Skincare Stacy

Skincare Stacy
When to Use Vitamin C Serum in Routine

When to Use Vitamin C Serum in Routine

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To use vitamin C serums in your skin care routine, apply them after cleansing and before moisturizer and sunscreen in the mornings.

Vitamin C serum benefits include:

Vitamin C Benefits

  • Fighting free radicals

  • Reducing dark spots

  • Boosting collagen production

This article will explain everything you need to know about vitamin C serums and when to use them in your skin care routine.

When to Apply Vitamin C Serum

MaeLove The Glow Maker Vitamin C Serum with BowTiedFawn branding

You should apply vitamin C serum after cleansing and before moisturizing. The official order of how to apply products in your skincare routine is:

Skin Routine Order

  • Cleanser

  • Toner

  • Serum

  • Moisturizer

  • Sunscreen (morning only)

Vitamin C serum morning or night?

Vitamin C Serums with BowTiedFawn branding

Vitamin C serums can be applied morning or night. That being said, vitamin C serums are most effective when applied in the morning.

Topical vitamin C works synergistically with your broad spectrum sunscreen for incredible benefits:

  • Even out skin tone

  • Boost collagen production

  • Neutralize free radicals

  • Prevent premature aging and sagging skin

  • Protect against sun damage

While you can apply vitamin C products at night, it is best to apply as part of your morning routine instead.

How to use Vitamin C Serum on Face at Night

CeraVe vitamin C serum with BowTiedFawn branding

To use your vitamin C at night, first wash your face with a gentle cleanser, then apply a few drops of your serum. Wait for the serum to absorb and then follow up with a moisturizer.

If you have particularly dry skin, you can apply a hyaluronic acid serum after vitamin C but before your moisturizer.

Additionally, you can apply a facial oil after your moisturizer to lock in all of the hydration.

When to Use Vitamin C Serum

Vichy Vitamin C serum with BowTiedFawn branding

You can use vitamin C serum as part of your morning or nighttime skincare routines.

That being said, studies show that pure vitamin C in the form of l ascorbic acid is a potent antioxidant. Further, it boosts collagen production and prevents skin aging.

Therefore, you should apply vitamin C serum in the morning before your facial SPF for maximum anti aging benefits and sun protection.

How Much Vitamin C Serum to Use

You should use 4-5 drops of vit C serum to cover your face and neck.

When to Start Using Vitamin C Serum

Timeless 20% Vitamin C Serum with BowTiedFawn branding

For best results, you should start using vitamin C serums in your 20s.

Vitamin C serum boosts collagen production and prevents premature aging. Because your natural collagen production slows down in your mid 20s, this is a great time to start anti-aging skincare.

Both vitamin C and retinol are safe to start in your 20s, but you can also start later in life if you prefer.

How to Put on Vitamin C Serum

Dr. Dennis Gross Vitamin C Dewy Deep Cream with BowTiedFawn branding

To put on vitamin C serum, apply a few drops of product after cleansing and toning.

Where to Put Vitamin C Serum

Stratia C+C Serum Tilted with BowTiedFawn branding

You can put vitamin C serum on your face, neck, and the backs of your hands.

All of these areas of skin are thin and more prone to aging that the rest of your body.

Therefore, they can benefit from anti-aging skincare products like vitamin C serum.

How many drops of vitamin c serum?

SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic with BowTiedFawn branding

You should use about 4-5 drops of vitamin C serum to cover your face, neck, and the backs of your hands.

You can reduce the amount if you experience any skin irritation.

Can you use vitamin C serum everyday?

BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner with BowTiedFawn branding

Yes, you can use vitamin C serum everyday in your skin care routine as long as you don’t experience any skin irritation. Signs of skin irritation include:

  • Redness

  • Itchiness

  • Dryness

  • Flaking skin

People with dry skin and sensitive skin types are more likely to experience these side effects that people with oily skin.

How often should I use vitamin c serum?

Stratia C+C Serum with BowTiedFawn branding

You should use vitamin C serum as part of your daily skin care routine if possible. That being said, I always take 1 day without using any active ingredients to allow my skin to recover.

If you have sensitive skin, you may benefit from taking extra days away from using vitamin C serums.

How many times vitamin C serum per day?

You should use vitamin C serums once per day at most.

Can I use vitamin C everyday?

Yes, you can use vitamin C products everyday as long as you do not experience any irritation.

How often should I put vitamin C on my face?

You should put pure vitamin C products on your face between 5-7 times per week. Using vitamin C this frequently is effective for evening out skin tone and clearing up dark spots.

Types of Vitamin C Serum

In the skincare world, there are two common forms of vitamin C found in serums:

  • L ascorbic acid

  • Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate

These active ingredients work wonders for skin health and protecting you against environmental aggressors. However, they work slightly differently.

L Ascorbic Acid

Pure l ascorbic acid is the form of topical vitamin C that our skin actually uses for processes like wound healing and getting rid of dark spots.

It is commonly found in formulas with ferulic acid and vitamin E like we see in SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic.

Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

These topical vitamin C derivates are often found in more affordable formulas than ascrobic acid.

There have also been some studies that show they are effective at reducing breakouts for skin prone to acne. That being said, they are not as effective as l ascorbic acid serums at preventing aging.

Summary: When to Use Vitamin C in Skincare Routine

BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner with cap and BowTiedFawn branding

To use vitamin C serums effectively, apply them after cleansing and before moisturizer and sunscreen as part of your morning routine.

Further, you can also use vitamin c serum as part of your nighttime routine if you prefer, but you’ll be missing out on added protection from excess sun exposure.

If you’re trying a new vitamin C product, be sure to patch test it first to see how your skin reacts. Depending on your skin type, you can then experiment with the frequency that works best for you.

Overall, skin care products with vitamin C fit easily into many skincare routines and will leave you with a beautiful youthful glow. I highly recommend checking out vitamin C serums for all skin types.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Skincare Questions with BowTiedFawn branding

When should I apply vitamin C to my skin care routine?

You should apply vitamin C during your morning routine before cleansing and before applying moisturizer and SPF. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that can help protect you from sun damage. Therefore, it is most effective when applied in the morning.

When should vitamin C serum be applied?

You should apply vitamin C during your morning routine before cleansing and before applying moisturizer and SPF. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that can help protect you from sun damage. Therefore, it is most effective when applied in the morning.

Do you put vitamin C serum on before or after moisturizer?

You should put vitamin C serum on before your moisturizer. Vitamin C serums are thinner and more watery than moisturizer. Therefore, if you apply moisturizer first, your skin will not be able to absorb the vitamin C serum as well.

Is vitamin C serum better at night or day?

Vitamin C serum is better during the day. L ascorbic acid, the most effective form of topical vitamin C, is a potent antioxidant that can help protect you from sun damage. Therefore, it is most effective when applied in the morning.

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