People often wonder if salicylic acid cleanser and vitamin C serum go together given the fact that they are two potent skincare ingredients.
In terms of a routine that makes your skin appear brighter and more evenly toned, salicylic acid and vitamin C are two of the most promising candidates.
These ingredients may be just what you’re looking for to help brighten your skin, reduce the chance of blemishes, or even slow down natural ageing. The question is, can they be combined? Most importantly, can they be combined as a cleanser and serum?
Before answering the question, let’s first take a quick glance at their benefits and what they have to offer before we look at if they can be combined.
Quick declaimer: as the owner of the website I have tracked down some of the products and services mentioned. Therefore, when using the links on this page to make a purchase I may get a small commission. Additionally, as an Amazon Associate, I also earn from qualifying purchases. Full Disclosure.
Salicylic Acid
As a beta-hydroxy acid, salicylic acid falls into the group of BHAs. The latter are organic components that can be found naturally in plants, fruits, and vegetables.
Salicylic acid has the following benefits:
- It helps reduce acne breakouts.
- It reduces the production of oil.
- It increases collagen production.
- It brightens the complexion.
- It minimizes pores.
- Hyperpigmentation can be reduced.
Note that the benefits of salicylic acid are not only limited to people with acne-prone skin, but also to people without those issues.
Due to its exfoliating nature, it is also capable of irritating the skin. This is especially true if you’ve never used an AHA or BHA before. As such, it is wise to start slowly.
**Salicylic Acid as a cleanser
In cleansing products with salicylic acid, your skin is exfoliated and smoothed while oil, dirt, and dead skin cells are removed. Your rough skin is softened without drying out. As a result, your skin’s barrier is protected.
In addition to being able to be used on acne-prone skin, the cleanser can also be used on the body due to its exfoliating properties.
Related:
*CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser and Cream-is it effective for acne?
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant. It neutralizes a damaging type of molecule called a free radical. In a free radical, an electron is missing from the outer shell of the molecule, setting the molecule off balance. It can cause the skin to show signs of premature ageing.
To prevent this, vitamin C lends some of its electrons to those free radicals. Consequently, they are prevented from causing havoc in the body, slowing down the oxidative stress caused by the process.
Vitamin C offers the following benefits:
- Reducing wrinkles and fine lines.
- Providing protection against sun damage.
- Increasing collagen production.
- Reduces hyperpigmentation.
- Improves skin elasticity.
**Vitamin C as a Serum
Using vitamin C as a serum helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines under the eyes since it contains plumping and hydrating properties.
Even though vitamin C reduces overall redness, some people say it can also help alleviate under-eye circles due to its discolouration-reducing properties.
My absolute favourites are the CeraVe Vitamin C Serum and the La Roche Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum for Sensitive Skin. When used consistently, these serums can yield amazing results for your skin- particularly on dry and sensitive skin. 🙂
My personal routine includes using the Cerave Vitamin C Serum CeraVe Vitamin C Serum on my entire face every morning. However, I may switch to the La Roche Posay Pure Vitamin C Serum once my skin will get used to it. Check below 🙂
Serums aren’t the only thing to consider. Eating foods high in vitamin C can also promote healthy skin. Oranges, tomatoes, peppers, kiwis, strawberries, and other fruits contain vitamin C.
Can you combine them?
Answer: Yes, but you must be cautious when using them. When used in the right way (which we will discuss later) they can be beneficial for the skin.
According to experts, salicylic acid and vitamin C have amazing benefits for your skin when used properly, but they need to be used in the right way for you to experience their effectiveness.
And if you decide to use both to address specific skin concerns, you need to keep the following points in mind.
*Use them on different days*
Since both products are super effective when used alone, in some cases it may be best to use them on different days.
Combining these two ingredients can sometimes irritate the skin. As a result, it would be best to use them on separate days to allow the skin time to adjust to them.
It is possible to ease into salicylic acid by starting it on completely different days from your vitamin C.
You can do that every few days or every other day, depending on how sensitive your skin is. It will give your skin more time to adjust, and you will eventually be able to use both ingredients every day.
In addition, look out for redness, irritation, tightness and peeling on your skin if you do have sensitive skin. Then you may be moving too fast with your new skincare routine, or you may be reacting to one (or both).
Remember that both products are super effective when used on their own!
*Use them at separate times*
Utilizing salicylic acid and vitamin C at various times of the day is one of the easiest ways to incorporate them into your skincare routine. Anyone using either ingredient for the first time – and especially those with more sensitive skin – should apply it using this method.
Vitamin C is recommended in the morning and salicylic acid cleanser in the evening.
If applied in the morning, vitamin C tends to have its greatest benefits as it provides sun protection.
After applying vitamin C serum, you should wait for it to absorb completely before applying sunscreen or moisturizer.
Next, you can use the salicylic acid product in the evening. If you don’t want to use a serum or toner, use a cleanser containing the ingredient.
As an evening skincare routine, I use CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser to protect my skin against acne breakouts. Lately, I have been having quite a lot due to stress!!
*Applied together*
Although salicylic acid and vitamin C are more effective when used separately, they can also be used together in certain circumstances. What matters most is how they’re used together. Science determines that.
Although vitamin C penetrates the skin easily, it is most effective when applied to the skin with a lower pH level (around 3.5 on the pH scale). That’s where salicylic acid comes into play. Since it is an acid itself, it also lowers the pH level of the skin. By applying it before vitamin C, it increases its effectiveness.
In other words, use your salicylic cleanser before the serum!
It is best to wait a few minutes before applying the vitamin C serum after washing your face with the cleanser. Both products can be diluted if they are applied too closely together. This prevents either from being as effective as it can be.
Using products that have the right pH balance is also essential. Try to find products that have a pH that is like the skin’s natural pH (around 4.7). This is especially important when choosing a cleanser.
Conclusion
We have seen that in some circumstances, salicylic acid cleanser and vitamin C serum can both be used together.
I personally use them at different times. Knowing how to use them and when and taking into consideration not only your skin type but also your needs is most important. If you are uncertain, start slowly and then progress accordingly. By the way, I will be writing reviews regarding the products I mentioned soon! 😉
