How often can a Vitamin C serum be used?
Personally, I think everyone needs and benefits from a Vitamin C serum in their skincare routine. This is partly to do with the super healthy glow that the active ingredients give the skin, but it’s also to do with the many benefits it can offer. Because Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, this means it fights off a wide range of environmental influences that our skin is exposed to every day.
It’s important for the skin to maintain antioxidants throughout the day because it protects the skin’s lipid barrier from damage caused by free radicals from things like pollution, UV rays, central heating and harsh climates. When the barrier is well protected and functioning properly, you can reduce any issues that occur on the surface of the skin, such as fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, hyperpigmentation and loss of elasticity. All of these
Vitamin C protects against oxidative stress throughout the day. Unlike other products like sunscreen, moisturizers and face oils, Vitamin C cannot be wiped off the skin, but works within the skin.
These aren’t the only benefits of Vitamin C. Here are some examples of other effects you’ll experience from using a Vitamin C serum.
Benefits of Vitamin C Serum
Helps reduce signs of premature aging like fine lines and wrinkles.
Helps wounds heal faster
Improve skin tone and brighten complexion
Increases collagen production for firmer-looking skin
Repairs and reduces signs of hyperpigmentation, sun damage and dark spots
Fights the effects of free radicals throughout the day
If you want to learn more about vitamin C and its benefits for your skin, check out our dedicated blog post on The Beauty Insiders.
Now let’s move on to how often you can use a vitamin C serum.
Can a vitamin C serum be used every day?
Of course, you can also use a vitamin C serum twice a day if you prefer. To get the most out of your vitamin C, it’s best to apply it to thoroughly cleansed skin after toning and before applying moisturizer and sunscreen. This ensures the active ingredients are able to penetrate the epidermis and stimulate collagen production and protect the outer barrier.
You’ll find that using a vitamin C serum twice a day doubles the free radical-fighting effects. Using it in the morning will prepare your skin for exposure to free radicals throughout the day. Using it afterwards during your evening routine will help repair and regenerate your skin while you catch up on your beauty sleep.
Can you overdo it with a vitamin C serum?
Yes, you can! Our skin behaves similarly to a wet sponge. What I mean by that is that, at a certain point, it can no longer absorb active ingredients. Therefore, it is best to use vitamin C products (especially serums, as they work deeper under the skin) only twice a day.
If you are worried that you are using too much vitamin C, your skin will be the first to tell you. You may notice an increase in blackheads, or the appearance of blackheads even though you didn’t have them before. You may also notice that your skin feels tight, irritated and itchy, and there are signs of redness and blotchiness on your skin. When using vitamin C for the first time, it is usually recommended that it is best to use it once a day to allow the skin to build up some tolerance and prepare for using it again in the evening.
Don’t forget: If you have any other concerns about using vitamin C, you can ask your doctor or dermatologist for further help to find the formula that works best for you and your skin.
How many times a week can a vitamin C serum be used?
Once your skin gets used to the vitamin C, you can apply it to your skin twice a day.
However, some users prefer to use it mainly in their morning routine to brighten the complexion and make the skin look healthy, radiant and refreshed. Additionally, some people with sensitive skin may wish to limit the frequency of application of this potent powerhouse to avoid unwanted skin irritation or reactions.
If your skincare routine includes a range of different active ingredients, you may want to alternate your use of Vitamin C throughout the week to avoid overloading your skin with ingredients like niacinamide, which can work against the Vitamin C and cause both ingredients to lose their effectiveness.
Can I use Vitamin C serum every night?
Yes, as I explained earlier, you can use Vitamin C serum every day once your skin has developed a tolerance. I also mentioned that many people prefer to use Vitamin C in their morning skincare routine to fully tap into their complexion’s radiance, but this is just a matter of personal preference, as this ingredient is very effective when used in both their evening and nighttime skincare routines.
Can I use Vitamin C twice a day?
Yes, you indeed can. In fact, some studies suggest that it’s best to reapply Vitamin C every eight hours for faster, more noticeable results. This is just a suggestion, and understandably out of reach for most of us.
I also believe that it’s always possible to have too much of a good thing, and reapplying Vitamin C can cause breakouts in acne and other forms of acne. Stick to using Vitamin C twice a day, but only if your skin is happy with it. If you are unsure, you can do a 24-hour patch test before applying it on your face to avoid any adverse skin reactions.
I hope I have answered your question about how often you should use Vitamin C serum in your skincare routine. If you still have any questions, visit us on Instagram.
