Purchasing a new skincare product can be a bit of a thrill, especially when you’re imagining all of the incredible benefits you’re about to experience. However, those benefits depend on when you use a skincare product almost as much as they depend on the ingredients themselves.
Vitamin C is known for its brightening benefits, and our team is here to help you achieve the complexion you’ve been dreaming of. In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of Vitamin C, why routine order matters, and when to use Vitamin C serum to encourage visible results.
What Is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is more than just a vitamin you take during flu season. When applied topically, this ingredient can rejuvenate and brighten the appearance of the skin. It’s like a post-vacation glow, but this radiance lasts year-round.
The benefits of Vitamin C for skin include the following:
- Brightens Dullness: Vitamin C can brighten the appearance of lackluster skin.
- Revitalizes Aging Skin: Vitamin C can also help your skin look plump and full of life, but this effect can be especially noticeable on mature skin.
- Evens Out Skin Tone: Vitamin C can help minimize the appearance of dark spots, contributing to an overall more even-looking complexion.
Why Does Routine Order Matter?
There are several “steps” that are in every skincare routine, no matter which skin type you have. Most of these steps work best if you follow a specific skincare routine order. For example, you wouldn’t apply a moisturizer and then wash your face. If you did, you’d be washing off all the benefits of your moisturizer, and your skin would still be dry afterwards.
In most cases, skincare routines start with a nourishing cleanser. This can help visibly remove all of the day’s buildup and get your skin ready for the rest of the routine. After cleansing, apply your serum, and follow it with a moisturizer to help seal everything in place.
When To Use Vitamin C Serum
You can probably guess that Vitamin C serum should go somewhere between cleansing and moisturizing, but there are a few nuances you should know about. Read on for some tips to help you get the most out of your Vitamin C serum.
Every Morning (If You Can)
Like most gentle skincare ingredients, you’re more likely to see results if you stay consistent. While you might see some benefits (like skin brightness) right away, others (like plumpness and an even-looking skin tone) may need a little more time to show up.
If using Vitamin C serum at night would help you to be the most consistent, then go with that. However, if you can incorporate it into your morning routine, doing so may be worth your while.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which means it can help preserve a bright and youthful appearance throughout the day. If you tend to work on a screen or spend a lot of time outdoors, Vitamin C can help you put your best face forward.
Before Sunscreen
Before we start, yes, you should be wearing sunscreen every day. Even if you don’t plan on lying out on the beach all day, your skin is still exposed to harmful UV radiation through windows and clothing. You might not see a sunburn, but the rays responsible for skin aging can have some pretty major effects on your complexion over time.
Antioxidants can be especially helpful in promoting a radiant appearance throughout the day, especially when it comes to the oxidative stress caused by sun damage. Additionally, SPF serums can help seal Vitamin C into your skin throughout the day, ensuring its benefits stay with you.
After Exfoliating
Whether you use a chemical or an AHA exfoliant, if you’re applying Vitamin C at night, this step should come before your Vitamin C serum. Exfoliants are designed to remove layers of dead skin cells that sit on the surface of your skin. If you apply them after Vitamin C, you’ll basically be washing away your serum before it has any time to work.
That’s not the only benefit of keeping this order, though. Because exfoliants can expose fresh, new skin, using them first can help ensure your Vitamin C serum absorbs thoroughly, which might help you see more of those benefits you’ve been hoping for. That being said, exfoliants are typically reserved for the nighttime routine.
Separately From Retinol
Retinol is a very powerful ingredient that most people only use a few times a week. However, its results can be just as powerful as its intensity.
On its own, Vitamin C is a gentle ingredient that is generally well-tolerated by most skin types, even those with sensitive skin. However, when combined with retinol, the two can overwhelm the skin. This can ultimately prevent you from seeing results from either ingredient.
If you use retinol, don’t worry — many people can use a Vitamin C serum in the morning and retinol in the evening without an issue. If you’re really worried about it, you can start by using them on alternating days and adjust your routine as needed.
Example Vitamin C Morning Routine
Need a little inspiration to help you find the right place for your Vitamin C serum? Here’s how to get started.
Step One: Cleanse
Use a gentle, brightening cleanser to wash away the night’s buildup. Our Turmeric Glow Foaming Cleanser is an invigorating, skin-friendly gel cleanser that transforms into a rich lathering foam to thoroughly cleanse away dirt, oil, and impurities. Powered by certified organic Turmeric, this face wash gently lifts impurities while brightening and balancing the complexion.
Step Two: Apply Serum
Before your skin fully dries, massage in a few drops of our Kakadu Plum Vitamin C Serum. This lightweight serum features ingredients like Kakadu Plum (the world’s richest source of vitamin C), Acerola Cherry, and Hyaluronic Acid to help further refresh your complexion, as well as an invigorating blend of lemon, sage, and orange.
Step Three: Moisturize
Lock in the benefits with a nourishing moisturizer like our Turmeric Glow Moisturizer. This all-day moisturizer incorporates Turmeric, Noni Fruit, and Desert Date for a luxurious and buttery-soft texture that uplifts your mind with scents of cedarwood and peppermint.
“C” the Benefits for Yourself
Vitamin C is a wonderful ingredient that can help illuminate and revitalize your complexion while also being gentle enough for most skin types. To encourage these results, it’s wise to use Vitamin C serum every day (especially in the morning), before sunscreen, after exfoliating, and separately from retinol.
At KORA Organics, our mission is to combine gentle skincare formulas with evidence-backed ingredients that nourish your skin while guiding it into balance. We know that skincare is self care, which is why we’ve designed even the smallest details to bring maximum relaxation. Browse our skincare best sellers today.
Sources:
Why is topical Vitamin C important for skin health? | Harvard Health Publishing
How to fade dark spots in darker skin tones | American Academy of Dermatology