Morning vs Night When to Use Vitamin C for Maximum Skincare Benefits

Vitamin C is one of the most-loved ingredients in skincare today and for good reason. It helps brighten the complexion, fade dark spots, even skin tone, and protect against environmental damage. But if you’ve ever wondered whether to use vitamin c serum morning or night for maximum results, you’re not alone. One of the most common questions in skincare is whether you should apply vitamin c am or pm and how to layer vitamin c into your routine without irritation.

In this guide, we’ll explain exactly when to use vitamin c serum, how it works, why morning and night applications can be different, and the best products to try for glowing, healthy skin.

Why Use Vitamin C in Your Skincare Routine?

Vitamin C is a powerhouse antioxidant that helps neutralise free radicals caused by UV rays, pollution, and stress. It also plays an essential role in collagen synthesis, helping to firm skin and reduce signs of ageing.

• Adding a vitamin C product, like a serum or moisturiser, to your routine can help:
• Brighten dull skin
• Fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation
• Even out skin tone
• Support collagen production
• Strengthen the skin barrier
• Protect against environmental stress

But to see real results, it’s important to know when to use vitamin c serum and how to layer vitamin c correctly in your routine.

Vitamin C AM or PM: When Is the Best Time to Use It?

The short answer is: morning is usually best, but nighttime has its benefits too.

Let’s break it down.

Why Apply Vitamin C in the Morning?

During the day, your skin is exposed to UV rays and pollution two of the biggest triggers of oxidative stress and skin ageing.

Applying vitamin C in the morning gives your skin antioxidant protection throughout the day, helping to defend against this damage.

Using vitamin C before sunscreen can also boost your SPF’s ability to shield skin from UV rays.

So for many people, when to use vitamin c serum = AM.

Can You Use Vitamin C at Night?

Yes, you can also use vitamin C at night:

• It works with your skin’s natural repair process during sleep.
• Nighttime use can be great if your skin is sensitive and finds AM use too stimulating.
• It’s also a good option if you’re using stronger actives like retinol in the evening and want to alternate days.

In short: when deciding vitamin c am or pm, morning is ideal for antioxidant protection, but nighttime is perfectly fine too, especially if you’re focusing on repair and brightening.

How to Layer Vitamin C for Best Results

Knowing how to layer vitamin c properly can make all the difference to your glow.

Here’s how to do it:

Morning Routine:

1. Cleanse

2. Apply your vitamin C serum or vitamin C moisturiser

3. Follow with a lightweight moisturiser (if needed)

4. Always finish with SPF this is essential when using vitamin C to protect your skin and prevent irritation

Night Routine:

1. Cleanse

2. Apply your vitamin C serum or moisturiser

3. Follow with a nourishing night cream or hydrating serum

For an easy option that works beautifully am or pm, we love:
Pollen Plumper, Vitamin C Face Moisturiser  a gentle, hydrating formula perfect for daily use.

This lightweight moisturiser is powered by 5% THD Ascorbate (a stable form of Vitamin C), peptides, hyaluronic acid, and native Australian botanicals to brighten, soothe, and plump the skin with no irritation.

Meet Your New Favourite Vitamin C Moisturiser Pollen Plumper

If you’re new to Vitamin C or have sensitive skin, it can be tricky to choose a product that delivers results without redness or sensitivity. That’s why we love Pollen Plumper, Vitamin C Face Moisturiser made right here in Melbourne.

This moisturiser gives you all the brightening, hydrating, and soothing benefits of vitamin C in one easy step.

Key benefits:

• Visibly brightens and evens skin tone
• Deeply hydrates and plumps
• Soothes redness and calms irritation
• Strengthens skin barrier
• Fragrance-free, pregnancy safe, non-comedogenic
• Australian Made & Owned
• Cruelty Free

Perfect for:
Dull, dry, sensitive, or redness-prone skin or anyone looking for a non-irritating vitamin C product.

And yes you can use it morning or night! When considering vitamin c, the beauty of this formula is that it works both ways.

Why You Always Need SPF with Vitamin C

One of the most important rules when using vitamin C especially if you’re figuring out how to layer vitamin c is to pair it with a good sunscreen.

Even though vitamin C helps fight sun damage, it does not replace sunscreen. In fact, using SPF helps protect your skin while your vitamin C works to brighten and even out tone.

Our top pick:
Avocado Zinc SPF 50 Natural Tinted Moisturiser a mineral sunscreen that offers broad spectrum protection, while nourishing skin with avocado oil, calendula, and vitamin E.

Apply this every morning after your vitamin C moisturiser for maximum benefits and protection.