How long does vitamin C take to get rid of dark spots?

Author: Miss Yasmin Howell PhD  |  Last update: Thursday, August 7, 2025

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.

How long does it take vitamin C to clear dark spots?

Vitamin C can help reduce hyperpigmentation and even out skin tone, with noticeable results in as little as 3-4 weeks. After two months of use, users may experience significant fading of hyperpigmentation.

Does vitamin C serum actually get rid of dark spots?

Yes, incorporating Vitamin C serum into your skincare routine can be beneficial for treating dark spots on the face. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals, help lighten hyperpigmentation and brown spots, even out skin tone, and enhance skin radiance.

What happens if I apply vitamin C on my face every day?

Hi, yes, using a vitamin C product daily can be safe and beneficial for oily or acne-prone skin. Vitamin C helps reduce inflammation, fades acne scars, and promotes collagen production. You can choose a non-comedogenic, oil-free formulation to avoid clogging pores and further breakouts.

How long does vitamin C take to show results?

You may see results from as little time as 2 weeks to 4 months. These results could be brighter more luminous skin, less hyperpigmentation and more hydrated skin, or a decrease in wrinkles and fine lines (or both).

How to use Vitamin C like a Dermatologist | Dr Davin Lim

What happens when you start taking vitamin C everyday?

In some people, oral vitamin C supplements can cause kidney stones, especially when taken in high doses. Long-term use of oral vitamin C supplements over 2,000 milligrams a day increases the risk of significant side effects. Tell your doctor that you're taking vitamin C supplements before having any medical tests.

Why is vitamin C darkening my skin?

In the absence of SPF, you may notice at times that your skin is easily tanned. Either tan or your skin may have turned into a funny orange or peach-ish color. It is because Vitamin C is extremely potent but it can easily react with the air, light and heat in the environment to only make your skin appear darker.

What is the disadvantage of vitamin C on face?

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.

Is vitamin C better at night or morning?

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.

What vitamins are good for dark spots after 50?

Three of the best vitamins for lightening dark spots are vitamin C, vitamin B12, and vitamin E. Vitamin C helps your skin produce more collagen while inhibiting the formation of melanin. Vitamin B12 also promotes collagen formation while supporting the growth of new skin cells.

Can too much vitamin C cause dark spots?

Well, not permanently. Instead, vitamin C can cause temporary skin staining (also known as hyperpigmentation), which happens when l-ascorbic acid (the most common form of vitamin C and one that is less shelf-stable) oxidizes and turns into erythrulose (a key ingredient in many self-tanner products).

How long does it take for serum to remove dark spots?

Within 4 weeks, dark spots are visibly reduced, and skin tone evenness is improved. NON-STICKY, FAST-ABSORBING, LIGHTWEIGHT, & NON-COMEDOGENIC FORMULA: Glycolic Bright Anti-Dark Spot Brightening serum features a lightweight, non-sticky, and fast-absorbing texture for faster skin penetration and results.

What happens if you use vitamin C without sunscreen?

What happens if you use vitamin c without sunscreen. Wearing vitamin C without sunscreen can leave your skin vulnerable to sun damage, leading to premature aging, dark spots, and an increased risk of skin cancer.

How long does it take vitamin C to repair skin?

You may choose to begin applying it every other day, and if tolerated you may apply it daily. It may take up to three months of consistent use to see a noticeable improvement. If you experience substantial discomfort or irritation, please stop using vitamin C and consult with your physician.

Which vitamin C is best for dark spots?

Olehenriksen Banana Bright 15% Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum

What dermatologists say: If you're experiencing uneven skin tone or dark spots, this is an effective treatment, says Dr. Collins.

Why do I get black spots on my face?

They are often the result of past sun exposure. But they can also be due to some skin conditions, medications, and certain medical conditions. Often your healthcare provider or dermatologist can diagnose dark spots by looking at them. But in some cases, they may do a skin biopsy to be sure.

Can I leave vitamin C serum overnight?

Benefits of applying vitamin C serum at night

There are several benefits of using this product at night; some of the common ones are, It repairs skin damage overnight. Helps in dealing with fine lines and wrinkles. Lightens the dark spots.

How long does vitamin C serum take to work for hyperpigmentation?

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.

What is the best vitamin C serum for dermatologist?

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is a vitamin C serum that's often recommended by dermatologists. In fact, all four dermatologists we consulted mentioned this as a good (though pricey) choice. “It's dermatologist-approved,” says Amy Huang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with Medical Offices of Manhattan in New York.

Can you overuse vitamin C on skin?

Using too much vitamin C serum can cause irritation and redness, while using too little can reduce its effectiveness.

Which serum is best for pigmentation and dark spots?

  • 4.7|14. AD. RAS LUXURY OILS. Advanced Booster Serum - 10 ml. ...
  • 4.3|107. AD. FIXDERMA. ...
  • 4.3|186. The Derma co. Pigmentation Corrector Serum. ...
  • 4.4|5. Dermatouch. Bye Bye Pigmentation Serum. ...
  • 4.4|77. AD. Hyphen. ...
  • 4.1|34. Dermatouch. Bye Bye Pigmentation Serum. ...
  • 4.2|25. SUGANDA SKINCARE. Advanced Pigmentation Serum. ...
  • 4.4|9.4k. AD. Ponds.

Is 1000 mg of vitamin C too much?

Taking more than 2000 mg daily is possibly unsafe and may cause kidney stones and severe diarrhea. In people who have had a kidney stone, taking amounts greater than 1000 mg daily increases the risk of getting more kidney stones. When applied to the skin: Vitamin C is likely safe for most people.

Does vitamin C fade dark spots permanently?

Vitamin C-based skin care products may lighten patches that are darker than the rest of your skin, called hyperpigmentation. In one study, vitamin C applied to the skin for 16 weeks significantly cut down on these spots. But experts say it will take more research to confirm how well vitamin C creams work.

How do I know if my vitamin C serum is working?

Pay attention to skin reactions

The easiest way to tell that your vitamin C serum isn't doing the trick is that you don't see any noticeable change in your skin. When it's working correctly, you should notice a reduction in dark spots or prominent scars.

Why do dark spots get darker before they get lighter?

Melanin concentration:

As pigmentation cells rise to the surface, the melanin concentration in that area temporarily increases. This is what you perceive as the spots getting darker.

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