Can I use Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid together?
Hyaluronic acid is undoubtedly one of the most hydrating ingredients in skincare. This may go some way to explaining why it’s found in a wide range of skincare products. Its hydrating properties attract and retain moisture for healthy, comfortable skin. It also ensures that the skin barrier remains hydrated throughout the day and that the skin remains calm after the application of other active ingredients.
As for Vitamin C, it targets sun damage, hyperpigmentation and signs of aging for a radiant, vibrant complexion. When you combine these two ingredients, you get a fully functional protective barrier that ensures your skin can withstand the effects of free radicals. If you want to learn more about how to layer Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C, you can read our dedicated blog post.
Which comes first, Vitamin C or Hyaluronic Acid?
The order in which you apply Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid plays a major role in how efficiently the active ingredients of these powerful ingredients are absorbed and penetrate the skin. There are some formulas that contain both, but if used separately, it’s recommended to apply Vitamin C first, followed by Hyaluronic Acid.
With the brightening benefits of a Vitamin C serum for the skin and the antioxidant benefits, you can give your complexion the protection it needs against daily environmental stressors. Pretty impressive, don’t you think? When you then apply hyaluronic acid, moisture is trapped within the barrier. It sits on the outer surface of the skin and must be kept in its healthiest state to combat skin damage caused by pollution, UV radiation, and other free radicals. All of these benefits in themselves underscore the fact that each ingredient works effectively together to form a skin-rejuvenating duo.
What Not to Mix with Hyaluronic Acid?
Believe it or not, hyaluronic acid is one of the very few active skin ingredients that can not only be used on all skin types, but also works well with all other formulations and skincare ingredients. Since hyaluronic acid can provide impressive hydration and plumping effects, it is undeniable that everyone would benefit from adding this powerful substance to their daily skincare routine. However, I still recommend consulting a doctor or medical professional to ensure that your skin benefits from incorporating hyaluronic acid into your daily routine while avoiding any adverse reactions. I also recommend doing a 24-hour patch test before applying the product all over your skin.
What Not to Mix with Vitamin C Serum?
Vitamin C serums are known for their high effectiveness, but they can cause redness and irritation if used incorrectly or on sensitive skin. There are several ingredients that require a certain level of understanding to ensure you don’t unknowingly cause irritation.
Here are the most important active ingredients that are best not to use with Vitamin C.
Vitamin C + Benzoyl Peroxide
Both ingredients are very effective, with Benzoyl Peroxide being very effective, but it is known to cause some side effects such as dryness and flaking, especially for those with dry, sensitive skin. If you want to use both of these powers together, I recommend using Vitamin C in the morning and Benzoyl Peroxide in the evening.
Vitamin C + Retinol
Retinol is a powerful ingredient, and using it correctly is essential to keep your skin healthy and reap the benefits of this skin improver. Excessive intake of Vitamin C and Retinol on your face can cause severe dryness, itching, and tightness on your skin, but this doesn’t mean you should avoid both in your daily routine. As I mentioned above, you need to alternate between applications. Since Vitamin C has a brightening effect on the complexion, I always think it’s best to use it in the morning so that you can start the day radiantly. UV radiation can cause retinol to lose its potency and become completely useless, so using it at night provides the best results.
Vitamin C + Niacinamide
When vitamin C and niacinamide are used together, a chemical reaction called niacin often occurs, which causes the individual ingredients to compete with each other, rendering them somewhat useless. This reaction is rare in modern formulas, but it’s something to keep in mind when using these ingredients in your daily life. For best results and without worrying about negative reactions, try alternating the days you use each ingredient.
Vitamin C + AHA/BHA
Because AHAs and BHAs have powerful exfoliating properties, using all three on the skin at the same time is often considered too much for the skin. However, when used properly, you will be rewarded with a radiant, healthy-looking complexion. After cleansing, apply a toner containing an AHA (such as glycolic acid) or a BHA (such as salicylic acid) all over your face. Allow enough time for the ingredients to penetrate the skin before applying the vitamin C. If you notice signs of irritation, hot flashes or redness, avoid using such skincare products and instead alternate with an AHA/BHA or Vitamin C serum. This will leave the skin radiant, balanced and at its healthiest.
Do you still need to moisturize after using hyaluronic acid?
Yes and no, since hyaluronic acid is highly hydrating, technically not much moisturizer is needed. However, since the hydrating properties of hyaluronic acid will draw moisture from the facial area and other products applied to the skin into the skin, you will find that moisturizer will provide the skin with a hydrating effect that lasts all day.
In what order should hyaluronic acid be applied?
The consistency of the product plays a big role with hyaluronic acid. This is because of the basic skin rule I mentioned in a previous blog post, which is to apply products in order from thinnest to thickest. Hyaluronic acid is often found in formulas such as serums and moisturizers, and is usually used at the end of the skincare routine. It is important to remember that the order of application determines the effectiveness of the ingredients and formulas and the benefits they can have on the skin.
I hope this has answered some of your questions about using Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid together. If you have any questions, follow us on Instagram and send us your questions in the DMs.
