How to Use Vitamin C Serum to Brighten and Glow up Your Skin

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You probably already know what vitamin C serum does to the skin, but do you know how to use it effectively to boost your skin’s appearance? This article right here will enlighten you on how to use it to get the most benefit from it.

If you do not already know, Vitamin C contains the best anti-aging properties and that is what makes it spectacular. The use of vitamin C serum can instantly upgrade your skincare game as it turns your dull skin around into radiant glowing skin. 

It will help to achieve the glow and shine that will make your skin pop by maintaining a smooth, even skin tone for you. Another good news, it works for all skin types. 

The serum is quite popular in skincare work, and I bet you can’t wait to reap all of its benefits. Ahead of this article, you will discover several ways to use it to achieve the utmost result. 

How to Use Vitamin C Serum

Adding vitamin C serum to your skincare routine will help to transform your dull skin into radiant-looking skin by giving your body the youthful glow it needs. 

To do this, simply rub a few drops of this serum into your skin daily. Ahead is a step-by-step guide on how to apply vitamin C serum to your skin. 

1. Do a Patch Test

The first thing to do after opening up your bottle of vitamin C serum is to do a patch test: to check for allergy reactions. Even though it is safe for all skin types to use, you still need to check for allergy reactions.

You don’t want to wait till after you have applied it to a large part of your skin before confirming if your skin reacts to it or not, right? That is why it is best to do your patch test first to check for any signs of allergy reaction to the serum. 

Carry out the test on your wrist as the skin on the wrist is very sensitive and any irritation will show up quickly on the wrist. 

How to do it: 

  • Clean your inner wrist.
  • Apply just one drop of the serum on your wrist.
  • Leave to sit on the skin for 24 hours.

If you do not see any reaction on your skin after 24 hours, you are good to go. You can now proceed to the next step confidently.

However, if your skin reacts to it by showing signs of hives, or redness, or if your skin is itchy; immediately wash your skin and do not proceed to the next step. 

2. Prepare Your Skin for the Application

Before you even think of applying vitamin C serum to your skin, you have to prepare your skin first by cleaning it. Applying vitamin C on unclean skin can’t be as effective as applying it on clean skin.  

To clean your skin, splash cool water on it and wash it with a mild cleanser. Massage the cleanser on your skin for some minutes and rinse it off with clean water.

Note: When you do this, ensure that the cleanser you use for this works for your skin.

  • If you have dry skin, use a cleanser that has ingredients like glycerin and ceramides. 
  • For oily skin, wash your skin with a cleanser that contains ingredients like salicylic acid.
  • For sensitive skin, ensure that your cleanser is fragrance-free.

3. Dry Your Skin Using a Clean Towel

After washing your skin, ensure that you dry your skin with a clean towel. Do this gently to avoid rubbing too hard on your skin. You can also make use of a clean cloth. Anything works as long as it is clean.

4. Apply Your Toner

Now is the time to pay your toner across your face after drying your face. Do this by soaking your cotton swab into your facial toner and rubbing it on your face. Ensure that the toner is applied evenly across your face. Avoid getting the toner into your eyes. 

Note: If your toner contains benzoyl peroxide, wait for about 10 minutes before applying your vitamin c serum to your skin. Applying it immediately after using a toner that contains benzoyl peroxide will affect the efficacy of the serum. 

5. Apply Your Vitamin C Serum Now

Now is the time you have been waiting for. To apply vitamin C serum to your skin, use the dropper in the bottle of the serum to squeeze out two to three drops of the vitamin C serum into your palm. 

Use the fingers of your other hand to dip the serum in your palm, then pat some serum on your forehead and cheeks or other parts of the body you would like to apply it on. Now proceed to massage the serum into your skin.

6. Moisturize Your Skin After

After applying vitamin C serum to your skin, wait for about 10 to 15 minutes, and then apply your moisturizer. Now you are good to go.

You can repeat the process in the evening or you can choose to only do it in the morning or at night.

How to Use Vitamin C Serum and Niacinamide

Just like vitamin C, niacinamide also helps to tackle hyperpigmentation and fine lines and helps to treat acne as well. You can use both vitamin C serum and niacinamide on your skin. 

The best way to do this is by following the rule of thumb, which is by layering the two products on the skin from thin to thick. Here’s how to do it:

  • Clean your skin by washing it with a mild cleanser
  • Dry your skin with a clean towel
  • Apply your vitamin c serum now and let it sit on your skin till your skin absorbs it
  • Now apply your niacinamide after your skin must have completely absorbed the serum

You can also use both serums in one product, simply lookout for a product that contains both ingredients to enjoy its benefits. Likewise, you can apply a hydrating moisturizer that contains niacinamide after applying the serum to your skin.

How to Use Vitamin C and E Serums

As with vitamin C serum, vitamin E serums help to fight skin issues and the use of both serums will help to clear dark spots and brighten up the skin for a natural glow.

Compared to using them separately, the two serums are most effective when combined. Here is how to apply both serums:

  • Cleanse the skin first
  • Proceed to dry the skin with a clean cloth or towel
  • Squeeze out drops of both serums into your palm
  • Use your fingertip to mix
  • Rub the mix on your skin and massage gently for your skin to absorb it
  • Apply moisturizer on your skin now

You can as well just look for a product that contains both serums instead of having to mix the serums yourself. Apply vitamins C and E to enjoy flawless skin.

How to Use Vitamin C Serum and Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is known for its ability to help retain the skin’s moisture. Combining vitamin C serum and hyaluronic acid will help to improve your skin tone and firmness. Using hyaluronic acid on your skin after applying it will help to restore moisture to your skin.

You can either use the two products separately or you can simply look for a product that contains both ingredients. Below is how to apply hyaluronic acid and vitamin C serum separately.

  • The first step is to clean your skin with a mild cleanser 
  • Then use a clean towel or cloth to dry your skin
  • Squeeze out two to three drops of vitamin C serum on your palm
  • Use your fingertips to gently massage the serum into your skin
  • Wait for a few minutes for your skin to absorb the serum
  • You can now apply the hyaluronic acid to your skin

How to Safely Use Vitamin C Serum and Retinol

Using vitamin C and retinol on your skin is probably the best treatment you can give to your skin. However, mixing them on your skin can irritate and can as well increase the sensitivity of your skin.

The best way to use vitamin C serum and retinol is to use them separately. Apply your serum first and allow your skin to absorb it fully before you move to apply retinol. There are three ways to do this and each will be outlined below.

You can use your vitamin C serum in the morning and use your retinol serum at night or you can use it for the night and use retinol serum the night after.

You can also apply your vitamin C serum first and wait for about 30 minutes before applying your retinol serum. 

How to do it: 

  • The first thing to do is to clean your face gently using a mild cleanser
  • Use a clean towel or cloth to dry your skin
  • Apply your vitamin C serum
  • Wait for about 30 minutes for your skin to absorb the serum
  • You can now go ahead to apply your retinol
  • Finish up the facials with your moisturizer

How to Use Vitamin C Serum With Sunscreen

Layering vitamin C serum under sunscreen on your skin is probably the best thing you can do to protect your skin from sun damage. Use a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. Here’s how to use vitamin C serum and sunscreen before stepping out for the day. 

  • Start by washing your skin with a mild cleanser
  • Dry your skin using a clean cloth or towel
  • Apply the serum
  • Apply your sunscreen of SPF 30 and higher
  • Go rule the world

Other Useful Tips

  • It’s best to opt for a serum of high quality
  • Keep your serum out of direct sunlight as this can neutralize it
  • Discard your serum and get a new one once the one you are using changes color.
  • Do not apply too much serum on your skin if you have dry or sensitive skin. Always apply a little amount.
  • Be consistent with your application of the serum to achieve better results.
  • Ensure that you apply sunscreen after applying the serum on your face in the morning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should you apply vitamin C serum before or after applying sunscreen?

Apply your vitamin c serum before applying sunscreen. Start with vitamin C serum, then apply your moisturizer and then your sunscreen.

Can you use vitamin C serum on your skin every day?

Yes, you can. You can use vitamin C serum for your facials every day. You can use it in the morning and you can also use it at night.

How long will it take you to notice any changes in your skin?

You will start noticing changes as early as your first week of using the serum. However, it will take between 4-12 weeks to notice any tangible skin improvements.

Ensure that you are consistent with your usage as this is the only way to benefit well from it.

Conclusion

Adding vitamin C serum to your skincare routine will help to transform your dull skin into radiant-looking skin by giving your body the youthful glow it needs. 

Simply rub in some drops of the serum on your skin for improvement, and remember to be consistent with your usage. Consistency is key in all that you do, and the same applies to your skincare routine as well. 

Thanks for reading.

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