The missing step in most Vitamin C routines

Vitamin C is one of the most effective ingredients for brightening skin and improving uneven tone. Yet many people struggle with irritation, inconsistent results, or the feeling that their serum just isn’t doing very much at all. More often than not, the issue isn’t Vitamin C. It’s dehydration.

When skin lacks hydration, the barrier becomes fragile. Actives that should be working with your skin instead trigger stress, sensitivity, or inflammation — all of which work against glow and even tone.

This is where hyaluronic acid comes in. On its own, hyaluronic acid hydrates, plumps, and strengthens the skin barrier. On its own, Vitamin C brightens, protects, and supports even tone. But together, they create the conditions skin needs to respond properly.

Here’s why this pairing works — and why it deserves a permanent place in your morning routine.

Why hydration makes Vitamin C work better

Vitamin C is a powerful active ingredient. But like most actives, it performs best when skin is properly hydrated.

When skin is dehydrated, the barrier is compromised. Tight, dry skin is more reactive — meaning it’s more likely to respond to actives with irritation rather than results. Irritation triggers inflammation, and inflammation triggers melanin. The very thing you’re trying to prevent.

Hyaluronic acid changes this dynamic.

It draws moisture into the skin and holds it there, creating a plump, resilient surface. When the barrier is hydrated and calm, Vitamin C can absorb more effectively and get to work without triggering a stress response.

Why hyaluronic acid is the ideal partner

Not all serums play nicely together.

Some actives compete for absorption. Others destabilise each other. Some combinations are simply too much for skin to handle in one routine.

Hyaluronic acid avoids all of this. It isn’t an “active” in the traditional sense — it hydrates rather than exfoliates or stimulates turnover. It doesn’t interfere with other ingredients. It simply draws water into the skin and helps keep it there.

That makes hyaluronic acid the ideal support for Vitamin C. It preps the skin without competing, hydrates without overwhelming, and is gentle enough for every skin type — including sensitive skin.

If you’re new to layering serums, this is the easiest place to start.

The glow effect: how the pairing works

Dull skin is usually the result of two things: dehydration and uneven tone.

Hyaluronic acid addresses dehydration first. When skin is properly hydrated, it reflects light more evenly. Fine lines get softer. Skin texture appears smoother and more plump. This is the glow people describe as “healthy skin”, and it starts with hydration.

Vitamin C addresses uneven tone. It helps interrupt excess melanin production, supports the fading of existing dark marks, and neutralises the free radicals that contribute to dullness and premature ageing.

Together, they create a natural glow effect: skin that looks hydrated, bright, and even-toned — without relying on shimmer or makeup.

Your morning glow routine

Here’s how to layer Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid for best results:

1 . Cleanse — Use a gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip the skin.

2. Mist — While skin is still damp, mist with a mineral spritz to calm and prime.

3. Hyaluronic acid — Apply to damp skin to draw moisture in and support the barrier.

4. Vitamin C — One pump. Massage in and allow it to absorb for a minute.

5. Moisturise — Seal everything in with a lightweight moisturiser.

Hyaluronic acid goes on damp skin to pull moisture in. Vitamin C follows on hydrated skin for better absorption and comfort. Moisturiser seals everything in and supports the skin barrier throughout the day.

Five steps. Less than five minutes. Every morning.

Try them together

If you’ve been using Vitamin C alone, adding hyaluronic acid can significantly improve how your skin responds — especially if you’re prone to dryness or sensitivity.

And if you’ve been hesitant to try Vitamin C at all, hydration is what makes it gentler and easier to tolerate.

That’s why we pair Vitamin C 2 Phase Serum with Pure Hyaluronic Serum — to support brightening with barrier-strengthening hydration from the very first step.

For a limited time, when you purchase Vitamin C 2 Phase Serum, you’ll receive Pure Hyaluronic Serum free, so you can experience the transformative effect of this duo for optimal skin brightening.

The under-eye area doesn’t respond well to excess. Too many products, too much pressure and too many actives easily overwhelm the sensitive skin on this area of the face. What works is a simple, consistent routine that respects how delicate this skin is. The approach we recommend time and time again prioritises drainage first, then hydration, and lastly repair.

How hydrogel eye patches actually work

If eye creams and serums are already part of your routine, it’s fair to wonder what eye patches actually add. They’re often seen as an extra step, without much explanation of why they exist or what makes them different. The answer isn’t about stronger formulas or instant results. It’s about how hydration is delivered to the under-eye area, and why that matters.

What to expect in your first 4 weeks with Vitamin C

Pigmentation doesn’t fade overnight. Anyone who tells you otherwise is selling you something that won’t work. But that doesn’t mean nothing happens — far from it. When you use a well-formulated Vitamin C consistently, your skin begins responding almost immediately. The full transformation takes time, but the early signs show up much sooner than most people expect. Here’s what actually happens when you commit to Vitamin C every morning for four weeks.

Your 5-step pigmentation-fading routine

Dark marks that won’t fade. Patches that deepen no matter what you try. A dullness that no amount of exfoliating seems to fix. If your pigmentation feels stuck, you’ve likely tried everything from brightening serums to chemical peels, with little to show for it. You’re not imagining it, and you’re certainly not alone. The good news is this: fading dark marks doesn’t require a ten-step routine or a bathroom cabinet full of serums. What it needs is the right steps, in the right order, done consistently. Here’s how to build a pigmentation-fighting routine that works with your skin — not against it.

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Caring for your baby’s skin should be simple and should work. By using the right skincare products and following these 3 tips, you can look forward to smooth, soft, baby skin and happier bathtimes.

How to get glowing skin

The phrase ‘glowing skin’ is definitely overused in the skincare world. Even though it’s the word that most women use to describe their ideal skin, few actually understand what it means when it comes down to the nitty-gritty of getting it.

Dry or dehydrated? What’s the difference?

Dehydrated skin is not the same as dry skin. It’s important to know whether you are suffering with dry skin or dehydrated skin or both so that you know how to optimise your skincare routine so that it’s treating the right problem.

How do I fade acne scars & hyperpigmentation?

“How to treat hyperpigmentation” is one of the most frequently asked questions in relation to skincare concerns, so if you suffer with it, you’re certainly not alone.

Creating tradition: How The Heritage Collection came to life

At Pestle & Mortar, we are guided by the philosophy of less-is-more, a principle that echoes through everything we create. Rooted in the ancient traditions of Indian natural healing, our approach is about distilling skincare down to its simplest and most effective elements.