Once a vitamin C serum has been bought, the questions usually turn to application: what time of day, how many drops, after which step and what is needed before going out in the sun. The answers depend on the serum's formula and on the other products in the routine; the order below is based on the product data for Glow Me Like You Do.
In short: A vitamin C serum is applied in the morning to cleansed, dried skin. For Glow Me Like You Do the amount is 3–4 drops; once the serum has absorbed, moisturiser follows, with sunscreen last. It can be used every morning; the evening routine is left to an acid toner such as Glyc-Alright. The formula contains 7% of the vitamin C derivative Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid); the bottle is amber glass with a pump.
Should a vitamin C serum be used in the morning or the evening?
Glow Me Like You Do is used in the morning and is designed to become part of the routine every morning; there is no separate “how many times a week” calculation. Applying it in the morning places the antioxidant step in the same routine as sunscreen.
The evening is the time for acid products. In the s'hevec routine, the glycolic acid toner Glyc-Alright (pH 3.5–4.0) is used after evening cleansing. AHAs can increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun: apply sunscreen every morning while using this product and for one week after you stop. Putting the two products at different times of day keeps actives from piling up in the same routine. The two halves of the day are divided like this:
| Step | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| Cleanse | A gentle cleanser | A gentle cleanser |
| Toner | Rice Rice Baby (optional) | Glyc-Alright |
| Serum | Glow Me Like You Do, 3–4 drops | No Glow Me Like You Do |
| Hydration | Hydrating serum (optional), moisturiser | Moisturiser |
| Protection | Sunscreen | None |
For those who want to use a toner in the morning, Rice Rice Baby is a toner that can be used morning and evening; its pH is in the range 5.5–6.5 and it contains no AHAs or BHAs for exfoliation. Because it also contains niacinamide, we cover questions about using this pair on the same morning separately in our article can niacinamide and vitamin C be used together.
For the protection step in the table, the s'hevec option is Just Protected From Sun Hybrid Sunscreen: SPF 50+, hybrid filters and a fluid texture; layered over moisturiser.
How to apply a vitamin C serum, step by step
- Prepare the skin. The serum goes on dried skin after morning cleansing; if you use a toner, after the toner step.
- Take 3–4 drops. Spread the serum from the pump over the face and neck in a thin layer with your fingertips.
- Let it settle into the skin. Move on to the next layer once the serum has absorbed. If you use a hydrating serum, this is where it goes; for example, Hydra Back Baby Hydrating Serum, which contains 2% 8D hyaluronic acid and 1.2% Pentavitin.
- Seal with a moisturiser. Choose a moisturiser that suits your skin type.
- Leave sunscreen until last. The last layer of the morning routine is always sunscreen.
We explain, step by step, the order in which products other than the serum are applied in the morning and evening in our article on the order in which to apply skincare products.
Which acids and serums should not be used at the same time as a vitamin C serum?
It is not used in the same routine as exfoliating acids; the solution is to put the vitamin C derivative serum in the morning and the acid in the evening. It can be used on the same morning as niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. With s'hevec products:
| With Glow Me Like You Do | In the same routine? | How? |
|---|---|---|
| Glycolic or salicylic acid toner (Glyc-Alright, Slyc-Alright) | No | Serum in the morning, toner in the evening |
| AHA/BHA peel (Red Of Love), Smooth Me All Night | No | Serum in the morning, acid product in the evening |
| Retinol | No | Serum in the morning, retinol on an evening without acid products |
| Dark spot serum (Hit The Spot) | Same day is fine | Split across the day: Glow Me Like You Do in the morning, Hit The Spot in the evening |
| Niacinamide (Hi Girls Bye Pores) | Fine | In the same morning routine |
| Hyaluronic acid (Hydra Back Baby) | Fine | After Glow Me Like You Do has absorbed |
The reasoning behind these pairings, and how to combine other actives, is in our guide to using active ingredients together.
How to start on sensitive skin, and who should be careful?
On sensitive skin, the first step is a patch test on the inner forearm; if there is no problem, the serum is added to the morning routine. The skin types on the Glow Me Like You Do label are sensitive, combination and normal, but not every skin reacts in the same way. If you notice stinging or redness at the start, use it less often instead of every morning. Do not apply to irritated or broken skin.
What is in Glow Me Like You Do, and why an amber glass bottle?
Glow Me Like You Do Vitamin C Serum comes in 30 ml; its key active, Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, is second in the ingredient list, right after water (Aqua). Other toners, serums and masks for the look of dullness and uneven tone can be found in our collection of products for radiance.
| Feature | Glow Me Like You Do |
|---|---|
| Key active | 7% vitamin C derivative (Ethyl Ascorbic Acid) |
| Supporting ingredients | 8D hyaluronic acid, panthenol, allantoin, Lubrajel Marine |
| Focus | Radiance, dullness, uneven tone |
| Skin type on the label | Sensitive, combination, normal |
| Timing and amount | Morning, 3–4 drops |
| Packaging | Amber glass, pump bottle |
The choice of bottle comes down to the formula. L-ascorbic acid, known as pure vitamin C, is an unstable molecule that oxidises easily when exposed to air; 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid is a stable derivative developed to address this problem. Amber glass limits contact with light, and the pump limits contact with air. Keeping the bottle in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight serves the same purpose.
We explain the role of vitamin C in the skin and the difference between ascorbic acid and its derivatives in detail in our article on the difference between ascorbic acid and Ethyl Ascorbic Acid.
What does Glow Me Like You Do not do?
- It does not protect from the sun; an antioxidant step and a sun filter do different jobs, and the serum does not replace sunscreen.
- On its own it is not enough for pronounced dark spots; in that case, a serum aimed at the look of dark spots is added to the evening routine.
- It is not formulated for the look of wrinkles or fine lines; its focus is radiance, dullness and uneven tone.
- Dull-looking skin can have more than one cause, and the serum is a step for only one of them; we list the possible causes in our article what causes dull skin.
Frequently asked questions
Can you go out in the sun after applying a vitamin C serum?
Yes; Glow Me Like You Do is designed for the morning anyway. When you go out in the sun, what matters is the sunscreen on top: the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends applying sunscreen before going outdoors; it takes about 15 minutes for the skin to absorb it and for it to start protecting. While you are outdoors, the step you reapply is also sunscreen, not serum; the AAD recommends reapplying every two hours and immediately after swimming or sweating.
How long does a vitamin C serum take to work?
We do not give a number of days for this. A review of topical vitamin C states that studies on the efficacy of these formulas are still limited; changes in appearance also vary with skin type, how regularly the product is used and sun protection. Follow changes over regular morning use rather than day by day.
Can Glow Me Like You Do be applied under make-up?
Yes. The serum is one of the first layers of the morning routine: once it has absorbed, moisturiser follows, then sunscreen; make-up is applied on top of these layers.
Can Glow Me Like You Do be applied around the eyes?
No. Apply the serum to the face and neck, keep it away from the eye area and avoid contact with the eyes.
Does a vitamin C serum have side effects?
As with any active ingredient, stinging or redness may occur; the sources we rely on contain no tolerance assessment specific to Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, so we make no claim on this. The AAD recommends trying a new product on a small area, such as the inner forearm, before using it on the face. If stinging occurs at the start, use it less often; if there is burning or spreading redness, wash the serum off and stop using it.
At what age can you use a vitamin C serum?
There is no specific age limit; the criterion is not age but what the skin needs. Glow Me Like You Do focuses on radiance, dullness and uneven tone, and is always used with sunscreen in the morning. How the routine changes with age is covered in our article on skincare by age.
Can a vitamin C serum be used during pregnancy?
The key active of Glow Me Like You Do is Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a vitamin C derivative at 7%; it is accompanied by 8D hyaluronic acid, panthenol and allantoin. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a skin condition, consult your doctor before use. Take the ingredient list from the pack to the appointment.
Sources
- Al-Niaimi F et al. Topical Vitamin C and the Skin: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017.
- Iliopoulos F et al. 3-O-ethyl-l-ascorbic acid: Characterisation and investigation of single solvent systems for delivery to the skin. Int J Pharm X. 2019.
- American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). How to apply sunscreen.
- American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). How to test skin care products.
This content is for information only and does not replace medical advice. s'hevec products are cosmetic products and are not intended for medical treatment. It was prepared by the s'hevec Team on the basis of the s'hevec product data library and the sources listed above.
