Two of the buzziest skincare ingredients right now are Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid — and I’m here to tell you that these two actually deserve the hype. Both of these ingredients are suited to all skin types and can really take your complexion to the next level in both the short and long-term. If you’re not sure how to incorporate them into your skincare routine or why these two ingredients are particularly effective, find out more in our guide to Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid.

Vitamin C

What does Vitamin C do?

1. Anti-aging: Vitamin C, also referred to as ascorbic acid, has antioxidant qualities that are awesome for your skin’s health. It helps neutralize the free radicals found in our environment that can cause our skin to age over time. Have you ever tried to keep a piece of fruit from going bad after cutting it by drizzling it with lemon? Imagine using Vitamin C serum as a similar process that also naturally preserves your complexion.

2. Anti-Pollution: Through pollution, there are many micro-particles in the air, and Vitamin C can help keep their skin-damaging impact at bay. These particles form free radicals in our skin which Vitamin C usage can help minimize. It can also help alleviate the inflammation caused by pollution.

3. Immediate Glow: Vitamin C instantly makes skin look more radiant when applied. It gives it a natural gleam perfect to start the day.

4. Long-term Hyperpigmentation Solution: Vitamin C can help minimize dark spots as it provides a light form of exfoliation while simultaneously also inhibiting more pigment production. It’s also great to use if you have acne scars through exfoliating skin.

How to Apply Vitamin C

After cleansing your skin in the morning and drying it, apply a thin layer of serum or cream to both your face and neck. Then apply moisturizer (some great options), ideally with SPF or apply SPF separately. Then apply your makeup.

Vitamin C is best used in the morning before you head out of the door as it helps fight free radicals, pollution and can offer minimal protection against sun exposure. Use it every single day (even on weekends, even on days spent indoors) because long-term usage truly pays off.

Best Vitamin C Skincare Products

1. Beautystat – Universal C Skin Refiner
At $80 this product is more economical than others in the Vitamin C category but it still very much backed by science. It holds three (!) patents and is a gel in a world of serums. Unlike many Vitamin C products it won’t degrade or discolor over time (some Vitamin C products lose potency the longer they are exposed to air) and absorbs quickly into skin. It promises to reduce the appearance of pores, fine lines, redness and wrinkles over time.

2. Skinceuticals C E Ferulic® With 15% L-Ascorbic Acid
If there’s one product that everyone associates with Vitamin C, it’s this one. It’s pricy at $166, but packs a potent Vitamin C punch and once absorbed into skin remains effective for a minimum of 72 hours. This luxe serum products from photodamage, infrared, ozone and can help prevent signs of aging.

3. One Love Organics – Vitamin C Facial Serum
This clean beauty product is filled with Vitamin C as well as other skin-benefiting ingredients like seabuckthorn and green tea. This serum will instantly brighten your skin and a little goes a long way with this potent serum.

Hyaluronic Acid

What hyaluronic acid do?

1. Maximum Moisture: Hyaluronic acid is an ingredient that occurs naturally in the body and has the ability to hold significantly more than its own weight in moisture. According to this Elle article, one single gram can hold up to six liters (1.5 gallons) in water.

2. Smoother Skin: Hyaluronic acid can help your skin look more hydrated and subsequently bouncier and smoother. It’s compatible with all skin types, can help with the appearance of fine lines and also has antioxidant qualities.

How to Apply It

Application is crucial when it comes to hyaluronic because if not done right hyaluronic acid can actually be drying. Apply hyaluronic acid in serum-form to damp skin after cleansing with water (to maximize hydration) then “lock in” with a moisturizer. This will seal the layer of hyaluronic acid as it won’t evaporate and can achieve maximum effectiveness.

Best Hyaluronic Acid Products

1. DOCTOR BABOR PRO HA Hyaluronic Acid Concentrate
This next-level concentrate packs four different hyaluronic acids to unlock maximum hydration to your skin. The product comes with a pipette (rather than the usual dropper) which has a science-y feel to it and makes it easy to apply a big dose to your face and neck.

2. Josh Rosebrook – Hydration Boost Concentrate
This serum is packed with hyaluronic acid and plant botanicals to help skin your look great. On top of the super hydrating ingredient, you can also find hibiscus flower acid to exfoliate and refresh skin. This one is ideal to use at night to wake up glowing.

3. Honest Hazel Eye Gels
After a night out or lack of sleep, it’s easy for eyes to look deflated, so your eyelid area could definitely benefit from some hyaluronic acid serum too. These eye gels will come to the rescue on one of those mornings when you would like to look more alert. The hyaluronic acid helps plump your eye area while soothing aloe vera helps smooth fine lines and cactus collagen helps reduce puffiness. Pop these on and you’ll look refreshed in no time.

Can Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid be worn together?

Yes, they can be, in fact, there are quite a few products that combine these superpowered ingredients. If you decide to layer them Vitamin C should go first as it’s more reactive followed by hyaluronic acid. In my personal skincare routine, I like to separate the two — I use Vitamin C during the daytime to protect me from pollution and UVA/UVB damage (in conjunction with SPF of course) and use hyaluronic acid to hydrate and moisturize my skin at night.