Can Vitamin C and Copper Peptides Be Used Together?
Copper peptides and vitamin C are two ingredients that can effectively benefit your skin in combination or on their own. Of the two, you may know more about vitamin C and its effects on your complexion.
Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants that fight skin damage caused by UV radiation, pollution, and other environmental factors. You’ll find that vitamin C can help fight uneven skin tone by lightening the appearance of dark spots and other areas of hyperpigmentation.
As for copper peptides, these naturally occurring chains of amino acids can boost the production of collagen and elastin in your skin. This can significantly reduce and improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores, and sagging skin.
Well, both of these ingredients sound very effective, and I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to use these skincare powerhouses together. But the question is: can vitamin C and copper peptides be used together? Let’s explore this together, and hopefully after today’s blog you’ll have a better idea of how to use these ingredients in your skincare routine.
Can peptides and vitamin C be used together?
Yes, you can, but vitamin C can alter the effectiveness of copper peptides. When using skincare, it’s best to wait about 10-15 minutes between applications to avoid unnecessary irritation, redness, and general skin discomfort.
Each of these ingredients can deliver impressive skin results on their own. But when used correctly, vitamin C can protect your skin from harmful free radicals, which can cause all kinds of skin damage. While peptides boost collagen in the lower layers of your skin, your complexion remains at its healthiest. In other words, you’ll find that all the new cells that the peptides instruct your skin to produce will be protected by the vitamin C.
If you’re wondering if there are certain ingredients you should avoid, check out our blog post on which ingredients not to use with peptides and vitamin C.
Can vitamin C and copper be used together?
Yes, but be careful. This is mainly because when copper and vitamin C are layered on top of each other, their effects on the skin can sometimes cancel each other out. You’ll notice that at varying concentrations of copper, ascorbic acid (also known as vitamin C) can oxidize. This oxidation can cause the vitamin C to work less effectively, which reduces the efficacy of your skin-brightening power.
Beyond that, it’s just a matter of applying each ingredient at the optimal time and making sure both are absorbed by the skin without any adverse side effects. You can use a product rich in either ingredient, leaving 30 minutes between applications. Alternatively, you could try using Vitamin C in the morning and then the peptides in the evening. This allows your skin to be fully protected and your skin barrier strengthened, while any signs or existing damage can be addressed in the evening with the skin-healing benefits of copper.
What can copper peptides be combined with?
There are a few ingredients that can be combined with copper peptides, such as hyaluronic acid, amino acids, and niacinamide. They all work specifically to provide extra moisture to the skin, keeping the skin barrier fully functioning and at its healthiest.
The beauty of copper peptides is that they work well with any skincare ingredient. Even those that require caution, such as retinoids, vitamin C, and AHAs, all of which should be used every other day with plenty of time between applications to avoid unwanted skin irritation or reactions.
Which came first, the peptides or the vitamin C?
When it comes to getting the most out of your skincare, many people forget the simple distinction of using the products in the right order, which can have a bigger impact than you think! A general rule of thumb when applying daily is to start with the thinnest concentration and work your way up to the thickest.
When it comes to deciding which comes first, peptides or vitamin C, it depends a lot on the formula they are mixed into. You may find both ingredients in serums, face oils, moisturizers, and masks that you use at the end of your daily regimen.
Another point to consider is that your skin’s needs change throughout the day. She has a 24-hour circadian rhythm, which ultimately results in her needing protection from environmental factors such as UV rays and pollution throughout the day. At night, when you get your beauty sleep, she needs help repairing and rejuvenating her skin.
Are copper peptides better than vitamin C?
A lot depends on what copper peptides and vitamin C do for your skin, your skin care routine, and your personal preferences. Both ingredients can improve skin firmness and smoothness and contain a lot of antioxidants to fight free radical damage. You can use either of these ingredients daily in your routine and reap the benefits, but using them once a day may also be beneficial. It will just take some trial and error to find the best way to incorporate both ingredients into your daily routine. Don’t forget, if you have never used copper peptides or vitamin C-rich products before, I recommend consulting a doctor or dermatologist to make sure you are using the best combination for your skin.
Should Vitamin C be used during the day or at night?
This is a matter of personal preference, as you can use Vitamin C throughout the day. However, many beauty experts and skincare enthusiasts would recommend using a Vitamin C-rich serum and moisturizer as part of your morning routine. This is because ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is effective at brightening your complexion, and its antioxidant properties protect against skin damage and environmental aggressors. If you want to use Vitamin C at night, you can definitely do so, but remember that it’s best to avoid strong retinoids as they can cause severe dryness, irritation, and redness.
So, here’s more information on whether Vitamin C and Copper Peptides can be used together. And if you have any questions, don’t forget to follow Procoal’s Instagram account.
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.
