Why Can’t You Use Vitamin C and Peptides Together?

Peptides and vitamin C are two ingredients that are often found in many skincare products. Both are very popular in their own right and provide impressive skin results when applied to the skin separately. The question is, are they able to perform the same when used in the same product formulation. Today we are going to investigate why can’t you use vitamin C and peptides together and with any luck we will clear up any confusion there is circulating these two powerhouse ingredients and the benefits they deliver to the skin.

Can I use peptide and vitamin C together?

Yes, you can use peptides and vitamin C together. It is known that peptides are able to work in tandem with other popular ingredients, it’s a simple case of choosing your ingredients wisely. What I mean by this is opting for ingredient combinations that benefit the skin and keep the barrier strong and healthy. This in the long run will keep your complexion looking notably younger, firmer, and full of bounce.

When it comes to vitamin C and peptides working together you may find that if you are prone to sensitivity or have a dry skin type, using these ingredients together will result in the skin becoming irritated, flushed, and suffering from redness. This doesn’t mean that if you have a skin type that is oilier or combination you won’t suffer from any sensitivity, as minor or severe as it may be. For this reason, I would suggest consulting with a doctor or dermatologist about the best way of using these ingredients in your everyday routine.

So, if you are wanting to use peptides and vitamin C together, I would suggest alternating the time of day you apply each ingredient onto the skin. This allows you to reap the rewards of peptides and vitamin C whilst avoiding any unwanted side effects and irritation.

Why can’t you use vitamin C and peptides together?

As I have already mentioned, peptides and vitamin C deliver pretty impressive results single handily. There are some mixed reviews on the idea of using both ingredients together, but generally speaking teaming these ingredients is an easier task than you’d expect. Vitamin C has highly impressive results at combating an array of skin stresses, such as environmental aggressors that lead to oxidation stress on the skin. This can come in a variety of uneven skin tone, such as dark spots and hyperpigmentation as well as premature signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles.

With vitamin C delivering antioxidant benefits to the skin surface, you’ll find that it is able to protect the new collagen produced thanks to the peptides sending signals to the lower layers of the skin.

What goes on first peptides or vitamin C?

This is very much dependant on the consistency of the formula containing peptides and vitamin C. As I have already mentioned in previous blog posts, there is a rule in how skincare products should be applied. Starting with the thinnest and moving onto the thickest, this will ensure each product is able to absorb into the skin fully without having to compete with barrier created by thick creams and face oils.

So, for example, if you have a vitamin C enriched serum and a moisturiser packed with copper peptides then applying the serum first followed by the moisturiser will ensure your skin gets the best out of each ingredient.

Can you use vitamin C in the morning and peptides at night?

Yes, you certainly can! Vitamin C is one of the most potent antioxidant ingredients available in over-the-counter skincare ingredients. Due to the impressive ability to combat hyperpigmentation, dark spots and even the first signs of ageing, many feel applying vitamin C in the morning deliver optimal results. With the skin barrier being fully protected from the antioxidant benefits of vitamin C you can then reenforce these benefits by following this with peptide enriched product in the evening. Whilst you sleep you have limited exposure to free radicals, such as UV rays or pollution, resulting in the peptides working in the lower layers of the skin completely undisturbed.

By using each of these ingredients this way, you can expect to find your skin to transform completely, resulting in a healthy, luminous, and youthful complexion.

Which is better vitamin C or peptides?

This is down to personal preference, as each ingredient provide their own unique benefits.

Skincare benefits of vitamin C

• Potent antioxidant that provides protection from free radical damage, such as pollution, environmental aggressors, central heating, and UV exposure.
• It can trigger the skin into healing itself ensuring collagen and elastin production are given an impressive boost.
• Combats signs of premature ageing, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness to the skin.
• Reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation, even skin tone and dark spots
• Significantly brightens the complexion
• Removes dead skin cell build-up on the surface of the skin

Skincare benefits of peptides

• Improves the strength of the skin barrier
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Helps to firm the skin by boosting collagen and elastin production
• Calms inflammation and repairs damaged skin
• Combats acne causing bacteria giving you skin clarity
• Leaves the skin feeling plumped, hydrated with a youthful bounce

Now that you have had a recap of the benefits of each powerhouse, this should help you decide about which ingredient would benefit your routine. Of course, there isn’t anything stopping you from teaming them together by applying them of alternate days, or different skincare routines throughout the day. 

Are peptides or retinol better?

Again, this is something that can be decided by you personally with the skin concerns you wish to address. Retinol is, of course, one of the most potent anti-ageing skin ingredients. Its fast results will never fail to amaze people, but with this comes the downside of increased sensitivity of the skin. Peptides on the other hand are able to deliver similar results, but in a gentler way, having said that you may find the time and results achieved by peptides may not live up to the effectiveness of retinol. If you are wanting to find out more about whether you can use peptides and retinol together, check out our blog post.

There you hopefully have some questions cleared up for you about peptides and vitamin C. Always remember that if you have any concerns with new formulas or ingredients consult with your doctor or dermatologist. Don’t forget to come and follow us over on Instagram.