In this article:
Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid
Vitamin C
Hyaluronic Acid
Can you use a hyaluronic acid and vitamin c serum together?
How to use hyaluronic acid and vitamin C
Can you mix vitamin C and hyaluronic acid?
How often can you use hyaluronic acid and vitamin C?
How to layer vitamin C and hyaluronic acid
Can you use hyaluronic acid and vitamin C under eyes?
What are the best products with vitamin C and hyaluronic acid?
In the world of skin care, there’s more information available to us about what goes into our products than ever before. While that’s mostly a good development, unfortunately it can give rise to certain myths about which ingredients are compatible with others– for instance vitamin C with niacinamide.
One such myth is whether you can use vitamin C with hyaluronic acid. We know they’re both superstar ingredients individually, but some online sources say you can’t use them at the same time, due to the idea that vitamin C must be applied to dry skin and hyaluronic acid to wet skin (to maintain its moisture-loving properties) to work their best.
As with so many internet myths, it’s simply not true; these two anti-ageing powerhouses play incredibly well together! Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman adds, “In fact, hyaluronic acid can help soothe the slight tingling that vitamin C may cause.”
Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: relying on a single superstar skin care ingredient is cheating your skin out of the optimal way to achieve the results you want. Instead, a cocktail approach is the way to go, in large part because so many ingredients enhance and bolster the effect of others.
Such is the case with vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. Research shows that combining the two ingredients in a single formula can improve the results of both – including preventing decreases in skin’s collagen and elastin levels caused by sun exposure (1, 2). Without helping skin and supporting healthy collagen levels, these decreases could go on to cause sagging and a visible loss of elasticity.
Let’s take a bit of a deeper dive into why both ingredients are so amazing on their own, and why they’re even better together!
Vitamin C
Vitamin C has a longstanding and well-earned reputation as a top-tier anti-ageing skin care ingredient. Its greatest value is as an antioxidant and a natural component of healthy skin. When we’re young, we have an abundant amount of vitamin C in our skin’s primary levels, but as we age, those levels become depleted, leading to signs of ageing such as wrinkles, uneven tone and loss of elasticity.
Some of the many benefits of using topical vitamin C as part of your skin care routine include:
- Fewer dark spots
- A brighter, more even tone (3)
- Diminished look of fine lines and wrinkles
- Improved elasticity
- Less visible damage from environmental stressors, including sun exposure and pollution
Hyaluronic Acid
Scientists have long known about the positive impacts of hyaluronic acid for skin, but its star power has risen exponentially in the past decade when it comes to over the counter skin care products. Like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in skin and is a blockbuster hydrator, able to hold 1,000x its weight in moisture! It also serves as a postbiotic that can contribute to a healthy skin microbiome. Applying it topically can:
- “Plump” skin for a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Hydrate skin through its role as a humectant
- Strengthen skin’s barrier through its function as a postbiotic
- Enhance skin’s firmness
- Help smooth skin’s texture
- Assist in soothing
Can you use a hyaluronic acid and vitamin c serum together?
Research shows using hyaluronic acid and vitamin C together can enhance each ingredient’s skin-beneficial powers (4). There is a school of thought that these two ingredients cannot be used together, because hyaluronic acid must be applied to wet skin, and vitamin C to dry skin.
We’re happy to report that this is nothing more than another skin care myth – vitamin C's abilities are not dependent upon having dry skin and hyaluronic acid doesn't require damp skin. You can apply either ingredient on wet or dry skin; at that point it just becomes a matter of personal preference.
How to use hyaluronic acid and vitamin C
Now that we’ve cleared that up, on to the next important question: how can you use hyaluronic acid and vitamin C in your skin care routine? Again, it’s a matter of personal preference and your skin care goals. If you want a product that combines the benefits of each, a vitamin C moisturiser with hyaluronic acid is a great option.
Can you mix vitamin C and hyaluronic acid?
If you’re in need of a more potent dose of vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, you can consider using both a concentrated vitamin C serum and a hyaluronic acid booster to give your routine a little extra oomph. Simply mix 2-3 drops of a hyaluronic acid booster into your vitamin C serum and then apply to your face, neck and chest.
How often can you use hyaluronic acid and vitamin C?
Since both hyaluronic acid and vitamin C are natural components of healthy skin, there isn’t really any restriction on how often you can use them – you can use them once per day, alternate use (day or night, or every other day), or use both as part of your morning and nighttime skin care routines.
The one caveat to that is that when using higher concentrations of vitamin C – say 15% or greater – you might want to start slowly (say every other day) and then ramp up use if your skin responds well. Vitamin C is a potent ingredient in higher amounts, and those with very sensitive skin might see some irritation if they start with a high amount straight out of the gate.
How to layer vitamin C and hyaluronic acid
Here’s news you’ll be glad to hear: layering vitamin C and hyaluronic acid couldn’t be simpler – no need to worry about whether they’ll counteract each other if you don’t apply them in a strict, specific order. Both ingredients are naturally acidic (meaning they have a pH below 7) and, as stated earlier, play well together both by themselves in separate products or combined in the same product. This includes vitamin C derivatives like ascorbyl glucoside and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate.
The best way to apply them is just to go by the standard rule of applying products from thinnest to thickest texture; in other words, if your hyaluronic acid is a cream and your vitamin C is a liquid or serum, you would apply the vitamin C product first and vice versa.
Can you use hyaluronic acid and vitamin C under eyes?
Absolutely, and you’ll be thrilled by the results of doing so. Vitamin C is a standout when it comes to reducing the visible appearance of dark circles caused by certain factors, including sun damage. Hyaluronic acid, with its plumping abilities, is a natural for helping alleviate crow’s feet and fine lines around the eyes. Look for an eye cream with vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to get the best of both worlds.
What are the best products with vitamin C and hyaluronic acid?
The best products with vitamin C and hyaluronic acid are ones that are properly formulated to maximise the benefits of each. That means skin care that’s fragrance and irritant free, loaded with good-for-skin ingredients (such as skin soothers) as supporting players.
Packaging is also critical – no jars or containers that allow air, light or microbes to get into the mix. This packaging caveat is especially true for vitamin C, which is a delicate ingredient that must be protected from these factors to keep it from breaking down and losing its effectiveness. “Airless pumps check every box when it comes to containers of choice for most active ingredients,” says Dr. Corey L. Hartman.
What about different forms of vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, such as ascorbyl glucoside or sodium hyaluronate? There’s no evidence that any specific form of either ingredient works better with a form of the other, so what is most important is making sure that the combination product you do select follows the guidelines established above and get ready to reap the benefits!
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References for this information:
- Molecules, August 2021, ePublication
- Antioxidants, August 2022, ePublication
- Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, March 2020, pages 671-676
- Polymers, May 2023, ePublication
