How Are Vitamin C And Hyaluronic Acid Good For Your Skin?
You have been taught the importance of vitamin C in a wholesome diet. You probably know how vital it is to keep your body’s natural defenses strong. However, did you know that it can also do wonders to your skin? Vitamin C enhances the quality of your skin in two ways. Firstly, it stimulates the production of collagen. Secondly, it protects the skin from sun damage (1). Moreover, vitamin C also has the best antioxidant properties. It can neutralize the oxidants found in pollutants and protect your skin from free radical damage (1). Vitamin C also helps reduce the premature signs of skin aging. It protects your skin from harmful UV rays (2). It also exfoliates your skin and eases any inflammation caused by acne. Hyaluronic acid is a sugar your body produces naturally. It is found in the skin, eyes, and connective tissues. It is a humectant (aids hydration) (3). Hyaluronic acid creates a barrier by sealing the moisture inside your skin and improves your overall skin texture. Your skin loses moisture as it ages. Hyaluronic helps maintain the water balance and makes your skin soft and plump. Moreover, it also may help reduce fine lines and wrinkles (3). Now that you know what vitamin C and hyaluronic acid can do to your skin, let us understand if you can use them together.
Can You Use Hyaluronic Acid And Vitamin C Together?
Yes, you can use the two ingredients together and enjoy the unique benefits they bring to your skin. Generally, two counter-active chemicals can cause skin reactions. But you can rest assured with vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. They are effective together and are often used in several beauty products. While Vitamin C will protect your face from damage and rejuvenate it by stimulating collagen production, hyaluronic acid will make it plump and soft. When you follow any beauty regime, the sequence of the products used is crucial to reap the maximum benefits. You may also use vitamin C and hyaluronic acid separately. If that is the case, which product should be used first?
What Should You Apply First: Hyaluronic Acid Or Vitamin C?
HA starts disintegrating in mixtures that have a pH level of less than 4 and more than 11 (4). On the other hand, the pH level of vitamin C should be less than 3.5 for getting absorbed into the skin properly (5). Both these ingredients/products must be used after the toner. The golden rule is to use the thinnest product first and the thickest one last. Hence, you will have to apply vitamin C first and then move on to hyaluronic acid. However, leave a gap of a few minutes to allow vitamin C to penetrate your skin. Since vitamin C is lighter and has a lower pH, it will quickly get absorbed into your skin (5). Applying hyaluronic acid afterward vitamin C will create a barrier (6). Moreover, vitamin C may dry your skin. Applying HA afterward will help restore skin moisture. HA is available in a variety of products on the market. A cream-based formula will work wonderfully for dry and normal skin types, while a water-based product will deliver better results for combination or oily skin types. While these ingredients can boost your skin health, using them right can multiply the benefits.
How Often Should You Use Hyaluronic Acid With Vitamin C To Improve Your Skin?
It is advisable to go slow while trying a new product on your face. Your skin could be sensitive to active ingredients like vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. In the beginning, use these serums on two different days a week and buffer them between your toner and moisturizer. You can preferably follow this regimen before bedtime (to better understand if your skin is sensitive to any of these products). If everything goes well, you can start layering them together. The trick is to build these products into your skincare regime gradually before you start using them consistently in the mornings and nights. As for the dosage, less is always more with such active ingredients. A pea-sized amount should ideally be enough for your face. Using more will not give you any better results. Take the product on your fingers and apply it evenly to your face. Let us now check a quick DIY vitamin C serum with a hyaluronic acid recipe.
DIY Hyaluronic Acid And Vitamin C Recipe
If you want to use a single product containing these two potent ingredients sans other irritants, this quick DIY vitamin C serum with hyaluronic acid recipe can help. This recipe is a lot more cost-effective than one available on the market. This recipe works because water has a pH of 7, and it will keep the HA stable. You need not worry if hyaluronic acid would lose its potency after a while. Also, while making your own serum, it is advisable to stick to a vitamin C concentration of 10 to 20% as anything more can be too harsh on your skin. The MAP powder (the vitamin C) used in this recipe is stable and gets easily absorbed into the skin (7).
Ingredients
2 teaspoons of hyaluronic acid serum 3/4 teaspoon of magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (MAP) powder 1 tablespoon of aloe extract 2 tablespoons of distilled water
How To Make The Serum
Take a dark-tinted bottle. Add all the ingredients into the bottle and shake it vigorously. Your serum is ready once the MAP powder has completely dissolved.
Although you can use vitamin C and HA in combination, you need to be cautious while combining two active ingredients. Let us see a few general rules you are recommended to follow.
What Are The Rules For Combining Skin Care Products?
If you are concerned about using different products together, here are a few rules you can follow.
1. Understand The pH Balance
With an understanding of the pH balance of your skin and the active ingredients, you can avoid committing any cardinal mistakes while combining two potent compounds. The natural pH balance of your skin is around 4.7 and 5.7, making it slightly acidic. Using pH-balanced products will help maintain the pH level of your skin. In other words, any product that has a pH between 4 and 7 should be good for your skin. Also, it is recommended to use products at a similar pH level. For instance, retinol or vitamin A derivatives have a pH over 5, while vitamin C is more acidic at 3.5. Hence, these two should not be used together.
2. Water And Oil: Decide Which One Goes First
What happens when you mix oil and water? Oil floats on water and creates a barrier. Similarly, an oil-based product will block the penetration of a water-based gel or lotion. Thus, always use the latter first and move on to oil-based products.
3. Allow Each Product To Absorb
When using vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, ensure you have a few minutes for your skincare regime. Let each of your products sit for at least 30 seconds before applying the next. This method will ensure better absorption.
4. Find What Works For you
Your skin is unique, and what works for your friend may not work for you. It is all about finding what gives you better results. You can consult a dermatologist and see what would work best for you. What can you not mix with hyaluronic acid? Hyaluronic acid is a hydrating ingredient that goes with most skincare ingredients like retinol to give smooth and healthy skin. Consult a dermatologist to understand the different combinations beneficial for your skin. Which is better: hyaluronic acid or niacinamide? Both ingredients serve different purposes. Hyaluronic acid is best for skin hydration. Niacinamide is a derivative of vitamin B3 that helps build keratin, a protein essential for firm and smooth skin (10). Is vitamin C better in the morning or at night? You can use vitamin C at night before going to sleep to boost collagen production and let your skin repair itself (1). Can I use niacinamide with hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and retinol? Yes, you can use niacinamide with hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and retinol to keep your skin hydrated from the drying effects of retinol. Ideally, you should pair vitamin C with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide with hyaluronic acid and retinol to get visible results. Ensure that you start off slowly and see what products work for you.
Sources
The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579659/ Double-blind, half-face study comparing topical vitamin C and vehicle for rejuvenation of photodamage.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11896774/ Efficacy of a New Topical Nano-hyaluronic Acid in Humans.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3970829/ Effect of pH on the Behavior of Hyaluronic Acid in Dilute and Semidilute Aqueous Solutions.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229869826_Effect_of_pH_on_the_Behavior_of_Hyaluronic_Acid_in_Dilute_and_Semidilute_Aqueous_Solutions Topical L-ascorbic acid: percutaneous absorption studies.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11207686/ A review of protection against exposome factors impacting facial skin barrier function with 89% mineralizing thermal water.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30964240/ Vitamin C in dermatology.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3673383/ Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safetyhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2699641/ Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6017965/ Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skinhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17147561/
