When is the Best Time to Use Vitamin C Serum: Morning or Night?
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By now, you must have heard us talk about Vitamin C and its benefits for our skin so many times. But today, we're going to delve into one of the most frequently asked questions about this wonder ingredient: When is the best time to use Vitamin C serum, morning or night?
Before answering that, let's take a look at some benefits of using a Vitamin C Serum for the skin.
1. The Wonderful Benefits of Vitamin C Serum
As mentioned in previous blogs, Vitamin C serum is renowned for its transformative effects on the skin. Here are some of the remarkable benefits:
Antioxidant Powerhouse : Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps protect your skin from environmental stressors like pollution, UV rays, and free radicals. These factors can accelerate aging, cause wrinkles, and lead to dark spots and other pigmentation issues.
Brightening and Evening Skin Tone : One of Vitamin C's most well-known benefits is its ability to brighten your skin by inhibiting melanin production, helping to reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Over time, this leads to a more radiant and even complexion.
Boosts Collagen Production : As we age, collagen production naturally declines, leading to sagging skin and wrinkles. Vitamin C stimulates collagen production, which helps firm the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Reduces Inflammation : Vitamin C can help calm irritated skin, reduce redness, and even improve conditions like acne, making it suitable for all skin types.
Hydration : Vitamin C helps your skin retain moisture, keeping it plump and hydrated, thanks to its interaction with other hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid.
2. When is it Most Beneficial to Use Vitamin C Serum?
The answer to this question is BOTH!
The debate about whether to use Vitamin C serum in the morning or at night is ongoing. However, the best time to apply Vitamin C is generally in the morning for the following reasons:
Why Use Vitamin C Serum in the Morning?
Protection Against Environmental Stressors : Since Vitamin C is an antioxidant, it neutralizes free radicals caused by sun exposure, pollution, and other environmental factors. By applying Vitamin C serum in the morning, you create an additional protective shield that works synergistically with your sunscreen to prevent UV damage.
Enhanced Sun Protection : Research has shown that Vitamin C boosts the effectiveness of sunscreen. While sunscreen blocks harmful UV rays, Vitamin C scavenges the free radicals that can still slip through, reducing the risk of skin cancer and premature aging.
Use of Other Active Ingredients : If you are using other strong active ingredients, such as retinol, which is used at night, then you would use Vitamin C serum in the morning since using Vitamin C serum after retinol could irritate the skin.
Why Night Application Might Also Work
Some people prefer using Vitamin C serum at night, particularly if their serum contains higher concentrations or other active ingredients.
Nighttime application allows Vitamin C to work undisturbed, supporting skin repair and collagen production during sleep.
Ultimately, the ideal approach may be using it in the morning to protect your skin throughout the day and applying it at night to enhance its benefits depending on your skin type and lifestyle. Some skincare enthusiasts opt for twice-daily use to enhance its effectiveness.
How to Use Vitamin C Serum
1. Cleanse : Begin with a clean face by using a gentle cleanser like our Mild Face Cleanser that removes dirt, oil, and impurities from the skin.
2. Apply Vitamin C Serum : After cleansing, apply a few drops of Vitamin C serum directly onto your skin. Gently pat it into skin.
3. Moisturize : Follow up with a hydrating moisturizer to lock in the serum and provide additional hydration.
4. Sunscreen (Morning Routine) : If you’re using Vitamin C serum in the morning, always apply sunscreen afterward for maximum UV protection.
3. What Kind of Vitamin C Serum to Look For
Not all Vitamin C serums are created equal, and finding the right one is essential to make the best of its benefits. Here are key factors to look for when choosing a Vitamin C serum:
Type of Vitamin C - Ascorbic Acid : Look for a serum that contains L-ascorbic acid , the most clinically-studied, most bioavailable, and effective form of Vitamin C. Due to its direct penetration and immediate interaction with the skin, L-ascorbic acid produces visible results faster.
Concentration : The concentration of Vitamin C is important. For daily use, a serum with 10% to 20% concentration of ascorbic acid is optimal. Anything higher may be too harsh for sensitive skin, while lower concentrations may not be as effective.
pH Level : For maximum absorption, the pH level of the serum should be between 2.5 to 3.5 . A lower pH allows the Vitamin C to penetrate the skin more effectively, ensuring that you get the most out of the serum. But be aware that lower pH level could be irritating for those with sensitive skin.
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Complementary Ingredients : A good Vitamin C serum should include other powerful ingredients like:
- Hyaluronic Acid : This helps retain moisture, making your skin appear plump and hydrated.
- Panthenol : Known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, panthenol complements Vitamin C by reducing redness and irritation.
- Allantoin : This acts as a carrier for the Vitamin C and supports skin healing and hydration.
- Other Antioxidants : Ingredients like Vitamin E or ferulic acid and other strong antioxidants like EmbliaTM can boost the stability and effectiveness of Vitamin C.
Packaging : Vitamin C is sensitive to light and air, so ensure that the serum comes in a dark glass bottle. Exposure to light and air can cause the Vitamin C to oxidize, reducing its efficacy over time.
You can also read this detailed blog on how to chose the right Vitamin C Serum.
4. Our Recommendation
DrLOUIE Vitamin C Serum is carefully formulated to meet all the key factors for an effective Vitamin C serum, making it the top choice for anyone serious about their skincare routine and is looking for a clean Vitamin C serum.
20% L-Ascorbic Acid : Our formula uses 20% of the purest and most effective form of Vitamin C, L-ascorbic acid, the maximum concentration for optimal absorption into the skin to reduce pigmentation, increase collagen production, and deliver antioxidant protection, according to studies.
Best Absorption : The issue with L-ascorbic acid is absorption into the skin. With a pH level below 3.5, our Vitamin C Serum ensures excellent absorption, allowing the L-ascorbic acid to penetrate the skin deeply. We’ve also included allantoin as a carrier to further enhance the Serum’s delivery of L-ascorbic acid.
Skin Barrier Strengthening : To counteract the potential irritation of L-ascorbic acid at a high concentration and low pH level, and to further enhance skin recovery, we’ve added panthenol and hyaluronic acid, which help hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier, providing long-lasting moisture and protection. This is vital as we head into post-summer, pre-fall season when weather gets drier and cooler.
Double Antioxidant Power : In addition to Vitamin C, we’ve incorporated Emblica™ , a patented skin-brightening ingredient, rich in cascading antioxidants. This natural, cascading antioxidant not only enhances skin radiance but also helps protect the L-ascorbic acid from oxidation, ensuring maximum potency.
EWG-Verified and Dermatologically Tested on Sensitive Skin: Our formula is EWG-Verified for safety and has been dermatologically tested on sensitive skin by an independent research institute in Germany, Dermatest, ensuring it is safe and gentle, even for those with the most sensitive skin.
