What Cannot be mixed with vitamin C?

Author: Hugh Brekke DVM  |  Last update: Sunday, September 14, 2025

Vitamin C should not be mixed with acids, which includes all AHAs and BHAs. Vitamin C plays a key role in strengthening the outer layer of our skin barrier, but when combined with an acid, it can enhance the potency of your vitamin C and cause severe irritation [5].

What should you not mix with vitamin C?

DON'T MIX: Vitamin C and AHA/BHA

Since vitamin C is pH-sensitive, using other products without stabilized pH right before or after vitamin C can degrade the antioxidant properties and decrease the skin's absorption of the ingredient, Dr.

What should not be taken with vitamin C?

Possible interactions include:
  1. Aluminum. Taking vitamin C can increase your absorption of aluminum from medications containing aluminum, such as phosphate binders. ...
  2. Chemotherapy. ...
  3. Estrogen. ...
  4. Protease inhibitors. ...
  5. Statins and niacin. ...
  6. Warfarin (Jantoven).

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 is not good with vitamin C?

Vitamin C supplements can also lead to high aluminum levels if you take them with antacids that contain aluminum. They may also interact with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and medications that contain estrogen.

Skincare Ingredients You CAN'T Mix?! | Doctorly Investigates

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.

Does vitamin C conflict with anything?

Aluminum-containing antacids -- Vitamin C can increase the amount of aluminum your body absorbs, which could cause the side effects of these medications to be worse. Aluminum-containing antacids include Maalox and Gaviscon. Barbiturates -- Barbiturates may decrease the effects of vitamin C.

What is the best combination with vitamin C?

Additionally, vitamin C blocks abnormal production of pigmentation to even skin tone and fade dark spots. While it's best known for brightening, it can also be instrumental in skin firming. Vitamin C works best in combination with vitamin E, ferulic Acid, vitamin B, and hyaluronic acid.

What ingredients interact with vitamin C?

Here are some ingredients to never mix with vitamin C:
  • Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Citric Acid, Tartaric Acid.
  • Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs): Tropic Acid, Betaine Salicylate, Salix Acid.
  • Salicylic Acid.
  • Benzoyl Peroxide.
  • Retinol.

Can I mix vitamin C with hyaluronic acid?

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.

When should vitamin C be avoided?

Vitamin C supplementation is contraindicated in blood disorders like thalassemia, G6PD deficiency, sickle cell disease, and hemochromatosis. Avoid taking supplements immediately before or following angioplasty.

Which two vitamins should not be taken together?

7 Supplement Combos You Should Never Take Together, According to Dietitians
  • Zinc & Calcium.
  • Iron & Zinc.
  • Iron & Calcium.
  • Magnesium & Zinc.
  • St. John's Wort & Serotonin Supplements.
  • Ginkgo Biloba & Fish Oil.
  • St. John's Wort & Ginseng.
  • Things to Consider.

Is 1000mg of vitamin C too much?

If you're an adult, limit yourself to no more than 2,000 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C a day. The recommended upper limit for children varies by age.

Which serums should not be mixed?

6 Skin-Care Ingredient Combinations That Don't Mix
  • Skin products may work well for you on their own, but do they all work in combination? ...
  • Retinoid or Retinol and Alpha Hydroxy Acid. ...
  • Retinoid or Retinol and Benzoyl Peroxide. ...
  • Retinoid or Retinol and Vitamin C. ...
  • Retinoid or Retinol and Salicylic Acid.

Can I mix vitamin C with retinol?

The answer is a resounding YES! The combination of Vitamin C and Retinol in a skincare regimen can help you achieve glowing, healthy-looking skin, while improving the look of dark spots and uneven skin tone, as well as visibly improving signs of skin aging including fine lines, wrinkles and loss of firmness.

What you Cannot use 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 vitamin can you not mix with vitamin C?

Space vitamin C and vitamin B12 at least two hours apart—high doses of vitamin C can decrease the absorption and metabolism of vitamin B12. For best absorption, take fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) with foods containing healthy fats.

What chemicals react with vitamin C?

Because ascorbic acid is a highly redox active species, it engages in a far more complex web of reactions than a typical organic molecule, reacting with oxidants such as the hydroxyl radical as well as redox-active transition metals such as iron and copper.

What can you not eat vitamin C with?

Some vitamins that should not be taken together, or have dosage limitations, include vitamin C with vitamin B-12, vitamin A supplement with vitamin A-rich foods, folic acid (vitamin B9) and vitamin B12, and vitamin E with vitamin K.

What is vitamin C absorbed better with?

Vitamin C is best consumed in a raw state. The best way to consume vitamin C for optimum absorption is to supplement it together with iron. This is why it is commonplace to drink orange juice with your cereal. The iron in the cereal helps you to better absorb the vitamin C in the orange juice.

What cancels out vitamin C?

Vitamin C + Niacinamide

However, when you combine niacinamide with Vitamin C, they'll cancel each other out chemically, making both formulas ineffective on your skin. Niacinamide takes out all the good properties of Vitamin C and makes it into a substance that can cause redness and trigger breakouts.

Why avoid taking vitamin C at night?

Unlike fat-soluble vitamins, it doesn't require food or specific timing to work effectively. However, some people may want to avoid taking it before bed: If you have acid reflux or a sensitive stomach – Vitamin C, especially in high doses, can increase stomach acidity, and lead to mild heartburn or nausea.

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