How to5 min read

How to Layer Vitamin C with Makeup

for a bright, flawless base.

The right order for vitamin C serum, moisturiser, SPF and make-up, so nothing pills or slips, plus our tips for a glowing, flawless base.

★★★★★ 4.7 from 86 reviews · 30-day money-back guarantee*

Written by Jasmin | Years of skincare know-how & all things Dermaworks
5 min read

Quick answer

Apply vitamin C serum to clean, dry skin first, give it a minute to absorb, then follow with hyaluronic acid (optional), moisturiser and SPF before your make-up. Letting each layer absorb and using just 3–4 drops of serum stops make-up pilling or slipping.

Vitamin C and make-up are a dream morning combination. Your vitamin C serum brightens and evens your skin, so you need less coverage, and make-up glides on beautifully over fresh, hydrated skin. The only trick is getting the order right, so nothing pills, slips or separates during the day. Here's exactly how to do it, for a bright, flawless base every single morning.

How to layer vitamin C under make-up: step by step

Cleanse. Start with clean skin and pat it dry. Our dual-sided face cloths cleanse and gently exfoliate in one step, so your serum goes onto a smooth, fresh surface.
Apply your vitamin C serum. 3–4 drops of our 20% Vitamin C Serum on your face, neck and décolletage, gently pressed and massaged in.
Give it a minute. Let the serum absorb fully before the next layer. This one simple step is what stops make-up pilling. Use the time to do your hair or choose your look.
Add hyaluronic acid (optional). A few drops of our Hyaluronic Acid Serum plumps and smooths, giving you a base foundation just glides over.
Moisturise. A light layer of Pure Radiance or our Men's Daily Moisturiser seals everything in. Let it settle for a minute or two.
Apply SPF. Always the last step of your skincare. Vitamin C boosts your skin's defences, but it doesn't replace sunscreen.
Then your make-up. Primer if you use one, then foundation as usual.

Brightening 20% Vitamin C Serum with Niacinamide

Dermaworks Vitamin C Serum

★★★★★ 4.7 · £14.95 · Lasts for 4-6 weeks

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Why vitamin C and make-up work so well together

A brighter base means less coverage

As vitamin C evens out your tone and fades the look of dark spots, you'll find yourself reaching for less foundation and concealer. Your skin starts doing the work for you.

It sinks straight in

We deliberately made our serum lightweight and water-based, so it absorbs in seconds instead of sitting on the surface. We believe great skincare shouldn't just coat your skin, it should become part of it. No tackiness, no greasy film, just a smooth canvas for your make-up.

All-day defence under your make-up

Your make-up is on all day, and so are the pollution and UV that create free radicals. Vitamin C underneath helps your skin defend itself from morning to night, working alongside your SPF.

Hydrated skin holds make-up better

Our vitamin C serum contains hyaluronic acid, so it hydrates as it brightens. Foundation goes on smoother and stops clinging to dry patches.

Should you use make-up that contains vitamin C?

Some foundations, primers and setting sprays now include vitamin C. They're a nice extra, but they're no substitute for a serum. Make-up usually contains far less vitamin C, and it sits on the surface rather than being designed to absorb. For real brightening results, the serum does the work; make-up with added vitamin C is just a bonus.

Tips for a flawless, glowing base

Thinnest to thickest. Serums first, then moisturiser, then SPF, then make-up. Lighter textures go on before heavier ones.
Less is more. 3–4 drops of serum is plenty. Too much product is the most common reason make-up slides or pills.
Press, don't rub. Pressing foundation in with a damp sponge or your fingertips keeps your skincare layers in place.
Go lighter on powder. As your skin looks brighter and more even, you'll need less coverage and less powder to set it.

Common mistakes to avoid

Not waiting between layers. Rushing straight to foundation is the main cause of pilling. A minute between serum and moisturiser makes all the difference.

Skipping SPF because your make-up "has some in it". Make-up alone rarely gives enough protection. Keep a dedicated SPF in your routine.

Using retinol in the morning. Keep retinol for your evening routine and vitamin C for the morning.

Piling on too many layers. If your make-up keeps pilling, cut a step. Our vitamin C serum already contains hyaluronic acid, so on busy mornings you can go straight to moisturiser.

What about your evening routine?

Vitamin C belongs in your morning routine, under your make-up and SPF, where it protects your skin all day. In the evening, remove your make-up and SPF thoroughly, then let retinol get to work on fine lines and texture while you sleep, followed by hyaluronic acid and a moisturiser such as Pure Radiance or our Men's Daily Moisturiser. Our 3 Serum Gift Set gives you vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and retinol for a complete morning and evening routine.

Which make-up works best over vitamin C?

Almost any foundation looks great over vitamin C, as long as your skincare has had time to settle. A few pointers:

Water-based and light foundations glide over serum-prepped skin most easily and give a natural, glowy finish.
Silicone-based primers can sit well on top too. If you notice pilling, try a water-based primer instead.
Mineral powders are a good choice for setting, especially if your skin runs oily.
Tinted moisturisers are often all you need once vitamin C has evened out your tone.
Non-comedogenic formulas are a smart choice for any foundation or primer, especially if you're prone to breakouts, as they're designed not to clog pores.

And whatever you wear, remove it thoroughly at night. Our dual-sided face cloths remove even waterproof make-up with just water, leaving skin clean and ready for your evening routine.

The right base makes all the difference. Our 20% Vitamin C Serum is lightweight and water-based, so it absorbs in seconds and sits smoothly under make-up. It's £14.95, rated 4.7 out of 5 by our customers and backed by our 30-day money-back guarantee.

Complete the routine

Cryotherapy Ice Globes for Face, Neck & Eyes£29.95

Luxury Dual-Sided Face Cloths - Deep Cleanse, Makeup Removal & Exfoliation - Set of 2£14.50

2.5% Retinol Night Serum | High Strength Anti-Ageing£14.95

FAQs

Your questions, answered

Do you put vitamin C on before or after moisturiser?

Before. Apply vitamin C serum to clean, dry skin first, then hyaluronic acid if you use it, then moisturiser, then SPF.

How long should I wait before applying make-up?

Give your serum about a minute to absorb, then let your moisturiser and SPF settle for a minute or two before foundation. Waiting between layers is the best way to stop make-up pilling.

Why is my make-up pilling over my vitamin C serum?

Usually it's too much product or not enough time between layers. Use 3–4 drops of serum, let each layer absorb, and press foundation in rather than rubbing.

Can I skip SPF if my foundation has SPF in it?

We wouldn't. Most people don't apply enough foundation to get the protection on the label, so keep a dedicated SPF as the last step of your skincare.

Written by Jasmin, Marketing Manager. Jasmin has been part of the Dermaworks team since 2021. She writes our skincare guides and helps our customers with their skincare questions, so she knows our products inside out, and what you really want to know. About us

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