Can I Use Vitamin C Serum at Night? When and How to Use It

Vitamin C is one of the most powerful ingredients in skincare. It brightens dull complexions, evens out skin tone, and helps defend against environmental stressors. But one question keeps coming up: Can I use Vitamin C serum at night?

The truth is, Vitamin C works best during the day. Below, we’ll explain why, how to apply it correctly, and how to build a complete, radiant-skin routine using Dubois Beauty products.

Why Vitamin C Is a Daytime Essential

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that protects your skin from oxidative stress caused by sunlight, pollution, and free radicals. During the day, these aggressors are at their peak, and that’s when Vitamin C can do its best work — strengthening your skin’s natural defenses and boosting radiance.

At night, however, your skin focuses on repair and regeneration, and other active ingredients (like Vitamin A or peptides) are better suited for that phase. That’s why skincare experts recommend applying Vitamin C in the morning, followed by a protective moisturizer and SPF.

How to Use Vitamin C Serum Correctly

The Science Behind Dubois Beauty’s Defend Antioxidant Serum

Dubois Beauty formulates with Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP), a stable, water-soluble form of Vitamin C featured in the Defend Antioxidant Serum. SAP provides all the brightening and protective benefits of Vitamin C—without the irritation often associated with pure ascorbic acid.

Stability & Formulation Benefits

• More stable than pure vitamin C (ascorbic acid): It resists oxidation from light, heat, and air far better than L-ascorbic acid, helping the product maintain potency over time. Social Patient Networks Canada+1

• Works well in water-based serums: Because SAP is water-soluble and stable at a neutral to slightly higher pH, formulators can include it without needing the very low pH that pure ascorbic acid requires. Women's Concepts

Skin Benefits

• Antioxidant protection: Like all vitamin C forms, SAP helps neutralize free radicals and supports defense against environmental stressors. Social Patient Networks Canada

• Supports collagen synthesis: Over time, it can help promote firmer, more resilient skin. Pub Mediabox Storage

• Brightens skin tone: It inhibits tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in melanin production, helping reduce dark spots and improve radiance. Aogebio

• Gentle and non-irritating: SAP is well-tolerated by sensitive or acne-prone skin and less likely to cause redness than pure vitamin C. SKINICIAN

Morning Routine with Defend Antioxidant Serum

Step 1: Start with a Fresh Face

Begin your morning routine with a gentle cleanser suited for your skin type. This step serum can absorb effectively and deliver its full benefits.

Step 2: Apply Your Vitamin C Serum

After cleansing, apply a few drops of Dubois Beauty’s Defend Antioxidant Serum, which contains Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP), to brighten and protect your skin. Gently press it into your face and neck, avoiding the eye area. Wait a minute or two before moving to the next step to allow full absorption.

Pro Tip: Use your serum consistently every morning. Over time, it helps even out tone, brighten dark spots, and support firmer-looking skin.

Step 3: Lock in Moisture and Protection

Follow your serum with Protective Day Cream, which hydrates while shielding your skin from environmental stressors. Finish with sunscreen — SPF and the antioxidant power of Defend Serum are a powerhouse combination for defending against UV damage and maintaining a bright, youthful glow. 

Why You Shouldn’t Use Vitamin C Serum at Night

Using Vitamin C serum at night isn’t dangerous, but it’s most effective when applied in the morning.

For maximum protection, apply Dubois Beauty’s Defend Antioxidant Serum in the morning. This serum contains Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP), a stable form of Vitamin C that helps brighten skin, neutralize free radicals, and support collagen synthesis.

At night, your skin enters repair mode, making it the perfect time for restoratives such as Vitamin A or peptides. Dubois Beauty’s Restorative Night Cream is ideal for this stage — it deeply nourishes, helps reduce visible signs of fatigue, and supports overnight renewal.

Morning vs. Night: Building the Ideal Routine

Morning Routine

1. Cleanse — Remove impurities with your preferred gentle cleanser.

2. Treat — Apply your Vitamin C serum to brighten and protect. Defend Antioxidant Serum

3. Moisturize — Use Protective Day Cream for hydration and environmental defense.

4. Defend — Apply sunscreen as your final step.

Night Routine

1. Cleanse — Gently remove makeup and buildup from the day.

2. Treat — Use Vital A Serum to help restore and renew.

3. Moisturize — Finish with Restorative Night Cream to lock in hydration overnight.

This balance ensures your skin receives what it needs around the clock — protection by day and repair by night.

Can You Combine Vitamin C with Other Actives?

Yes, but carefully. Vitamin C pairs well with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and nourishing moisturizers, but it’s best not to use it at the same time as strong exfoliants or retinoids.

To maximize results, use Vitamin C in the morning and reserve Vitamin A–based products (like Vital A Serum) for nighttime. This approach keeps your routine balanced, effective, and gentle.

Let Your Radiance Shine

So, can you use Vitamin C serum at night? Technically yes, but it won’t deliver its full potential. For best results, make it a morning ritual — followed by Protective Day Cream and sunscreen — and let your evening routine focus on renewal with Vital A Serum, and Restorative Night Cream.

Healthy, radiant skin is about consistency and smart product pairing. Explore Dubois Beauty’s complete line of clean, high-performance skincare and discover how to bring out your natural glow — from sunrise to sunset.

Discover more at Dubois Beauty.