Can I use Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is undoubtably one of the most hydrating skincare ingredients out there. This probably explains a little why you’ll find it formulated into a variety of skincare products. Its humectant abilities to draw moisture in and lock it into place resulting in a healthy, comfortable skin. It also ensures the skin barrier remains hydrated throughout the whole day and keeps the skin calm after other potent ingredients are applied.
As for vitamin C you will find sun damage, hyperpigmentation and signs of ageing are targeted leaving the complexion bright and vibrant. When teaming both ingredients you are left with a fully functioning protective barrier ensuring your skin can combat exposure to free radicals. If you are wanting to learn more about how to layer hyaluronic acid and vitamin C you can check out our dedicated blog post.
What goes first vitamin C or hyaluronic acid?
The order in which you apply vitamin C and hyaluronic acid plays an important role in how effective the active level of these potent ingredients absorb and work their way into the skin. There are a few formulations containing both ingredients but if you are using them separately it’s suggested that you apply vitamin C first followed by hyaluronic acid.
With the brightening effects and antioxidant benefits of using a vitamin C serum on the skin, you will provide the complexion with the protection it needs to face the daily exposure to environmental aggressors. Pretty impressive wouldn’t you agree? Following that with hyaluronic acid will result in moisture being locked into the barrier. This is found on the outer surface of the skin and needs to remain in its healthiest state to combat skin damage caused by pollution, exposure to UV rays and other free radical. For all these benefits alone cement the fact that each ingredient works effectively together and, in a way, form a skin reviving power duo.
What should you not 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 by all skin types, but also works well with all other formulations and skincare ingredients. Because hyaluronic acid can deliver such impressive hydrating, skin plumping results, there’s no denying that everyone would benefit from having this powerhouse added into your daily skincare routine. However, I would still suggest you consult with a doctor or medical expert to ensure your skin will benefit from adding hyaluronic acid into your routine, whilst avoiding any unwanted reactions. I would also recommend performing a patch test for 24 hours before applying the product all-over the skin.
What can you not mix with vitamin C serum?
Vitamin C serums are known for being highly potent and if used incorrectly or on skin that is too sensitive will result in flushing, redness, and irritation. There are several ingredients that require a certain amount of understanding to ensure you don’t unknowingly cause irritation.
Here are the main active ingredients that is considered best to avoid using together with vitamin C.
Vitamin C + Benzoyl Peroxide
Both ingredients are highly potent with benzoyl peroxide being highly effective, but known for causing some side effects, such as dryness and flaking, especially for those with a dry skin type prone to sensitivity. If you are wanting to use both powerhouses, I suggest applying vitamin C in your morning routine and the benzoyl peroxide in the evening.
Vitamin C + Retinol
With an ingredient as powerful as retinol, ensuring you use it correctly is vital for maintaining your skin health as well as reaping the rewards from this skin changer. Overloading the face with both of vitamin C and retinol will result in severe dryness, itchiness, and tightness to the skin, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid using both in your routine. Just like how I mentioned above it is a case of alternating when you apply them. Because of the brightening effects to the complexion vitamin C can provide, I always feel it’s best to apply it in the morning, so you start the day glowing. Exposure to UV rays results in retinol losing its potency and becoming completely useless so an evening application provides optimal results.
Vitamin C + Niacinamide
Using vitamin C and niacinamide together often develops into a chemical reaction called nicotinic acid which leads to each ingredient competing and therefore becoming somewhat useless. With modern day formulations this reaction is considered a rarity, but it is something to keep in mind when using these ingredients in your daily routine. For the best results and no worry of negative reactions try alternating the days you apply each ingredient.
Vitamin C + AHAs/BHAs
With the potent exfoliating properties of AHAs and BHAs it is often considered too much for the skin to use all three together on the skin. But if used correctly will result in a glowing, healthy complexion. After cleansing use a toner containing either AHA, such as glycolic acid or BHA, like salicylic acid all over the face, leave enough time for the ingredient to make its way into the skin and then follow this with vitamin C. If you see any signs of irritation, flushing or redness avoid using your skincare products like this and instead alternate the days you apply either AHAs/BHAs or vitamin C serum. This will keep the skin luminous, balanced and at its healthiest state.
Do you need moisturiser after hyaluronic acid?
Yes and no, because hyaluronic acid is so hydrating there technically isn’t much need to use moisturiser. However, with the humectant traits of HA drawing moisture into the skin from the area surrounding the face and other products applied to the skin, what you will discover is your moisturiser will help give the skin a hydrated boost that lasts all day.
What order should you use hyaluronic acid?
The consistency of the product containing hyaluronic acid plays an important role. This is because of the basic skin rule I have mentioned in previous blog posts and that is applying products from thinnest to thickest. Hyaluronic acid is usually found in formulas such as serums and moisturisers which tend to be applied during the last stages of your skincare regime. It is important to remembering that the order of application will determine how effective the ingredients and formulas are and how they benefit the skin.
I hope that these have answered a few questions you had about using vitamin C and hyaluronic acid together. If you have any questions, come, and follow us on Instagram and send your questions through to our 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.
