Is it better to use CeraVe vitamin C at night or morning?

Author: Adrienne Okuneva  |  Last update: Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Both vitamin C and hyaluronic acid can be used in both an AM and PM routine, but the benefits of vitamin C typically serve your skin better when applied in the morning. This is because vitamin C is rich in antioxidants that work to alongside SPF to protect complexions against potential damage caused by UV rays.

Is it better to use vitamin C serum 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.

Is CeraVe better at night or morning?

We recommend applying a gentle facial moisturizer for combination skin—like CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30—in the morning, followed by a barrier-restoring nighttime moisturizer (such as CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion) before bed.

How long does it take CeraVe vitamin C serum to work?

The Results: Radiant, Even-Toned Skin

I didn't notice any major changes in my skin after the first few days of using CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum. But around day ten or so, I started to see a lit-from-within glow before applying my skincare and any makeup.

Does CeraVe vitamin C serum get rid of dark spots?

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps defend against free radicals. When used consistently, a face serum with vitamin C can play a powerful role in your anti-aging skincare regimen by delivering skin-brightening benefits and improving the appearance of fine lines, dark spots, and uneven skin tone.

How I heal my Skin Barrier in 1 WEEK~! my skincare routine for irritated skin 😮‍💨

Is it better to use CeraVe vitamin C day or night?

Both vitamin C and hyaluronic acid can be used in both an AM and PM routine, but the benefits of vitamin C typically serve your skin better when applied in the morning. This is because vitamin C is rich in antioxidants that work to alongside SPF to protect complexions against potential damage caused by UV rays.

How long does it take for hyperpigmentation to go away with vitamin C?

Vitamin C can help reduce hyperpigmentation and even out skin tone, with noticeable results in as little as 3-4 weeks.

What are the side effects of CeraVe vitamin C serum?

One of the most common side effects of using a Vitamin C serum is skin irritation. This can include redness, itching, and burning. This is often caused by the high concentration of Vitamin C in the serum, which can be too strong for some people's skin.

Should I apply moisturizer immediately after vitamin C serum?

Wait for the Vitamin C serum to be absorbed completely before applying the moisturizer. This is the best vitamin c serum in india and it will take about 5-10 minutes. After this, apply the moisturizer all over the face and neck, avoiding the eye area.

Can I use CeraVe vitamin C serum under my eyes?

CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Eye Cream features 5% pure vitamin C and is intended for your eye area only. Meanwhile, CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum with 10% pure vitamin C is meant to be applied on your face, avoiding the eye area.

How to use CeraVe vitamin C serum?

  1. Apply CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum for skin brightening to freshly cleansed face, neck and chest daily.
  2. Vitamin C brightening serums are best used in the morning but can also be used at night. ...
  3. Follow the vitamin c serum with the CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion with SPF 15.

Can I sleep with CeraVe on my face?

CeraVe Healing Ointment can be applied before bed to enhance your skin's natural moisture barrier function for up to eight hours. It locks in moisture while you sleep for hydration that lasts up to 24 hours.

Is CeraVe good for aging skin?

CeraVe offers a range of anti-aging skincare products to support the needs of mature skin. Our gentle, yet effective anti-aging products are fragrance-free and offer a variety of benefits for common aging concerns. These include fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, and under-eye circles.

Why can't I use vitamin C at night?

Daytime-specific benefits aside, there are also a couple of good reasons you might want to skip vitamin C before bed. For one, if you use other potent actives in your evening routine, adding another strong antioxidant to the mix can be irritating, Dr. Hu says.

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.

When not to use vitamin C serum?

To minimize aggravation if you have more sensitive skin, you can avoid applying it directly before or after other products that contain exfoliating ingredients including retinol, AHAs (such as glycolic acid and lactic acid), BHAs (i.e. salicylic acid) and benzoyl peroxide.

How long should I leave vitamin C serum before moisturizer?

After cleansing and toning, apply a few drops of vitamin C serum directly to your face, massaging it evenly over your skin. Wait 5 to 10 minutes for it to absorb before applying moisturiser to seal in the serum. Then, it this is your morning routine, apply a high SPF broad spectrum sunscreen for further protection.

Why vitamin C in the morning?

Although we have internalized the convenience of applying Vitamin C in the morning, don't rule out a double use across both morning and night. “In the morning, it is a great antioxidant capable of absorbing the damage that UV rays cause on the skin,” Santamarina says.

Should vitamin C be applied to damp or dry skin?

You'll want to apply your vitamin C serum to clean, dry skin. “As far as active ingredients go, vitamin C is quite unstable, and it's easily affected by outside elements such as air, light and moisture,” says board-certified dermatologist and LovelySkin CEO Dr. Joel Schlessinger.

What are the negatives of CeraVe?

Serious side effects of CeraVe

Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Is Cetaphil or CeraVe better?

There is no definitive “better” brand between CeraVe and Cetaphil. Both make quality skincare products using different approaches. CeraVe has more specialised options with patented technologies, while Cetaphil focuses on simpler, sensitive skin formulas.

Why am I getting pimples after using vitamin C serum?

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.

Why is my face getting darker after vitamin C?

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 fades hyperpigmentation fast?

“Treatments containing ingredients like vitamin C, licorice root, and kojic acid help reduce hyperpigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme responsible for the formation of skin-darkening melanin," says Ni'Kita Wilson, a cosmetic chemist in New York City.

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.

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