How to Incorporate Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C is a staple in my morning routine. I don’t feel complete without it — which yeah, may sound dramatic, but it’s a part of self care I look forward to! After trying almost 20 different brands I now alternate between just 3. No matter which of the 3 I use it always comes after my morning cleanse, but before my morning moisturizer.
Two quick pro-tips:
If you’re a newb, don’t mix Vitamin C with retinol (aka apply vitamin c in the morning & acids/retinol at night).
Vitamin C serum (along with most skincare products) is best absorbed when the skin is exfoliated 1-2x a week. A build up of dead skin cells really prevents the serums from working its magic. If you’re looking for a great physical exfoliant I love this one. And if you'd rather opt for a chemical exfoliant this is the holy grail.
The steps of my morning skincare are as follows:
Cleanse
Vitamin C Serum
Hyaluronic Serum (this comes second because the rule remains true: apply skincare products from thinnest to thickest)
Moisturizer
SPF
If you want more info on my skincare routine lookout for a more detailed blog post coming soon.
In the meantime my favorite 3 Vitamin C serums are below:
CC Me Vitamin C Serum - fantastic for sensitive skin because it’s pure (has two strains of Vitamin C) & doesn’t contain additional compounds that many Vitamin C serums use. Summer Friday’s is vegan, cruelty free, paraben free, brightening, hydrating, anti-aging. Plus fragrance free!
CEO 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum - smells fresh (like oranges) but there is no actual fragrance so it’s nice n natural. It has the perfect creamy consistency with no stickiness. This Sunday Riley product is loaded with THD Ascorbate, phytosterols, Saccharide Isomerate extract (all things great for dull + acne-prone skin). I personally think this serum also promotes a youthful look.
Vitamin C Ester CCC+ Ferulic Brightening Complex 20% - is the highest concentration of Vitamin C which is why this 2 ounce serum is a pretty penny. Perricone MD doesn’t play when it comes to the ingredients. The Vitamin C brightens + minimizes discoloration & the ferulic acid protects against free radicals & boosts the elasticity of the skin. This serum dives deep so really make sure you either dermaplane or exfoliate 1x a week to allow all the benefits to seep in.
So why is Vitamin C so great?
Immediately after using Vitamin C serum your skin will have a nice glow and an increase in radiance
With consistent use over time, Vitamin C helps build collagen and increases firmness
If you use Vitamin C daily (for a month or more) you’ll see major improvements with hyperpigmentation
If there are Vitamin C Serum q’s you have or a serum you absolutely love, comment below so we can discuss!
