When to apply vitamin c serum

[Italianmeringuebuttercream]

Hello, I'm a bit confused with serums etc. I recently learned that I should use my ultrasun 50 face before any other product, but I've heard vitamin c serum is beneficial for skin, so I wondered if I'll still get the benefits if I use it on top of the ultrasun. I've googled and am bamboozled as almost all "beauty gurus" say sunscreen last!
I'm new to the serum game, previously just used rosehip oil under moisturizer but I've added vitamin c and hyaluronic acid to my fabfitfun box so need advice! Sorry for the ramble..

[TheCanterburyWhales]

Sunscreen should be last I think.

Serums go before moisturiser. Sunscreen after moisturiser.

I usually use Vit c in the morning but as am often in a rush and so go serum less, at the moment I'm.putting it on at night.

[TheCanterburyWhales]

If your moisturiser is water based, the oil should go on top.

[littlejalapeno]

You likely don’t need vit c u less you have serious skin problems. Please google as it can cause a lot of damage. It’s recommended for brightening and lightening so will cause damage. If you’re using it or retinol apply at night and anyways use a sunscreen as they make your skin more sensitive and prone to damage. I really wouldn’t recommend though. It’s like you get a short term boost in terms of skin appearance but in 10 years it will look worse than if you hadn’t used it... but by then we’ll all be on to the next expensive thing, right? 😬

As you asked- Sunscreen during the day first, that way it will stick to your skin and not wipe off. But you only really need it if you’re out for long stretches. Otherwise get a good day moisturiser that suits your skin. At night gently Cleanse and apply a good moisturiser at night, tailored to your skin needs. Drink water, eat your vitamin c through fruit and veg and don’t cut out fats, especially from things like almonds.

Remember your skin is delicate and should be tended like silk, it’s not the kitchen sink so doesn’t need extreme acids and scrubbing!

[Italianmeringuebuttercream]

@littlejalapeno thank you for that, you're probably right. I have some pigmentation from the sun but not problem skin so perhaps I should leave the vitamin c.

[KimTate]

If its Ultrasun it needs to go on first. It doesn't work like "normal" sunscreens. It has molecules that need to soak into the bottom layer of the skin or something. THEN apply serums, moisturisers, etc

[TheCanterburyWhales]

Vit C is great for pigmentation marks and general brightening.

[littlejalapeno]

@Italianmeringuebuttercream I also have pigmentation from my pregnancy, I tried vit c and the first month loved it, the second month I got the worst acne that only cleared up when I stopped using it. It can wreck havoc on your skins barrier function apparently. I’ve accepted that some of the pigmentation is here to stay but using a really good sunscreen for a year faded the bad bits. This summer will be about big floppy hats and sunglasses, my bikini and sun-in days are long gone!

I think skincare really is a long term game, unfortunately, and there aren’t any quick fixes that don’t have a trade off further along. I know so many men who use the same body wash for their face and look just fine! So we definitely are over sold miracle products. It makes sense that keeping the sun off the dark spots will stop feeding them and even things out, and it’s kinder to your skin than (effectively) bleaching it with vit c or whatever over-promising product x

[Italianmeringuebuttercream]

@littlejalopeno yes I agree, I've hit 40 so figured I'd give some of these things a try! You've definitely talked me out of spending more money so thank you! I too have invested in a sun hat (natalie from powder) and will continue with spf 50. I like rosehip oil so I'll use that in the evening.