Using Vitamin C with sunscreen: Is it for my everyday skincare routine?

There are many components in sunscreen that provide their aided benefits to our skin. One such component and the least explored is - Vitamin C. Our very own citrusy and tangy vitamin that works wonders on our skin in the right quantities. 
Using Vitamin C with sunscreen: Is it for my everyday skincare routine?
Be it your daily skincare routine or your essentials-only travel kit, sunscreen with a good SPF is a must! It is an individual’s best friend and protects your skin from sunspots, wrinkles and premature ageing exposure in most cases. But it is not just sunscreen that works, it's a charm on your skin.

There are many components in sunscreen that provide their aided benefits to our skin. One such component and the least explored is - Vitamin C. Our very own citrusy and tangy vitamin that works wonders on our skin in the right quantities. Especially when it is combined with a lifesaver, like a sunscreen lotion. Applying sunscreen regularly is your best bet against photo-ageing and skin cancer. Slather it up, gals!

Let us have a look at the benefits of using Vitamin C daily:

  • Vitamin C has the essential antioxidants that fight against the free radicals which would have otherwise attacked healthy skin cells. UVA rays cause damage to elastin, collagen and other sensitive dermal structures & UVB rays can make your skin burn and cause skin cancer.
  • Vitamin C does not stop the entry of rays into the skin. However, it does slow down the oxidation process and the subsequent damage that it would cause to the skin.
  • Vitamin C is also good for reducing skin pigmentation and fighting against fine lines. It also boosts the development of collagen in the skin cells.
  • Certain pollutants can attack the DNA and contribute to their damage too. Vitamin C is an active antioxidant that fights against such pollutants too.
  • Vitamin C applied after cleansing helps in dealing with pigmentation caused by the sun. Make sure that your hydration game is on point. 

  • Is it safe to use Vitamin C with Sunscreen?
    • Vitamin C in skincare, like serum or gel, might take some time to get used to. Plus, Vitamin C is highly unstable by itself without preservatives as it tends to oxidise. Upon initial interaction, Vitamin C can cause a little redness. However, only a few companies have ever attempted to create a Vitamin C Sunscreen due to the volatility of both products. SkinQ is India’s first skincare brand to achieve that with a stable Vitamin C Sunscreen formulated by Celebrity Cosmetic Dermatologist Dr. Chytra Anand.
    • Vitamin C can affect the pH balance of the face, as it is ascorbic acid (purest form). Using it with a balancing sunscreen gel certainly helps. 
    • Apply Vitamin C based sunscreen as many times as you want. But the best application results are in the morning before stepping out, and re-layering every 3 to 4 hours until sunset.
    • Find the right concentration for your skin: Vitamin C ranges from 5% to 30%, so if your skin is sensitive and gets irritated easily, then 5% might be the best option for you. Opting for a concentration of higher than 20% is not required. Slowly build your tolerance to Vitamin C and make it a part of your self-care routine.
    Note: Store your Vitamin C based products away from the sunlight. Use air-tight, opaque containers for storing the serum or gel.

    As you must have figured, Vitamin C is quite safe to use with sunscreen, if correctly formulated and stabilised. However, make sure that you apply sunscreen after using Vitamin C serum or moisturiser on your skin. 

    Using a sunscreen that has Vitamin C is a step in the right direction towards upping your skincare game.

    Using Vitamin C with sunscreen: Is it for my everyday skincare routine?

    Quick tips about Vitamin C sunscreen application daily:
    • Make sure that the sunscreen does not cause dryness, irritation or redness of the skin.
    • A product with high ascorbic acid (pure Vitamin C) might cause skin irritation, as it has a lower pH. Your skin lies between pH5 and pH6. Make sure you hydrate and moisturize enough to maintain the balance.
    • Apply your vitamin C with SPF 30 or higher sunscreen for the desired effect.
    One must either use a sunscreen with Vitamin C or apply Vitamin C and follow it up with a good sunscreen next. For Indian skin tones, it is suggested to use a sunscreen with minimum SPF 40 protection.

    Have you tried India’s First Vitamin C Sunscreen? SkinQ's 2-in-1 Sun Protect Gel comes with Vitamin C and SPF 40 for better protection, formulated by Celebrity Cosmetic Dermatologist Dr. Chytra Anand. This non-sticky and lightweight sunscreen feels great on Indian skin tones as it does not leave a whitish stain/patch post-application. 

    We recommend this sunscreen to help protect your sensitive skin from suntan, UV rays, fine lines and free radical damage. Make sure that you protect your exposed skin from sun-damage by layering up with Sun Protect Gel, everyday. To order or find out more about Sun Protect Gel, click here.

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