Using parallel capacitor-diode pairs to limit current in an AC circuit
Here's what happens as time goes by...



For power applications, a capacitive dropper isn't always a good choice, but when it is it's far better to use a single film capacitor, as shown below, than to use a pair of electrolytics hooked in series opposition, as suggested earlier.

The reason for that is that the electrolytics will always dissipate more power in their electrolytes and dielectrics than the film caps will in their dielectrics, and the electrolytics will run hotter and vent their magic smoke sooner.