can I use vitamin c after the ordinary 30% aha 2% bha chemical peel?

[coolranch]

when I use the ordinary aha BHA chemical peel, I wash off my face after 10 min of it working. is it possible to use my vitamin c serum after since I washed it off? Or are the mask chemicals still in my skin? I know if you layer them you cancel out the purpose of both .. thank you!

[MeagBird]

It depends. If you have a really drying vitamin C formula, I wouldn't add it on right after a peel. Maybe use it the next time you wash your face (like put it on that evening or the next morning). But I regularly use rose hip seed oil (which is a good source of vitamin C) in my morning routine after using the ordinary's peel with no bad effects. It actually helps moisturize my skin. Vitamin C is very good for your skin. I wouldn't stop using it just because your also using a peel. They won't cancel each other out and unless you personally are seeing something like dryness, sensitivity or breakouts when using the two products together I wouldn't stop. There are many different types of vitamin C used in products and just because some types of vitamin c have a name that includes the word acid (like ascorbic acid) doesn't mean they work the same way as AHA or BHA. For example Vitamin C wont make your skin more sensitive to the sun like, it actually helps protect your skin and can restore sun damage. (vitamin C is sensitive to the sun, so sunlight will break down the vitamin C).   Also After washing off the peel, your peel is over. Some may be in the skin, but a wash off peel isn't mean to keep having a peeling affect after the time on the clock is up. Also I have used my rose hip seed oil after using leave in AHA or BHA products wile still seeing beneficial results from both products. 

[lmaster]

@coolranch yep it is fine to do that, I actually use vitamin c every single day after using my aha/bha acids, I usually wait about 5-10 minutes before layering. as long as the percentage of vitamin c is below 20% you shouldn't experience irritation. and if you vitamin c contains ferulic acid, that will pull the pH balance down in the serum and perfect for your skin

[tinazhang718]

no! Please don't combine 2 strong acid on your skin together. These are both strong products, you should really use them in separate routines. you will also be super sensitive to the sun, all the benefit of the products would be erased from sun damage. 

[drrragon]

@coolranch  it actually won't cancel them out if you layer them, but with such strong acids, you run the risk of irritating or inflaming your skin, unless your skin is already used to really strong concentrations.  It should be fine to put on your vitamin C product after washing off the chemical peel, but again it's possible your skin can become irritated, red, and inflamed.  Maybe try diluting the vitamin C with a plain moisturizer the first time you try it, then carefully monitor your skin to see if any irritation occurs.  Then slowly incorporate more vitamin C over days or even weeks.