Vitamin C and Ascorbic Acid in Skin Care
Vitamin C is one of the best ingredients to have in skin care products because it has so many benefits for the skin.
However, it can be very expensive, so you should make sure that the vitamin C is the best ingredient for your skin type.
In this blog post, I explain which vitamin C products dermatologists recommend and why. You will also learn how to determine if your skin type needs vitamin C.
Many vitamin C products are not manufactured properly and do not work as well as they should.
When should I start using vitamin C?
When should I use vitamin C on my skin?
When should I use vitamin C on my skin?
Take the Quiz
Side Effects of Topical Vitamin C
Good vitamin C serums contain acids. They can cause:
Burns, Skin burns, Rash, Acne
Vitamin C does not dry out the skin. Some formulas, such as SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, can make the skin oily.
Vitamin C does not cause photosensitivity.
Skin Types and Vitamin C
What skin types are best for using vitamin C?
The following skin types are suitable for taking vitamin C:
Aging skin, Pale skin, Mature skin, Uneven skin tone
Which skin types should not use vitamin C?
People with rosacea and burning skin should not use vitamin C serums.
The most effective vitamin C skin care products have a low pH level.
These acidic serums:
Flake, Irritate the skin, Cause facial redness, Cause burning
People with rosacea and burning skin can use vitamin C cream instead of serum, but the effect is not as good.
Due to the low pH level, vitamin C creams are not as effective as serums. They are not absorbed well by the skin.
For people with rosacea and burning skin, there are better anti-aging ingredients than ascorbic acid.
To find out whether you should use vitamin C, you should buy products based on your Bowman skin type.
Vitamin C and sensitive skin
Is vitamin C good for sensitive skin?
Vitamin C is not suitable for sensitive skin.
Vitamin C must be acidic to be effective, so it can irritate sensitive skin.
Although it is an antioxidant, it can be harmful to sensitive skin, such as…B. Skin prone to rosacea can cause inflammation.
Never use vitamin C on irritated skin or skin with a rash.
What are the symptoms of irritation caused by vitamin C?
Skin with a rash caused by vitamin C may be:
Red or pink, Itchy, Burn, Rough to the touch, Sensitive and unpleasant
Feeling slightly warm to the touch
Is vitamin C too harsh for sensitive skin?
Vitamin C is too harsh for sensitive skin because the pH of a good serum is slightly acidic.
Vitamin C serums may exacerbate the following sensitive skin:
Acne, Rosacea, Skin burns
Can vitamin C cause an allergic reaction on the face?
True skin allergies caused by topical ascorbic acid are rare.
More likely, your skin will be irritated by the low pH of a vitamin C serum.
What to do if you are sensitive to vitamin C?
If vitamin C irritates your skin, don’t use it. Inflammation can cause skin aging and hyperpigmentation.
You can take a vitamin C supplement orally to protect your skin without irritating it.
(Note that taking vitamin C orally will not increase the amount of vitamin C in your skin like applying it topically will.
However, it is a good option if an ascorbic acid serum irritates your skin or causes a rash.)
How to treat a vitamin C skin irritation?
If vitamin C burns your face, you need to take special care of your skin to avoid post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
If your skin is irritated by a vitamin C serum, take the following steps:
Cleanse your skin with a soothing cleanser.
Apply a moisturizer with soothing ingredients.
Avoid using hydroxy acids (AHAs).
Avoid using beta hydroxy acids (BHAs).
Avoid using retinoids.
Stop using vitamin C serums.
Stay out of direct sunlight.
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Should I include Vitamin C in my skincare routine
How do you combine Vitamin C and Retinol in your skincare routine?
Vitamin C comes first. It can be used morning and night. Retinol should be used after Vitamin C.
Whether to use Retinol before or after moisturizer depends on your skin type.
After taking the quiz, you will find out which sequence of Vitamin C and Retinol products is best for your skin type.
When should I use Vitamin C in my daily routine?
Vitamin C should always be the third step in my skincare routine.
How to use Vitamin C serum in my daily routine:
Cleanse skin
Apply protective eye cream
Apply Vitamin C serum
Moisturizer
What not to take with Vitamin C in your skincare routine?
Always apply Vitamin C serum alone to cleansed skin, as it does not mix well with many other ingredients.
Wait until the Vitamin C is absorbed before applying other serums.
Can I use Vitamin C serum with other serums?
You can use other serums after Vitamin C, but don’t mix with Vitamin C.
Serums that can be used after Vitamin C are:
Retinol, Hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide, Heparan sulfate, Defensins, Growth factors, Exosomes
Using Vitamin C
Always apply Vitamin C to clean skin, preferably after cleansing with a low pH cleanser.
How much serum should I apply?
Apply 1/8 teaspoon to the entire face.
Should I use Vitamin C serum during the day, at night, or both?
You can use Vitamin C serum in the morning and at night, but it all depends on your skin type.
Should Vitamin C be used before or after moisturizer?
Always use Vitamin C before moisturizer. Using it after moisturizer is a waste of money because it won’t be absorbed.
How often should I use vitamin C in my skincare routine?
Not all skin types should use vitamin C. Some bowman skin types should use it once a day, others twice a day.
Can I use vitamin C serum every day?
Most skin types can use vitamin C every day, even twice a day.
However, not all sensitive skin types are suitable for vitamin C.
Before buying vitamin C products, please know your bowman skin type.
Take the test
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Vitamin C with other cosmetic ingredients
Vitamin C and retinol together
How do I know if I need retinol or vitamin C?
It’s very simple! Take the skin type test and we will tell you which products you should use and the correct order for your skincare.
Take the test
Which is more important, vitamin C or retinol?
Vitamin C always comes before retinol.
Retinol is easily absorbed.
Vitamin C, however, is not.
How to layer vitamin C and retinol?
Cleanse skin
Apply protective eye cream
Apply vitamin C serum
Moisturizer
Retinol
However, if you are used to using retinol and have not experienced any side effects, use retinol in step 4 and apply moisturizer last.
How long should you wait between using vitamin C and retinol?
Learn more about using retinol, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C in the same skincare routine here.
When should you not use vitamin C on your face?
Do not use vitamin C on your face if you have:
Redness, Flushing, Burns, Rash, Retinoic dermatitis, Blowing
Peeling from sunburn
However, you can use vitamin C as long as your sunburned skin is not blistering or peeling.
When should I use vitamin C on my face?
Morning is the best time to apply vitamin C serum because it protects against sun exposure and pollution.
You can also use it at night so that your skin gets the ascorbic acid it needs to produce collagen.
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Which vitamin C product is best?
The best vitamin C serums are made by SkinCeuticals, La Roche Posay, and Derma Made.
The best vitamin C skincare products are:
A pH of 2-3
Made with L-ascorbic acid
A serum (not a cream)
In an amber bottle or vacuum pump
Not in a furnace
From a reputable brand
Just opened
Learn more about the best ascorbic acid serums here.
You can find the best vitamin C for melasma here.
What are the 8 different types of vitamin C in skincare?
Aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphate
Ascorbyl glucoside
Ascorbyl palmitate
Ethyl ascorbic acid
L-ascorbic acid
Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate
Sodium ascorbyl phosphate
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
Comparison of vitamin C forms in skincare:
This table compares vitamin C stability, absorption, and formulation.
Note which forms are fat-soluble and which are water-soluble.
The fat-soluble forms protect cell membranes, while the water-soluble forms work inside cells.
All forms of vitamin C block melanin production and increase collagen production.
However, the most effective form is ascorbic acid. Other forms must be converted to ascorbic acid to be effective.
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The most effective vitamin C must be:
Stable
Absorbable
Can easily convert ascorbic acid.
L-ascorbic acid is the most effective form – it needs a pH of 2-3 to be well absorbed.
Your skincare routine should be designed to improve ascorbic acid absorption and stability.
We have developed a skincare routine based on your Bowman skin type.
If vitamin C is right for you, the treatment will be designed to maximize the absorption of the vitamin C.
Take the test
How long does it take?
How long does it take for vitamin C to be absorbed into the skin?
The duration of the effect depends on the skin’s pH and other components.
Click here to learn more.
How long does it take for vitamin C to work?
The effects of vitamin C can last for months. The duration of the effects depends on the following factors:
What you treat
Your Baumann skin type
Which vitamin C product
How to use it
How often you use it
When to apply it
What other products can you use it with
Click here to learn more about how long it takes to treat dark spots and wrinkles.
Best Vitamin C Moisturizers
Vitamin C creams aren’t a good fit because
The pH is too high for proper absorption
No good moisturizer can repair the skin barrier
Fatty acids cause a lack of moisture
Instead, choose a moisturizer that’s right for your skin type.
Take the Quiz
What are vitamin C creams used for?
They are used to treat dark spots and wrinkles. However, vitamin C serums work better than vitamin C creams.
Best Products with Vitamin C and Retinol
I prefer my patients to use separate vitamin C and retinol serums rather than a combination product.
Uses of Vitamin C in Dermatology
Can vitamin C help treat skin problems?
Yes. Vitamin C can help with the following skin issues:
Aging skin, Dark spots, Melasma, Stretch marks, Thin skin, Radiation dermatitis, Folding
Can vitamin C lighten dark spots?
Yes, vitamin C is a tyrosinase inhibitor. However, it does not lighten dark spots like other whitening ingredients.
Stop wasting time and money on the wrong products – buy according to your Baumann skin type.
