Hyaluronic acid and vitamin C are two ingredients that you may have noticed paired together in various skin care products. And there’s a good reason for that! These two ingredients work together to help support graceful aging in skin.
Vitamins and moisture are two substances that are critical to skin health. Research suggests that both hyaluronic acid and vitamin C help moisturize and smooth skin, even out redness and discoloration, repair skin, and reduce signs of aging.
Therefore, you will often see face serums and skincare products containing either vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, or both.
If you’re not sure what hyaluronic acid and vitamin can do for your skin, you’re in the right place.
In this guide, we’ll cover both ingredients, their benefits, and our team’s favorite skincare products to achieve healthy, glowing skin step-by-step.
Let’s jump right in!
Table of Contents
What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a molecule naturally produced by the body that helps skin retain moisture.
It acts like a sponge, binding with water to pull it into the skin’s outer layer. This creates a barrier for the skin, locking in moisture and improving skin texture.
Benefits of hyaluronic acid
When used in skincare, hyaluronic acid offers the following benefits:
- Helps skin retain moisture,
- Improves skin texture and appearance,
- Provides anti-aging benefits by plumping up fine lines and wrinkles.
All in all, hyaluronic acid is a great ingredient to add to your skincare routine. It’s especially good for those with dry skin or anyone looking to boost their moisture levels.
Hyaluronic acid studies and results
In a 2021 study of 40 women with varying skin tones, researchers tested the effectiveness of hyaluronic acid to improve hydration, smoothness and fine lines.
During the six-week study, researchers noted improvements in all measured areas. Improvements were most significant for hydration and smoothness, but plumping and fine-line reduction also showed improvement.

What is vitamin C?
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that’s naturally present in high levels in the skin. It helps protect the skin from UV radiation and other environmental damage.
Vitamin C is an effective antioxidant, which means it helps neutralize free radicals that are created during UV exposure.
Free radicals can damage collagen, elastin and other proteins in your skin. Over time, this damage leads to fine lines and wrinkles on the skin.
Benefits of vitamin C
In skincare, vitamin C offers a few key benefits:
- Reducing fine lines and wrinkles
- Improving skin elasticity, firmness and texture
- Brightening the skin
- Firming and toning the skin
- Improving the appearance of scars and hyperpigmentation
- Protecting against sun damage
Vitamin C studies and results
A study published in 2020 involving 50 women found that applying a 20% vitamin C serum for 2 months improved skin color, elasticity and radiance while reducing wrinkles.
In a 2015 study involving 60 women with light to medium skin tones, a 5% vitamin C solution was applied directly to the subjects’ faces. Once their skin had absorbed most of it—determined by shining a UV light on them and measuring how much disappeared—they put moisturizer on top.
The control groups applied a moisturizer without the vitamin C solution. The results indicated that adding vitamin C to a topical application significantly improved its rejuvenation properties, and increased collagen production regardless of skin type or age.
How do hyaluronic acid and vitamin C work together?
When used together, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C complement each other to hydrate, protect, and repair aging skin.
Hyaluronic acid helps keep skin moisturized, while vitamin C protects from sun damage and can help fade skin discoloration.
Combining the two makes for a great all-in-one skin care step. However, it’s important to note that if your skin is sensitive to either ingredient, you should avoid it.
Recommended products
1: Best hyaluronic acid skincare products
We’re all big fans of hyaluronic acid here at Easy Skincare. This ingredient works wonders on dry skin, and the plumping effect reduces fine lines almost instantly.
Here are 8 of our favorite skincare products with hyaluronic acid:
- The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5:
This serum contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 to hydrate and plump the skin. It’s also affordable and suitable for all skin types. - Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel:
This gel moisturizer contains hyaluronic acid to provide intense hydration to the skin. It’s oil-free, fragrance-free, and absorbs quickly into the skin. - Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream:
This lightweight cream contains hyaluronic acid and papaya enzymes to hydrate and brighten the skin. It’s also free from harmful chemicals and suitable for all skin types. - Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum:
This serum contains a blend of hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, and pineapple ceramide to hydrate and improve skin texture. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free. - SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator:
This serum contains a blend of five different types of hyaluronic acid to provide deep hydration to the skin. It also helps to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. - La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum:
This serum contains two types of hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump the skin. It’s also free from parabens, fragrance, and alcohol. - Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream:
This cream contains a blend of hyaluronic acid and ceramides to provide 72 hours of hydration to the skin. It also helps to improve the skin’s texture and elasticity. - PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum:
This serum contains a blend of hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to hydrate and improve the skin’s overall health. It’s also free from harmful chemicals and suitable for all skin types.
2: Best vitamin C skincare products
Are you ready to see how vitamin C can improve your skin texture and appearance?
Here are 8 best vitamin C skincare products to get started:
- Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum:
This serum is a potent formula that contains 15% vitamin C to brighten and even out the skin tone. It also has antioxidants that protect the skin from environmental stressors. - Ole Henriksen Truth Serum:
This serum contains a powerful blend of vitamin C, collagen, and green tea extract to brighten and firm the skin. It’s also lightweight and absorbs quickly into the skin. - Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum:
This serum contains a potent blend of 15% vitamin C, antioxidants, and fruit enzymes that help to brighten, firm and protect the skin from environmental stressors. - The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%:
This affordable serum contains a high concentration of vitamin C to brighten and even out the skin tone. It also has hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin. - Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate:
This serum contains a potent blend of 12.5% vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to brighten and hydrate the skin. It also helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. - Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum:
This serum contains a blend of 7.5% ascorbic acid and hyaluronic acid to brighten and hydrate the skin. It’s also gentle enough for sensitive skin types. - Skinceuticals C E Ferulic:
This serum is an absolute cult classic. It contains a blend of 15% vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid to protect the skin from environmental stressors and brighten the skin. It’s also a cult favorite among beauty enthusiasts. - Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum:
This serum contains a blend of 10% vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid to brighten and protect the skin. It’s also affordable and free from harmful chemicals.
FAQ: Hyaluronic acid and vitamin C in skincare
Hyaluronic acid is a molecule that occurs naturally in the body and helps the skin retain moisture. When used in skincare products, it can help hydrate the skin, improve texture, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect the skin from environmental stressors like UV radiation and pollution. It also helps brighten the skin, even out skin tone, and improve texture.
Yes, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C can be used together in skincare products. They complement each other well, with hyaluronic acid providing hydration and vitamin C providing protection.
While hyaluronic acid and vitamin C are generally safe for most skin types, they can cause irritation in some people. It’s important to patch-test any new product before using it on your face.
Yes, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by hydrating and brightening the skin.
Yes, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C can be used on sensitive skin, but it’s important to choose products that are formulated for sensitive skin and patch-test before use.
The frequency of use will depend on the specific product and your skin’s needs. Some products can be used daily, while others may be recommended for once or twice a week.
While hyaluronic acid and vitamin C are generally considered safe for use during pregnancy, it’s always best to consult with a doctor before using any new skincare product.
Results can vary depending on the product and individual skin type. Hyaluronic acid works almost instantly by binding moisture into the skin surface, while vitamin C requires longer to deliver noticeable results.
Summing it up
In conclusion, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C are two powerful ingredients that can help support graceful ageing in skin.
By using them together, you can maximize your skin care benefits and achieve softer, plumper, and even skin tone.
So, don’t hesitate to try out products that contain both hyaluronic acid and vitamin C and see the difference for yourself!
Keep reading: