Short answer: YES, you can absolutely use Vitamin C and Glycolic Acid together in your skincare routine! These two ingredients can work wonders when paired correctly, so let’s dive into how they complement each other.
What Does Vitamin C Do For Skin?
Vitamin C is a true skincare superstar. It’s an antioxidant that helps shield your skin from the damage caused by stressors like UV rays and pollution. Plus, it’s great at reducing hyperpigmentation, giving your skin a brighter, more even tone. In short, Vitamin C can keep your skin glowing all year round.
Here’s what Vitamin C brings to the table:
- Neutralizes free radicals that speed up aging
- Boosts collagen production
- Helps reduce melanin production
To get the most out of Vitamin C, find a gentle yet effective formula, like an Anti-Aging Vitamin C Clay Mask, which suits all skin types. This mask is packed with hydrating hyaluronic acid to plump, brighten, and gradually reduce fine lines and dark spots.
Why Is Glycolic Acid Good For Your Skin?
Glycolic Acid, the smallest of the alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), is a powerful exfoliator. Thanks to its small size, it penetrates deeply into the skin, offering multiple benefits:
- Exfoliates dead skin cells
- Unclogs pores
- Evens out skin tone
- Stimulates the production of hyaluronic acid
- Boosts collagen production
Because it’s so good at both exfoliating and hydrating, Glycolic Acid is particularly beneficial for dry, dehydrated, and combination skin.
Can You Use Vitamin C and Glycolic Acid Together?
Good news: You can definitely use glycolic acid and vitamin C together! By doing so, you’ll reap the amazing benefits of both ingredients in your skincare routine:
- Brightening your skin
- Evening out your skin tone
- Stimulating collagen production
However, there’s a trick to using them together: always start with your glycolic acid product.
This comes down to pH levels. Vitamin C is on the acidic side with a pH around 3, which is great for delivering results. Glycolic acid, along with other chemical exfoliants, has an even lower (more acidic) pH. If you apply these ingredients too close together, you might irritate your skin, leading to redness and rashes.
But don’t worry—there’s an easy fix! Try using vitamin C in the morning to protect and brighten your skin throughout the day, and save glycolic acid for your evening routine. This way, your skin stays balanced, healthy, and glowing.
Can you use AHA and vitamin C together?
When it comes to combining AHAs (like glycolic acid) with vitamin C, keeping pH levels in check is key. AHAs generally work similarly to glycolic acid, so use them the same way.
Your skin type will also play a role in determining which AHA is best for you. For instance, oily skin might benefit more from glycolic acid and BHA salicylic acid, while dry skin might prefer lactic acid or gentler PHAs.
A quick tip: if you’re new to any of these ingredients, always do a patch test first!
Which goes first vitamin C or glycolic acid?
Many skincare experts recommend applying your acid (like glycolic acid) first, as it helps create the ideal conditions for vitamin C to penetrate your skin and work its magic. Keep in mind that glycolic acid and other AHAs have a pH level between 3 and 4, and applying them can alter your skin’s pH.
To avoid any unwanted side effects and make sure all your products work their best, leave about 15 minutes between applications. This gives your skin time to settle and rebalance its pH before you move on to the next step in your routine.
