Can you use vitamin C with vitamin E?
Yes, they're one of the best-studied antioxidant pairs. Vitamin C and vitamin E support each other and work better together than either alone.
Why
Vitamin C is water-soluble and vitamin E is oil-soluble, and vitamin C helps replenish vitamin E after it neutralizes free radicals. In a study on pig skin, a 15% L-ascorbic acid and 1% vitamin E solution protected against UV-related redness better than either vitamin alone. Reviews of topical vitamin C describe the two as working together against oxidative stress.
How to use them
Choose a vitamin C serum that already contains vitamin E (tocopherol), or apply a vitamin E product after your vitamin C. Morning use under broad-spectrum sunscreen makes the most of the antioxidant benefit.
Sources
- 1UV photoprotection by combination topical antioxidants vitamin C and vitamin E · Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2003
- 2Topical Vitamin C and the Skin: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications · Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2017
General cosmetic information, not medical advice. Written with AI assistance from the sources above; updated October 2026.