Is It Safe to Use Salicylic Acid and Vitamin C Together?

Combining skincare ingredients can reap ample benefits in skincare, only if done the right way. Several skincare ingredients work like a charm together. But not all skincare actives are meant to be combined or mixed. It’s worth knowing if you can use salicylic acid along with vitamin C to tackle multiple skincare problems simultaneously. 

When alone, be it salicylic acid or vitamin C has proven benefits but does their combination work just as effectively or should they not be used together at all?

This blog will address all the doubts that you may have come across. But first, we will understand salicylic acid and vitamin C to determine their individual benefits and how they interact if used in combination.

Salicylic Acid & Its Impact on Skincare 

Most of you would have heard of this acid somewhere – it’s that popular, scientifically proven, and beneficial. So, what is salicylic acid? Salicylic acid is one of the BHAs and is derived from the plant bark of willow. It is highly effective for oily skin and associated concerns, including acne and breakouts. 

Being oil soluble, it has the ability to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin to target the concern. However, its usage is not limited to oily skin only. People with different skin types can benefit from this acid in some directions. 

Let’s see what benefits it can impart to your skin.

Controls oil: Salicylic acid is known to control oil in your skin, which can create multiple problems for you. It can regulate the production of sebum. 

Reduces acne and breakouts: If used consistently, it can target breakouts like no other acid and give you an acne-free flawless complexion. 

Helps with post-acne hyperpigmentation: Over time, this acid can target your post-acne hyperpigmentation and dark spots by exfoliating the outer layer of the skin. 

Improves tone and texture: Tone and texture can represent the health of your skin. If it's uneven, then you must stand up and take charge to fix it. Using salicylic acid can be a good practice to correct the tone and texture. 

Fades blemishes away: If you have stubborn blemishes on your skin that are deeply rooted and refuse to go away, salicylic acid can be of great help. 

Vitamin C & Its Impact on Skincare 

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid is a water-soluble antioxidant that is crucial for your overall skin health. It can be naturally found in several vegetables and fruits, including spinach, oranges, and strawberries. It's an important factor for the production of collagen making it useful in anti-ageing formulations. 

This buzz-worthy ingredient is available in different forms like L-ascorbic acid, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, and ascorbyl palmitate to cater to various skin types and formulation needs.

It has been popular in the skincare industry for long due to its following advantages;

Acts on wrinkles and fine lines: Vitamin C has anti-ageing properties by increasing the skin's collagen production. Collagen holds the body tissues together. More collagen means fewer wrinkles and fine lines. 

Enhances sun protection: Your skin needs to be protected from the sun in order to be protected from multiple upcoming concerns. Vitamin C-enriched sunscreen can mitigate UV-induced damage.  

Has antioxidant properties: UV rays and pollution can cause free radicals which can lead to premature ageing. Vitamin C neutralises those free radicals and improves the skin's condition. 

Heals wounds: Vitamin C can accelerate the natural repair process of the skin making it effective for wound healing. Its restorative properties can efficiently address minor cuts and scars.

Reduces hyperpigmentation: With disciplined use, vitamin C can aid your hyperpigmentation by triggering the regeneration of new cells into the skin. 

Both salicylic acid and vitamin C have remarkable perks for the skin. While salicylic acid is more commonly used for oily skin, it can benefit other skin types too. Vitamin C works for all skin types in general. 

Can We Combine Salicylic Acid & Vitamin C 

Yes, you can mix salicylic acid with vitamin C. But there are rules, obviously. You are required to take some precautions in order to avoid potential side effects such as irritation or any reaction. 

Whether it is salicylic acid or vitamin C, both skincare actives are considered potent ingredients. They can target multiple skincare concerns at once and improve the condition of your skin if used together.

Here you must know that salicylic acid acts best in a low pH environment while vitamin C requires a slightly acidic pH to work effectively. This makes proper layering a very important practice while combining them. 

So, let’s see the different ways to combine them. 

Best Practices for Layering Them Together 

If you just go random with this combination, it might not work well for you or even cause irritation or damage to the skin. 

There are three possible ways to get the maximum out of this pairing;

Use on different days: This is the most recommended way if you are a beginner for this combination. It will help your skin to adjust and welcome with both the ingredients and the best part is, they will not react with each other while giving you an abundance of benefits. 

Use at different times on the same day: You can start your morning with vitamin C as it protects the skin from damage by free radicals. At night, you can apply salicylic acid to let it heal your skin overnight. Maintain this routine to achieve impactful results.  

Choose a product infused with both ingredients: This is the smartest way to reap the mutual benefits of both ingredients without taking the hassle of layering them. 

Founder’s Top Picks 

For salicylic acid: Repair Serum is an exfoliating serum, with 5% salicylic acid formulated with 2.5% mandelic acid, and 1.75% lactic acid to prevent clogging of pores, stimulate new cell growth, improve skin's texture, and clarify the skin. Tetrapeptide 30 is added to give anti-inflammatory benefits and diminish hyperpigmentation. 

For vitamin C: Ultra C is an ultrapotent serum with 25% vitamin C in the form of Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate to penetrate deeply into the layers of your skin and stimulate collagen production, decreasing melanin synthesis, and protecting against UV damage.  

Tips to Combine Them 

• Always begin with a gentle cleanser to deeply clean the skin's surface from all impurities before applying any of the products. This will let your skin to absorb the ingredients better. 
• You must avoid using the two products at the same time if your skin is sensitive. You may see some reactions including irritation and itching followed by redness. 
• Don't forget to lock the benefits of serums with these actives with a hydrating moisturiser. 
• A patch test is highly recommended to see if your skin can tolerate a particular ingredient. 
• Discuss this with your cosmetic physician before starting to use them. They can provide you with the best way to use them together according to your skin concerns and type. 

While there are many advantages to using them together, there are some potential risks too. 

If you are using them incorrectly, these acids can negate each other. Apart from irritation and redness, it can trigger your sensitive skin to cause even adverse reactions along with dryness. It happens due to their difference in pH.  

Does it Work for All Skin Types?

It's possible to use this combination for all skin types, but very carefully. As mentioned above, you must avoid mixing them for your sensitive skin as it can provoke ill effects. This duo can help control the excess oil and brighten the skin. For acne-prone skin, it can target breakouts and heal acne scars. 

In combination with skin, salicylic acid can balance oil production and give a radiant glow. If your skin is hyperpigmented, vitamin C can lighten the dark spots while salicylic acid can prevent new ones from forming. So, you can use this duo for almost all skin types depending on the concerns and how you use it. 

Key Highlights

• Combining salicylic acid and vitamin C is beneficial to the skin when done properly. 
• Both these ingredients are known and proven for their individual benefits, using them together can reap even more goodness for your skin. 
• Salicylic acid controls oil and targets acne and breakouts, majorly, while vitamin C acts on ageing signs like wrinkles and fine lines. It provides sun protection too. 
• Careful layering and following the best practices are important to avoid any reactions and to ensure effectiveness. 
• If you are new to one of these ingredients or even trying this duo for the first time, it is recommended to use this on different days or at different times of the day.
• Always conduct a patch test first before introducing any new product or ingredient to your skin. 
• Consulting your dermatologist before trying this pairing can be the smartest move you can make.