Which goes first vitamin C or hyaluronic acid?

Author: Alexis Dibbert  |  Last update: Friday, March 28, 2025

To layer vitamin C and hyaluronic acid serums, always apply vitamin C first to cleansed, dry skin. Be sure to leave time for your vitamin C to sink in, then follow up with your hyaluronic acid.

Do you put vitamin C or hyaluronic acid first?

The correct order to apply vitamin C and hyaluronic acid serum is to apply the vitamin C serum first, followed by the hyaluronic acid serum. Vitamin C is best absorbed on clean skin, while hyaluronic acid helps to hydrate and lock in moisture after the vitamin C.

Can vitamin C serum and hyaluronic acid be used together?

Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid together prevent the breakdown of Collagen in the skin. It helps defer fine lines, wrinkles, and crow's feet, keeping your skin elastic. 2. The two ingredients help counter episodes of inflammation, redness, and irritation.

In what order do you put serums on your face?

For optimal results, we recommend incorporating serums into your skincare routine in the following order:
  1. Step 1: Cleanser.
  2. Step 2: Toner.
  3. Step 3: Pre-Serum or Essence.
  4. Step 4: Active Serum.
  5. Step 5: Moisturiser.
  6. Step 6: Sun Protection.

What not to mix with hyaluronic acid?

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.

VITAMIN C, HYALURONIC ACID & RETINOL SERUMS: EXPLAINING THE INDUSTRY'S TRENDIEST INGREDIENTS 🤓

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.

What order do you put vitamin C serum and hyaluronic acid serum?

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.

Which serums cannot be used together?

Skincare ingredients not to mix
  • Retinoids or retinol and benzoyl peroxide. ...
  • Retinoids or retinol and vitamin C. ...
  • Retinoids or retinol and salicylic acid. ...
  • Retinoid or retinol and AHAs/BHAs. ...
  • Vitamin C and AHAs/BHAs. ...
  • Vitamin C and benzoyl peroxide. ...
  • Niacinamide and AHAs / BHAs. ...
  • Benzoyl peroxide and hydroquinone.

Should I use hyaluronic acid in the morning or night?

If you have dehydrated skin, use hyaluronic acid serum both in the morning and at night. In the morning, it might help hydrate your skin and prepare it for the day ahead. At night, it might help repair and rejuvenate your skin while you sleep. Be sure to follow up with a moisturizer to lock in the hydration.

Should I apply vitamin C at night or morning?

While you can work your vitamin C serum into either your morning or evening skincare routine, most dermatologists recommend the morning [2]. This keeps your skin protected from free radicals as you go about your day, and can work especially well with your sunscreen to keep you safe from UV radiation.

What order to use vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and retinol?

In the morning, after applying your vitamin C serum, follow it with a layer of hydrating hyaluronic acid. In your nightly routine, apply hyaluronic acid serum before retinol, as it can increase its effectiveness while also helping to lock moisture in for maximum hydration.

What order should I do my skincare?

The right morning routine will help your skin feel calm and hydrated all day long.
  1. Step 1: Cleanser. A clean face is your starting point for a healthy, glowing complexion. ...
  2. Step 2: Toner. ...
  3. Step 3: Serum. ...
  4. Step 4: Moisturizer. ...
  5. Step 5: Eye Cream. ...
  6. Step 6: Sunscreen.

In what order do you apply hyaluronic acid?

Moisturize: Some experts recommend applying Hyaluronic Acid serum directly onto fresh, damp skin, then layering a cream or oil on top to lock moisture in.

What order do you put vitamin C in skincare?

Most vitamin C serums are best applied after cleansing and before the remainder of your routine, but this is mostly governed by how viscous (or not) your product is. Use common sense and apply from thin to thick.

Which is more important, vitamin C serum or hyaluronic acid?

It is generally recommended to use both to get the same benefits as having different skin care functions. However, applying the vitamin C serum first, then the HA, is recommended. Since the latter retains moisture, it helps vitamin C act on the skin and reduces oxidative stress.

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.

Is it OK to use 2 serums at the same time?

Use of multiple serums at once can clog pores and affect a serums ability to be absorbed, the more you pile on, the more likely they'll sit on the skin surface and not be effective so it is important to find the serums that have the ingredients that best meet your needs and what ingredients work together.

What to use after vitamin C serum?

In a Vitamin C skincare routine, it's important to apply the moisturizer after the application of the serum. This is because the serum helps the moisturizer gets absorbed better, and the moisturizer helps seal the serum's nutrients within the skin so they can work all day.

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 are the side effects of hyaluronic acid serum?

Hyaluronic Acid is generally considered safe, although some people may experience side effects such as swelling, redness, and itching at the injection site. In rare cases, Hyaluronic acid injections can cause an allergic reaction, which can cause severe swelling and difficulty breathing.

How to layer vitamin C and hyaluronic acid and niacinamide?

It is suitable across all skin types and age groups. You can use it with hyaluronic acid or niacinamide. If you're applying them together, you should apply Vitamin C first, followed by hyaluronic acid or niacinamide. Don't use it with AHAs, BHAs, and retinol at once.

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 best hyaluronic acid serums?

Our Top Picks
  • Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum Overall: SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier Multi-Glycan, $182.
  • Best for Fine Lines: Alastin HA Immerse Serum, $127.
  • Best Custom Serum: Prose Custom Serum, $64.
  • Highest HA Concentration: Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Serum, $68.

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