Usage: Sunday Riley 15% Vit C Brightening Serum

[pinyo]

Hi guys!

What's the best way to use this serum? I'm only trying to lighten old acne spots. I have sensitive skin and combo dry/oily patches.

I've been applying half to 1 full pump to the spot 2x/day. It's now getting flaky after 2 days. Is that expected? Should I use the serum less frequently?

Thanks!

[haleyvvvv]

Hey, @pinyo, the Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum also has glycolic acid (in the middle of its ingredients) which is an AHA chemical exfoliant. If you're using a full pump twice a day (those pumps are a lot of product on the full sized ones), and might be too much for such a concentrated area. Take a break from using it for a week or two until your skin is cleared up of the dry patches (don't use any Actives on that area), then go back to once a day, as @quspork mentioned. Also, maybe sure you're wearing sunscreen all day, everyday. 

[quspork]

I'd say twice a day is overkill, @pinyo. I think once a day is plenty with most vitamin C serums. Are you following it with moisturizer?

[pinyo]

Thanks for the guidance @quspork 

My current regimen is clean face, eye cream, this vit c serum spot treatment, hydrating serum over entire face, then finish with moisturizer. 

Vit c acts as an exfoliant right? Does that mean I shouldn't use my normal exfoliant on that spot when I'm using the vit c?

[quspork]

@pinyo It sounds like you're on the right track then, I'd just try dialing it back to once a day and see how your skin responds. The SR serum is an analogue of vitamin C (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate) rather than straight ascorbic acid, so in theory, it's more stable and a little more gentle. Since you're using it as a spot treatment, I wouldn't think it would be a problem to also use your regular exfoliant with it. But that can really depend on how sensitive your skin is. For me, I tend to use vitamin C in the a.m. and then AHA or BHA at night, because my skin can't handle multiple actives in one routine. I know some others don't have that issue though. 

[pinyo]

@quspork glad I have an expert in my corner and it's fascinating to learn the science about it.

I'll update the regimen. Fingers crossed my skin is happier! Thank you again!!

[quspork]

@pinyo Oh gosh- so not an expert haha 🙈🙈🙊 I hope your skin gets happier soon though!