Sunscreen is a non-negotiable for good skincare practices— it protects you from skin cancer, dark spots, sunburns, and early signs of ageing. If you’ve been consistently wearing sunscreen, both indoors and outdoors, and reapplying your sunscreen cream (or gel or powder, whatever you prefer) religiously every 2-3 hours when out in the sun – that’s a great start already. Chances are that you’ve prepped your skin’s defences well against sun damage.
However, if sunscreen alone isn’t cutting it for you in this heat wave that’s gripping the country, there is, in fact, an ingredient that can boost your sunscreen’s efficacy and provide even more protection from sun damage. Below, we reveal how the multitasking vitamin C can help your sunscreen work even harder, while also delivering even-toned radiance.
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A summer staple
You’ve probably already read about vitamin C’s benefits for skin— a powerful antioxidant that keeps your skin looking healthy, radiant, and youthful. This active ingredient can impart a glow to your face all year round but can prove to be extra beneficial during the summer when your skin is prone to dullness and dark spots. If you struggle with dark spots, uneven skin tone, or general dullness, a 10-15% vitamin C for skin should be able to help. Apply it as part of your AM skincare routine on a freshly cleansed face. Follow up with a moisturiser and, most importantly, sunscreen.
Better together
Essentially, sunscreen and vitamin C are both skincare products that boost each other’s efficacy. Here’s how:
Enhanced sun protection:
Sun damage can create free radicals in your skin. These are basically unbalanced oxygen particles that then latch onto your skin cells to get stabilised. This causes a chain of reactions that leads to skin damage, resulting in visible signs of ageing. Vitamin C, being a potent antioxidant, stabilises these free radicals and prevents them from attacking your skin cells, thus preventing sun damage.
Reduced overall sun damage:
Sun damage can cause wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of ageing. Vitamin C can help reduce the appearance of these signs by promoting collagen production, which can help to repair and restore the skin.
Brighter, more even skin tone:
Vitamin C can also help to brighten the skin and improve its overall tone and texture. It can help to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation, giving the skin a more youthful, radiant look.
Overall, a vitamin C and sunscreen combination is just like any other power couple— they’re both great on their own but better together
How to combine vitamin C and SPF in your skincare routine
There are multiple ways to combine sunscreen with vitamin C. The simplest one is to choose a vitamin C sunscreen for the face. This works especially well if you’re always in a rush and have no time for multi-step routines. As for picking out the best sunscreen with vitamin C? Just choose a format that works for your skin type (matte gels for oily and crème formulations for dry skin), and you should be good to go. And you’ve already figured out your perfect sunscreen, you can simply layer a vitamin C serum or moisturiser below your sunscreen to maximise efficacy.
FYI, not all vitamin C serums are compatible with sunscreen, so be sure to choose one that is formulated to work well with sunscreen. If you’re confused about what to pick, just pop into your dermatologist’s office for a quick recommendation or two.
