When should I avoid vitamin C serum?

Author: Mrs. Gracie Fay II  |  Last update: Friday, June 13, 2025

To minimize aggravation if you have more sensitive skin, you can avoid applying it directly before or after other products that contain exfoliating ingredients including retinol, AHAs (such as glycolic acid and lactic acid), BHAs (i.e. salicylic acid) and benzoyl peroxide.

When not to use 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.

Can a 20 year old use vitamin C serum?

You can start using vitamin C serum from the age of 18. You can start adding it to your skincare right away or you can start using it when you see brown spots appear on the skin from sun exposure, skin loses its natural glow, and red marks left behind from breakouts don't heal as quickly as they used to.

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.

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.

5 Major Vitamin C Serum Sins

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.

Does vitamin C serum age your skin?

Has anti-aging effects. Free radicals can accelerate your skin's aging, so on that front, vitamin C is already fighting the good fight. It's also been shown to protect and increase your skin's production of collagen, a protein that holds your body's tissues together.

Is 21 too early for retinol?

The reality is, it is never too early to start focusing on anti-ageing, and this is where retinol enters the chat. The powerhouse ingredient is known to help speed up cell turnover while keeping fine lines and wrinkles at bay.

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.

Why am I getting pimples after using vitamin C serum?

Acids, vitamin C serums and retinoids can all cause purging. Purging is an initial acne breakout that can occur when you're starting a new active skincare product—one that causes your skin cells to turn over more quickly.

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 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.

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.

What happens if I use vitamin C serum everyday?

Benefits of vitamin C for skin

Using vitamin C serum and face wash can help lighten acne marks. Vitamin C serum for face is known to brighten your complexion. The antioxidant-rich ingredient reduces dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Vitamin C serum for skin improves elasticity and prevents premature ageing.

Why does my skin look older after retinol?

Going overboard on the potent ingredient (known to cause irritation and dryness at high concentrations) can dry out your skin and make your wrinkles look more noticeable, says Rebecca Kazin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington, D.C. Avoid this side ...

Can I use retinol and vitamin C together?

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 does retinol burn look like?

The skin goes red, inflamed, and peeling because retinol has chemically burned away the upper layer of skin, the new exposed skin has not had enough time to build up its natural protection film to UV light and pollutants that a good UV moisturising oil can help with and reduce the exposure to skin cancer risk, ...

What are the side effects of too much vitamin C?

Taking too much vitamin C can cause side effects, including:
  • Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
  • Heartburn.
  • Stomach cramps or bloating.
  • Fatigue and sleepiness, or sometimes insomnia.
  • Headache.
  • Skin flushing.

Does vitamin C slow down aging?

Vitamin C is a powerful ingredient in many anti-aging products. Some studies show that it can reduce the appearance of wrinkles when you use it for at least 12 weeks. A healthy diet that's high in this nutrient might help, too. Research suggests that people who eat more vitamin C have fewer wrinkles.

Who should not use vitamin C serum?

Schlessinger says people with very sensitive skin should consult with a dermatologist before use, since potent forms of vitamin C can sometimes irritate sensitive skin. Vitamin C serum may result in yellowing of the skin or clothes, stinging, or dryness, though those effects are rare.

What is the best toner to use with vitamin C serum?

Opt for a Brightening Toner

Build on your vitamin C serum-based skin brightening regimen with the mineral-rich Fermented Rice Water Toner. With similar benefits to the vitamin C serum, this sake-infused toner can help brighten, soften, and rehydrate your skin.

What is the fastest way to absorb vitamin C?

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.

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