Can You Use Matrixyl and Vitamin C Together?
There are some skin ingredients that were just meant to work together. Vitamin C and matrixyl are certainly a dream team, both of which delivering their own unique benefits for the skin, as well as each working in unison to improve the overall complexion. The difference we have is, matrixyl is such a unique peptide that it does carry its own set of rules when it comes to skincare routine.
This leaves us with the question, how can you use matrixyl and vitamin C together? This will be something we get to the bottom of in today’s blog post, so stick around if you want to find out more.
What is Matrixyl?
Matrixyl is synthetically formulated peptide used in several skincare formulations. Dubbed as Botox in a bottle, you’ll often find it in some of the most effective anti-ageing skincare products.
The way which peptides work is by using a collection of amino acids to create building blocks that help to keep the skin looking younger and healthier with an added boost of collagen production, resulting in signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles are noticeably improved. You will also find loss of elasticity is improved with signs skin sagging, especially around areas, such as the jaw.
Another benefit of matrixyl is the fact it can stimulate the production of hyaluronic acid. Having the right amount of hyaluronic acid in the body ensures water is draw into the skin and locked into place. This results in face looking plumper, firmer, with a youthful bounce and is certainly an ingredient that should be introducing into your daily routine, especially if you are wanting to target areas of concerns, such as fine lines, and wrinkles.
What is Vitamin C?
Considered one of the most potent antioxidants, vitamin C can provide full protection and prevent oxidised stress to the skin. This skin stress can be a result of exposure to environmental aggressors, such as UV rays, pollution, central heating, and harsh climates.
Once the skin encounters these concerns, you’ll find an array of damage occurs on the skin, such as areas of hyperpigmentation, blotchy patches of skin, dull overall complexion. Vitamin C will not only prevent any further damage but will also work at minimising its appearance. Hyperpigmentation, for example, will lighten more overtime and becoming less noticeable to the naked eye without becoming more pigmented after more sun exposure.
If you wanted to find out more about vitamin C and how it works, check out our dedicated blog post about the clever powerhouse.
What can you not mix with matrixyl?
It is understood that peptides are notoriously unstable ingredients, and so it’s important to have a good understanding how the best actives to team together to deliver the best results. Ingredients such as medical grade vitamin C and copper peptides should be avoided as each of these can have the opposite effect and will even prevent matrixyl from working effectively.
Other potent actives that should be avoided teaming with matrixyl are alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) and beta hydroxy acids (BHA), especially the popular glycolic acid and salicylic acid, both of which are potent exfoliants which can have an increased risk of irritation when teamed with matrixyl.
Can you use matrixyl with vitamin C?
You can, but only if you leave enough time in between applications. It is thought that leaving about 30 minutes will allow the pH levels in the skin to rebalance and settle. It is important you avoid layering these ingredients on top of each other as this can cause increased sensitivity and irritation to the skin surface.
Another way of using vitamin C with matrixyl is to alternate when you apply them to the skin. You can use both in the morning and evening, however many find the vibrant glow you achieve after using vitamin C is thought to good to miss out on in the evenings. Try using vitamin C during your morning routine, followed with matrixyl in your evening routine, this will avoid any unwanted reaction or irritation to the skin whilst helping the skin to become recharged, rejuvenated, and repaired.
Is matrixyl better than vitamin C?
As I have already suggested, matrixyl and vitamin C are both high performing skin ingredients. Whether teamed together or left to deliver results alone you can be sure each will have a marked improvement on the skin. The question of figuring out which is better can feel a little complicated, this is because they each have similar positive impacts on the skin.
These similarities are the fact that both contain antioxidants ensuring the skin surface and its lipid barrier are fully protected from environmental aggressors, such as UV rays, pollution, central heating, and other impurities. Skin concerns, such as discolouration, dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and sun damage are combated.
You’ll also find matrixyl is able to target concerns such as fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of premature ageing, leaving you with firmer, brighter skin with improved texture and feel. This is something that vitamin C lacks a little, but as I have already suggested, you can team the two actives together in your routine, remembering to leave enough time in between applications.
Is matrixyl the same as retinol?
Believe it or not, matrixyl has gained the nickname of the gentler alternative of retinol as it provides similar results to the skin as the potent powerhouse. With matrixyl working at stimulating the production of collagen and elastin, a trait associated with retinol and other retinoid derivatives. You will also find matrixyl can target fine lines and wrinkles helping to improve the texture of the skin leaving it vibrant and younger looking.
The beauty of both matrixyl and retinol, is the fact you can team the pair together to form a power duo. Opting to use this with other hydrating actives such as hyaluronic acid, you will be able to bypass any dryness or irritation that can often come from using retinol.
I would suggest that if you are new to any of the ingredients mentioned, you should first consult with your doctor or dermatologist to ensure these actives will work for your skin and achieve your skin goals. Don’t forget if you have any further questions, come, and find us on Instagram for more.
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.
