Although, both of these ingredients do their best work under certain conditions: You want to apply a vitamin C serum on clean, dry skin so it can penetrate the skin cells, but you want to apply hyaluronic acid on a damp face so it can pull water into the skin.
Applying VItamin C serums to damp skin doesn't enhance their effects; instead, you'll neutralise the slightly acidic formula, making your Vitamin C serum weaker and potentially sabotaging yourself from ever seeing the results of Vitamin C: radiant, glowy skin.
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. Be sure to apply skin care products with clean hands.
One of the ways that vitamin C is most useful is by helping you deal with dry skin. Several different factors contribute to the issue of dry skin, all of which vitamin C addresses in some way. The best serums for dry skin include vitamin C, as it is an effective and beneficial treatment.
After cleansing your skin, gently press your vitamin C serum into your skin. A dime-size amount is plenty—more isn't always better. Once your vitamin C serum has dried down, apply moisturizer. This order is crucial because applying moisturizer before your serum could block your skin from absorbing all of its goodness.
Always allow your serum to absorb for 60-90 seconds, to ensure it has time to penetrate the skin. Follow up with a moisturizer to lock in the goodness of your serum, and bolster your skin's protective lipid barrier.
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.”
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.
Four to five drops a vitamin C serum is enough to protect the skin. As vitamin C serum is a potent antioxidant and its high quantity may cause adverse effects, so always use in a small amount.
Vitamin C is best used in concentrations between 5% and 15% and should be applied once daily after cleansing in the morning or night. Keep in mind that vitamin C is highly acidic, which may lead to skin irritation. To avoid any irritations, test a small area of your skin before applying it to your face.
Start your AM skincare routine by cleansing your face with a face wash, then apply toner and before applying moisturiser, spread a few drops of vitamin C serum all over your face. Allow it to absorb completely into the skin, then follow it up with a moisturiser and a broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Vitamin C serum benefits
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.
Vitamin C (especially L-ascorbic acid) is notoriously unstable—it loses potency when it's exposed to air, light, and water—which is why you want to apply it on clean, dry skin right after washing. You'll also want to let it dry completely, as piling on products right after could potentially deactivate the vitamin C.
Follow Up With Moisturizer
You can absolutely use vitamin C serum in your morning routine before you put on your makeup. It's safe to use all-natural vitamin C serum underneath makeup throughout the day, as it will still give you all the benefits you need.
Vitamin C + vitamin E
By adding vitamin C and E serums into your routine, or using products that contain both, you're giving your skin double the antioxidant ammunition to fight damage from free radicals and more UV damage than vitamin C by itself.
Possible interactions include: Aluminum. Taking vitamin C can increase your absorption of aluminum from medications containing aluminum, such as phosphate binders. This can be harmful for people with kidney problems.
Vitamin C can be destroyed by heat and light. High-heat cooking temperatures or prolonged cook times can break down the vitamin. Because it is water-soluble, the vitamin can also seep into cooking liquid and be lost if the liquids are not eaten.
Steps you can take to look after your Vitamin C include: Storing it in a cool, dark space, such as the fridge, which can help shelter it from oxidation. Paying attention to the expiration date. If it's expired, throw it away.
While it won't hurt if you use your vitamin C serum at night, it may interact with other skin care products meant to be used in the evening (like retinol) and cause skin irritation and sensitivity.
When Youll See Results: Once you add vitamin C to your skincare regimen, you may start seeing noticeable improvements in three weeks. It can help significantly fade hyperpigmentation in about two months.
Step 4: Apply a moisturizer (Yes, your moisturizer should come after your vitamin C serum — remember the “thinnest to thickest” rule.)