Research shows using hyaluronic acid and vitamin C together can enhance each ingredient's skin-beneficial powers (4). There is a school of thought that these two ingredients cannot be used together, because hyaluronic acid must be applied to wet skin, and vitamin C to dry skin.
When used together, these two ingredients protect against harmful free radicals that irritate the skin and contribute to photoageing. The power of vitamin C to brighten and even out the skin also complements hyaluronic acid's ability to keep the skin soft and plump, for overall healthy-looking skin.
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.
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.
You'll want to apply water-based treatments first, followed by anhydrous (water-free) solutions or oil formulations, followed by creams or suspensions. This means that you would apply a water-based serum such as Amino Acids + B5 before an anhydrous serum or oil such as Retinol 0.2% in Squalane..
As a pair, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid benefit the skin in numerous ways, though the duo is most often used to help combat the visible signs of aging.
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.
In conclusion, you can use both vitamin C and HA in the same skincare routine, but remember to use vitamin C first on clean, dry skin, since it is the fussier ingredient. HA is more tolerant, so use it as a moisturizing toner in between steps—an HA-infused moisturizer or a nighttime application.
what does toner do for your face? It removes any dirt or grime that remains after cleansing, but does so gently. And toners help prep your skin for those products you're putting on after — think serums, moisturizers, night creams, etc. The outer layer of your skin is a mixture of oils and proteins.
Layering vitamin C and hyaluronic acid serums
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.
Wait for the serum to absorb: Give the serum some time to absorb into your skin. This usually takes a few minutes. You'll know the serum has been absorbed when your skin feels soft and smooth. Apply moisturizer: Once the serum has been absorbed, apply your moisturizer on top of it.
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.
Retinol and Benzoyl Peroxide
It is useless to use benzoyl peroxide, which is usually used to treat acne, and retinol together, says Paviol. The ingredients can cancel the positive effects of each other out and leave skin extremely dry and irritated.
But like all good things, moderation is crucial. Overloading your skin with HA can lead to the paradoxical drying effect or even irritation. Less is often more. Tune into your skin's needs.
While they're both effective hydration ingredients, polyglutamic acid has better performance and additional benefits to moisturize that hyaluronic acid does not have. Bondi says that “depending on the source, polyglutamic acid holds 4,000-5,000 times its weight in water.
Don't worry. Hyaluronic acid is acidic by name, but not by nature and won't exfoliate the skin or supercharge its turnover. For this reason, it's perfectly fine to use hyaluronic acid every day. “I would recommend using it once or twice a day,” says Dr Hextall.
They both benefit the skin and keep the skin barrier strong and healthy. The more complicated answer is that it depends on your skin type. People with sensitive, redness-prone skin might notice that the Peptides and Vitamin C mix can result in more redness, irritation and itchiness.
It is suggested to apply hyaluronic first on clean, damp skin, followed by retinol for dry skin. The moisturising hyaluronic acid will create a barrier and reduce irritation. The correct order of these two products depends significantly on your skin type and the product formulation you are using.