Vitamin C is a prominent and well-loved ingredient in the skincare industry, and for good reason. Some benefits of applying vitamin C to the skin include:
Not all skincare ingredients work well with vitamin C. Read on to find out how to get the most out of this powerful antioxidant ingredient.
Ingredients that work well with vitamin C
There are complementing antioxidants that work well with vitamin C. Some of these ingredients are:
1. Ferulic Acid
Ferulic acid is an antioxidant that neutralizes and protects the skin against free radicals generated by pollution and UV radiation, which accelerate premature aging in the skin. It helps stabilize and boost the effects of vitamin C.
2. Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is known for its ability to attract and bind water up to 1000 times its own weight to give skin that plump, healthy-looking appearance. It is recommended to use hyaluronic acid with vitamin C for those experiencing dryness in their skin.
3. Vitamin E
Both vitamins C and E are antioxidants that provide protection against free radicals generated from sun damage. Vitamin E is also a hydrating and calming ingredient that soothes and retains water in the skin.
Ingredients to avoid when using vitamin C
There are complementing antioxidants that work well with vitamin C. Some of these ingredients are:
1. Benzoyl Peroxide
Commonly used to treat mild to moderate acne by reducing acne-causing bacteria. Mixing it together with vitamin C can cause the vitamin C to oxidize, counteracting the effects.
2. Retinol (Vitamin A)
Retinol is a great anti-aging ingredient, however, combining it with vitamin C will cause peeling, redness and irritation in the skin. Using them together can also cause greater risk of sun damage. If you have both vitamin C and A products in your skincare routine, it is recommended to use the vitamin C product in the morning and the vitamin A product in the evening/night.
3. AHA/BHAs
Alpha hydroxy acid and beta hydroxy acid are chemical exfoliants that help with cell renewal and the removal of dead skin cells. They are also acidic ingredients, similar to vitamin C. Layering them with vitamin C can cause irritation to the skin. Similarly, we recommend using vitamin C products in the morning, and AHA/BHA products in the evening/night.
Conclusion
Vitamin C is a great and powerful ingredient in the skincare world, and using it can help improve the appearance of your skin while protecting it from environmental aggression. Follow these dos and don'ts to get the most of this wonderful ingredient and avoid any negative interactions with other skincare ingredients.