Have you noticed that many of the top recommended serums have one ingredient in common? Vitamin C.

Vitamin C offers many benefits for your face and skin. These include keeping your skin well hydrated and moisturised, reducing redness for a more even complexion, and protection against sun and other environmental damage. Vitamin C can also stimulate collagen production, leaving you with firmer, more youthful-looking skin.

If you want to get the most out of a vitamin C serum, knowing how best to use and store the product is vital. It’s also important to choose the right serum for your skin type and needs.

Here’s what you need to know about using vitamin C for your skin…

The best time to use vitamin C serum is in the mornings. While you can still use vitamin C products in the evening, we recommend applying the serum before you head out for the day, when UV radiation is at its highest.

Let the serum soak into your skin. Vitamin C is less effective after it has been exposed to light. This is why you need to give the product time to absorb into your skin before going outside.

Apply the serum after cleansing and before moisturising. Vitamin C serums work best on freshly cleansed skin. It also works well with antioxidant-containing moisturisers, which you should apply at the end of your skincare routine.

Use the right amount of vitamin C for your skin type and needs. Wondering how much vitamin C you should use for your skin? Different products offer different concentrations of vitamin C, ranging from 5% up to 30%.

If you have dry or sensitive skin, you’ll want a serum which has a lower concentration, as it is less likely it is to irritate your skin. For oily skin, or to fix pigmentation issues, a higher concentration is best.

Be aware of other ingredients in your skincare routine. When used in combination with vitamin C, some ingredients can lessen its effects or irritate your skin.

Benzoyl peroxide can oxidise vitamin C, making it less potent. To stop this issue, we recommend avoiding its use or using the products as part of a different routine. For example, using one product in the morning and the other in the evening, or on different days.

Vitamin C with retinol can irritate the skin. Retinol is also one of the ingredients we don’t include in any Kady Valente products because of the issues it causes!

Store your vitamin C serum correctly. As vitamin C is sensitive to light and air, products will often come in an air-tight and opaque bottle. This helps stop it from becoming oxidised and losing its effectiveness. Your serum should be colourless or a light straw colour.

If the serum is yellow or brown, this means it has become oxidised. On rare occasions, it can cause slight discolouration when applied to the skin. If you’ve noticed that your serum has changed colour, it’s ready for the bin!