
What is the best time of day to apply vitamin C?
For best results, apply vitamin C topically 1-2 times a day—morning and night. Be sure to apply a moisturizer with a broad-spectrum SPF after vitamin C application for daytime. Follow the directions on your product’s packaging, as instructions may vary from product to product.
How often should I use vitamin C on my face?
A little amount of Vitamin C goes a long way, so use only a drop or two. Use it after cleansing, toning, exfoliating but before moisturising. Also, if the product you are using has a high concentration of Vitamin C, using it once at night should be enough, while a product with a lower concentration can be used twice a day.
Can you use vitamin C on your skin at night?
Also, no matter what skin type you have, remember to always step out with a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30 when you are using Vitamin C on your skin. Even if you’re using it at night, apply a sunscreen the next morning before heading out.
Should you use vitamin C Serum before or after a moisturizer?
For serums, you want to apply your vitamin C product to freshly cleansed skin, but before you moisturize. But antioxidant-containing moisturizers are also becoming more common, Dr. Lamb says, and you’d want to use those at the end of your routine.

Should vitamin C be applied at night or morning?
Experts typically recommend using vitamin C products in the morning and retinoids at night. This route often ends up working out best since retinol products can increase the skin's sensitivity to UV rays, which is why it's better to save them for p.m. use.
Which time is best for vitamin C serum?
If you're wondering when to apply a vitamin C serum, the answer is both morning and night, after cleansing and toning. One study even recommends applying a vitamin C serum every eight hours, or twice daily for the pinnacle of protection.
When should I use vitamin C in my skincare routine?
We all have different skin needs and routines, but as a general rule, we recommend incorporating vitamin C into your skincare regime every—or every other—morning. We specify morning, because the antioxidant helps to protect from things like pollution and UV light, which you're typically exposed to throughout the day.
Can I use vitamin C serum day and night?
Yes, you can certainly use a Vitamin C serum at night, which helps avoid any sensitivity that it may cause by day. But its important to take your night-time skincare regime into consideration.
Can I use vitamin C in the morning and salicylic acid at night?
It is not recommended to use vitamin C with any kinds of acids in the same routine as it can disturb the pH balance of your skin. But, if you are using vitamin C to treat acne scars, make sure to use it in the morning, and use salicylic acid in your nighttime routine.
Can I use vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night?
The Final Takeaway You can definitely use retinol and vitamin C in your skincare routine, but it's probably best not to use them at the same time if you want to avoid irritating your skin. Consider applying retinol in the evenings and vitamin C in the mornings.
Can I use vitamin C and hyaluronic acid together?
Can You Use Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C Together? Not all powerful skincare ingredients can be mixed, but hyaluronic acid and vitamin C are two that become even stronger when paired with one another. These ingredients can provide both immediate and lasting results when used together in anti-aging formulations.
Should you apply vitamin C or hyaluronic acid first?
If you are applying a Vitamin C serum and hyaluronic acid separately, it's suggested that you apply the Vitamin C first, and then add the hyaluronic acid afterward in order to help fortify the skin barrier and lock in the moisture.
Can I use vitamin C and niacinamide together?
You can absolutely use vitamin C and niacinamide together, Singh goes on to emphasize. That said, if you ever have any doubts as to whether it's safe to mix two skin care ingredients, a dermatologist can always offer advice. Your skin is affected by more than what you put on it.
What should you not mix with vitamin C?
But overall, stick to using water-based products and serums together. AHAs and BHAs, such as glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids should never be used with Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an acid, too, and is unstable, so the pH balance will be thrown off by layering these ingredients together and might as well be useless.
Should I moisturize after vitamin C serum?
A good rule of thumb is to cleanse, tone, apply vitamin C serum, and then moisturize. It can be safely used with other active ingredients, although using alongside niacinamide may make vitamin C less effective.
Can vitamin C serum be used daytime?
While vitamin C can be used in the morning or evening, most prefer to apply it during the day since its antioxidant properties act as a shield to deflect pollution and other environmental aggressors.
When to use vitamin C serum?
Hogan explains. For serums, you want to apply your vitamin C product to freshly cleansed skin, but before you moisturize. But antioxidant-containing moisturizers are also becoming more common, ...
What to know before using vitamin C?
There’s a right way to use this ingredient. Between brightening dark spots and helping to protect against UV damage, there’s a lot vitamin C can do for your skin.
How to get vitamin C?
The most common way to get vitamin C in a skin-care routine is in a serum. But you don’t have to limit yourself! If you’d rather not add an extra step to your regimen, know that you can also get vitamin C in cleansers, moisturizers, exfoliants, and even sunscreens, Dr. Hogan says.
Is vitamin C safe to store?
Make sure to store your vitamin C products correctly. In topical skin-care products, vitamin C is sensitive to light and air. “When exposed to these factors, it becomes oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid, which is less stable and less efficacious,” Dr. Hogan explains.
Is it safe to use vitamin C?
Vitamin C is generally pretty safe and well tolerated, but if you have sensitive skin, it might sting a little bit—especially if you use it in the same part of your routine as exfoliating scrubs or acids.
Can you take vitamin C and retinol at the same time?
Using them in the same part of your routine can cause irritation, Dr. Lamb says, but it’s okay to use them on the same day at different times. Experts generally advise using vitamin C products in the morning and retinoids at night. 6. Make sure to store your vitamin C products correctly.
Is it safe to take vitamin C in the morning?
There’s certainly no law against using vitamin C products in the evening, but you may get the most benefit from using them in the morning. “In general vitamin C products should be applied in the morning before heading out for the day, when UV radiation is at its highest,” Dr. Hogan says.
What is the role of vitamin C in skin care?
Vitamin C—also known as ascorbic acid—is a water-soluble nutrient that plays an important role in keeping your skin healthy. Topical vitamin C is clinically proven to have a wide range of clinical applications thanks to its antioxidant, antiaging, antipigmentary properties.
What is vitamin C?
Vitamin C—also known as ascorbic acid—is a water-soluble nutrient that plays an important role in keeping your skin healthy. Topical vitamin C is clinically proven to have a wide range of clinical applications thanks to its antioxidant, antiaging, antipigmentary properties. This potent nutrient offers many benefits for the skin, including the potential to: 1 Make collagen, used to keep skin youthful and plump 2 Heal wounds 3 Maintain and repair damaged skin and cartilage 4 Diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles 5 Brighten up complexion 6 Even skin tone 7 Reduce the appearance of dark spots 8 Prevent premature aging
What is the best vitamin for dark spots?
Topical. Topical vitamin C is absorbed directly into the topmost layers of the skin, allowing it to get to work immediately on smoothing the skin, reducing fine lines and dark spots and protecting against free radicals. Vitamin C is available in facial moisturizers and serums.
What is the best vitamin for skin?
Vitamin C is legendary in the skin care world. In fact, some say it is the holy grail for all things skin-related, and for good reason. This incredible antioxidant, anti-inflammatory nutrient is known to improve skin tone and texture, hydrate the skin, and reduce signs of aging.
Does vitamin C help with skin damage?
Adding vitamin C to your skin care routine can not only brighten your complexion but also protect against skin damage caused by sun exposure and harmful free radicals. This potent antioxidant is commonly used in face cleansers, serums, oils, and moisturizers . Laura Porter / Verywell.
Does vitamin C help with redness?
A significant body of research shows that this powerhouse vitamin minimizes redness thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. 6 Vitamin C also helps mend damaged capillaries that cause skin redness, creating a smoother, more even complexion.
Does vitamin C help with dark circles?
In a small clinical study, researchers observed that vitamin C helps reduce and prevent dark circles under the eyes by strengthening the otherwise thin, delicate skin under the eyes. Vitamin C’s antioxidant properties make skin more elastic and resilient, helping conceal the blood vessels underneath. 2 .
What to consider before using vitamin C serum?
Factors to Consider Before Using Vitamin C Serum. Before you apply a vitamin C serum, remember to follow the instructions given on the product’s label. It’s vital to check the product’s expiry date. You also want to ensure the bottle is opaque and airtight, and that the product’s formulation is water-free.
How long does it take for vitamin C to absorb?
After applying vitamin C, give your face 90 seconds to absorb and follow with a moisturizer. The moisturizer seals the benefits of your serum and boosts your skin’s protective lipid barrier. To get the most out of a vitamin C serum: Apply it and also sunscreen to bolster protection as SPF absorbs UVA and UVB rays.
What is the difference between retinol and vitamin C?
You see, both retinol and vitamin C require a specific pH level to get absorbed into the skin. For vitamin C, it’s 0 to about 3.5, while retinol requires a higher pH level of 5.5 to 6.
What is the best serum for acne?
Vitamin C Serum and Retinol. Next to vitamin C, retinol, a form of vitamin A, is a most common and effective skincare ingredient. It encourages collagen synthesis, thus tightening the skin, treating acne, and leveling skin pigment. When you use vitamin C and retinol separately, each of them will target specific skin disorders.
Why is retinol important for skin?
And the fact that retinol can have a considerable drying effect on the skin, causing flakiness and dryness, is more reason to hydrate often. Both vitamin C and retinol are potent ingredients.
What are the benefits of vitamin C?
Here are the benefits of using vitamin C: 1 Hydrating: Manganese ascorbyl phosphate, a precursor of vitamin C, hydrates the skin, helping it to maintain its moisture by reducing trans epidermal water loss (when water passes through the epidermis and then evaporation from the skin surface). 2 Brightening: Using vitamin C can help reduce pigmentation and dullness, resulting in a youthful glow. 3 Evens skin tone: Vitamin C is known to treat several inflammatory conditions, including redness, leading to an even skin complexion. 4 Fades hyperpigmentation: Sometimes, excess melanin is produced in certain skin areas, resulting in dark spots, such as sunspots and melisma. Applying vitamin C in these areas hinders melanin production, removing dark spots much like hydroquinone. 5 Promotes collagen production: Over time, collagen depletes, causing fine lines and wrinkles to develop. Vitamin C bolsters collagen production. 6 Can help reduce under-eye circles: It plumps and hydrates the area under the eyes, smoothing out the discoloration causing the circles. 7 Helps prevent skin sagging: Collagen is tied to skin elasticity and firmness, and when its levels drop, the result is the skin sagging. But when you apply vitamin C serum, it helps boost collagen production, causing overall tightening. 8 Protects against sun damage: Because vitamin C is rich in antioxidants, it acts as a barrier against the damaging effect of free radicals. 9 Helps soothe sunburns: Vitamin C promotes cellular turnover, enabling the damaged sunburn cells to be replaced with new healthy ones.
Can you use vitamin C serum at night?
It’s common, though, to experience skin irritation, but you can prevent such a reaction by using them at different times of the day. Ideally, you can use your vitamin C serum in the morning and the retinol at night. Vitamin C stabilizes retinol, making it more effective.
What does vitamin C do to your skin?
What does vitamin C do for your skin? Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can fight free radicals, visibly brighten, reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation, and boost the skin’s firmness by jumpstarting collagen production. You can spot vitamin C on an ingredient label in a few different forms.
What is the commonality between vitamin C and vitamin C?
One key commonality between these two formulas is that they both feature shelf-stable forms of vitamin C. As popular as this ingredient is, it also has a tendency to break down quickly through a process know as oxidation. When vitamin C oxidizes it loses its effectiveness and can also cause irritating side effects.
What is the best vitamin for dark spots?
No matter what skin type you may have, Vitamin C is one of the most impactful ingredients you can incorporate into your daily skincare routine. Whether you’re looking for an all-over boost of radiance, a strong defense against sun damage, or a powerful brightener for dark spots, vitamin C can help you effectively achieve all these skin goals, ...
Does vitamin C oxidize?
When vitamin C oxidizes it loses its effectiveness and can also cause irritating side effects. Our scientists have specially formulated both of our vitamin C products to be extremely stable so that they can continue to provide clean, healthy, skin-loving no matter how fast or slow you may use them.
Can you use squalane and vitamin C together?
In fact, we actually recommend using them together during your AM and PM skincare routine. Our Squalane + Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum can be applied in the morning and/or evening to freshly cleansed skin. If you’re using our new Squalane + BHA Pore Minimizing Toner, apply this serum after the toner has absorbed and before using any other serums.
How much do they cost?
Prices for a facial will vary, depending on where you go and the kind of facial you choose.
How to prepare
When you go in for your appointment, make sure your skin is clean and bare.
Sensitive skin?
Monthly facials can be a great way to maintain healthy skin, but you may want to stretch that out to every 3 months if you have sensitive skin.
Products to try
Interested in adding vitamin C to your routine, but not sure where to start?
