If you’re using a vitamin C serum or are thinking of adding it to your regimen, it is important to not just apply it mindlessly. Wrong or improper application would render the formula ineffective or cause it to work against your skin’s favor. 

Our aesthetic clinic in Singapore shares the most common mistakes people make when using vitamin C serum, as well as tips on applying and storing your antioxidant formula the right way.

For further reading: Here’s How You Can Get the Most Out of Your Vitamin C Serum

1. Pairing it with harsh ingredients

Vitamin C is a potent ingredient that can be irritating, especially for those with sensitive skin. This only makes it important to be mindful when using it with other active ingredients. Make sure not to pair or mix your vitamin C serum with:

• AHAs and BHAs – can increase the potency of vitamin C and contribute to further irritation.
• Benzoyl peroxide – oxidizes vitamin C and makes it ineffective. 
• Retinol – together with vitamin C can be irritating. These two ingredients should be used at different times of the day; vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night.  

Ideal vitamin C combos

• Vitamin C + ferulic acid – the latter combats free radicals, stabilizes vitamin C, and helps extend its effectiveness.
• Vitamin C + vitamin E –  both have antioxidant properties and negate free radical damage. When paired with vitamin C, vitamin E provides enhanced protection against sun damage.
• Vitamin C + vitamin E + ferulic acid – this combination offers enhanced sun damage protection. Research also suggested that ferulic acid stabilizes vitamins C and E, as well as doubles its photoprotection of skin. 
• Vitamin C and broad-spectrum sunscreen – provides enhanced protection against UV rays and have been shown to be more effective at neutralizing free radicals than SPF alone.

2. Not using the formula consistently

If you want to reap the benefits of your vitamin C serum, it is important to use it consistently. Not doing so or stopping after just a few weeks can lead to suboptimal results or make you think that your serum is not working at all. It can also take a few to several weeks of regular use before you start seeing improvement in your skin. 

If it’s your first time using a topical vitamin C, do a patch test first to check whether your skin will react to it. And when it’s time for regular application, follow the instructions from the manufacturer. Apply it with clean hands and when using it in the morning, follow up with a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. 

3. Not storing your serum properly

Vitamin C is sensitive to light exposure, which is why most formulas are stored in opaque or light-blocking containers. Purchasing a serum or any vitamin C product that isn’t stored in dark glass can cause it to degrade and make the product less potent or ineffective over time. The same is also true if you store it (even if the serum is in an opaque container) in a hot or sunny room.

But apart from making sure that the formula you buy is stored in the right container, here are a few other tips on storing your vitamin C serum properly or keeping it potent for longer:

• Store in a dark, cool place like your fridge or a cabinet/drawer away from windows.
• Make sure to close the container tightly after every use.
• When stored properly, your serum will last up to six months after opening.
• If you see changes in color or texture, or if it smells bad, don’t hesitate to throw it away. This means that your serum has gone bad.

4. Buying improperly packaged vitamin C serum and other products

Vitamin C is an unstable ingredient that can become ineffective when exposed to air, heat, and light. Buying a serum in a clear bottle can let the air and UV light get into the container, which can degrade or alter the potency of the product. This is why it is best to choose a vitamin C product:

• In a dark/tinted glass bottle
• That comes with a medicine dropper, instead of an air pump
• In an airtight container/packaging
• That says ascorbic acid or L-ascorbic acid (the most researched vitamin C that is formulated for the skin)

5. Using a too weak or strong concentration

Using the incorrect level of concentration can either do nothing for your skin or lead to irritation. The ideal concentration level is between 10% to 20%. Using a formula that’s below 20% may not deliver the benefits you are looking for, while a formula that’s higher than 20% can cause skin irritation.

You should also know that going over 20% will not increase the benefits to your skin. It is also important to look for a product that contains supportive ingredients such as ferulic acid and vitamin E, which can boost vitamin C’s protective properties against UV damage.

The vitamin C serum we recommend

Dr. Sylvia Skin Care’s 20% VITAMIN C With FERULIC ACID is a potent anti-oxidizing formula that can help rejuvenate the skin. It contains L-ascorbic acid, mixed with tocopherols and ferulic acid, offering protection against environmental damage caused by free radicals. Other benefits include: 

• Reduces oxidative damage caused by UV rays, pollution, and other environmental stressors
• Helps improve signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots
• Evens skin tone for a brighter complexion
• Suitable for all skin types

For more skincare tips and product/treatment recommendations, browse through our website today. And if you’re dealing with a skin concern that’s making you self-conscious, contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore today and schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctor.