Derm DM: What Ingredients Can I Combine With Vitamin C?

Regardless of your skin type, vitamin C deserves a place in your daily skin care routine. “Vitamin C is a scientifically proven ingredient that helps reduce the signs of skin aging, wrinkles, dark spots and acne,” says Dr. Sarah Sawyer, Skincare.com Consultant and Certified Dermatologist in Birmingham, Alabama. "When used regularly, it can help protect against free radicals." It can also be combined with ingredients to address specific skin concerns, from signs of aging to discoloration and dryness. Keep reading for Dr. Sawyer's opinion on the best ingredients to combine with vitamin C based on your skin concerns.

If you want to fight discoloration with vitamin C…

Vitamin C is an antioxidant, meaning it fights free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can result from pollution, UV rays, alcohol, smoking, and even the food you eat. They accelerate skin aging and can harm the environment, which in turn leads to dark spots and skin discoloration. 

The best way to fight free radicals is to use sunscreen and more antioxidants. Dr. Sawyer recommends SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic with 15% L-Ascorbic Acid, which combines three powerful antioxidants: vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid. “[It] is the industry gold standard for its ability to reduce oxidative damage,” she says. “To put it simply, it's a product that works and works. «.

She also offers SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Gel "to help reduce the appearance of discoloration, improve skin texture and balance skin tone." It contains vitamin C, ferulic acid and phloretin, an antioxidant derived from the bark of fruit trees. 

If you want to fight aging with vitamin C...

Any dermatologist will tell you that the key to good anti aging skin treatment It's simple: all you need is a retinoid, an antioxidant like vitamin C, and, of course, SPF. "Vitamin C is safe to use with retinol or retinoid, but at different times of the day," says Dr. Sawyer. "Vitamin C is best used in the morning, while retinoids are best used in the evening." This is because retinoids can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight.  

If you're looking for a mild yet effective retinol, we've got you covered. Kiehl's Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptides, Garnier Green Labs Retinol-Berry Super Smoothing Night Serum Cream is a more budget-friendly choice for less than $20 on Amazon. 

If you want to hydrate your skin with vitamin C…

“Hyaluronic acid and vitamin C go hand in hand and become even stronger when combined,” says Dr. Sawyer. "HA attracts water molecules, which make skin firmer for a hydrated, healthier look, while vitamin C [visibly improves the appearance of] aging skin." You can layer individual vitamin C and hyaluronic acid serums starting with vitamin C. We also love Kiehl's Powerful Vitamin C Serum, which combines hyaluronic acid and vitamin C in one lightweight, firming formula.