How to Use Vitamin C in Your Skincare Routine (AM or PM?)

Short answer: morning. But there are real reasons someone might use it at night instead, and both can work depending on your routine and skin type.

Here is everything you need to know.

Why Morning is the Default

Vitamin C is an antioxidant. Its main job is neutralizing free radicals from UV exposure and pollution before they break down collagen and cause dark spots. That threat happens during the day, which is exactly why morning makes more sense.

Using vitamin C in the AM also boosts your sunscreen. It does not replace SPF, but it acts as a second line of defense for any UV radiation that still filters through. Dermatologist Joshua Zeichner describes it as a “safety net” working alongside your SPF, not instead of it.

Morning routine order:

1. Vitamin C Cleanser
2. Vitamin C Toner
3. Vitamin C Serum
4. Moisturizer (Vitamin C Face Lotion)
5. SPF

La Garan’s Brightening Day Protection SPF 50 is the final AM step. It contains Licorice Extract and Oligopeptide-68 alongside broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection, which pairs well with the antioxidant layer underneath.

When Nighttime Use Makes Sense

You can use vitamin C at night, and there are specific situations where it is actually the better choice:

• Your morning routine already has strong actives (AHAs, BHAs, niacinamide) and adding vitamin C would overload your skin
• You have sensitive skin that reacts to vitamin C, since nighttime use causes less irritation without sun exposure on top
• You want to target deep hyperpigmentation, as skin is more permeable overnight and absorption may be slightly better
• You are using retinol at night and want to alternate, not stack

At night, vitamin C shifts from protective mode to repair mode. It supports collagen synthesis and works on fading existing pigmentation while your skin goes through its natural regeneration cycle.

Night routine order:

1. Cleanser
2. Vitamin C Toner
3. Vitamin C Serum or Vitamin C Face Cream (richer formula, better for PM)
4. Peptide Face Cream or Hydration x3 Cream

La Garan’s Vitamin C Face Cream contains L-Ascorbic Acid alongside Ceramides and Centella Asiatica, making it the better PM option from the range since it is richer and supports the skin barrier overnight.

What About Using It Twice a Day?

You can, and results do build faster with twice-daily use. Most people see brightness in 2 to 4 weeks and significant tone improvements in 8 to 12 weeks with consistent once-daily use. Twice daily accelerates that.

Start with once a day and build tolerance before adding a second application, especially if you are new to vitamin C or using L-ascorbic acid.

La Garan’s Vitamin C Toner is formulated for both AM and PM use, so running it through your full twice-daily routine is straightforward without needing to switch products.

Step by Step: Where Vitamin C Fits in Your Routine

Vitamin C always goes on after cleansing and toning, before moisturizer. Its molecules are small and need direct skin access before heavier products create a barrier on top.

Step	Product	AM or PM
Cleanse	Vitamin C Cleanser	Both
Tone	Vitamin C Toner	Both
Treat	Vitamin C Serum	AM (or PM)
Moisturize	Vitamin C Face Lotion	AM
Moisturize	Vitamin C Face Cream	PM
Protect	Brightening Day Protection SPF 50	AM only

What Not to Mix with Vitamin C

• Retinol at the same time: Use vitamin C in the AM, retinol at PM. Layering both at once can irritate and destabilize both activities.
• Copper peptides: As covered in the previous post, copper ions react with L-ascorbic acid and reduce effectiveness on both sides. Keep them in separate routines.
• Niacinamide at high concentrations: Some evidence suggests niacinamide can reduce vitamin C absorption. La Garan’s formulas do not combine these, so no conflict within the range. If you are mixing with other brands, apply them at different times to be safe.
• Exfoliating acids (AHAs/BHAs) in the same step: These lower skin pH too aggressively alongside vitamin C. Use them on alternate days or in alternate AM/PM slots.

How to Store Vitamin C Correctly

Vitamin C oxidizes and loses potency when exposed to light, heat, and air.

• Store in a cool, dark place
• Keep the cap tightly closed after every use
• If your serum turns orange or brown from clear or pale yellow, it is oxidized and no longer effective, replace it
• La Garan’s Vegan Vitamin C Serum uses dual-stabilized vitamin C with Silicium to prevent oxidation from first use to last drop, which is why it does not need refrigeration under normal storage conditions

By Skin Type: When to Apply

Skin Type	Recommended Timing	Notes
Normal	AM	Standard morning routine
Oily or acne-prone	AM	Helps regulate sebum and reduce post-acne marks
Dry	AM or PM	Use richer Vitamin C Cream in PM for added barrier support
Sensitive	PM to start	Less reaction risk without daytime sun exposure on top. Switch to AM once tolerant
Mature	Both AM and PM	Twice-daily use accelerates collagen support and brightening

How Often to Use It

• New to vitamin C: 3 times per week for 2 weeks, then daily
• Experienced: Once daily minimum, twice daily for faster results
• Sensitive skin: Alternate days until tolerance builds

FAQ

Is vitamin C better in the morning or at night?

Morning is better for most people because its antioxidant protection is most useful during the day when skin faces UV and pollution exposure. Nighttime works well for sensitive skin or when the goal is deeper repair and pigmentation correction.

Can I use vitamin C twice a day?

Yes. Start once daily and increase to twice daily once your skin is tolerant. La Garan’s Vitamin C Toner is designed for both AM and PM use.

Do I need SPF if I use vitamin C in the morning?

Yes, always. Vitamin C boosts SPF effectiveness but does not replace it. Apply SPF as the final morning step, after vitamin C serum and moisturizer.

Can I use vitamin C and retinol in the same routine?

Not recommended at the same time. Use vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night for the best results from both.

What happens if I skip vitamin C for a few days?

Results are cumulative. Missing days slows progress on brightening and collagen building. Consistency matters more than timing.

Can I use vitamin C on sensitive skin?

Yes, with the right formula. Avoid high-concentration L-ascorbic acid and use stabilized derivatives instead. La Garan’s Vitamin C range uses stabilized forms that are suitable for sensitive and dry skin.

Bottom Line

Use vitamin C in the morning as the default. It makes the most of its antioxidant function, pairs with SPF, and fits cleanly into a standard routine. If your skin is sensitive or your morning routine is already full, PM use is a legitimate alternative. If your goal is maximum results, use it twice daily with a lighter formula in the AM and a richer one at PM.