Skin brightening, hydrating and collagen boosting, a Vitamin C serum sits firmly in the 'best for AM use' category. This is because Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants, which help to mitigate the free radical damage – and subsequent signs of photo-ageing – triggered by UV radiation.
Nearly across the board, dermatologists recommend incorporating vitamin C serum into your morning routine (as opposed to using it at night). The reason for this recommendation relates to its ability to protect the skin.
Consider your skin type. If you have acne-prone and oily skin, pick a face serum that has salicylic acid and retinol. For dry skin, try something with Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. And if you have sensitive skin, try a serum that has natural ingredients as natural ingredients always show the best result.
If you're dabbling in both vitamin C and hyaluronic acid in separate products, remember vitamin C is best deployed in your AM skincare routine, while hyaluronic acid can be used both morning and night.
How to Use Them Together. Dr. Van Dyke recommended using hyaluronic acid morning and night after cleansing when the skin is still damp and to leave your retinol application for just once a day at night.
In order to get the most out of these two ingredients, it's important to apply them in the correct order. Vitamin C is sensitive to air, water, and light, so you want to apply it to clean, dry skin before using hyaluronic acid. Let it completely dry before moving on to the next product.
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.
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.
Adding a vitamin C serum to your nighttime routine with just a couple of drops to your face should suffice. Tap it on your skin using your fingertips and leave it on overnight. Wash your face in the morning and apply SPF to avoid any skin irritation when you head out.
Limit to Two Serums Per Routine
We recommend you use no more than two face serums per routine. Again, alternating skin care items is a strategy here. If you have many serums that you like, use one or two in your morning routine and two different serums in the evening.
*Do not use more than two serums — it would not be as effective. *If you are using multiple serums, they should target different problem areas. “Check the ingredient list of formulations to make sure you aren't using a single active ingredient too many times. Too much hyaluronic acid can cause a break out!” she shared.
“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.
Don't Mix: Retinol with vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, and AHA/BHA acids. AHA and BHA acids are exfoliating, which can dry out the skin and cause further irritation if your skincare routine already includes retinol.
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.
Can you use hyaluronic acid with vitamin C in the morning? Yes, you certainly can! Whether you are applying a formula that combines both ingredients, or choose to use them separately, you can use both during your morning routine.
You can — and should — combine all three skincare ingredients in your routine, Dr. Gilbert says. By using vitamin C, retinol and hyaluronic acid together, you'll receive all of the benefits detailed above. That being said, introducing new skincare products and ingredients into your routine isn't always easy.
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.
Our top picks:
Best Brightening Serum: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum, $183. Best Exfoliating Serum: OleHenriksen Dewtopia 20% Acid Night Treatment, $60. Best Retinol: CeraVe Anti Aging Retinol Serum, $27. Best Retinoid for Sensitive Skin: Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum, $85.
Retinol (Vitamin A)
Retinol is one of the most clinically proven anti-aging ingredients available today. It stimulates the production of collagen, which leads to firmer, plumper skin. Retinol has exfoliating properties that encourage cell turnover and helps shed dead skin cells.