Medically reviewed by Minimalist Health Specialist - Written by Shreya Singh (Pharmacist) on 13th Aug 2020
Benefits Of Using Vitamin C With Hyaluronic Acid
We all are pretty much aware of the vast array of benefits offered by Vitamin C, be it topical or supplement. Many dermatologists, beauty editors, and skincare fanatics alike swear to be the holy grail ingredient in skincare.
Its first claim-to-fame benefit was to treat and prevent Scurvy (a disease caused by the severe deficiency of vitamin C).
Since then, it has gone a long way towards providing a plethora of benefits for your body and skin's overall health.
Every other beauty company out there has its formulation of vitamin c and claims it to be the ultimate solution for all your skin problems.
But very few people are aware of this one more ingredient called Hyaluronic Acid which, when used in conjunction with vitamin C in your skincare routine, can provide a whole lot better anti-aging results rather than using only one.
In this article, we will be discussing these two ingredients: Vitamin C & Hyaluronic Acid, the different benefits of using them, how they work together on our skin, and how we can layer them together.
What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble, highly unstable vitamin that is naturally present in various foods and available as dietary supplements. In nature, there are two isomeric forms of vitamin C present, which are L-ascorbic acid and D-ascorbic acid.
However, only L-ascorbic acid is the biologically active form and is therefore used in medical practices. It is an essential nutrient that is required for the overall growth and development of the body.
It is an immune-boosting, powerhouse ingredient specifically known for its antioxidant properties, which help fight and reverse free radical damage caused to the skin due to prolonged exposure in the UV rays.
Although it is commonly present in many fruits and vegetables, there are fewer studies that have proven the relationship between Vitamin C percent in the skin and nutrient intake.
Therefore, to reap the actual benefits of Vitamin C for the skin, we need to have a topical vitamin C based ingredient in our skincare routine that is clinically proven to brighten skin.
Not all Vitamin C are made equal!
Efficacy of a topical Vitamin C serum depends a lot on the concentration & form of Vitamin C used and stability of the formulation. Know more
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid, also known as Hyaluronan, is a clear, sticky, and highly viscous type of sugar naturally present in the deeper dermal layers.
It holds moisture into the skin and gives a lot of tightness and suppleness to the skin. It is a type of humectant that draws in moisture to the skin and is widely famous for its unique ability to bind to water molecules up to 1000 times its own molecular weight.
As we grow older, the amount of naturally present hyaluronic acid in our skin keeps on decreasing. As we reach our mid 20’s or early 30’s, we notice some initial signs of wrinkles and fine lines especially appearing in the areas where there is a lot of movements like around the mouth or the corner of the eyes and eyelids because those areas get deprived of hyaluronic acid.
Therefore, to prevent these early signs of aging and keep our skin youthful and vibrant, we need to have external supplements of HA into our skin to retain its moisture.
Good to know.
Hyaluronic acid with larger molecule size provides surface hydration, which gives an instant plum look. However it is temporary effect. For longer sustainable hydration, the HA molecule size used in serums shall be small. Know more
Benefits of combining Vitamin C and Hyaluronic acid
When Vitamin C is used in conjunction with Hyaluronic acid, they work like wonders in providing far better results than using them individually.
Hyaluronic acid is hydrophilic in nature, thus increases the absorption of water-based vitamin C serums, resulting in more availability of direct Vitamin C in the epidermis layers.
Although the full benefits of Topical HA with ascorbic acid for the face are yet to be investigated clinically, the duo is proved to be effective in reducing photo damage and supporting skin implants.
Since both of these ingredients have strong anti-aging properties, they complement each other and result in a powerful anti-aging pair to provide magnificent and long term benefits in the skin’s appearance and battling against earlier signs of aging.
The long term incorporation of these two ingredients into your skincare routine can provide noticeable results in the overall health and look of the skin. Resulting in reduced fine lines & wrinkles, faded dark spots & hyperpigmentation, and skin-making more plump, hydrated, dewy-looking.
Is it safe to use vitamin C and Hyaluronic acid together?
Yes! Studies suggest that it is harmless to use vitamin C and Hyaluronic acid without adverse effects on the skin. Both Minimalist 20% Vitamin C and 2% Hyaluronic Acid are formulated at pH between 4.5 to 5.5, thus are best suited for using together without canceling each other's effect.
Both of these ingredients can either be used separately, one after the other, or combined in a single formulation containing both of these ingredients at suitable concentrations.
However, there are fewer formulations that add sufficient concentrations of both.
How to apply Vitamin C and Hyaluronic acid together?
Hyaluronic acid prepares the base for other water-based serums and thereby boosting their absorption. Apply Hyaluronic acid serum (not cream-based moisturizers) before Vitamin C serums as hydrated skin quickly absorbs Vitamin C compared to dry skin.
Follow these step by step process to layer Hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C serums:
- Clean your face with a gentle cleanser.
- Apply 2-3 drops of a light water-based Hyaluronic acid with at least 2% concentration and wait for 1-2 minutes to absorb into deeper layers of the skin.
- Apply your 20% vitamin C serum by taking adequate quantity on your fingertips and applying all over your face with gentle circular motions.
- Follow it up with a good non-comedogenic moisturizer.
- When using active ingredients such as Vitamin C on your skin, it is non-negotiable to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 30 and above in the day time to protect your skin from sunburn.
As good as each of these ingredients is on their own, they make a dynamic duo, which is unbeatable if set against other anti-aging formulations.
It’s Good to know the benefits of Vitamin C and Hyaluronic acid
Vitamin C Benefits:
This type of vitamin has already gone viral in the beauty trends in recent years and has gained a lot of loyal followers. It is due to the numerous research done on the benefits of using vitamin C. It has been globally recommended by dermatologists everywhere as the powerful brightening skincare essential and is like the morning OJ for your skin- insignificant, yet necessary!
Vitamin C is:
- Potent Skin-lightener: It suppresses melanin production, which helps fade out hyperpigmentation, and dark spots, thus resulting in an even-toned, more radiant skin.
- Powerful Antioxidant: It is a potent antioxidant that can not only fight and prevent photo damage caused to the skin but can also reverse it by neutralizing the adverse effects of free radicals.
- Collagen Booster: It helps in accelerating the natural collagen and elastin synthesis in the skin, which is the first line of defense towards the premature aging process, ensuring youthful, firm, and supple skin.
- Cell Renewal Promotor: It helps boost your skin’s natural regeneration process, thus ensuring luminosity and vibrancy and equalizing uneven skin texture and appearance.
