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.
Vitamin C serum is typically applied once or twice per day. A good rule of thumb is to cleanse, tone, apply vitamin C serum, and then moisturize. It can be safely used with other active ingredients, although using alongside niacinamide may make vitamin C less effective.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that works to stimulate collagen production in your skin. It also fights fine lines, brightens your complexion, and provides a host of other benefits. Skincare experts also tout it as one of the best anti-aging ingredients you could ever use.
Vitamin C is a powerful ingredient in many anti-aging products. Some studies show that it can reduce the appearance of wrinkles when you use it for at least 12 weeks. A healthy diet that's high in this nutrient might help, too. Research suggests that people who eat more vitamin C have fewer wrinkles.
7 vitamin C serums to consider
Sometimes it can be too strong for your skin, causing it to react via purging, breakouts, or itchiness. You don't want the product to sting and itch even after you apply moisturizer.
Main Differences Between Vitamin C Serum and Cream
Vitamin C Serum acts mainly as an antioxidant and anti-aging serum, while cream can be of various types, i.e., moisturizing, foundation, sunscreen, etc. Vitamin C Serum is not medicated, while creams can be medicated and can be used in cases of wounds.
Vitamin C is used for its anti-ageing benefits as it boosts collagen, improves elasticity and repairs damaged cells. Using it before bed is safer and has far more beauty benefits and thus, we totally recommend you to use it in the night, before hitting the sack.
You may experience a mild tingling sensation with the use of vitamin C. 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 are applying a Vitamin C serum and hyaluronic acid separately, it's suggested that you apply the Vitamin C first, and then add the hyaluronic acid afterward in order to help fortify the skin barrier and lock in the moisture.
Can You Use Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C Together? Not all powerful skincare ingredients can be mixed, but hyaluronic acid and vitamin C are two that become even stronger when paired with one another. These ingredients can provide both immediate and lasting results when used together in anti-aging formulations.
Simply using vitamin C serum alone isn't going to cut it. It does a lot but vitamin C doesn't do everything. Make sure to use the appropriate cleanser prior to usage followed by a moisturizing sunscreen during the day. After all, if you only use vitamin C and no sunscreen you are defeating the purpose.
If you're wondering when to apply a vitamin C serum, the answer is both morning and night, after cleansing and toning. One study even recommends applying a vitamin C serum every eight hours, or twice daily for the pinnacle of protection.
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.
AHAs and BHAs, such as glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids should never be used with Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an acid, too, and is unstable, so the pH balance will be thrown off by layering these ingredients together and might as well be useless.
Vitamin C products should be applied morning and night with sunscreen for the optimal protection. If it is in the form of a serum, Chang said it should be applied immediately after cleansing before any other products.
For those with sensitive, reactive skin, certain forms of vitamin C can be shockingly irritating, leading to dryness, peeling, and redness.
If you want to have radiant, healthy-looking skin you should try to incorporate this beautifying antioxidant into your skin care routine. Vitamin C can be found in a variety of products but it's particularly effective in moisturizer.
We all have different skin needs and routines, but as a general rule, we recommend incorporating vitamin C into your skincare regime every—or every other—morning. We specify morning, because the antioxidant helps to protect from things like pollution and UV light, which you're typically exposed to throughout the day.
"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."
Since antioxidants, such as vitamin C, neutralize ROS, they may inhibit these protective effects and could cause an increase in acne-causing bacteria. Overall, though, there is not enough evidence to support the claims that vitamin C serums can cause acne.