Is it OK to use hyaluronic acid and vitamin C together?
Not only do hyaluronic acid and vitamin C work together, many skin experts stress that these two powerful ingredients deliver the best skin results.
You’ll often find effective formulas that contain both vitamin C and hyaluronic acid because they work synergistically and complement each other on the skin’s surface to make your complexion more hydrated, protect against free radical damage, and repair damage. You’ll also find that hyaluronic acid can relieve common irritation and dryness that can sometimes be caused by vitamin C. The moisture barrier stays replenished and fully functional, and your skin glows.
So let’s take a deep dive and find out if you can use hyaluronic acid with vitamin C. Don’t forget you can connect with us on Instagram. So follow us and join the skincare conversation.
Which should I apply first, vitamin C or hyaluronic acid?
If you’re using a skincare product that contains vitamin C and hyaluronic acid separately, you should apply the thinnest consistency first, followed by the thickest. Vitamin C serums are usually lightweight and watery, which is why they’re usually applied to the skin first. Applying vitamin C first and then following it up with a gel serum or moisturizer containing hyaluronic acid can help prevent the dryness, redness, and skin irritation that can sometimes occur when using vitamin C in your daily routine.
If you want to learn more about the use of hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, you can read the corresponding blog post on The Beauty Insiders.
Can I use hyaluronic acid with vitamin C and niacinamide?
As I mentioned before, the combination of hyaluronic acid and vitamin C is a double whammy for skin rejuvenation. What you may not know is the story behind using niacinamide and vitamin C. To give you an idea, both niacinamide and vitamin C have similar benefits and, according to outdated research, they can cause a chemical reaction. This reaction, called niacin, can irritate the skin and render all ingredients ineffective. Modern formulas are much less likely to cause this reaction than products from the 1960s that contained an unstable form of ascorbic acid (vitamin C).
What not to take with vitamin C?
Due to its history of instability and common skin irritation side effects, there are certain ingredients that are best avoided when using vitamin C. Here’s a quick overview of how to effectively incorporate Vitamin C into your daily routine while avoiding unnecessary skin irritation.
Vitamin C and AHA/BHA
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a powerful acid that delivers impressive skin results as well as chemical peels. This essentially means that using other acids and exfoliants like AHA/BHA is not a good idea as they can coat the surface of the skin and cause breakouts, acne, redness, and extreme dryness of the skin. If you want to use Vitamin C with other acids like glycolic, salicylic, or lactic acid, it’s best to alternate the time of day, using Vitamin C in the morning and the other acid in the evening.
Vitamin C and Retinol
Using these two together is a recipe for disaster! Both ingredients are powerful, and applying active amounts of each to the skin at the same time can lead to extreme redness, flaking, and dryness on the face. Similar to AHA/BHA, you’ll get the best results by using Vitamin C in the morning and Retinol in the evening.
Vitamin C and Niacinamide
As I mentioned earlier, there are several different, outdated opinions about using niacinamide and vitamin C together. To avoid all of them, you should try to use them separately so that each ingredient can work its unique benefits without interfering with each other.
Below are three examples of ingredients you should avoid when using vitamin C. If you have questions about incorporating certain ingredients into your daily skincare routine, consult a doctor or dermatologist to make sure they are beneficial for you and your skin.
Which is better for wrinkles, retinol or hyaluronic acid?
Retinol is considered one of the most effective ingredients for the skin, fighting signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of collagen and elastin. It speeds up the turnover of skin cells and removes the buildup of dead skin cells, which, if not removed, can cause the complexion to appear dull and fine lines and wrinkles to become more noticeable.
When our skin lacks moisture, you will notice a large number of visible fine lines that are very obvious. Using retinol is not as effective in reducing these fine lines as using hyaluronic acid. The moisturizing properties of HA ensure that the skin remains fully hydrated, plump, and elastic.
As you can see, both of these powerful ingredients fight wrinkles in their own unique way, but are you wondering what the best part is? You can use both retinol and hyaluronic acid together for optimal results and an all-around amazing skin appearance.
Does Vitamin C clean pores?
No, Vitamin C is known to be non-comedogenic, meaning it does not cause breakouts. h. It does not penetrate pores and cause a buildup of dead skin cells, debris, and excess sebum. Instead, you will find that everything on the surface of the skin is peeled away due to the exfoliating action of ascorbic acid, revealing glowing, healthy skin cells underneath.
How long does it take for a Vitamin C serum to work?
This depends on the percentage of active Vitamin C content in the formula. The higher the acid content, the quicker the effects, but it is believed that an all-over radiant complexion will appear soon after applying Vitamin C to the skin. With consistent use, you will see noticeable improvements to your skin in 4-6 weeks. Signs of hyperpigmentation are significantly reduced, as are fine lines and wrinkles.
So today, with any luck, I’ve addressed a few questions you might have been asking yourself, like whether you can use hyaluronic acid with vitamin C. If you’re into skincare, check out our YouTube channel The Green Sofa for the latest episodes.