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The Ultimate Guide: What to Avoid Mixing with Vitamin C
Skin Care

The Ultimate Guide: What to Avoid Mixing with Vitamin C

8 June 2025


What Should You Not Mix Vitamin C With?

Vitamin C is one of the most celebrated ingredients in skincare. Its potent antioxidant properties help to rejuvenate the skin, reduce dark spots, and combat free radical damage.

However, there are some common questions around which ingredients you should avoid mixing with vitamin C.

Many people are unsure about how to incorporate vitamin C into their skincare routine without causing irritation or negative reactions.

So, in this article, we’ll explore which products you should avoid combining with vitamin C and which ingredients work best alongside it.

What Can You Not Mix with Vitamin C?

While vitamin C has incredible benefits, it is considered slightly unstable, especially when mixed with other potent ingredients.

It has a more acidic pH level, which means it can be challenging to combine with certain active ingredients. Here are the main ingredients you should avoid mixing with vitamin C:

Vitamin C and Retinol

Retinol is another powerhouse ingredient known for its anti-aging properties. It boosts collagen production, speeds up skin cell turnover, and promotes a firmer, youthful complexion.

However, using vitamin C and retinol together is not recommended. Both are highly effective ingredients, but they work best on their own.

The problem lies in the pH levels. Vitamin C is acidic, while retinol works best in a neutral to slightly alkaline environment.

When used together, they can neutralize each other, reducing their effectiveness. Additionally, using both can cause excessive irritation, redness, and peeling, especially for sensitive skin.

To make the most of both ingredients, you can use them at different times of the day.

Apply vitamin C in the morning, followed by a broad-spectrum SPF (minimum SPF 30), as vitamin C can make the skin more sensitive to the sun.

Use retinol at night as its potency is most effective during the evening and will not be compromised by sunlight.

Vitamin C and Niacinamide

Niacinamide, or Vitamin B3, is a versatile ingredient used in many skincare products for its ability to hydrate, regulate sebum production, and improve skin texture.

However, mixing niacinamide with vitamin C is a controversial topic in the skincare community.

Many believe these two ingredients don’t work well together because they can counteract each other’s effects.

Niacinamide is known for being a soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredient, whereas vitamin C is a potent brightening agent. When used together, niacinamide can reduce the effectiveness of vitamin C.

This means that applying them in the same routine might not deliver the full benefits of either ingredient.

The pH levels of vitamin C and niacinamide also differ, which could cause irritation and decreased performance.

If you want to include both in your routine, it’s best to apply them at different times of the day.

Vitamin C works best in the morning, while niacinamide can be used in the evening. Alternatively, you can also layer them with a 10-15 minute interval between each to avoid any issues.

Vitamin C and AHAs/BHAs

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs), like glycolic acid and salicylic acid, are popular for their exfoliating properties.

 

These acids help to slough off dead skin cells and improve skin texture. However, combining AHAs/BHAs with vitamin C can be too harsh for the skin.

Both AHAs/BHAs and vitamin C have low pH levels. When applied together, they can cause irritation, excessive dryness, redness, and peeling.

Moreover, the acidic nature of these two ingredients can disrupt your skin’s natural pH balance, potentially leading to weakened skin barriers.

To prevent irritation, it’s advisable to avoid using AHAs/BHAs and vitamin C together in the same routine.

If you want to incorporate both, consider alternating them on different days or times of the day. For example, use AHAs/BHAs in the evening and vitamin C in the morning.

What Can Vitamin C Be Mixed With?

While vitamin C should not be mixed with certain ingredients, there are several other skincare actives that complement its benefits and work effectively alongside it.

When combined with the right ingredients, vitamin C can provide even more impressive results. Here are some ingredients that mix well with vitamin C:

1. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the skin from environmental damage. When combined with vitamin C, the two ingredients work synergistically to enhance each other’s effectiveness.

Vitamin E helps stabilize vitamin C, making it more stable and potent. This combination not only provides antioxidant protection but also supports the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

The duo of vitamin C and vitamin E helps to brighten the skin, reduce pigmentation, and promote a more youthful complexion.

If you’re looking for a potent antioxidant serum, this combination is a great choice.

2. Ferulic Acid

Ferulic acid is another antioxidant that works wonders when paired with vitamin C. It helps stabilize and protect the vitamin C in your skincare routine, making it more effective.

Ferulic acid also has its own skin-protecting properties, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as preventing UV-induced damage.

When combined with vitamin C and vitamin E, ferulic acid provides superior antioxidant protection against free radicals.

This trio works effectively together to brighten the skin, reduce oxidative stress, and protect the skin from environmental damage.

3. Vitamin B (Vitamin B5, B3)

Vitamin B3, also known as niacinamide, can work well with vitamin C when applied at separate times of the day, as discussed earlier.

However, other B vitamins, such as vitamin B5, work wonderfully with vitamin C. Vitamin B5 has hydrating properties that help to soothe and moisturize the skin.

When paired with vitamin C, vitamin B5 can enhance the skin’s ability to retain moisture, keeping your skin plumped and hydrated.

Vitamin B5 also helps to reduce inflammation, making it ideal for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin.

4. Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a fantastic ingredient for hydration and is known for its ability to hold water in the skin, keeping it plump and smooth.

Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid work exceptionally well together because vitamin C brightens and protects, while hyaluronic acid hydrates and replenishes moisture.

If you have sensitive skin, hyaluronic acid can help mitigate any dryness or irritation caused by vitamin C, ensuring a more comfortable application.

Together, they leave the skin looking radiant, plump, and deeply hydrated.

Can You Mix Vitamin C and Niacinamide?

As we’ve already discussed, it’s best not to mix vitamin C and niacinamide in the same routine. These two ingredients can counteract each other’s benefits and lead to irritation.

However, you can still include both in your skincare routine by applying them at different times of the day or using them on alternate days.

For example, you can use vitamin C in the morning to protect against free radical damage, and apply niacinamide in the evening to hydrate, regulate oil production, and reduce the appearance of pores.

If you prefer using them on the same day, make sure to leave at least 10-15 minutes between applying each ingredient.

Can Vitamin C Be Used with Hyaluronic Acid?

Yes, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid can be used together, and in fact, they work wonderfully as a pair. Vitamin C can sometimes cause mild irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin.

When followed by a hydrating ingredient like hyaluronic acid, it can help soothe the skin and replenish moisture.

Hyaluronic acid helps to lock in moisture, keeping your skin plump, hydrated, and protected.

The combination of vitamin C’s brightening effects and hyaluronic acid’s moisture-boosting properties will leave your skin glowing, smooth, and radiant.

Does Vitamin C Cancel Out Retinol?

In short, yes, using vitamin C and retinol together can cause issues due to their different pH levels.

Both ingredients are potent, and when applied together, they can neutralize each other’s effects, resulting in skin irritation, dryness, and redness.

To avoid any negative reactions, apply vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night. This allows both ingredients to work effectively without interfering with one another.

Always follow up with sunscreen in the morning to protect your skin from UV damage, especially when using vitamin C.

What Comes First, Vitamin C or Hyaluronic Acid?

When applying both vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, start with the vitamin C serum.

Since vitamin C serums are typically thinner in consistency, they should be applied first, followed by a thicker serum or moisturizer like hyaluronic acid.

This ensures that the active ingredients in both products can be absorbed properly, and you’re left with a deeply hydrated and protected complexion.

Can Vitamin C Clog Pores?

While vitamin C is generally considered non-comedogenic, the form of vitamin C you use can impact whether it clogs pores.

Ascorbic acid, the most common form of vitamin C, can oxidize when exposed to air and light. This oxidation can lead to the formation of blackheads or clogged pores.

To avoid this, choose stabilized forms of vitamin C, such as ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate or sodium ascorbyl phosphate, which are less likely to oxidize.

Always store your vitamin C products in a cool, dark place to preserve their potency and prevent oxidation.

Conclusion

Now that you know what should and shouldn’t be mixed with vitamin C, you can confidently build a skincare routine that enhances your skin’s radiance and protects it from environmental damage.

Remember to avoid pairing vitamin C with ingredients like retinol, niacinamide, and AHAs/BHAs, and instead, combine it with ingredients like vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and ferulic acid for maximum benefit.

As always, if you’re unsure about your skincare routine, consulting a dermatologist is a great idea to make sure you’re using the best combinations for your skin.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
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