# Vitamin C and potassium hydroxide

Page: https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-potassium-hydroxide

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for the United States.

Keep them apart

Use them at different times of day with [vitamin C](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c) first, because mixing them makes the vitamin C spoil and stop working. [Potassium hydroxide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/potassium-hydroxide) ruins the acid balance that vitamin C needs to stay fresh and active on your skin. You can easily fix this by applying them hours apart or on separate days.

- [All about vitamin C](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c)
- [All about potassium hydroxide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/potassium-hydroxide)

### [Vitamin C](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c) products

- [Olay Super Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/olay/super-serum/for/dry-skin) — High fit — [$29.94 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7MQQSW4?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Cream](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/charlotte-tilbury/charlotte-s-magic-cream/for/mature-skin) — Superior fit — [$69.00 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GFWLDP4W?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/roc/retinol-correxion-deep-wrinkle-night-cream/for/dark-spots) — High fit — [$21.97 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00027DMI8?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/paula-s-choice/1-retinol-treatment/for/dark-spots) — Superior fit — [$48.75 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L5O2ZXK?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/summer-fridays/jet-lag-mask/for/dry-skin) — High fit — [$49.00 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FYCGF57?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/mad-hippie/vitamin-c-serum/for/dry-skin) — High fit — [$27.99 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DKF7XPW?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Eve Lom Renewal Treatment Oil](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/eve-lom/renewal-treatment-oil/for/dry-sensitive-skin) — High fit
- [ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Polish](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/zo-skin-health/exfoliating-polish/for/mature-skin) — High fit — [$64.00 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MG7TR4S?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/cerave/skin-renewing-vitamin-c-serum/for/acne-prone-skin) — High fit — [$23.99 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PNCCLD2?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/eucerin/anti-pigment-dual-serum/for/oily-skin) — Average fit — [$39.97 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJV8MYYN?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/roc/retinol-correxion-deep-wrinkle-serum/for/oily-skin) — Average fit — [$21.97 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00387F42G?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [iS Clinical Cleansing Complex](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/is-clinical/cleansing-complex/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — Superior fit — [$49.00 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0026TOCK2?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

### [Potassium hydroxide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/potassium-hydroxide) products

- [Glytone Mild Gel Cleanser](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/glytone/mild-gel-cleanser/for/dark-spots) — High fit — [$24.95 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002D48QI4?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

## Questions and answers

### Can you use vitamin C and potassium hydroxide together?

Keep [vitamin C](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c) and [potassium hydroxide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/potassium-hydroxide) apart because combining them can cause rapid breakdown of the vitamin C.

### Which goes first, vitamin C or potassium hydroxide?

Keep vitamin C and potassium hydroxide apart in your routine because combining them can cause rapid breakdown of the vitamin C.

### Are vitamin C and potassium hydroxide good for sensitive skin?

Keep vitamin C and potassium hydroxide apart because they counteract each other and destabilize the formula. Lovi rates the combination as poor for sensitive skin due to potential irritation from high pH bases.

## Research on vitamin C and potassium hydroxide

- [Topical ascorbic acid on photoaged skin. Clinical, topographical and ultrastructural evaluation: double-blind study vs. placebo](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12823436/) Vitamin C · Experimental Dermatology, 2003
- [Anti-aging and brightening effects of a topical treatment containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract: A split-face, randomized controlled trial](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31975502/) Vitamin C · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
- [Stability, transdermal penetration, and cutaneous effects of ascorbic acid and its derivatives](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23174055/) Vitamin C · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2012
- [Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19186973/) Vitamin C · Journal of Periodontology, 2009
- [Vitamin C mesotherapy versus topical application for gingival hyperpigmentation: a clinical and histopathological study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33966113/) Vitamin C · Clinical Oral Investigations, 2021
- [Skin moisturizing effect and skin penetration of ascorbyl palmitate entrapped in solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) incorporated into hydrogel](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16259122/) Vitamin C · Die Pharmazie, 2005
- [Two superior antioxidants: Ferulic acid and ascorbic acid in reducing signs of photoaging-A split-face comparative study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34877760/) Vitamin C · Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
- [Ascorbic Acid Treatments as Effective and Safe Anti-Aging Therapies for Sensitive Skin](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38397772/) Vitamin C · Antioxidants, 2024
- [Clinical evidence of the efficacy and safety of a new 3-in-1 anti-aging topical night serum-in-oil containing melatonin, bakuchiol, and ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate: 103 females treated from 28 to 84 days](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30924254/) Vitamin C · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
- [Comparison of clinical efficacies of sodium ascorbyl phosphate, retinol and their combination in acne treatment](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19134126/) Vitamin C · International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2009
- [Antioxidant-based topical formulations influence on the inflammatory response of Japanese skin: A clinical study using non-invasive techniques](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28385617/) Vitamin C · European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2017
- [Efficacy of cosmetic formulations containing dispersion of liposome with magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, alpha-lipoic acid and kinetin](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22236139/) Vitamin C · Photochemistry and Photobiology, 2012
- [Derivatives of L-Ascorbic Acid in Emulgel: Development and Comprehensive Evaluation of the Topical Delivery System](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36986679/) Vitamin C · Pharmaceutics, 2023
- [Assessment of Combined Ascorbyl Palmitate (AP) and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP) on Facial Skin Sebum Control in Female Healthy Volunteers](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27756097/) Vitamin C · Drug Research, 2017
- [Clinical Development and Evaluation of a Multi-Component Dissolving Microneedle Patch for Skin Pigmentation Disorders](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37571190/) Vitamin C · Polymers, 2023
- [Formulation of Ascorbic Acid and Betaine-based Therapeutic Deep Eutectic System for Enhanced Transdermal Delivery of Ascorbic Acid](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38794349/) Vitamin C · Pharmaceutics, 2024
- [Efficacy of ethyl ascorbyl ether-containing cosmetic cream on blue light-induced skin changes](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34002928/) Vitamin C · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
- [Comparative physicochemical stability and clinical anti-wrinkle efficacy of transdermal emulgel preparations of 5% sodium ascorbyl phosphate and or ascorbic acid on human volunteers](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32383548/) Vitamin C · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
- [Topical prevention from high energy visible light-induced pigmentation by 2-mercaptonicotinoyl glycine, but not by ascorbic acid antioxidant: 2 randomized controlled trials](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41142247/) Vitamin C · Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2025
- [Antioxidant and membrane-protective effects of the 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid-cannabigerol system on UVB-irradiated human keratinocytes](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39778604/) Vitamin C · Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 2025
- [Modulation of skin pigmentation by the tetrapeptide PKEK: in vitro and in vivo evidence for skin whitening effects](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22142309/) Vitamin C · Experimental Dermatology, 2012
- [Moisturizing potentials of ascorbyl palmitate and calcium ascorbate in various topical formulations](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18494922/) Vitamin C · International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2004
- [Thermostable hyaluronic acid-based dissolving microneedles with high-loading capacity: design, optimization, and transdermal delivery of anti-aging ingredients](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41628877/) Vitamin C · International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2026
- [Liposomal formulation of a vitamin C derivative: a promising strategy to increase skin permeability](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39985147/) Vitamin C · Journal of Liposome Research, 2025
- [Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39769217/) Vitamin C · International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024
- [Open-label topical application of tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and acetyl zingerone containing serum improves the appearance of photoaging and uneven pigmentation](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38634176/) Vitamin C · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
- [Clinical Efficacy of Topical Ascorbic Acid 2-Glucoside in Enhancing Outcomes of Laser Gingival Depigmentation: A Randomized Controlled Trial](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42147661/) Vitamin C · Cureus, 2026

## Other combinations

- Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and salicylic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-salicylic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and retinol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-retinol)
- Depends on the strength: [Vitamin C and acetyl hexapeptide-3](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-acetyl-hexapeptide-3)
- Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and bio-placenta peptides](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-bio-placenta-peptides)
- Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and collagen peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-collagen-peptide)
- Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and copper](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-copper)
- Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and copper complex](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-copper-complex)
- Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and copper peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-copper-peptide)
- Depends on the strength: [Vitamin C and hexapeptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-hexapeptide)
- Depends on the strength: [Vitamin C and hexapeptide-9](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-hexapeptide-9)
- Depends on the strength: [Vitamin C and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-palmitoyl-pentapeptide-4)
- Depends on the strength: [Vitamin C and palmitoyl tripeptide-1](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-palmitoyl-tripeptide-1)
- Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and peptide-rich plasma](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-peptide-rich-plasma)
- Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and triple peptide blend](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-triple-peptide-blend)
- Keep them apart: [Benzoyl peroxide and vitamin C](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/benzoyl-peroxide-and-vitamin-c)
- Work well together: [Vitamin C and gluconolactone](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-gluconolactone)
- Work well together: [Vitamin C and lactobionic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-lactobionic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Adapalene and vitamin C](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/adapalene-and-vitamin-c)
- Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and granactive retinoid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-granactive-retinoid)
- Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and hydroxypinacolone retinoate](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate)
- Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and pro-retinol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-pro-retinol)
- Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-retinal)
- Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and retinoid blend](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-retinoid-blend)
- Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and tretinoin](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-tretinoin)
- Keep them apart: [Acetyl hexapeptide-3 and potassium hydroxide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/acetyl-hexapeptide-3-and-potassium-hydroxide)
- Keep them apart: [Bio-placenta peptides and potassium hydroxide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/bio-placenta-peptides-and-potassium-hydroxide)
- Keep them apart: [Potassium hydroxide and collagen peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/potassium-hydroxide-and-collagen-peptide)
- Keep them apart: [Potassium hydroxide and copper peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/potassium-hydroxide-and-copper-peptide)
- Keep them apart: [Hexapeptide and potassium hydroxide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/hexapeptide-and-potassium-hydroxide)
- Keep them apart: [Potassium hydroxide and hexapeptide-9](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/potassium-hydroxide-and-hexapeptide-9)
- Keep them apart: [Potassium hydroxide and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/potassium-hydroxide-and-palmitoyl-pentapeptide-4)
- Keep them apart: [Potassium hydroxide and palmitoyl tripeptide-1](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/potassium-hydroxide-and-palmitoyl-tripeptide-1)
- Keep them apart: [Potassium hydroxide and peptide-rich plasma](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/potassium-hydroxide-and-peptide-rich-plasma)
- Keep them apart: [Potassium hydroxide and triple peptide blend](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/potassium-hydroxide-and-triple-peptide-blend)
- Work well together: [Vitamin C and baicalin](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-baicalin)
- Work well together: [Vitamin C and caffeic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-caffeic-acid)
- Work well together: [Vitamin C and chrysin](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-chrysin)
- Work well together: [Vitamin C and ellagic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-ellagic-acid)
- Work well together: [Vitamin C and ferulic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-ferulic-acid)
- Work well together: [Vitamin C and hesperidin](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-hesperidin)
- Work well together: [Vitamin C and oxyresveratrol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-oxyresveratrol)
- Work well together: [Vitamin C and phloretin](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-phloretin)
- Work well together: [Vitamin C and pterostilbene](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-pterostilbene)
- Work well together: [Vitamin C and resveratrol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-resveratrol)
- Work well together: [Vitamin C and rutin](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-rutin)
- Work well together: [Vitamin C and silymarin](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-silymarin)
- Work well together: [Vitamin C and troxerutin](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-troxerutin)
- Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and behenyl alcohol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-behenyl-alcohol)
- Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and isopropyl alcohol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-isopropyl-alcohol)
- Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and polyvinyl alcohol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-polyvinyl-alcohol)
- Work well together: [Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-hyaluronic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and baking soda](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-baking-soda)
- Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and bleach](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-bleach)
- Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and tromethamine](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-tromethamine)
- Work well together: [Vitamin C and vitamin E](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-vitamin-e)

## About the Lovi Fit

Lovi: Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes.

Lovi checks every pairing with brand-independent rules its dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update. Levels from best to worst: Superior, High, Average, Low, Caution, Warning.

Behind this pairing advice: Nadia Kapleva, MS (Co-founder, Medical Director); Alexey Shagraev, PhD (Co-founder, CEO and CTO); Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc (Medical Board); Aishani Shah, MD (Medical Board); Asya Zubkova, MS (Medical Board); Hanna Kurets, MD (Medical Board, Medical Advisor); Elina Nazarenko, MD (Medical Board); Victoria Derkova, MS (Medical Board).

Page built Nov 8, 2026.

More from Lovi: https://lovi.care/skincare/llms.txt

## This page in other countries

- United States: https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-potassium-hydroxide (this page)
- United Kingdom: https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-potassium-hydroxide
- Ireland: https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-potassium-hydroxide
- Germany: https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-potassium-hydroxide
- France: https://lovi.care/skincare/fr/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-potassium-hydroxide
- Italy: https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-potassium-hydroxide
- Netherlands: https://lovi.care/skincare/nl/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-potassium-hydroxide
- Spain: https://lovi.care/skincare/es/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-potassium-hydroxide
- Canada: https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-potassium-hydroxide
- Australia: https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-potassium-hydroxide
- Singapore: https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-potassium-hydroxide
- Saudi Arabia: https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-potassium-hydroxide
- United Arab Emirates: https://lovi.care/skincare/ae/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-potassium-hydroxide