Vitamin C is just one of those skincare ingredients that gets so much hype for good reason. Brightening dull skin and destroying signs of ageing, it’s almost like this skincare superhero. Of course, if you start using Vitamin C serum in your routine, you are going to get the lit-up, glassy glow you may have been dreaming of. However, there’s an order and a way to layer it up for maximum efficacy.
Let’s take a tangent and talk about why Vitamin C serum for face is a big deal before getting into the how-tos. Vitamin C is an antioxidant. It mops up free radicals – essentially pollutant stuff, UV rays, and stress that ages us fast. It can brighten, reduce dark spots, and even boost collagen production. Thus, it’s a must for someone dealing with uneven skin tone or hyperpigmentation.
Ideal Way to Layer Vitamin C Serum:
Layering it the right way will ensure that each product does its work when you are using Vitamin C. Here’s a step-by-step guide to perfecting Vitamin C serum for face:
Step 1: Cleanse
No surprise here- start with a fresh face. You can have a preference for a gel cleanser, cream cleanser, or micellar water, but just make sure it is gentle on your skin and that it suits your skin type.
Step 2: Toner (Optional but Effective)
Now, your skin is ready to receive the next dose of the good stuff. Toners are usually applied to balance your skin’s pH levels and give a gentle revitalising coat of moisture before proceeding to serum. Although it is not an absolute must, a toner can be of great use to gently prep your skin to receive the bolder treatment that a serum has to offer. This happens primarily because toners usually contain more diluted forms of the ingredient, while serums have a more concentrated composition. As such, if you’re a newcomer to the world of beauty routines, easing your way in with a toner may well be just the perfect place to start.
Step 3: Vitamin C Serum
And now, the star of the show: our good-old Vitamin C serum for face. This is when the magic happens. Apply it directly to your skin right after you cleanse (and tone). Pat into your skin rather than rub it, as this will help with absorption.
Pro Tip: You do not need a ton of product. A few drops would be enough; do not overuse them! Press it on your skin gently and wait for a minute before proceeding to the next step.
Step 4: Moisturiser
Now that you have used the serum, moisturiser comes next. It will lock in hydration while balancing the potency of vitamin C, which sometimes tends to leave the skin a little dry or tight.
Pro Tip: If your skin is typically oily, you will want a lighter, oil-free or water-based moisturiser. If it is dry, you’re going to want a lotion that’s thicker and heavier in texture. But whatever the case, ensure it is a non-comedogenic product- that is to say, one that won’t clog pores!
Step 5: Sunscreen (Always!)
The golden rule of skincare: never miss sunscreen with Vitamin C. It becomes worse because Vitamin C exposes your skin to the sun. Besides, sunscreen topped with Vitamin C is the perfect combination that enhances protection against UV and sun damage more efficiently, keeping the skin bright, even and youthful.
Pro Tip: Carry a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 40 with you, ideally 50. Reapply at least every two hours for any time period spent outdoors, especially when swimming or sweating. However, always keep in mind that sunscreen or not, try to keep yourself as covered as possible whenever out in the sun.
How to Enhance Your Response to Vitamin C?
Keep the following few tips in mind to maximise the effectiveness of your Vitamin C serum for face:
- Vitamin C works best when used consistently. Don’t expect overnight results, and give it a few weeks to see real improvements. Stick to your routine and be patient!
- Ingredients like retinol or high-exfoliating acids (AHAs/BHAs) are too irritating when layered over vitamin C. So, to help minimise irritation, try to avoid layering the two in the same routine.
- This is photolytic and also oxygen-sensitive, so it should be kept in a cool, dark place. To be even more particular, some serums are bottled in opaque containers to prevent them from being damaged by UV rays, but it would be fine to keep them away from direct sunlight anyway.
Conclusion
Vitamin C is a skincare superhero, but like any hero, it needs to be used correctly to shine. By layering your products in the right order—starting with a clean face, toning, applying your Vitamin C serum for face, and always finishing with sunscreen—you’ll ensure your skin gets the full benefits of this powerful ingredient.
