Can Vitamin C Make You Sun Sensitive?

Vitamin C is not just a vital nutrient that supports and boosts your immune system. It is also great for your skin, assisting with wound healing, collagen synthesis, and neutralizing free radicals. It can help lighten dark spots and smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with consistent use.

With all the wonders that vitamin C can offer, it is no wonder why it is now used in many serums and anti-aging products. But is it true that it can make your skin more sensitive to the sun? Does this serum make you more vulnerable to sunburn and sun damage? Continue reading to find out the truth.

Your skin, sun, and vitamin C serum

It is just a myth that vitamin C can make you sensitive to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Unlike other active ingredients like retinol and hydroxy acids, it does not make you more prone to sun damage or cause your skin to burn faster. In fact, vitamin C is an antioxidant that can help protect the skin against UV damage.

Other benefits of vitamin C serum include:

• Helps reduce the look of wrinkles
• Reduces hyperpigmentation
• Evens skin tone and brightens your complexion
• Helps stimulate collagen production

Vitamin C serum, however, is not a substitute for SPF or sunscreen. After applying the product in the morning, be sure to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Layering vitamin C under an SPF offers further skin protection, as well as maximizes the skin’s effectiveness. 

Read our previous post to find out how to get the most out of your vitamin C serum.

Where did the misconception come from?

It is probably because the purest form of vitamin (L-ascorbic acid) is known to be very unstable. This means that when the product is exposed to the sun, the ingredient can oxidize and break down easily. This is also the reason why vitamin C is often used with other ingredients to help stabilize it.

Ferulic acid is one of the ingredients that can increase its stability and effectiveness. When added to vitamin C, it can discourage photoaging and help minimize sun damage. Another is vitamin E, which is also a powerful antioxidant. When used in combination with vitamin C, it provides additional effective skin protection benefits. 

Another reason for this misconception is that some forms of vitamin C like Tetrahexyldecyl (THD) Ascorbate are mistaken for alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). AHAs are known to increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun and increase sun damage and pigmentation. THD is actually a highly stable form of vitamin C. It doesn’t oxidize or break down rapidly once you use the bottle. 

Not all vitamin C serums are created equal

Vitamin C serum is a great addition to your skincare. It can anti-age your skin while helping lighten discoloration and moisturize the skin. But as with any other skincare product, not all vitamin C serums available on the market are created equal. 

Each product has different forms and concentrations of vitamin C, as well as the list of ingredients and type of bottle used to package the serum. All of these could affect the product’s efficacy. Below are a few things you might want to consider when looking for a vitamin C serum.

• When choosing a serum with L-ascorbic acid, go for those with vitamin E and ferulic acid.
• Certain vitamin C derivatives like Tetrahexyldecyl (THD) Ascorbate are good choices too.
• The serum should be packaged in a dark or tinted bottle.
• 10% to 20% is the ideal concentration

The vitamin C serum we recommend

Dr. Sylvia Skin Care’s Vitamin C 20% with Ferulic Acid features a combination of different antioxidant actives that interact with each other on a deeper level. This comprehensive antioxidant serum helps combat oxidative stress on multiple levels, as well as provides additional hydration and skin lightening benefits. 

Our serum also contains ferulic acid and vitamin E that can stabilize vitamin C and add additional skin benefits. Ferulic acid helps fight free radicals, while vitamin E helps protect the skin from age spots and scarring. Key benefits of our vitamin C serum include: 

• Offers unrivaled antioxidant benefits
• Has various antioxidant actives that work synergistically to enhance free radical fighting properties
• Hydrates and moisturizes the skin
• Provides hydration and lightening benefits

When to use and how to store vitamin C serum

For optimal results, it is recommended to use vitamin C serum daily. Apply after cleansing, but before your moisturizer and sunscreen. Morning application can help protect your skin from sun damage, but make sure to layer it under sunscreen.

You can also add vitamin C serum to your nighttime routine. This can help repair the skin further, as there are fewer products and environmental factors (such as UV exposure, pollution, and makeup) that it can clash with. This can help heal damaged skin by repairing it in a natural state. 

When it comes to storing it, choose a cool, dry, and dark place like your fridge. Direct heat and sunlight can cause the product to oxidize rapidly and affect its potency. When the serum’s color changes from clear or a bit yellowish to brown/orange or if you notice a rancid odor, it means that it has oxidized and is no longer effective. 

Check out our previous blog for tips on using your vitamin C serum right. 

For more skincare tips and product/treatment recommendations, browse through our blog today. Don’t hesitate to contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore today and schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctor if you have specific skin concerns that you want to treat or improve.