Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid in Skin Care

Vitamin C is one of the best ingredients in skin care products because it has many skin benefits. However, it can be very expensive so you need to make sure that Vitamin C is the best skin care ingredient for your skin type.

In this blog I will tell you which Vitamin C products dermatologists recommend and why. You will also learn how to know if you need Vitamin C for your skin type.

There are many Vitamin C products out there are not made properly and do not work.

When should you start using Vitamin C on your skin?

When to use Vitamin C on your skin depends upon which Baumann Skin Type you are.

Take the Quiz

Side Effects of Topical Vitamin C

The good vitamin C serums are acidic. They can cause:

stinging

skin burn

rash

acne

Vitamin C does not cause skin dryness. Some formulations such as SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic can make skin feel oily.

Vitamin C does not cause photosensitivity.

Skin Types and Vitamin C

Which skin type should use Vitamin C?

These skin types will benefit from vitamin C:

Aging skin

Dull skin

Mature skin

Uneven Skin tone

Which skin types should not use Vitamin C?

Rosacea types and stinging skin types should not use Vitamin C serums.

The most effective Vitamin C skin care products are a low ph.

These acidic serums:

Exfoliate

Irritate Skin

Cause facial flushing

Cause stinging

Rosacea types and people with stinging skin can use vitamin C creams instead of serums but these are not very effective.

Vitamin C creams are not as effective as serums because the pH is not as low. They do not absorb well into the skin.

There are better antiaging ingredients than ascorbic acid for people with rosacea and stinging skin.

The best way to know if you should use Vitamin C is to shop by your Baumann Skin Type.

Take the Quiz

Vitamin C and Sensitive skin

Is Vitamin C good for sensitive skin?

Vitamin C is not a good choice for sensitive skin types.

Vitamin C must be acidic to be effective so it can irritate sensitive skin types.

Although it is an antioxidant, it can cause inflammation in sensitive skin such as rosacea-prone skin types.

Never use Vitamin C on irritated skin or skin with a rash.

What does Vitamin C irritation look like?

Skin that has a rash from Vitamin C may be:

red or pink

itchy

stinging

rough to touch

tender and uncomfortable

slightly warm to touch

Is Vitamin C too harsh for sensitive skin?

Vitamin C is too harsh for sensitive skin because the good serums are a low acidic pH.

Vitamin C serums can make these types of sensitive skin worse:

acne

rosacea

stinging skin

Can Vitamin C cause an allergic reaction on the face?

It is unusual to have a true skin allergy to topical ascorbic acid.

It is more likely that your skin is irritated by the low acidic pH of the Vitamin C serum.

What to do if my skin is sensitive to Vitamin C?

Don’t use Vitamin C if it irritates your skin. Inflammation can lead to skin aging and hyperpigmentation.

You can take oral Vitamin C supplements and get skin benefits without upsetting your sensitive skin.

(Note that oral Vitamin C does not raise skin levels of Vitamin C as much as applying it topically, but it is a good option when ascorbic acid serums irritate your skin or make it break out.)

How to treat vitamin C skin irritation?

If Vitamin C burned your face, you need to take special care of your skin to prevent post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Here are steps to take if your skin is irritated from Vitamin C serum:

Cleanse with a soothing cleanser

Apply a moisturizer with soothing ingredients.

Avoid hydroxyacids (AHAs)

Avoid beta hydroxyacids (BHA)

Avoid retinoids

Stop using the Vitamin C serum

Stay out of the sun

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Vitamin C in A Skincare Routine

How to combine Vitamin C and retinol in a skin care routine?

Vitamin C goes first. It can be used in am and pm. Retinol should be applied after Vitamin C.

Whether the retinol goes before or after a moisturizer depends upon your Baumann Skin Type.

Once you take the quiz we will tell you the best product order for vitamin c and retinol for your skin type.

When should you use Vitamin C in routine?

Vitamin C always is the 3rd step in your skin care routine.

This is the order to apply Vitamin C serum in your routine:

Cleanse skin

Apply protective eye cream

Apply vitamin C serum

Moisturizer

What not to mix with Vitamin C in skincare?

Always apply Vitamin C serum alone to clean skin because it does not mix well with many other ingredients.

You can wait for the Vitamin C to absorb and then apply other serums.

Can I use Vitamin C serums with other serums?

You can use other serums after Vitamin C but do not mix them with the Vitamin C before applying.

Serums that can follow Vitamin C are:

retinol

hyaluronic acid

niacinamide

heparan sulfate

defensins

growth factors

exosomes

How to Use Vitamin C

Always apply vitamin C to clean skin preferably after cleansing with a low pH cleanser.

How much serum to apply?

Apply 1/8th of teaspoon for entire face.

Do I use Vitamin C Serum Day or Night or Both?

You can use Vitamin C serum morning and night but it really depends upon your Baumann Skin Type.

Take the Quiz

Vitamin C before or after moisturizer?

Always use Vitamin C before a moisturizer. Using it after a moisturizer is a waste of money because it will not absorb.

How often should I use Vitamin C in skin care?

Not all skin types should use Vitamin C. Some Baumann Skin Types should use it once a day and some 2 times a day.

Can I use Vitamin C serum every day?

Most skin types can use Vitamin C every day and even twice a day.

However, not all sensitive skin types can tolerate Vitamin C.

Know your Baumann Skin type before buying any Vitain C products.

Take the Quiz

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Using Vitamin C with other Cosmeceutical Ingredients

Vitamin C and Retinol Together

How to know if I need retinol or Vitamin c?

This is easy! Take the skin type quiz and we will tell you exactly which products you should use and the correct skin care routine order.

Take the Quiz

What goes first- Vitamin C or retinol?

Vitamin C always goes before retinol.

Retinol absorbs easily.

Vitamin C does not.

How to layer Vitamin C and retinol?

Cleanse skin

Apply protective eye cream

Apply vitamin C serum

Moisturizer

Retinol

However if you are used to your retinol and not having side effects, use the retinol in step 4 and moisturizer last on top of the retinol.

How long should I wait between Vitamin C and retinol

Learn more about using retinol, hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C in the same skin care routine here.

When should you not use Vitamin C on your face?

Do not use Vitamin C on your face if you have:

redness

flushing

Stinging

a rash

retinoid dermatitis

blisters

a peeling sunburn

However, you can use Vitamin C on sunburned skin if it has not blistered or peeled.

When should I use Vitamin C on my face?

The morning is the best time to use Vitamin C serum because it can protect you from sun exposure and pollution.

However, you can also use it at night so skin has the ascorbic acid it needs to generate new collagen.

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What are the best Vitamin C products?

The best Vitamin C serums are made by SkinCeuticals, La Roche Posay and Derma Made.

The best Vitamin C skin care products are:

a pH of 2-3

made from L-ascorbic acid

serums not creams

in a amber bottle or airless pump

NOT in a jar

made by reputable brands

freshly opened

You can read more here about the best ascorbic acid serums.

Find the best Vitamin C for melasma here.

These are some of our favorite Vitamin C serums:

La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Serum

$44.99

Out of Stock

Obagi-C FX System C-Clarifying Serum

$140.00

Add to Cart

Obagi Force Field Kit with Professional-C Serum 20%

$189.00

Out of Stock

Obagi Professional-C Peptide Complex

$125.00

Add to Cart

CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum

$26.99

Out of Stock

ISDIN Flavo-C

$100.00

Add to Cart

ISDIN Flavo-C Ultraglican Ampules

$46.00

Out of Stock

ISDIN Hyaluronic Booster 10 Ampoules

$46.00

Add to Cart

ISDIN Melatonik® Restorative Melatonin Night Serum

$160.00

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Cream

$54.99

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Serum

$44.99

Out of Stock

Obagi-C FX System C-Clarifying Serum

$140.00

Add to Cart

Obagi Force Field Kit with Professional-C Serum 20%

$189.00

Out of Stock

Obagi Professional-C Peptide Complex

$125.00

Add to Cart

CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum

$26.99

Out of Stock

ISDIN Flavo-C

$100.00

Add to Cart

ISDIN Flavo-C Ultraglican Ampules

$46.00

Out of Stock

ISDIN Hyaluronic Booster 10 Ampoules

$46.00

Add to Cart

ISDIN Melatonik® Restorative Melatonin Night Serum

$160.00

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Cream

$54.99

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Serum

$44.99

Out of Stock

Obagi-C FX System C-Clarifying Serum

$140.00

Add to Cart

Obagi Force Field Kit with Professional-C Serum 20%

$189.00

Out of Stock

Obagi Professional-C Peptide Complex

$125.00

Add to Cart

CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum

$26.99

Out of Stock

ISDIN Flavo-C

$100.00

Add to Cart

ISDIN Flavo-C Ultraglican Ampules

$46.00

Out of Stock

ISDIN Hyaluronic Booster 10 Ampoules

$46.00

Add to Cart

ISDIN Melatonik® Restorative Melatonin Night Serum

$160.00

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Cream

$54.99

Add to Cart

What are the 8 different types of Vitamin C in skin care products?

aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphate

ascorbyl glucoside

ascorbyl palmitate

ethyl ascorbic acid

L-ascorbic acid

magnesium ascorbyl phosphate

sodium ascorbyl phosphate

tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate

Comparison of Vitamin C forms in skin care products:

This table compares the stability, absorption and formulations of Vitamin C.

Note which are fat soluble and which are water soluble.

Fat soluble forms protect the cell membrane while water soluble works inside the cells.

All forms of Vitamin C have some effects on blocking melanin production and increasing collagen.

However, it is the form ascorbic acid that is the most effective form. The other forms must convert into ascorbic acid to be effective.

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The most effective Vitamin C must be:

stable

absorbed

able to convert well ascorbic acid.

L-ascorbic acid is the most potent form- if it is formulated at a pH of 2-3 so it is absorbed.

Your skin care routine should be designed to increase absorption and stability of the ascorbic acid.

We will design a skin care routine for you based on your Baumann Skin Type.

If Vitamin C is right for you, the regimen will be designed to maximize absorption of Vitamin C.

Take the Quiz

How Long does it take?

How long does it take Vitamin C to absorb into the skin?

It depends upon the pH and what other ingredients are on the skin.

Learn more here.

How Long Does it take Vitamin C to work?

Vitamin C can take months to work. How long depends upon:

What you are treating

What your Baumann Skin Type is

Which Vitamin C product

How you use it

How often you use it

When you apply it i

What other products you use it with

Learn more about how long it takes to treat dark spots and wrinkles, click here.

Best Vitamin C creams to moisturize

Vitamin C creams are not very good because

To high of a pH to absorb

Not good barrier repair moisturizers

Not enough moisturizing of fatty acids

Instead, choose a moisturizer that is right for your Baumann Skin Type.

Take the Quiz

What is Vitamin C cream used for?

These are used to treat dark spots and wrinkles. However, Vitamin C serums work better than Vitamin C creams.

Best products with Vitamin C and retinol

I prefer that my patients use separate Vitamin C and retinol serums instead of using a combination product.

Vitamin C in Dermatology

Can Vitamin C help with skin issues?

Yes. These are the skin issues that Vitamin C can help:

aging skin

dark spots

melasma

stretch marks

thin skin

radiation dermatitis

wrinkles

Does Vitamin C fade dark spots?

Yes Vitamin C is a tyrosinase inhibitor. But it is not as strong as other skin lightening ingredients to lighten dark spots.

Stop wasting time and money on the wrong products, shop by your Baumann Skin Type.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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