Can You Use Hyaluronic Acid With Vitamin C?

Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid are two popular skincare ingredients that benefit various skin types and address many complexion concerns. But do they play well together? Can you use Hyaluronic Acid with Vitamin C? The short answer is absolutely.

We'll also give you the long answer if you're open to some skincare science chit-chat. Read on to learn all about Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C, including what these two powerhouses do, how they work, and why they can be even better together.

What Is Hyaluronic Acid and How Does It Benefit Skin?

Hyaluronic acid (or HA for short) is a very common skincare ingredient—and a naturally occurring substance, despite its chemical-sounding name. It's a humectant, meaning it draws water in from the air to hydrate the skin. Notably, HA can hold as much as 1,000 times its weight in water.¹ So a little goes a long way—literally.

By attracting moisture into your skin, Hyaluronic Acid has an immediate plumping effect, smoothing the look of fine lines. After you apply a product containing HA, you might notice a supple look and feel to your skin and a hydrated, dewy glow.²

What's more, hyaluronic acid is a non-comedogenic skincare ingredient. This means it won't clog your pores or contribute to breakouts.³

Check out non-comedogenic skincare products from CLEARSTEM to see what's available.

What Vitamin C Does for Skin

Vitamin C (often called ascorbic acid or L-ascorbic acid on an ingredient list) is a powerful antioxidant that offers many benefits to the skin. This ingredient can:^{4 5}

• Address different types of hyperpigmentation and fade dark spots
• Offer a brightening effect for a more even-toned complexion
• Protect the skin from oxidative stress by fighting free radicals
• Reduce inflammation and support a healthy skin barrier
• Contribute to more healthy-looking skin

Another reason to love Vitamin C in skincare? It works for virtually all skin types. Plus, you can use Vitamin C serum either morning or night, making it a great skincare ingredient to add to your routine.

Why Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C Work Well Together

When used in appropriate amounts, both Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C are considered safe, gentle ingredients unlikely to cause skin irritation or breakouts. And combining them—whether within the same formula or using separate products—might enhance the benefits of each even further.^{6 7}

When you use HA and Vitamin C together, you may notice improved skin texture, longer-lasting hydration, fewer dark spots, a reduction in visible fine lines and wrinkles, faded acne scars, a strengthened skin barrier, and an all-around more radiant complexion.^{8 9}

Many people also use Vitamin C for acne scars, as it can help improve an uneven skin tone.

How to Layer Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C

Don’t know how to layer your skincare products to get the most out of every ingredient? There isn't necessarily a right or wrong order to apply Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid. In many cases, both ingredients are blended into a single product, such as a serum.

Some people like to use a Vitamin C serum first and follow it with HA (such as a pure hyaluronic acid serum) to seal in hydration. On the other hand, since Hyaluronic Acid hydrates the skin, it can help it absorb other products more easily. So you might consider starting there and applying Vitamin C next.

Ingredients aside, another rule of thumb is to apply skincare products beginning with the lightest (with the thinnest consistency) and ending with the heaviest (like a rich cream or face oil). This can help lock in moisture and prevent products from pilling. Following this layering approach is also essential for skin flooding, where multiple hydrating products are used in sequence to deeply saturate the skin with moisture for a plump, dewy look.

Unlock the Power of Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C for Healthy Skin

Whether you're working with dehydrated skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, acne-prone skin, or mature skin, you can't go wrong using Vitamin C with Hyaluronic Acid.

Many CLEARSTEM products contain one or the other—often both—making it easy to implement these ingredients into your skincare routine. If you're wondering how much moisturizer to use, start with a nickel-sized amount and adjust based on your skin’s needs, applying more for drier areas or less for oilier spots. If you’re using a serum, a few drops should be sufficient to cover your face and neck, as serums are typically more concentrated and absorb quickly.

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