Can Vitamin C be mixed with AHAs and BHAs?

In the vast world of skin care, there is a lot of confusion about chemical acids and their role in everyday life.

It seems that some of us are still a little hesitant about using products like AHAs and BHAs, so the idea of using Vitamin C with them can be understandably overwhelming.

Now don’t panic, because we are here to demystify everything and, with any luck, we can answer the question at the end of today’s blog post: “Can you mix Vitamin C with AHAs and BHAs?”

But before we dive in, let’s do a quick recap on what these ingredients are and what they can do for your skin.

What is Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is a versatile skin ingredient that has been used in the beauty industry for years. It wasn’t until recently that this powerful powerhouse was able to shake off the misconceptions that have surrounded it for years.

That’s because it is considered unstable, meaning it can cause various skin irritations and reduce the effectiveness of product formulas on the skin. Vitamin C has won over dermatologists, skin care experts, and fans alike for its proven stable ingredients.

Here are some examples of the benefits you can expect from using Vitamin C. If you want to learn more about this brilliant ingredient, read our detailed blog post.

Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants, which means it fights free radical stressors such as pollution, UV rays and central heating. They are all known to damage the surface of the skin.

Vitamin C boosts collagen production, making the skin look plumper, more vibrant and more youthful. This is because Vitamin C contains two important enzymes that the skin needs to produce collagen: prolyl hydroxylase and lysyl hydroxylase.

Vitamin C fights pigmentation, dark spots and hyperpigmentation on the surface of the skin. It reduces the production of melanin, which appears on the surface and makes dark spots more hyperpigmented. Over time, you will notice a noticeable change and improvement in your skin tone.

Vitamin C makes the skin glow again. This is due to its skin-lightening properties. However, with regular use, you will notice a huge difference in the look and feel of your complexion. What are AHAs?

AHAs, also known as alpha hydroxy acids, are a type of chemical peel that has become a favourite among beauty enthusiasts. Depending on their structure, they are either naturally occurring or synthetically blended into a range of skincare products.

The difference between AHAs and physical exfoliants is that they break the bonds of dead skin cells to the surface of the skin. This allows the acids to remove dead skin cells without having to physically scrub them off your face.

By removing unwanted skin cells, bacteria, dirt, debris, and other impurities from your skin, you’ll have new skin that’s fresh, vibrant, healthy, happy, and radiant. Learn more about the skin care benefits of AHAs in our dedicated Skin School post.

What are BHAs?

BHAs, also known as beta hydroxy acids, are considered a close cousin of AHAs. They are generally considered more effective, but people with dry, sensitive skin shouldn’t use them because they can be too irritating to the skin.

The main difference between AHAs and BHAs is that BHAs, especially the most commonly used acid salicylic acid, are oil-soluble and have a smaller molecule size, which means they can penetrate deeper into the skin and reach the lower layers of the skin.

If you want to learn more about how BHAs work on the skin, check out our Skin School post. Can Vitamin C be mixed with AHAs and BHAs?

In short, the answer is yes, but your skin will only be happy once you do so. What I mean by that is that you need to make sure you know your skin type before trying to combine these ingredients together.

For oily skin, the skin may be resilient enough to carefully combine these acids and Vitamin C. However, before you start using these products on your skin, you should make sure that you are still using these formulas effectively.

The easiest way to combine Vitamin C with AHAs and BHAs is to remember the basic skincare rules and use products from the thinnest to the thickest formulas. This means that each product can provide the best results without having to compete with the physical barrier created by thicker formulas.

Vitamin C is commonly found in serums and facial oils. Therefore, you can choose to use an exfoliating toner rich in AHAs (such as glycolic acid) or BHAs (such as salicylic acid) after your serum. Combined with a moisturizer or other serum containing hyaluronic acid, it can make the skin feel refreshed. Moisturizer can keep the skin hydrated and counteract possible dryness.

If you notice signs of redness, increased sensitivity, or skin irritation, it’s best to stop using all three powerful substances in your routine and switch out the acids. You can do this by using the acids on different days and at different times of day so that you apply your vitamin C serum in the morning and your acid of choice at night.

Can BHA and Vitamin C be used together?

Yes, you can, but only if you use the ingredients correctly in your routine. As mentioned before, using BHA and Vitamin C together can be effective, but it can also dry out your skin. For best results, leave enough time between uses to allow your skin’s pH to balance and avoid unnecessary irritation.

For best results, use an exfoliating toner with a BHA (usually salicylic acid) after cleansing. Leave it on for about 30 minutes, then apply a serum rich in vitamin C, followed by a moisturizer rich in hyaluronic acid and other hydrating ingredients.

If you find your skin is still showing signs of irritation, you can also use a BHA product at night to thoroughly cleanse your skin after your vitamin C serum has cleared your skin of a day’s worth of free radical damage.

Can AHAs and BHAs be mixed with hyaluronic acid?

The beauty of hyaluronic acid as a skincare ingredient is that it works seamlessly with a variety of other ingredients, even with powerful ones like salicylic acid and glycolic acid.

Combined with these powerful forces, hyaluronic acid is often best used after exfoliation because it prevents potential dryness. Instead, the skin benefits from having moisture locked into the face

and having a protective skin barrier with the right amount of moisture to maintain its function. This keeps the skin healthy and protected from free radicals and other environmental influences.

Can glycolic acid and vitamin C be used together?

Yes, you can use glycolic acid and vitamin C together, but make sure you know what you’re doing! If you’re concerned about your skin looking dull, noticing signs of hyperpigmentation and dark spots, or experiencing signs of aging,

then glycolic acid and vitamin C are an effective combination.

By alternating these ingredients, you can achieve amazing results as they work to rebalance the pH of your skin and prevent irritation. See our dedicated Beauty Insiders blog post on how to use glycolic acid and vitamin C together.

How do salicylic acid and vitamin C work together?

The difference between salicylic acid and glycolic acid is that salicylic acid has a significantly smaller molecule size. This allows it to penetrate to the bottom of your pores to remove dirt, bacteria, excess sebum, and other impurities. You will often find that salicylic acid is very effective, but it can easily irritate your skin. Glycolic acid is also very effective, but due to its larger molecule size, it works mainly on the outer layer of the skin.

skin. How to use salicylic acid and vitamin C together depends on your skin type and previous habits. Because as I mentioned before, using these ingredients requires enough time between applications, or you need to choose to alternate them so that they can work without causing unnecessary skin irritation.

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.

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