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.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.