Hyaluronic Acid can be combined with Vitamin C products or applied separately as the second layer of defense. While Hyaluronic Acid is still a water-based product, it is used to bind moisture to the skin and pump up moisture levels, so many Vitamin C products will already boast hyaluronic acid on their ingredient list.
Note: L-ascorbic acid should NOT be mixed with any other ingredients (except Hyaluronic Acid serum-see combination serum below) unless you have done your research to verify compatibility. It is too acidic and will cause other ingredients to break down, change into other chemicals, or be ineffective altogether.
“It's important to apply HA before your other serums because it helps to seal in the moisturizer you'll be putting on top,” confirms board-certified dermatologist Shari Sperling, DO. She adds that it works great as a moisturizer because of how well it binds to water, plumping and hydrating your face.
Since retinol and L-ascorbic acid have a big gap in pH, using them at the same time will lower the retinol's pH and raise the vitamin C's pH. The result? The retinol will become less active, and the vitamin C will have a reduced ability to get into your skin. Essentially, they will both become less effective!
If you are applying a Vitamin C serum and hyaluronic acid (HA) separately, it's suggested that you apply the Vitamin C first, and then add the HA afterward in order to help fortify the skin's barrier and lock in the moisture.
Serums and moisturizers help the skin in different ways. Sometimes a serum alone will be enough for what your skin needs, and other times you're going to find that you need both a serum and a moisturizer. Moisturizers are thicker and creamier than serums. They're meant to hydrate the skin and prevent water loss.
Is it a good idea to combine Vitamin C, Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid in a skincare routine? Yes. These ingredients work well when used individually and even better when paired together.
Can I use hyaluronic acid every day? Yup! And you can even use it twice a day as long as you're applying it to clean, damp skin, then locking it in with a moisturizer and face oil. “If you put hyaluronic acid on top of a sunscreen or a moisturizer, it's not going to work,” Dr.
Is one better for your skin than the other? While hyaluronic acid works its repairing and hydrating magic on the upper layers of the skin, retinol is able to have multiple effects deeper within the skin.
Formulated with caffeine and hyaluronic acid, it can help reduce the look of puffiness, fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles. Apply it in small dots around your eye and smooth until absorbed, morning and night.
Hyaluronic acid is a highly effective moisturizer that works wonders with vitamin C and retinol. In the morning, after applying your vitamin C serum, follow this brightening ingredient with a layer of hydrating hyaluronic acid.
To use retinol before a moisturizer, wash the face and when completely dry, apply a pea-size amount of retinol. Retinol should not be used on damp skin because the skin will absorb more than required and cause irritation. Finish with a moisturizer to hydrate the skin and reduce the risk of irritation.
That said, when trying to remember the correct order to apply skincare products, a general rule of thumb is to layer your products, starting with the thinnest, water-based formulas and ending with the thickest products.
The Best Vitamin C Serums Of All Time
- Drugstore Deal. 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum.
- Anti-Aging Award Winner. C E Ferulic.
- 3 Rapid Tone Repair Brightening 20% Vitamin C Serum Capsules. Neutrogena amazon.com.
- 4 Truth Serum.
- 5 C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum.
- Natural Pick.
- 8 Universal C Skin Refiner.
- Natural Pick.
Going overboard on the potent ingredient (known to cause irritation and dryness at high concentrations) can dry out your skin and make your wrinkles look more noticeable, says Rebecca Kazin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington, D.C. Avoid this side
The best product you can use in conjunction with retinol, according to Dr. Zeichner, is a moisturizer, which can help hydrate skin and reduce the risk of irritation from retinol. “Some people even prefer to mix their retinol with a moisturizing cream to dilute it out,” he says.
Vitamin C serum is typically applied once or twice per day. A good rule of thumb is to cleanse, tone, apply vitamin C serum, and then moisturize. It can be safely used in conjunction with other active ingredients, although use alongside niacinamide may render vitamin C less effective.
Mix: Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid"Skin loses water and moisture as we age, and especially with the use of drying ingredients such as retinol in other products," explained Dendy Engelman, M.D., dermatologist in New York City.
According to the experts, the hero ingredient actually needs to be applied to damp skin in order to work. In fact, applying it to a dry face can have the opposite effect of what is intended, and actually leave skin more dehydrated. "Hyaluronic acid is a moisture magnet," says Allies of Skin founder Nicolas Travis.
So if your skin is sensitive, use it every other morning instead of daily. Opt for a serum filled with hyaluronic acid, which pulls water from the air into your skin to plump it up and keep it hydrated while you sleep.
These Hyaluronic Acid Serums Will Make Your Skin 10 Times Dewier
- Best Overall: SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier Serum.
- Best with Vitamin C: Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate.
- Best Budget: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5.
- Best Drugstore: Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Gel Face Moisturizer.
Ingredients you should never mix with vitamin C
- Vitamin C + Benzoyl peroxide.
- Vitamin C + Retinol.
- Vitamin C + AHAs/BHAs.
- Vitamin C + Niacinamide.
"Hyaluronic acid is awesome," says Wechsler. In addition to being a terrific moisturizer, she says, it partners well with other active skin care ingredients (so you can layer it with retinol, for example, and use it daily). "The beauty of hyaluronic acid is that it doesn't have any fine print," says Hirsch.
What to look for in a vitamin C serum
- Form: L-ascorbic acid.
- Concentration: 10–20 percent.
- Ingredient combo: L-ascorbic acid, tocopherol (vitamin E) or glutathione, ferulic acid.
- Packaging: Dark or tinted glass bottles with airless delivery.
- Price: Not a factor in quality, but opt for the brand that fits your budget.
Don't mix: Retinol with vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide (BPO) or alpha and beta hydroxy acids, otherwise known as AHAs and BHAs (glycolic acid and salicylic acid). Layering these products one after the other could cause irritation.
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the vitamin C powder and filtered water. Whisk the ingredients until the vitamin C powder is completely dissolved. Once dissolved, stir in the aloe vera gel and vitamin E oil.
- Pour the serum into a dark amber bottle (a funnel helps). Store the serum in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.
Make the Vitamin C Serum Part of Your Facial Care RegimenIt's best to use the Serum after your shower, and after using a mild cleanser on your face, neck, and back of your ears to remove the excess oil. Pat the surface damp or dry with a clean towel. If it's a nighttime regimen, simply rest immediately after.
The main difference between using a serum and a facial oil is that oil molecules are much larger and can only penetrate the outermost layers of the skin. Serums help to repair or protect your skin from a variety of concerns, such as aging, hyperpigmentation, and acne.
So, if you're using this kind of serum to improve skin smoothness, diminish fine lines, repair dryness or address dark spots, give it at least four to six weeks to see results.
To allow serums to fully absorb, apply and wait 5 minutes before moisturizing. Take note: Well-formulated serums absorb quickly and disappear into your skin.
When applying a vitamin C powder to your face, it's important to make sure that you're using a powder meant for topical use. Applying crushed-up vitamin C meant to be eaten as a supplement likely won't be effective.
“There is good literature that shows that vitamin C in particular can prevent brown spots, reverse damage from ultraviolet rays, and stimulate the growth of new collagen.” Other good skin serum options to target wrinkles are those with antioxidants including tea polyphenols and resveratrol.
As with any skin care product, some people may experience
side effects when using
vitamin C serum.
Some of the most common side effects include:
- itching.
- redness.
- skin irritation.
- tingling sensation upon application.
