C serum can help fade discolorations, even out skin tone, shrink pores, and make dull skin more bouncy and radiant.
So if you used a vitamin C serum and it gave you acne, redness or any other skin issue, it is because the serum took away your body's ability to fight off bacteria, and weakened it, inviting pathogens to infect your skin.
Vitamin C has also been shown to act as an anti-inflammatory agent through its antioxidant capacity, according to a 2015 review . This means it soothes your skin and reduces puffiness, letting your face shine through. Vitamin C's anti-inflammatory action may help : neutralize free radicals that cause oxidative damage.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that oily acne-prone skin can benefit from majorly. It helps treat inflammation associated with acne, treats damaged skin and brightens skin while improving skin texture and health.
Vitamin C has strong anti-inflammatory properties which can help in reducing the redness caused due to acne breakouts. Besides, it is known to keep the skin moisturized and also helps to reduce the lightness of skin complexion.
Best overall vitamin-C serum
Four of our dermatologists recommend SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, which they (and our editors) hail as the gold-standard vitamin-C serum and is suitable for all skin types.
One study even recommends applying a vitamin C serum every eight hours, or twice daily for the pinnacle of protection. Vitamin C has photoprotective properties and staves off oxidative stress from the free radicals we meet throughout our day.
Vitamin C has a great ability to speed up healing time which is highly effective at clearing up acne, fading scars, reducing redness and promotes collagen production. It also helps to lighten pigmentation, even out your skin tone, reducing the size and appearance of scarring overall.
Good (Skin) Days C's The Day Serum
Vitamin C moisturizers are also becoming more common, Dr. Lamb says, and you'd want to use those at the end of your skin-care routine. And if you're wondering if you can use vitamin C every day, the answer is yes.
If you have skin purging, you may experience whiteheads, blackheads, dryness, or even flaking. While skin purging and breakouts have similar symptoms, skin purging is temporary and lasts for a maximum of six weeks, while breakouts can last longer.
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.