Shereene IdrissBoard Certified Derm, Founder and Chief Nerd

Vitamin C and Salicylic Acid #shorts

20 Oct 2023 · 1 min

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This content was created by Shereene Idriss. This content was uploaded by Shereene Idriss. This is a YouTube short titled "Vitamin C and Salicylic Acid #shorts" (created 2023-10-20) containing an English skincare advice monologue. The speaker explains that vitamin C and salicylic acid are both acidic and can be mixed, but mixing can amplify their effects and increase risk of irritation or over-exfoliation. They warn that certain SkinCeuticals products (referred to as Silimer and CF) may not suit sensitive skin, recommend using vitamin C in the morning under sunscreen and salicylic acid at night for sensitive/non-oily skin, and note that oily or acne-prone users can more safely combine them. Last edited 2026-01-30.

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All right, nerds, get your pens and papers out because everything you've been taught is wrong. We can absolutely mix the two. Why? Because they actually enhance one another's effects. Vitamin C. It's usually formulated in an acidic base. Vitamin C is acidic. Salicylic acid is an acid. It's also usually formulated in an acidic base, although this one could be formulated at higher pHs, but that's way too complicated for today. That being said, when you mix the two together, it amplifies their effects. The biggest issue I have with this Silimer and CF by SkinCeuticals is that it's probably not the best product for sensitive skin. It might irritate you. Number two, if you over exfoliate, meaning you salicylic acid at night, you may over strip your skin. It's only saving graces that it's at 0.5% in the combined products. You're probably not going to over strip your skin. So usually if you're not oily and if you are sensitive, I would say use the vitamin C in the morning underneath your sunscreen and save the cell acid at night to wash the day off. And don't mix them. But if you are oily or acne prone, absolutely knock yourself out mixing them.