Vitamin C is effectively an acid (it's sometimes known as ascorbic acid), so layering it with AHAs and BHAs like glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids is a big no-no.
Vitamin C works best in combination with vitamin E, ferulic Acid, vitamin B, and hyaluronic acid. Designed to deliver a high concentration of actives, a vitamin C serum is a popular choice in skincare.
The short answer is yes, you can use these two ingredients together and see some serious skin benefits! Niacinamide and vitamin C have complementary benefits, and when applied correctly they can be a powerful combination.
Not only can you use vitamin C and hyaluronic acid together, but when you do, they can help create a more effective skincare routine. Each one has skincare benefits, some of which we mentioned, but when combined, they can form a more potent formula that offers increased results.
It's perfectly safe and very effective to incorporate both retinol and vitamin C into your skincare routine, as long as you use them at different times of the day.
To layer vitamin C and hyaluronic acid serums, always apply vitamin C first to cleansed, dry skin. Be sure to leave time for your vitamin C to sink in, then follow up with your hyaluronic acid.
If you're applying them together, you should apply Vitamin C first, followed by hyaluronic acid or niacinamide. Don't use it with AHAs, BHAs, and retinol at once. You can use it in low concentrations of AHA and BHA in your routine on alternate nights – Vitamin C one night and retinol the other.
After applying vitamin C serum to your face, wait for it to be fully absorbed by your skin. It should take somewhere between one and two minutes to completely dry off. Then, go ahead and apply the hyaluronic acid serum.
Several blogs, and even some beauty magazine articles, state that while the two ingredients are great on their own, combining them creates a two-fold problem: One, it neutralizes the effectiveness of both ingredients, and two, it might create a substance (nicotinic acid, also known as niacin) that reddens skin.
The best way to layer niacinamide and Vitamin C is to begin with a Vitamin C serum, applying it after you have cleansed and dried your skin. Then, apply your preferred niacinamide-containing product. Vitamin C can be used both morning and night.
Similar to retinol, niacinamide should not be used with acidic skincare ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids and even vitamin C. Ordinary niacinamide combined with an acid can cause a bad chemical reaction of redness and flushing.
“Hyaluronic acid plays well with most ingredients, while caution must be taken when using retinol in combination with alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids, benzoyl peroxide, and some types of vitamin C.” Linkner echoes the tip about avoiding vitamin C.
Can you use vitamin C with ceramides? As with other anti-aging ingredients, you can successfully use vitamin C products with ceramide products for enhanced benefits. In fact, vitamin C and ceramides pair well together in the same products, where they help restore skin's firmness and supple feel.
Apply vitamin C on cleansed skin first. Wait for about 10-15 minutes before using niacinamide. Avoid using products containing salicylic acid or retinol while using vitamin C and niacinamide. Try using these two ingredients in your night skincare routine.
All three ingredients, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin C, are safe when used together. You can pair either hyaluronic acid with niacinamide serum or hyaluronic acid with vitamin C or three of them together.
Both ingredients can fade hyperpigmentation and increase collagen production. Vitamin C (depending on the percentage) can be more harsh for sensitive skin types. Or, you might want to use niacinamide if you have acne-prone skin, and leverage Vitamin C for fading post-acne marks and dark spots.
Hyaluronic acid
If you're willing to give the duo a go, follow up your Vitamin C serum with hyaluronic acid-infused moisturiser, like the Pond's Super Light Gel Oil Free Moisturiser With Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin E. It's got the goodness of Vitamin E AND hyaluronic acid and will give you total skin hydration.
So you can apply your vitamin C first, let it dry completely, then apply your hyaluronic acid. Just remember to top everything off with a moisturizer—you still want to seal in the HA to lock in the hydration.
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.
Once you have applied your Vitamin C product, avoid using anything that may contain retinol or niacinamide. The reason being: the pH levels of these ingredients don't interact well with those in Vitamin C. This results in making both the ingredients ineffective and offering your skin little to no benefits at all.