The Benefits of Salicylic Acid and Vitamin C

Salicylic Acid and Vitamin C are both staples in skincare, and for good reason! They are both powerful ingredients that will do wonders for your skin if used correctly.

Can you use Vitamin C and Salicylic Acid Together?

Some will say yes, and some will say no, so make sure to always do a patch test and see what works for you. However, you typically do not want to layer or use these two products in the same routine.

The mix of salicylic acid and vitamin C can cause irritation, imbalanced skin, and a disrupted skin barrier.  This is due to the PH levels, and the fact that salicylic acid is a chemical exfoliant. (BHA)

The best way to use these products are to use vitamin C in the morning and your retinol at night.

Vitamin C

Our bodies do not naturally make vitamin C, so we have to make sure our skin and bodies receive it through other methods.

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and a potent antioxidant that every skin type can benefit from. It can be found in foods, sold for topical use, and even in pill form to be taken orally. 

Benefits of vitamin c

• Brightens skin
• Clears up discoloration
• Builds collagen
• Minimizes sun damage
• Treats wrinkles and fine lines
• Helps with hyperpigmentation
• Protects the skin against free radical damage.

Free radicals are unstable atoms that cause premature aging and illness by breaking down our skin cells over time. Different environmental factors and stressors, such as air pollution, or alcohol and smoking can be the causes.

As we get older and become more mindful of keeping the signs of premature aging and wrinkles at bay, finding the right products to put on our skin is a must.

Vitamin C is the perfect ingredient for radiant and glowing skin. However, keep in mind that not all vitamin C is created equally.

Two Forms of Vitamin C:

Both forms of vitamin c are great for the skin, but your particular skin type and needs will determine which form will work best for you.

1. Active – Purest Form

• Most common: L-ascorbic acid is the most common and purest form of vitamin C.  It is instable and will oxidize (turns darker) which means it is no longer working. 

• Best skin type to use: Balanced skin is best for this form. Due to its strength and potency, it will further dry out dry skin and irritate acne prone skin causing further breakouts.

• Benefits: Brighten skin, boost and prevents collagen from breaking down, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, minimize sun damage and more!

2. Inactive – Vitamin C Derivative 

• Most common: Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate. This is a stable water-soluble form of vitamin C and does not oxidize. This is why it is used in most cosmetic formulas due to it not being as acidic and strong as the active form. 

• Best skin to use: Acne prone skin loves this form of vitamin C since it is not as harsh and won’t cause irritation.

• Benefits: Brighten dull skin, soothes wrinkles, firms’ skin, helps with discoloration and more!

How to store your vitamin c serum?

Storing in a cool, dark place will help with oxidation. A skincare fridge or a regular refrigerator will work best!

what not to mix with vitamin c?

Skincare can be tricky and although we want to put all of our favorite products on our face at once, that’s a big NO! Certain ingredients just don’t mix well together and can leave you with more issues than when you started.

It’s always best to do a patch test because everybody’s skin is different. What works for one may not work others.

• Retinol – Due to the different PH levels, both products usually become inactive when combined. It will be best to use these two products at different times of day. Use the vitamin C in the morning and the retinol at night.

• AHA’s and BHA’s – Alpha Hydroxy Acids & Beta Hydroxy Acids are chemical exfoliants that help unclog pores, shed dead skin cells and help to uncover clear, smooth. and healthy skin. Some examples of these acids are glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and lactic acid. Although great products, AHA’s and BHA’s, as well as the vitamin c are all acidic products that will cause irritation when mixed. 

• Benzoyl Peroxide – Another great acne fighting ingredient, but the power of benzoyl peroxide and combination of vitamin c can cause the skin to flare up and the vitamin c to oxidize, minimizing its power. 

Foods to get vitamin C

We can also absorb Vitamin C through the foods we eat. below are some of the best foods for receiving your dose of vitamin C.

• Citrus fruits
• Berries
• Oranges
• Grapefruit
• Kiwi
• Green peppers
• Tomatoes
• Bed pepper
• Bell pepper
• Strawberries

what is Salicylic acid?

Found in the bark of the willow tree, salicylic acid is one of the best ingredients for the treatment of acne. This is because salicylic acid is a BHA. (beta hydroxy acid) This means it’s an oil-soluble acid that deeply penetrates the skin to unclogs pores by getting rid of the excess oil, dirt, and bacteria.  This is a great product, especially for those with oily skin. Oily Skin: 5 Step Routine to Combat Oily Skin

Salicylic Acid is anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and found in many topical acne solutions like cleansers, serums, and even some shampoos.

Benefits of salicylic acid

• Heal acne and blackheads
• Reduce oil
• Exfoliate the skin
• Reduce wrinkles 
• Fades dark spots
• Improves skin texture
• Reduce redness

what not to mix with salicylic acid?

It is not recommended to mix with other chemical exfoliants. These include Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid & Mandelic Acid to name a few. However, be sure to do a patch test as everyone’s skin is different.

• Chemical exfoliants – Salicylic acid is also considered a chemical exfoliant so you don’t want to mix the two together. Having two exfoliants at work can be too harsh on the skin, causing redness, irritation, and more skin issues than when you started.

• Retinol – Retinol as well as salicylic acid are both two powerful skincare products that when combined could cause dryness and extreme irritation. The best way to use these two products would be at two different times. Typically, retinol is best used in your nighttime skincare routine.

• Vitamin C – The mix of salicylic acid and vitamin c can cause an imbalance in the skin due to the PH levels and acidity of the vitamin C. The best way to use these two products is to use the vitamin c in the morning and retinol at night.

• Benzoyl Peroxide – This one I would recommend doing a patch test on first. Most people do not recommend these two acids together. But, in cases of heavy acne this one, two punch combination might be exactly what you need for clear skin. I can confirm that the combination of salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide is the only thing that keeps my acne prone skin clear!

Overall

Salicylic acid and Vitamin C two great products to incorporate into your skincare routine, and two of my favorites! Just make sure to be mindful about how you use them! 

Are you a love of these two products as well? Let me know in the comments your favorite way to use them!