What doesn't pair well with vitamin C?

Author: Herminio Corwin  |  Last update: Friday, July 25, 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 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 products should I avoid with vitamin C?

4 Skincare Ingredients to Avoid Mixing With Vitamin C
  • Retinol. Retinol and retinoids should not be mixed with vitamin C for a number of reasons. ...
  • Alpha Hydroxy Acids. ...
  • Beta Hydroxy Acids. ...
  • Benzoyl Peroxide.

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 vitamins should you not take with 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. You should take water-soluble vitamins (like C and B)

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

What is a bad combination with vitamin C?

Skincare ingredients not to mix with vitamin C

Vitamin C, AHAs (glycolic acid), and BHAs (salicylic acid) are acidic in nature. Layering them together can lower the skin's pH, making it more acidic. When skin pH goes off balance, it becomes a recipe for skin irritation, redness, and peeling.

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.

What reacts badly with vitamin C?

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 does vitamin C clash with?

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. Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs): Tropic Acid, Betaine Salicylate, Salix Acid.

What does vitamin C not react well with?

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].

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 stops absorption of vitamin C?

However, did you know that caffeine interferes with the absorption of vitamin C, meaning that you might not be getting the full benefits of your healthy diet if you regularly drink coffee, tea or other caffeinated beverages alongside meals?

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.

What is the best combination with vitamin C?

What Can You Mix with Vitamin C?
  • Peptides. Can you mix peptides and vitamin C? ...
  • Vitamin E. Vitamin C and E are a highly efficacious ingredient combination, as vitamin E is also an antioxidant. ...
  • Ferulic Acid. ...
  • Hyaluronic Acid. ...
  • Niacinamide. ...
  • Hydroxy Acids. ...
  • Salicylic Acid. ...
  • Retinol.

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.

Is 1000 mg of vitamin C too much?

Taking more than 2000 mg daily is possibly unsafe and may cause kidney stones and severe diarrhea. In people who have had a kidney stone, taking amounts greater than 1000 mg daily increases the risk of getting more kidney stones. When applied to the skin: Vitamin C is likely safe for most people.

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.

What supplements Cannot be taken with vitamin C?

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.

Can I use vitamin C with niacinamide?

Yes, you can use vitamin C with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. To layer them, apply vitamin C first after cleansing, let it absorb, then apply niacinamide. Finish with hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture.

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 can destroy vitamin C?

Did You Know? Vitamin C improves the absorption of non-heme iron, the type of iron found in plant foods such as leafy greens. Drinking a small glass of 100% fruit juice or including a vitamin-C-rich food with meals can help boost iron absorption. Vitamin C can be destroyed by heat and light.

Can I take vitamin C and ibuprofen together?

Interactions between your drugs

No interactions were found between ibuprofen and Vitamin C. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

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.

Which skincare not to mix?

Retinoids don't combine well with AHAs, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or vitamin C due to potential stability issues and skin sensitivities, and soap-based cleansers can also reduce vitamin C's skin benefits.

What disrupts vitamin C absorption?

People with malabsorption and certain chronic diseases

Some medical conditions can reduce the absorption of vitamin C and/or increase the amount needed by the body. People with severe intestinal malabsorption or cachexia and some cancer patients might be at increased risk of vitamin C inadequacy [27].

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