Vitamin C Serum - How and When to Use Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C has become somewhat of a hero ingredient and a skin expert must-have ingredient to include in your skincare routine. This antioxidant powerhouse works wonders on the skin - it’s anti-ageing, helps treat pigmentation, brightens a dull complexion and helps with the production of collagen.
In this article:
- What is Vitamin C?
- When to Apply Vitamin C Serum
- SKINICIAN’S Vitamin C Serum
- How to use SKINICIAN Vitamin C Elixir
- Before & After SKINICIAN’s Vitamin C Elixir Serum
- 9 Benefits of Vitamin C Serum for Your Skin
- How to Identify a Good Vitamin C Serum
- Vitamin C FAQ
What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is also known as Ascorbic acid. It's this version of Vitamin C which you might spot on the back of product labels. Found in food and supplements, Vitamin C also has proven skincare benefits when applied topically on the skin.
If you’ve got old ‘acne’ scars or redness, the right Vitamin C product can help fade them, if you’ve been sun damaged and it left pigmentation on your forehead, your cheeks, your hands, a bit of Vitamin C on rotation with some Retinol can deliver a difference that’s quite radical – in fact, there’s a perfect Vitamin C product for almost every skin type and complexion concern.
When to Apply Vitamin C Serum
When to apply Vitamin C depends on the type of product you are applying. A serum should be applied to skin straight after cleansing and toning for best possible absorption, whilst a Vitamin C oil should be the last step in your morning routine before applying your SPF and the last step in your evening skincare routine.
Vitamin C can be used morning and night if you wish and the benefit of using a Vitamin C product twice a day, is that you will double your free radical protection. By applying it in the morning, you will prepare the skin for its exposure to free radicals throughout the day. Following this with an application in your evening routine will help repair and rejuvenate the skin while you catch up on your beauty sleep.
Vitamin C Serum at Night
Vitamin C absorbs into skin most effectively after cleansing and toning your skin. If using a Vitamin C which is oil based, add a dose to your go-to night moisturiser, or layer a Vitamin C serum beneath it for a super skin boost.
Vitamin C Serum in the Morning
Apply your Vitamin C serum after cleansing, allowing to absorb before applying a moisture lotion/SPF. Again, if using an oil-based Vitamin C, apply on top of your daily moisturiser but before your SPF. At SKINICIAN our daily moisturisers contain SPF30, so we recommend applying your Vitamin C Elixir before applying the moisturiser. We recommend this as, products including oils are occlusive, meaning that any products applied on top of it aren’t able to penetrate the skin as effectively.
Learn more about morning and evening skincare routines on our AM/PM Skincare Routine Guide
SKINICIAN’S Vitamin C Serum
We developed our Vitamin C Elixir after years of research and testing, to make sure we used the most effective and stable version of Vitamin C possible. We wanted to avoid potential irritation to the skin’s barrier and ensure that we could use this ingredient in a formulation suitable for all. Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate benefits in some studies has shown 3-4 times better penetration than ascorbic acid and is known to remain in the skin cells 40 to 60 times longer than ascorbic acid. Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Vitamin C benefits for the skin are also known to produce better results than ascorbic acid, even when used in doses 25 times lower.
This multi-tasking Vitamin C Elixir will infuse it with a new lease of life. Delivered via a non-greasy oil that immediately sinks into the skin, it stars brightening Vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that speeds up cell turnover to diminish pigmentation and age spots, while boosting collagen production to leave skin plumper with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles reduced. It can also ‘supercharge’ any SPF product you layer on top of it, helping to repair and protect skin from free radical damage caused by UV rays.
This hero brightening antioxidant is complemented by nourishing avocado oil rich in vitamins A & D, grapeseed oil and vitamin E the perfect recipe for a radiant, post-facial glow. Perfect to apply every morning as part of your routine, this has all the key vitamins your skin needs to look and feel at its best. Wear it on its own and simply apply SPF on top – it’s your one-stop shop for healthy radiant skin.
How to use SKINICIAN Vitamin C Elixir
After cleansing and toning take 1-3 drops and evenly apply to your face, neck and décolleté avoiding the eye area.
If applying in the morning, apply before your day moisturiser.
If applying in the evening, Vitamin C Elixir should be the final step in your skincare routine. Apply after your night moisturiser.
Before & After SKINICIAN’s Vitamin C Elixir Serum
Before launching this product, we ran a consumer trial and the feedback and results we got amazed us. Check out some before and afters below to see the changes the Vitamin C Elixir made to real skin!
Aisling told us her main concern was dull skin and look at the difference after 6 weeks of using the Vitamin C Elixir, the skin looks brighter and hydrated.
Deirdre told us she was suffering from pigmentation on the skin and after 6 weeks of use, look at the difference! Reduced pigmentation, leaving the skin looking brighter and a more even complexion.
9 Benefits of Vitamin C Serum for Your Skin
We have picked the top 9 benefits of using Vitamin C on your skin and why to add them into your skincare routine!
- Increased Hydration
- Helps Collagen Production
- Fades pigmentation
- Brighter Skin tone
- Can be used in the under eye area
- Safe to use in pregnancy
- Helps prevent signs of ageing
- Provides all day protection from free radical damage
- Aids wound healing
How to Identify a Good Vitamin C Serum
At SKINICIAN we are transparent about all the ingredients we put in our products, so we thought it would be helpful to pull out the key ingredients in our Vitamin C Elixir and the benefit of them to your skin.
Vitamin C
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate is clinically proven to reduce pigmentation and age spots in 21 days for a brighter skin tone, reduce cell damage caused by UVA and UVB rays by over a third and increase collagen production and slow skin ageing.
Avocado Oil with vitamins A & D
Supports and improves the skin barrier, deeply nourishes, stimulates and regenerates skin while deeply hydrating.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E nourishes and protects the skin from environmental stressors and free radical damage.
Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil has protective anti-inflammatory properties, supports, rebuilds and nourishes the skin's barrier.
Vitamin C Serum FAQ
What Should You Do Before Applying Vitamin C Serum?
After cleansing and toning, apply your Vitamin C Elixir morning or night. If using in the morning, apply before your day moisturiser. If applying at night, apply on top of your night moisturiser as the final step in your regime. If you have an oilier skin type, you may find it best to only apply at night.
Does Vitamin C Serum go Before or After Moisturiser?
When to apply Vitamin C depends on the type of product you are applying. A serum should be applied to skin straight after cleansing and toning for best possible absorption, whilst a Vitamin C oil should be the last step in your morning routine before applying your SPF and the last step in your evening skincare routine.
Can You Skip Moisturiser After Vitamin C Serum?
Yes, SKINICIAN Vitamin C Elixir can be used on the skin in place of a night cream. However, if you have dry, dehydrated or mature skin, it can be used with our Restoring Night Cream. We do not advise using it alone during the day as we require an SPF to protect the skin from UVR.
How Often Should You Use Vitamin C Serum For Best Results?
When introducing a new SKINICIAN product to your home care routine, it can take between 4-6 weeks which is one full cell cycle.
Is Vitamin C Serum Good for Acne-Prone Skin?
Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory effects so can also help with acne – and work to help reduce pigmentation marks (post inflammatory pigmentation) and post-breakout redness as well as calming skin.
Is Vitamin C Serum Good for Sensitive Skin?
Yes. Our Vitamin C Elixir is also formulated with grapeseed oil which helps to reduce inflammation and nourish the skin's barrier.
Is it Safe to Use Vitamin C With Retinol?
If you would like to use both Vitamin C and retinol in your skincare routine, we would recommend using our Vitamin C Elixir in the morning and your Overnight Retinol Powerbalm at night. If you would prefer to use your Vitamin C Elixir in the evening, we recommend alternating between them i.e. using the Vitamin C Elixir one evening and then using the Overnight Retinol Powerbalm the next evening.
Which ingredients should you avoid when using Vitamin C?
To avoid irritation, we suggest that you don’t use exfoliating acids immediately after applying Vitamin C. You can absolutely use them in the same regimen, just not at the same time. Use Vitamin C in the morning every day and exfoliating acids in the evening on an alternate basis.
How to Store the Vitamin C Elixir Serum?
Store the Elixir in a cool, dry place with the lid securely fastened to ensure the efficacy of the product is preserved.
For more articles on Vitamin C, read:
