We all love Vitamin C, a top ingredient in most beauty regimes. It brightens the skin, reduces brown spots, and protects against environmental damage. It can be even more of a power horse when combined with other ingredients. Below are some of our takeaways on using Vitamin C skincare with other ingredients, how to maximise its impact, and what to avoid when using it. I hope you enjoy our run-through.

Retinol

Retinol, a type of Vitamin A, is a common ingredient in anti-ageing skincare products. When used with Vitamin C, there is a noticeable improvement in the skin’s texture and brightness, as well as a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Combining the two generally involves using your Vitamin C in the morning (to maximise its brightening and protecting effects) and using your Retinol at night. Remember to also add an SPF in the morning but not at night. We love a Vitamin C serum used alongside a daily SPF. 


Hyaluronic Acid

This is the absolute queen of hydrating ingredients. It plumps the skin, reduces the appearance of fine lines, and gives your complexion a glowing radiance. When used with Vitamin C, you get great bang for your buck. Your skin is plumper, brighter, and fresher-looking. There’s no problem using these together. They’re perfectly safe. In fact, manufacturers often use them in combination for anti-aging products.


Nicotinamide

Nicotinamide is a type of Vitamin B3. It reduces inflammation and redness in the skin. When used alongside Vitamin C skincare ingredients, it makes your complexion more radiant and even, ideal for those of us with redness or blemishes. These ingredients are perfectly safe to use together and are often utilised by SkinCeuticals, Dermalogica, and the like in combination with products.

Combine these two ingredients if your key concern is an uneven complexion, acne-prone skin, or hyperpigmentation (age spots).


Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid exfoliates your complexion and reduces the appearance of fine lines and acne. It is a Beta hydroxide acid and can brighten up your skin and reduce age spots when used alongside Vitamin C. However, this is one ingredient you must be very careful with. Generally, avoid using salicylic acid with Vitamin C simultaneously as they can cancel each impact. You can separate their use into morning and evening without any problems. They can be an excellent combination for acne-prone skin with hyperpigmentation or uneven skin tone. Contact us if you have any queries on this.


Glycolic acid

Glycolic acid is one of those super new ingredients that you find, particularly in cleansers. It has a profound exfoliating impact on your skin. It dissolves some of the debris between cells and clears off the top layer of your complexion like few other ingredients can. We don’t recommend using glycolic acid directly alongside Vitamin C, but you can separate their use in your beauty regime to brighten your complexion and reduce hyperpigmentation.

The primary use of combining glycolic acid and Vitamin C Combo is to achieve an even skin tone, reduce pigment and minimise fine lines and wrinkles. 


Benzoyl peroxide

This is a popular ingredient used to reduce inflammation and redness. It also has an antibacterial effect. You can use it alongside Vitamin C but not at the same time. This should be fine as Vitamin C is usually used in the morning (to maximise its antioxidant benefits), while benzyl peroxide is more commonly used at night.

Acne-prone or inflamed skin can use a combination of these products, but once again, with advice.