Once you understand your skin’s alphabet, you’ll know that vitamin C has some major superpowers, and we’re not just talking about supplements. L-ascorbic acid (the scientific name for vitamin C) is a powerful ingredient for a variety of skin issues, right from offering antioxidant and anti-ageing effects to brightening and clarifying your skin.
Unlike vitamin C, SPF protects your skin from UV rays that can cause skin cancer, burns, sun spots, and pigmentation. Let’s dive right in and find out why you can’t replace sunscreen with a vitamin C serum!
To Replace Or Not To Replace, That Is The Question
Soak It In: Vitamin C Can’t Replace Your Sunscreen
To be honest, Vitamin C is not a substitute for sunscreen, despite its powerful antioxidant defence system. For example, studies show that after four applications and regular use, Vitamin C gives an SPF of 8. While this level of protection is beneficial, it is insufficient for sun protection.
SPF 30 or higher is necessary to fully shield yourself from the sun’s harmful rays, especially ultraviolet B rays. In addition, the sunscreen should be labelled “broad spectrum” protection to confirm that you are protected from both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B radiation (UVB).
To conclude: It’s crucial to remember that sunscreen should never be replaced by Vitamin C serum; rather, it should be added to the daily routine to provide additional protection against UV damage.
Apply Vitamin C Before Sunscreen To Get The Most Out Of Your Sunscreen
When chemical and physical sunscreens are combined with vitamin C, they provide benefits, as long as both forms of sunscreens have an SPF of at least 30. It’s also critical to opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen (effective against UVA and UVB rays).
Physical sunscreens, rather than chemical sunscreens, are recommended by most dermats because they contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, which effectively blocks the sun’s rays from reaching the skin. They act as a physical barrier, preventing rays from reaching the surface.
Cheers To The Dynamic Duo
Combining your Vitamin C serum with a sunscreen will not only protect your skin twice, but will also improve it with each application. It will assist in the reduction of fine lines, acne scars, and the production of sunburn cells. To put it another way, when you use both products together, their advantages multiply, and your skin glows like there’s no tomorrow. Isn’t that the ideal situation?
A note from dermatologists: It’s critical to layer skin care products properly to get the most out of them. Vitamin C should be applied before moisturiser or SPF, otherwise it won’t be absorbed and will be worthless.
Do not skip your sunscreen!
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