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

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!

In This Article

    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. 
    Must Read: What SPF is best suited for Indian skin?

    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.
    Back to blog

    Leave a comment

    Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.