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HOW TO USE HYALURONIC ACID AND VITAMIN C TOGETHER

Article Overview

In the world of skincare, some ingredients seem destined to be together – like hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. Individually, these ingredients are heralded for their respective hydrating and brightening abilities. But they can also work together to offer enhanced benefits.
When combining skincare ingredients, it’s important to get a sense of their compatibility on the skin and how to use them most effectively in tandem.
In this guide, we’ll be delving into the benefits of pairing vitamin C with hyaluronic acid: exploring how this duo can support different skin types, and walking you through how to apply them in your skincare routine for the best results.

Can hyaluronic acid and vitamin C be used together?

Yes, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C can be used together. Vitamin C is known for its antioxidant, protective benefits, while hyaluronic acid is the gold standard of skin hydration.
Combined, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid are highly complementary ingredients that can promote hydrated, balanced, and radiant skin. Of course, learning how to layer skincare in the right order is the key to utilising the joint benefits of this pair.

Comparing hyaluronic acid and vitamin C

So, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C can be safely – and harmoniously – paired together. But how do these active ingredients work on their own? Continue reading as we compare the individual benefits of using vitamin C and hyaluronic acid serums.

Vitamin C

Using vitamin C for the skin can have a profound impact on the skin, delivering brightening and anti-ageing benefits alongside protection against environmental aggressors.
There is a range of different forms of vitamin C – including sodium ascorbyl phosphate, sodium ascorbate, and ascorbyl palmitate – and they differ slightly in some of their physical properties. But as a general guide, you can expect vitamin C to:

• Provide powerful antioxidant protection to neutralise free radicals that contribute to premature ageing
• Help stimulate collagen production to improve the skin’s elasticity and promote visibly firmer, smoother skin
• Visibly brighten dull skin, fade dark spots, and unify uneven skin tone
• Enhance UV protection when combined with a daily broad-spectrum, high SPF sunscreen
• Be suitable for dull, ageing, uneven, or blemish-prone skin

That said, it’s also important to note that vitamin C may cause mild sensitivity (for certain skin types) when used in high concentrations.

Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring large carbohydrate molecule found throughout the body and skin. It’s classified as a humectant (water-attracting ingredient) and known for its ability to retain up to 1,000 times its weight in water.
Some of the key benefits of hyaluronic acid for skin include its ability to:

• Deeply hydrate and plump the skin, ensuring it stays supple
• Help strengthen the skin moisture barrier (your skin’s protective lipid layer)
• Visibly smooth the appearance of fine lines thanks to its plumping, water-binding properties
• Comfort sensitive skin, which is naturally prone to transepidermal water loss

Hyaluronic acid is extremely well-tolerated and suitable for all skin types, in addition to its compatibility with almost all other actives – including vitamin C.

Benefits of combining hyaluronic acid and vitamin C

When used together, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C protect against harmful free radicals that disrupt the skin and contribute to photo-ageing. The power of vitamin C to brighten and even out the skin also complements hyaluronic acid’s ability to keep the skin soft and plump, for overall healthy-looking skin.
Below are some of the top benefits of pairing vitamin C with hyaluronic acid for various skin types and concerns.

For dry or dehydrated skin

Hyaluronic acid and vitamin C are beneficial in helping dry skin concerns. Hyaluronic acid helps prevent skin dehydration, while vitamin C protects dry skin from free radicals that can compromise the skin moisture barrier and increase sensitisation and redness.

For oily or blemish-prone skin

Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid serums can have quite a synergistic effect on oily or blemish-prone skin. Hyaluronic acid works to keep your skin balanced (which helps prevent an overproduction of sebum) while vitamin C protects the skin from free radicals that cause oxidative stress - and thus excess sebum. Vitamin C is also highly effective for fading the appearance of post-blemish hyperpigmentation.

For combination skin

Similar to their effects on dry and oily skin types, pairing vitamin C with hyaluronic acid helps prevent oxidative stress in the skin. This keeps combination skin balanced - mitigating dry patches and controlling excess oil in the T-zone.

For sensitive skin

If you have sensitive skin, you might be reluctant to introduce vitamin C into your routine. But, with the right concentration, it can be especially beneficial for protecting against free radicals that can exacerbate already sensitive skin. When combined with hyaluronic acid, these ingredients can also reduce visible redness and discomfort by keeping skin hydrated.

For ageing or mature skin

While the skin naturally produces hyaluronic acid and collagen, these levels deplete as we age. However, a combination of vitamin C and hyaluronic acid serums can help stimulate collagen synthesis and boost hyaluronic acid levels. This in turn helps visibly reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin firmness, re-plump the skin, and amplify radiance.

How to use hyaluronic acid and vitamin C together

Effective skincare layering is strategic. Some serums will be more beneficial for morning use; others will assist the skin’s natural overnight renewal process.
In the context of vitamin C and hyaluronic acid serums, consider these key pointers:

• Hyaluronic acid can be used morning and night to boost hydration
• A moisturiser can help seal in moisture over your hyaluronic acid serum
• Vitamin C is most effective in the morning to deliver antioxidant protection and neutralise free radicals
• SPF application should be a daily part of your skincare regime to increase your vitamin C protection

Find out how to build your hyaluronic acid and vitamin C routine below.

Building your morning skincare routine

1. Cleanse your skin with a cleanser that’s formulated for your skin type.
2. Layer your vitamin C serum onto dry skin, dispersing a few drops onto your face and neck. For normal to dry skin we recommend the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. Those with oily skin and blemish-prone skin can apply the Silymarin CF Vitamin C Serum for Oily Skin.
3. Wait 60 to 90 seconds to allow your vitamin C serum to fully absorb into the skin.
4. Apply the Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier Multi-Glycan, a corrective hyaluronic acid serum for the face. Ensure your skin is slightly damp to maximise product absorption.
5. Follow with a moisturiser for your skin type to lock in hydration and the work of both serums.
6. Finish with an SPF50+ broad spectrum, like the Ultra Facial Defense Sunscreen SPF50, at least 20 minutes before sun exposure.

Explore SkinCeuticals vitamin C and hyaluronic acid serums

The most efficacious vitamin C and hyaluronic acid serums will depend on your unique skin type and concerns. Below are some of SkinCeuticals’s most beloved products.

• C E Ferulic Vitamin C Serum: Suitable for dry or ageing skin, this high-potency serum contains a combination of powerful antioxidants: pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), vitamin E (alpha tocopherol), and ferulic acid, which work in combination to protect against premature signs of ageing caused by free radical damage.
• Silymarin CF Vitamin C Serum for Oily Skin: Tailormade for oily and blemish-prone skin, this is our breakthrough oil-free vitamin C serum that combines silymarin (milk thistle extract), pure vitamin C, ferulic acid, and salicylic acid. Together, these hero ingredients help prevent oil oxidation that can lead to breakouts, while targeting visible signs of ageing.
• Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier Multi-Glycan: Powered by high concentrations of 1.3% pure hyaluronic acid, 12% proxylane, and the new post-biotic ferment to increase glycosaminoglycans, this formula plumps and rehydrates the skin for 24 hours.

Hyaluronic acid and vitamin C make a harmonious pair – but which other ingredients work well together? Find out next with our guide to how to use retinol and hyaluronic acid for anti-ageing and blemish-fighting benefits.