Vitamin C is a popular skincare ingredient found in many products, but how exactly does it combine with that other skincare essential - sunscreen? We'll take a look at how these skincare heroes work together to help you get the best from both!
Working Together
Vitamin C helps to repair free radicals created from the sun and environmental damage, and it can boost the power of sunscreen. And SPF not only protects from sun damage and pigmentation but also helps to get the most from Vitamin C.
Vitamin C and Sunscreen work in tandem together to improve each other’s effectiveness. When used together they provide the skin with a double defense against environmental aggressors like pollution, dust and dirt.
Team Work
This combination boost the effectiveness of the skin’s sun defense capabilities too. Vitamin C is not a sunscreen as it doesn’t absorb light in the UVA and UVB spectrum. Rather, the antioxidant activity of Vitamin C protects against UV-induced damage caused by free radicals.
Vitamin C is effective at neutralizing free radical damage from sun exposure, and also has the benefit of brightening the overall complexion and reducing dark spots.
Think of it as team work - the sunscreen stops the rays, and the Vitamin C mops up the damage of any that sneak through!
Antioxidant Activity
The more antioxidants in your daytime skincare the better protected your skin will be from environmental damage.
Vitamin C is able to stabilise and therefore stop free radicals from attacking the skin, preventing sun-induced skin damage. It also enhances your skin’s natural defense system, helping to better protect itself from oxidative stress.
No Sun, More Fun
Aging signs like wrinkles, sagging, dull texture, broken capillaries, and pigmentation are some of the signs of sun damage that prematurely age the skin. The sun’s radiation spectrum also generates free radicals and can increase aging.
UVA doesn’t injure the skin directly like the UVB but these rays go deeper into the dermis, potentially causing a reductionin collagen, damage to elastin, and irregular hyperpigmentation.
SPF is designed to protect the skin against the sun’s UV rays, but it is difficult to get a 100% protection just by using sunscreen. Effectiveness can be greatly impacted for various reasons like under-applying, it coming off through the day, not topping-up or not wearing a hat for additional protection.
Dynamic Duo
With the antioxidant power of Vitamin C we can rely on it as a second line of protection by pairing it with sunscreen. This great combination really is more than the sum of its parts!
Vitamin C can be applied before bed, but because of its antioxidant properties it’s best to include it in the morning too. Sunscreen - unsurprisingly - is best applied in the morning and reapplied during the day as required.
Convinced you need some Vitamin C in your routine?
Refresh Recommends....
For a high-concentration Vitamin C hit try the Purito Pure VItamin C Serum. A generous 5% Ascorbic Acid delivers the wonder ingredient, while the addition of Niacinamide helps to brighten the skin.
Another great option for maximum Vitamin C is the It's Skin Power 10 Formula VC Effector, which combined high-concentration Vitamin C with Green Tea extract in a light-weight serum.
For sunscreens, try the best-selling COSRX Aloe Soothing Suncreen with a ultra-high sun protection factor of 50+ and a PA++++ rating. The aloe leaf extract gives the skin added nourishment, and the formula is easy to apply and streak free.
Had a great experience with your Vitamin C and Sunscreen combo? Share your wisdom in the comments sections below!
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