What are the rules for vitamin C serum?

Author: Prof. Jaren Anderson  |  Last update: Monday, August 18, 2025

We recommend layering vitamin C serum into your AM routine to prevent premature aging caused by free radicals, and applying vitamin C serum at night when skin is in a natural repairing state while you Zzz.

What are the mistakes while using vitamin C serum?

Vitamin C serums are notoriously sensitive to light, air, and heat. Exposure to these elements can cause the serum to degrade, leading to reduced effectiveness. Unfortunately, this is a mistake that many people overlook.

What should you not mix with vitamin C serum?

Beta Hydroxy Acids

So that salicylic acid of yours should not be mixed with your vitamin C serum. It won't be able to help you with discoloration, collagen production, or protect you from UV rays. Additionally, combining the two can cause irritation and dryness.

Is it okay to use vitamin C serum every day?

Most experts recommend using vitamin C serum every other day, but it is safe to use it daily. Apply it as a moisturizer in the morning, but don't use it before bedtime.

When should I avoid vitamin C serum?

While vitamin C serums can generally be used by anyone, make sure you avoid the product if you have sensitive skin or encounter an allergic reaction or redness from any vitamin C products.

VITAMIN C Serums | All You Need to Know Explained by a Cosmetic Chemist

Can I use vitamin C and hyaluronic acid together?

While vitamin C and hyaluronic acid can be used separately for impressive outcomes, they are also a power duo when applied in tandem. In fact, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid are often mixed - either in one serum formula, or layered in a skincare regime.

What cancels out vitamin C serum?

In other cases, mixing can destabilize or cancel out the benefits of the antioxidant. Here are some ingredients to never mix with vitamin C: Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Citric Acid, Tartaric Acid.

What doesn t pair well with vitamin C?

Mixing the types of hydroxy acids known as BHA and AHA and vitamin C tends to be too much for the skin, resulting in discomfort or unwanted side effects.

What are the side effects of vitamin C serum?

Generally, using Vitamin C serum doesn't result in adverse effects. But in some cases, you might experience dryness, redness, and irritation. You are likely to face these symptoms if you have sensitive skin. To lessen the risk of these side effects, start with a low concentration of this ingredient.

Should you put vitamin C serum under eyes?

Yes! In fact, so long as it is properly formulated for the face, Vitamin C ranks among the best nutrients to use around the sensitive eye area. This naturally sourced antioxidant has shown to balance uneven skin tone, boost collagen production, and increase hydration.

What are the don'ts of vitamin C?

The Don'ts:

Never mix with AHA BHA or Retinol (you can use it at separate times of the day instead, just make sure to cleanse in between.) It's important to use AHA, BHA, Retinol, or other exfoliating acids at night, and separate from your use of Vitamin C in your skincare routine.

How to know if vitamin C serum is working?

However, the best way to know, according to Dr Kiran, is to notice the difference in your skin. “If you use the serum for a month and find your skin to be bright, clear, less sensitive to the sun, and you are feeling fresher, then vitamin C is definitely working,” she said.

Why is my skin getting darker after using vitamin C serum?

4) Why does my skin look darker after using Vitamin C? If you are applying Vitamin C without sunscreen, it is likely that the Vitamin C degrades into Erythrulose, which is an ingredient you will find in many self-tanners. So please make sure you apply sunscreen always after applying Vitamin C.

Is vitamin C better at night or morning?

Nearly across the board, dermatologists recommend incorporating vitamin C serum into your morning routine as opposed to using it at night.

What vitamin deficiency causes sagging skin?

What vitamin deficiency causes sagging skin? A deficiency in Vitamin C can accelerate skin ageing, resulting in premature skin sagging and wrinkling. This is because Vitamin C enhances the production of the protein collagen, which is vital to providing the firmness and vibrancy that counteracts skin sagging.

What does vitamin C react badly with?

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.

What are the enemies of vitamin C?

Anyway, heat and water are the enemies of vitamin C in potatoes, as they are in all vegetables. Vitamin C is soluble in water, and too long an exposure to heat causes nutrients to vanish. Minimise the time, temperature and amount of water.

What Cannot be mixed with vitamin C?

Vitamin C is effectively an acid (it's sometimes known as ascorbic acid), so layering it with AHAs and BHAs like glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids is a big no-no.

What method destroys vitamin C?

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.

What happens if you use too much vitamin C on your face?

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

Why is my skin purging after using vitamin C serum?

Vitamin C- Vitamin C is a popular brightening ingredient which can stimulate the production of collagen in the skin and help diminish scars. Since Vitamin C is a gentle exfoliant, using it at higher concentrations may cause purging for some people.

Is it better to put vitamin C on wet 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 can you layer with vitamin C?

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 UV damage. Research shows that the combination of vitamins E, C, and SPF can even increase the effectiveness of sun protection.

Which comes first hyaluronic acid or vitamin C?

Allow 1-2 minutes between the application of each serum for full absorption of the vitamin C by your skin before you apply the hyaluronic acid. This ensures that both ingredients can work together effectively.

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