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Ingredient pairing

Can you mix Alpha Lipoic Acid and Vitamin C (LAA)?

Same answer whichever way you searched it: Vitamin C (LAA) and Alpha Lipoic Acid.

Fine togetherThey're fine together.

Alpha Lipoic AcidVitamin C (LAA)

These two actually work well together, and are often formulated side by side.

Routine: You can use these together, morning or night.

Alpha Lipoic AcidPromising, not proven
Efficacy6
Anti-aging6
Brightening3

Skip if: very sensitive, rare allergy

Ask your doctor in pregnancy
Vitamin C (LAA)Worth paying for
Brightening10
Efficacy9
Anti-aging7

Skip if: very sensitive, rosacea

Ask your doctor in pregnancy

This answers one pair. Your shelf has more than two things on it, and they can fight each other too.

Written by Maya Faour, founder and sole writer; not a dermatologistHow we work →

Which one goes first?

Apply Vitamin C (LAA) first

  1. 1Cleanse
  2. 2Vitamin C (LAA)
  3. 3Alpha Lipoic Acid
  4. 4Moisturize

On freshly cleansed skin, Vitamin C (LAA) goes on first, then Alpha Lipoic Acid over it. The rule of thumb is thinner and lower-pH first, richer last.

Alpha Lipoic Acid: Give it eight to twelve weeks, and possibly less: that is simply when it was measured.

how it was measured

Measured on skin roughness on photoaged facial skin, laser profilometry; measured at the trial's end, so possibly sooner.PMID 14616378

Vitamin C (LAA): Give it eight to twelve weeks, and possibly less: that is simply when it was measured.

how it was measured

Measured on investigator-graded photodamage on the treated half-face (fine wrinkling, roughness, tone); measured at the trial's end, so possibly sooner.PMID 10522500PMID 11896774

Alpha Lipoic Acid and Vitamin C (LAA): Fine together. They're fine together. These two actually work well together, and are often formulated side by side. Which goes first: Apply Vitamin C (LAA) first.
The short version, if you want to keep it.

Adding Alpha Lipoic Acid and Vitamin C (LAA) to your routine

  1. Good news first: these two get along, so there is no special order or waiting period to manage.
  2. Still add them one at a time, a week or two apart, so if your skin does react you know which one to look at.

For your skin type Sensitive skin should ease in gently: Vitamin C (LAA) can be mildly irritating on its own, and more so alongside another active.

Using a third ingredient? Check all three →Or decode a whole product label →

Also worth checking

More pairings with Alpha Lipoic Acid

More pairings with Vitamin C (LAA)

Alpha Lipoic Acid and Vitamin C (LAA), answered

Can you mix Alpha Lipoic Acid and Vitamin C (LAA)?

They're fine together. These two actually work well together, and are often formulated side by side.

Should you use Alpha Lipoic Acid and Vitamin C (LAA) in the morning or at night?

Either. Alpha Lipoic Acid and Vitamin C (LAA) are fine to use together, morning or night.

How should you introduce Alpha Lipoic Acid and Vitamin C (LAA)?

Good news first: these two get along, so there is no special order or waiting period to manage. Still add them one at a time, a week or two apart, so if your skin does react you know which one to look at.

What else should you not mix with Alpha Lipoic Acid?

Nothing else clashes badly with Alpha Lipoic Acid. It fits into most routines, though it is always wise to introduce one new product at a time.

Sources

Plus how we reach every verdict: how we score →

General guidance, not medical advice. When in doubt, introduce one product at a time, andhere is when to see a dermatologist instead.