Can I Mix Two Serums Together
Yes, it is completely okay to mix 2 or more serums! However, there are a couple of guidelines to abide by when mixing serums. First of all, you need to be mixing them in the palm of your hand before applying to your face.
Secondly, it is important to make sure that the serums you are planning to mix are of the same texture and consistency. This is in order for them to mix well without clotting, otherwise the mixture is not going to turn out smooth. If the serums you are planning to mix have different textures, worry not, there is still something you can do. Start with the serum which has the lightest texture and move on to the serum that has a heavier texture. It is also important to apply the most potent serums first and the least potent ones second.
What Dermatologists Want You To Know Before You Mix Skincare Ingredients
Get smart about layering your skincare.
Skincare maximalism was once the norm , but for the sake of your shelf spaceand your walletit’s time to consider quality over quantity. The key is understanding how to layer ingredients. Some complement and strengthen each other, while others don’t play nice. How can you tell the difference? Take it from the derms we spoke to, ahead.
Dream Teams
Prioritize these pairings for glowier, healthier skin.
Best Vitamin C Serum For Oily Skin
Skinceuticals Phloretin CF
The famed CE Ferulic has a lesser-known product thats considered one of the best vitamin c serums for oily skin.
Its called Phloretin CF and contains many of the same ingredients as CE Ferulic, but doesnt contain Vitamin E, which can clog pores for those who tend toward oily skin.
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Best Vitamin C Serum Under $30
Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum
I wasnt familiar with Mad Hippie until I stumbled upon it , and after reading all the rave reviewsand cross-checking more reviews from other websitesthis one seems like a total winner.
Its a great option for anyone who prefers clean, cruelty-free beauty productsand a far more affordable alternative to Drunk Elephants C Firma Day Serum, which is sadly one of our least favorite Drunk Elephant products.
Mad Hippies serum features an awesome blend of antioxidants, including Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Ferulic Acid, and Hyaluronic Acid.
It also comes in at a significantly lower price point compared to other best-selling vitamin c serums, which is an added bonus!
The Benefits And How To Use Vitamin C At Night Time
While youre sleeping, your skin undergoes its natural repair process. During sleep skins blood flow increases, it rebuilds collagen and repairs damage like fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots that have been caused by UV exposure.
So using a curated edit of products that will help aid skin as it gets to work isnt a bad idea. Using a vitamin C serum during the night means it will have the biggest and most effective impact on the skin.
If your chosen serum is quite potent, like the Medik8 Super C30 Intense, you also reduce the risk of photosensitivity occurring .
Its worth adding that if you do choose to use vitamin C at night, you should always ensure youre using SPF the following day to ensure maximum efficacy.
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Shes A Big Fan Of Vitamin C Serum
She thinks of Vitamin C as a workhouse ingredientbecause it both protects and repairs skin. You may be wondering how she does that with such sensitive skin, and the secret is that it’s a variation called THD ascorbate. While many with sensitive skin may shy away from other types of vitamin C, THD ascorbate is so gentle that it allows you to reap vitamin Cs reparative and protective benefits without the irritation, yet its 50 times more effective than more commonly used L-ascorbic acid, she says. Another pro: Dr. Russak claims it is more shelf-stable and wont start to oxidize once you open it.
Diy Vitamin C Serum Recipe
If you would like to try making your own serum rather than mixing your vitamin C powder into a pre-existing product, here is an easy DIY vitamin C serum recipe:
- 1 teaspoon vitamin C powder
- 1 teaspoon filtered water
- 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
- 1/4 tsp vitamin E oil
Dissolve the vitamin C powder in the water, then mix in the other ingredients. Pour the serum into a dark container and store in the fridge. Discard after 1 month or if you notice a change in color or smell.
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How To Shop For It
When browsing the shelves for serums, there are two other things you should check: the kind of vitamin C used in the product and how much of it the product actually contains.
Vitamin C comes in different forms, hence it could be listed with various names in the ingredients list. The most popular from these is ascorbic acid , mostly because of the volume of research that backs up its skin benefits. Other forms of the antioxidant include ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbyl glucoside, and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate.
If you’re new to this ingredient, how much vitamin C in your serum is crucial for avoiding irritation. Start with as low as 5% ascorbic acid if you’re just starting out, and then slowly work your way up. Or, you can try a potent serums with 15 to 20% ascorbic acid for faster results, but remember to incorporate it into your routine slowly .
Most brands disclose the percentage content in their products, like ‘s Vitamin C Serum , Kiehl’sPowerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate, and ‘s Pure Vitamin C 21.5 Advanced Serum . Checking this part of the label should make shopping easier, but when you don’t spot a number, gauge how strong a serum is by where vitamin C is in the ingredients list. It being listed as one of the first 10 ingredients is a good sign!
When To Use Vitamin C In Your Skincare Routine
It doesnt matter when you apply it, because it always works. This Italian formula has a mattifying, blurring, primer-like texture, so works on top of all of your water-based products but we use ours as a serum, under our moisturizer.
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Using it in the morning? Twist open a capsule and add a shot under your treatment serums, moisture lotions and sunscreens, before foundation and makeup.
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In the evening, just add a Vitamin C dose into your favourite moisturizer, or layer it on underneath, for the best anti-aging, brightening, firming boost around.
Our Pure Double Vitamin C + Vitamin E Superactive Capsules. Limited quantities available. 60 capsules/jar. Use once or twice daily.
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She Applies Azelaic Acid In The Morning
To treat her rosacea, she uses Finacea, a prescription topical foam that contains 15% azelaic acid, after applying her vitamin C serum. “Many clinical studies show that azelaic acid visibly reduces inflammation in the skin. In general, azelaic acid is also much gentler than typical AHAs, which is ideal for those with sensitive skin or skin conditions like rosacea,” Dr. Russak notes.
Should You Swap Your Serum For Powdered Vitamin C For Glowing Skin
The popular antioxidant may be even more powerful in its powder form. Here’s what you need to know before adding it to your routine.
The benefits of vitamin C for skin have turned the ingredient into a cosmetic darling-and deservedly so. It brightens the face, evens out skin tone, limits UV damage, and increases collagen production.
But there’s one downside: The star antioxidant is notoriously unstable and thus has a limited shelf life.
“Vitamin C is inherently a biologically unstable molecule that oxidizes upon exposure to air, light, and heat,” explains Julia Tzu, M.D., a New Yorkbased dermatologist and founder of Wall Street Dermatology. So when serums or lotions are not stored in cool, dark, and dry conditions, that can speed up oxidation, causing the “degradation of the molecule,” she says. And when the vitamin oxidizes, there’s no benefit to the skin.
Enter vitamin C powder, which is exactly what it sounds like: a powdered version of vitamin C that cosmetics makers claim can be added to any moisturizer and dissolves to have the same effects, without the instability.
But the other big reason for the popularity of powdered vitamin C-which you mix at home into your existing skin-care products-is the overall hype around DIY beauty and creating a customized skin-care routine by combining various ingredients, Robinson says. “Companies are capitalizing on the do-it-yourself trend,” he says.
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Can You Use Vitamin C And Niacinamide Together
Vitamin C and Niacinamide are the Britney and Xtina of skincare.
Rumour has it, these two skincare superstars hate each others guts and cant stand working together.
But, when you peek behind the curtain, youll see them get on like a house on fire.
What the heck is going on here?
Heres the truth about Vitamin C and Niacinamide and why you CAN and should use them together:
- It boosts collagen production
- It fades dark spots and brightens the complexion
The catch? Pure Vitamin C, a.k.a. L-Ascorbic Acid, is very finicky to formulate with. If the phs not right, it wont work. If it comes in contact with light and air, it throws a tantrum and stops working.
Thats why cosmetic chemists often ignore it. They prefer to use its derivatives, instead. They dont work as fast, but are a lot less demanding.
FIY, according to rumours, Niacinamide has problems only with L-Ascorbic Acid, NOT its derivatives.
Struggling to put together a skincare routine that minimises wrinkles, prevents premature aging, and gives your complexion a youthful glow? Download your FREE Best Anti-Aging Skincare Routine to get started :
How Does Using All Three Together Benefit Your Skin
You can and should combine all three skincare ingredients in your routine, Dr. Gilbert says. By using vitamin C, retinol and hyaluronic acid together, youll receive all of the benefits detailed above. That being said, introducing new skincare products and ingredients into your routine isnt always easy. Thankfully, our experts weighed in on best practices. Below, find dermatologist-recommended morning and evening skincare routines.
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Use Your Vitamin C Serum First And Let It Dry
Since vitamin C is notoriously unstable, you always want to apply it on clean, dry skin. Then “Let vitamin C completely dry prior to placing niacinamide,” says Lamm. That way, the ascorbic acid has a chance to settle into the skin, and there’s a smaller chance of combining the two actives. Board-certified dermatologist Jennifer Herrmann, M.D., seconds the advice: “It takes a bit of time for products to absorb. The skin should appear dry before applying the next product,” she once told us about layering serums.
Although, you should always apply your skin care products from thinnest to thickest: So, say, if you have a niacinamide serum and a vitamin-C-infused moisturizer, apply the serum first, then follow up with the cream.
Why Vitamin C Powder Is Better Than Vitamin C Serum
Most vitamin C serums are unstable as they oxidize when exposed to air and light, also heat, and once this happens, its no longer effective on the skin. Powdered vitamin C can be added into just about anything, your face cream, moisturizer, and even body lotion to boost collagen production and clear away dark spots. You can mix vitamin C with other skin-beneficial ingredients and get added benefits from those ingredients.
1. Vitamin C + Honey: Vitamin C and honey is a great combination for any skin type because honey has moisturizing and soothing properties, and adds a natural glow to the skin when combined with vitamin C. To make this pack, add 1 tbsp honey with 1/2 tbsp vitamin C powder. Mix all ingredients together. Massage onto face for 1-2 minutes in a gentle, circular motion. Leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water and a wash cloth.
2. Vitamin C + Rose Water: Adding rose water to vitamin C powder will help prevent any skin irritation arising out of vitamin C . Rose water also has antioxidants and mixing rose water to make a pack is the most basic way you can use powdered L-ascorbic acid. Keep it for 15 minutes and rinse off without using any soap or face wash.
3. Glycerin: Mix 1/2 tbsp of vitamin C powder with 1 tbsp of glycerin and it would make an excellent toner. Glycerin tends to attract moisture into your skin, works as a humectant, and this pack will provide both moisturizing and brightening effects.
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Notice If The Product Has Changed Color
Your vitamin C serum should be colorless or a light straw color, Dr. Hogan says. If it is oxidized, it becomes yellow or brown and is likely going to be less effective.
You can still use it if you want, but it wont do as much for your skin and, very rarely, oxidized vitamin C products can even cause slight yellow discoloration of the skin, Dr. Hogan says.
So consider getting rid of any vitamin C products that have dramatically changed color since you bought them. Especially if it is brown, I would say to toss it, Dr. Lamb says.
Salicylic Acid + Niacinamide
Anyone who’s ever had a breakout is familiar with salicylic acid. It treats acne by targeting and removing oil and dead-skin-cell debris from pores, but this type of acid exfoliation can lead to irritation. Heres where niacinamide comes in. Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, a dermatologist in NYC, adds it to patients routines because its a great anti-inflammatory that can help adjust the irritation of many strong topicals. And it matches well with salicylic acid because they both work toward the same end goal of treating pigmentation and evening skin tone, says Tiffany Libby, MD, a fellow NYC derm. Use a toner like La Roche-Posays Effaclar Clarifying Solution Acne Toner With Salicylic Acid. Then slather on a serum like The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%.
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Your Morning Skincare Routine
Cleanse
No matter which ingredients you plan to pair together, you need to start with a freshly cleansed face. For the best results, look for a cleanser thats formulated for your specific skin type.
Apply a Vitamin C Serum
Dr. Gilbert suggests using a vitamin C serum immediately after washing your face, as it can increase the penetration of the product to help you achieve the best results. Try the IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Dullness Vitamin C Serum with 15% pure vitamin C and vitamin E.
Follow With Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Once youve given your vitamin C serum a moment or two to absorb into the skin, its time to layer on your hyaluronic acid serum. The L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum locks in moisture to replenish skin and help prevent premature signs of aging.
Dont Forget Sunscreen
Your morning skincare routine isnt complete without sunscreen. After your serums have fully absorbed into your skin, follow up with a broad-spectrum SPF of 15 or higher before you begin your makeup routine. No matter how good your skincare regimen is, wearing sunscreen is your best defense against premature signs of aging. We recommend the CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen.
Why Use Vitamin C In Skincare
Vitamin C is a superstar antioxidant that protects and restores your skin. Its the most abundant antioxidant in human skin, but we cant synthesize it on our own. We need to get it from other sources. By adding Vitamin C to your skincare routine, you can boost your skins natural cell-protecting abilities.
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Should You Worry About Niacinamide Turning Into Niacin
Vitamin C may be finicking, but Niacinamide isnt. Niacinamide is an amide and those are tough. They dont go bad when you expose them to light, air or heat, like other antioxidants do.
Thats why you need a LOT of heat to trigger the reactions mentioned above. You can heat Niacinamide up to 120 °C WITHOUT Niacin forming.
Of course, the more heat Niacinamide is exposed to, the faster the conversion occurs. But, at home, you NEVER expose Niacinamide to those temperatures.
At home, you store your Niacinamide lotions and serums at room temperatures. Thats around 25 °C . How long does it take for the conversion to occur at this temperature?
If the solution has an acidic ph, itll take 6 weeks to convert only 1% of Niacinamide into Niacin.If the solution uses thickeners , the conversion occurs even more slowly.
For most people this isnt a problem. The amount of Niacin formed under normal conditions is so tiny, you wont even notice it.
If your skin is super sensitive, then even this tiny amount will be enough to trigger flushing and tingling. This isnt dangerous, but I still recommend you avoid this combo.
Either way, you can always store your Niacinamide lotions and potions in a cool place. Thisll slow down the conversion even more.
Which Goes First: Hyaluronic Acid Or Vitamin C
Finding the right products for your skin is key, but using them in the correct order is essential as well. Apply them incorrectly, and you may find that the benefits youre seeking arent in the cards for your skin. With hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, the question of which to apply first will be moot if youre using products from the Powerful-Strength line. Because youre using a formula that stars both ingredients, youll be applying them simultaneously.
If you decide to use hyaluronic acid and vitamin C separately, thats where your knowledge of the correct order to apply skincare products comes in. The general rule of thumb is to use formulas based on their consistency, applying from thinnest to thickest. This means oils come before moisturizers and after serums. There wont be a hard-and-fast rule about which ingredient to apply first it will depend on the product youre using. A thick moisturizer with hyaluronic acid would be applied after a vitamin C serum, but a hyaluronic acid serum will come before a face cream with vitamin C in its formula.
In the case that you have two separate serums, it still comes down to thickness. Apply whichever is thinner first. Stick with this rule, and youll be able to reap the benefits of every formula in your skincare routine.
Next: When used together, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid make for an amazing alternative to retinol. Read our article on The Best Retinol Alternatives to learn about three other options.
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