How to use vitamin c retinol and hyaluronic acid

Some things, frankly, shouldn’t be paired up. Like orange juice and toothpaste, or workouts and hangovers. But my active ingredients? Luckily they all get along — and are even better together (cue that Jack Johnson song). Mix and match my serums to suit your needs, and prepare for your best skin yet.

In the mood for bright, clear, plumped up skin? When using hyaluronic acid and vitamin C together in your routine, you’re in for double the benefits. My Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum can be used daily; morning and night. Vitamin C, found in my Brightening Vitamin C Mask and Brightening Eye Serum, can be used any time of day (although mornings are best). 

Hyaluronic Acid and Retinol

While you’re better off not mixing retinol with AHAs and BHAs (like glycolic and salicylic acid), retinol and hyaluronic acid are a perfect match. Combining these two actives can mean less fine lines and dry skin — which is a win-win, #letsbefrank. Use my Rewind Retinol Serum twice a week in the evenings after applying my Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum.

Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide

These water-based treatments are a great pair and are made for all skin types — especially babes with dry, acne-prone skin. You’ll find niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, in my Rewind Retinol Serum. Use hyaluronic acid first, followed by my retinol for the best results. 

Niacinamide and Vitamin C

Despite what some outdated research may say, these two all-star ingredients are a winning combo. When layered together, niacinamide and vitamin C reduce the appearance of fine lines, acne, dullness and dark spots. 

Retinol and Vitamin C

Name two more powerful active ingredients, I dare you. These antioxidants are packed with benefits for your skin — but I recommend using them separately to avoid irritation. Twice a week at night, apply my Rewind Retinol Serum, avoiding the area under your eyes. Follow it up with my Brightening Eye Serum, being careful not to layer it over the retinol. Want an extra glow? Use my Brightening Vitamin C Mask on the days you aren’t applying my retinol serum.

Niacinamide and Retinol

These two bring out the best in each other. They’re so compatible, I included them both in my Rewind Retinol Serum. Niacinamide protects and strengthens the skin barrier; reducing pores and acne while preventing premature signs of ageing. Let’s just say I knew what I was doing when I combined this with my 1% retinol blend, made to firm, tone, and smooth your skin.

My philosophy on skincare is that simple is better (even when actives are involved). Check out my latest blog post for a step-by-step, morning to night skincare guide.

Xx frank

Skincare can be intimidating. Second to picking formulas for your skin concerns, is ensuring that the active ingredients in the serums and creams work harmoniously. While some actives have a reassuring presence in your daily ritual and work in conjunction with most ingredients (shoutout to niacinamide), some, when cocktailed together, can trigger your skin (cc: retinol). Yet others, like AHAs and BHAs, are best stowed away for nocturnal regimens.

Layering effectively allows you to reap the rewards of the super-charged active ingredients and customise a regimen that targets your skin issues. “Serums are power-packed solutions with highly active concentrated ingredients,” says Dr. Jaishree Sharad, a leading celebrity cosmetic dermatologist and founder of Skinfiniti Aesthetic Skin and Laser Clinic. “Ideally, you should not layer them. However, if you layer them, use the lighter serum first followed by a heavier serum or use the targeted serum first,” she advises.

Dr. Sharad gives us the lowdown on the dos and don’ts of pairing daily-used active ingredients in skincare routines.

Niacinamide

Main benefits

It is anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant that helps build ceramides, which are building blocks of our skin. It aids skin repair and hydrates the skin.

Get cosy with

You can combine niacinamide with all other serums and creams. You can use it with retinol, Hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, BHAs, or AHAs. Niacinamide and retinol work well together. Retinol is Vitamin A – it prevents hyperpigmentation, reduces acne and fine lines, and causes mild exfoliation (as do AHAs and BHAs), which leads to dryness. Niacinamide or Vitamin B3 helps reduce pigment melanin, promotes the formation of ceramides, and is a potent antioxidant. It is less likely to irritate and has moisturising properties – a combination of these reduces pigmentation, acne, and wrinkles with minimal irritation.

Niacinamide can be used with hyaluronic acid. They’re both water-loving humectants and keep skin hydrated to maintain the protective barrier function of the skin. Both actives are safe to use, less likely to cause irritation and cause no serious side effects when used together.

Together, niacinamide and Vitamin C fight pigmentation and reduce blemishes. Niacinamide inhibits the enzyme tyrosinase, which helps in producing pigment melanin. By blocking tyrosinase, you are preventing the formation of hyperpigmentation. You can use these if you have patchy, uneven skin tone or post-acne blemishes.

How to best use it

You can use niacinamide any time in the morning or night. It takes around 6-8 weeks for its results to show.

Try 

Minimalist Niacinamide 10%

Hyaluronic acid

Main benefits

Hyaluronic acid is a hydrating agent that absorbs water, retains it, and plumps your skin.

Get cosy with

You can combine hyaluronic acid with Vitamin C, AHAs, BHAs, and retinol. AHAs, BHAs, and retinol have micro-exfoliating properties – a combination of either of these with hyaluronic acid works well since it's a hydrating agent and repairs the skin. Hyaluronic acid can be used in conjunction with niacinamide – both have skin hydrating properties and ensure a healthy skin barrier.

How to best use it

The correct way to use a hyaluronic acid serum is to apply about 5-6 drops on damp skin and top it with a moisturiser. You can use it in the morning or at night. You may see results in 48-72 hours since application.

Try

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

Vitamin C

Main benefits

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects skin from UVA, UVB, and blue light. It also helps in skin repair, DNA cell repair, and fighting pigmentation and signs of ageing. It is suitable across all skin types and age groups.

Get cosy with

You can use it with hyaluronic acid or niacinamide. If you’re applying them together, you should apply Vitamin C first, followed by hyaluronic acid or niacinamide.

Keep at arm’s length

Don't use it with AHAs, BHAs, and retinol at once. You can use it in low concentrations of AHA and BHA in your routine on alternate nights – Vitamin C one night and retinol the other. Or Vitamin C in the morning, followed by AHA, BHA, or retinol at night. If you have acne-prone skin, be cautious while using Vitamin C – it can cause breakouts. It is best to do a patch test before.

How to best use it

L-ascorbic acid is a potent form of Vitamin C and gets unstable when exposed to light which is why some doctors suggest using it at night. But you can top it off with sunscreen and use it during the day because it also protects you from UV rays. Other forms of Vitamin C can be used during the day and at night.

How do you take hyaluronic acid and vitamin C with retinol?

In what order should I apply retinol and hyaluronic acid?

Do you use retinol before or after hyaluronic acid the ordinary?

Does vitamin C go before or after retinol?