How to apply vitamin c serum on face

Even if you only dabble in skin care, you’ve likely seen vitamin C serum touted as a beneficial beauty product. But what does vitamin C do for your skin, exactly? In short: Vitamin C is a “potent antioxidant” that can potentially help brighten dark spots, aid in smoothing fine lines, and neutralize skin-harming free radicals from the environment, including pollution and UV radiation, Sara Hogan, MD, board-certified dermatologist and fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, tells SELF.

Before you run out and buy the first delightfully orange serum you see, though, there are some important things to consider, as not all vitamin C products are created equal. Depending on the product’s specific formulation and your personal skin needs, vitamin C can even be irritating or finicky in some cases, Angela Lamb, MD, board-certified dermatologist and director of Westside Mount Sinai Dermatology Faculty Practice, tells SELF.

But don’t let that deter you from giving this impressive, scientifically backed ingredient a try. Keep reading to find out why and how you should incorporate a vitamin C serum into your skin-care routine.

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1. What does vitamin C do for your skin?

What exactly does vitamin C do for your skin? Well, it has the potential to help with a lot of issues, especially when applied topically in serum form. “Vitamin C has a wide range of protective and anti-aging effects for the skin,” Annie Chiu, MD, a board-certified cosmetic and general dermatologist on faculty at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, tells SELF. “Serums typically offer the highest concentrations of active vitamin C and tend to have better skin penetration compared to other vitamin C products, like creams and cleansers.” Here are a few of the biggies when it comes to benefits:

Vitamin C can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

That’s because the antioxidant can help your skin produce collagen—a protein that gives your complexion a firmer, bouncier feel, which in turn helps to improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles, Dr. Chiu explains.

Vitamin C can help brighten your skin.

With consistent use, your skin can become more even in tone—and downright glowy!— because vitamin C inhibits the over-production of melanin, the substance in your body that produces pigmentation in your hair, eyes, and skin. Some areas of the skin will create too much melanin which is what leads to hyperpigmentation. This often manifests as darkened skin discoloration, says Dr. Chiu.

Vitamin C can help protect your skin.

Yep, it may help prevent skin damage that can be caused by environmental aggressors, like UV rays, pollution, or smoke, among others. “Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which helps fight free radicals (unstable molecules in the body) that age the skin,” says Dr. Chiu. It has some possible healing effects too. “Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory properties and boosts wound healing by helping cells migrate to the area of the skin injury,” she says.¹

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2. What are the possible side effects of vitamin C serum?

The most common side effects of using a vitamin C serum include skin irritation like tingling upon application, redness, and itching, but this mostly happens to “sensitive or reactive skin,” Dr. Chiu says. Always patch test an area of skin before you try any new product, especially a potent one like a serum. Many derms recommend applying a small dollop (a dime-size amount should do) to your inner arm for a day or two to see how your skin reacts before slathering it all over your face.

Dr. Chiu warns that stronger formulations can sometimes have a low pH, which can be especially irritating for those with dry and/or sensitive skin. To be safe, she recommends starting with a gentler formula at first—one that contains less than 5% vitamin C—and then working your way up if you’d like. Most people can benefit from going up to 10% once their skin can handle it, and some can go up to 20%, as long as it’s applied only once per day.

How to apply vitamin c serum on face

Here's your guide to apply vitamin C on your face the right way; Image Credit: iStock

Skincare junkies have always been on the lookout of new trends and product launches to get their hands on the next best thing. While we love hopping on new and experimental trends, we surely do love the basics of skincare and if you are a true beauty fanatic, then skipping the vitamin C serum as a part of your routine is totally out of question. A power house of skin brightening and glowing properties, vitamin C is an antioxidant that you just cannot miss in your skincare routine and while you are at it, it is also essential to know the best way to use it on the face and a few things to keep in mind as you apply it. Well, here's our guide on how to use vitamin C serum on your face.


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How to apply vitamin c serum on face

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How to apply vitamin c serum on face

How to apply vitamin c serum on face

How to apply vitamin c serum on face

Step By Step Guide To Apply Vitamin C Serum On Face

Do A Patch Test

Be it any serum or single ingredient, always make sure to do a patch test on your hand or wrist before directly applying to the facial skin. Give it 24 hours to test if the product and ingredient suits your skin or not. In case you feel any allergic reaction to the same, do not use the product and consult your dermatologist before using it.

Cleanse Your Face

Be it any product, make sure to cleanse your face with a cleanser or face wash before applying it else it might not be of any use. A clean face is a perfect base to apply your product in the best possible way.

How to apply vitamin c serum on face

Cleaning your face is important

Apply The Vitamin C Serum

If you are a toner person, then it is time to skip that and instead with clean fingers apply the serum onto your face. Once you apply the serum, then wait for 90 seconds for your face to absorb and then put on moisturizer.

Apply Sunscreen

Once you are done with the moisturiser, apply SPF/sunscreen to seal it all. Teaming up vitamin C with sunscreen can also reduce signs of premature aging, giving your skin a radiant and supple glow.

How to apply vitamin c serum on face

Sunscreen is an essential part of the routine

Things To Keep In Mind While Applying Vitamin C Serum

1. If you are trying to combine ingredients by layering, be careful of the combination as not all ingredients might go together well. For example, retinol and vitamin C are strong skincare ingredients but if applied together then can cause irritation.

2. Vitamin C serum works great on exfoliated skin else the dead skin makes it difficult for the product to penetrate in the skin for best results.

3. Do not rush into using the serum, start slowly and let your skin get a hang of the product.

4. Avoid any use of harmful or chemical formulations before applying the serum as it might cause irritation on the skin.

  • How to apply vitamin c serum on face

  • How to apply vitamin c serum on face

Can we apply Vitamin C serum directly on face?

According to skin experts, You should apply vitamin C serum right after the toner. Just a few drops of serum on the palm or directly on the face. Pat softly on the face and leave until completely absorbed in the skin. Seal the serum into the skin with a hydrating moisturizer.

How long should I leave vitamin C serum on my face?

Always allow your serum to absorb for 60-90 seconds, to ensure it has time to penetrate the skin. Follow up with a moisturizer to lock in the goodness of your serum, and bolster your skin's protective lipid barrier.

How can I apply vitamin C on my face?

Here's the best way to apply a vitamin C serum:.
After cleansing your skin, gently press your vitamin C serum into your skin. ... .
Once your vitamin C serum has dried down, apply moisturizer. ... .
If applying in the morning, follow with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher..

Can I use Vitamin C serum everyday?

If you're wondering when to apply a vitamin C serum, the answer is both morning and night, after cleansing and toning. One study even recommends applying a vitamin C serum every eight hours, or twice daily for the pinnacle of protection.