What not to do when using vitamin C?

Author: Weldon Roberts  |  Last update: Monday, July 7, 2025

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Vitamin C Serum
  1. Using Too Many Products with Vitamin C. ...
  2. Buying Poorly Packaged Vitamin C Products. ...
  3. Layering Vitamin C with the Wrong Ingredients. ...
  4. Using Expired Vitamin C Serum. ...
  5. Choosing a Serum with Ineffective Vitamin C. ...
  6. Apply it at the Right Time. ...
  7. Store it Properly. ...
  8. Use the Right Amount.

What should be avoided with vitamin C?

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 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 shouldn't you mix 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 to avoid after applying vitamin C serum?

Avoid AHAs/BHAs with Vitamin C: The combination of AHA BHA with Vitamin C is notoriously powerful and overwhelms the skin. It leads to out-of-the-blue breakouts, inflammation or irritation. If you have acne-prone or oily skin, try vitamin C in the morning with sunscreen and AHA/BHA during your PM routine.

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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 Cannot be paired with vitamin C serum?

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.

When should you not use vitamin C?

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. Chemotherapy. There is concern that use of antioxidants, such as vitamin C, during chemotherapy might reduce the effect of chemotherapy drugs.

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.

What goes well with vitamin C serum?

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 am I getting bumps after using vitamin C serum?

You might be experiencing purging. Purging is most common when using retinol for the first time, but has also been linked to vitamin C and some acids too [8]. Common symptoms are rapid breakouts, flaky and dry skin, or oily skin [8]. Believe it or not, it's actually a sign your products are working.

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 vitamin C not recommended?

Taking large amounts (more than 1,000mg per day) of vitamin C can cause: stomach pain. diarrhoea. flatulence.

Can I use hyaluronic acid with vitamin C?

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 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.

Is it OK to use vitamin C serum everyday?

“It can accumulate for up to three or four days, so its daily use would not be necessary, as long as the Vitamin C has certain characteristics.” As Santamarina notes, this cannot be done with all formulations: it has to be a product with 10 to 15% ascorbic acid at a pH of 3.5 or lower.

What if I don't apply moisturizer after vitamin C serum?

A few people may experience irritation, redness, or tingling when using Vitamin C serum. This is more likely if you have sensitive skin or are new to using active ingredients. If not followed by a moisturizer, Vitamin C serum can cause dryness, especially in those with already dry or sensitive skin.

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

In the absence of SPF, you may notice at times that your skin is easily tanned. Either tan or your skin may have turned into a funny orange or peach-ish color. It is because Vitamin C is extremely potent but it can easily react with the air, light and heat in the environment to only make your skin appear darker.

What is vitamin C not compatible with?

Salakai and de Sadeleer share, “Vitamin C and retinol work in different pH environments, which means that they don't work well together. It's best to avoid combining retinol with vitamin C together as there is a risk of skin irritation and redness, especially for those with sensitive skin.”

How long to wait after vitamin C serum to apply moisturizer?

After cleansing and toning, apply a few drops of vitamin C serum directly to your face, massaging it evenly over your skin. Wait 5 to 10 minutes for it to absorb before applying moisturiser to seal in the serum. Then, it this is your morning routine, apply a high SPF broad spectrum sunscreen for further protection.

What not to do 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. Other medications may not work as well if you take them along with vitamin C supplements.

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 not to use hyaluronic acid with?

However, there are certain ingredients that should not be mixed with hyaluronic acid:
  • AHAs and BHAs: AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) are chemical exfoliants that can help improve skin texture and unclog pores. ...
  • Benzoyl Peroxide: Benzoyl peroxide is a common ingredient found in acne treatments.

How to apply vitamin C on the face?

Pour a few drops of vitamin C serum on your palm or directly on your face, and gently massage into your skin. Wait for a couple of minutes for the serum to absorb before moving on to other vitamin C skincare products.

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