Thanks to its antioxidant and skin-tone-enhancing properties, vitamin C is often used to slow down premature skin aging. So does applying vitamin C make your skin more sensitive to the sun? What should you keep in mind when using vitamin C for skin care?

1. Effects of vitamin C on the skin

– Protects the skin from the harmful effects of sunlight: Vitamin C  is a powerful antioxidant that can protect the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. Thanks to that, this micronutrient helps improve the damage caused by exposure to sunlight, such as roughness, redness, peeling, etc.

– Prevents the production of skin pigment: Vitamin C can reduce the appearance of dark spots by preventing the production of pigment in the skin.

– Reduces wrinkles: Clinical studies have shown that vitamin C has the effect of improving wrinkles. Specifically, using vitamin C daily for at least three months helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles on the face and neck, improving the firmness and overall appearance of the skin.

– Increases collagen production: Over time, the amount of collagen in the body gradually decreases, causing the skin to become less firm, even sagging and sagging. Vitamin C helps promote collagen and elastin production, increases skin regeneration, helps skin become fuller and more elastic.

– Limits dry skin: Vitamin C helps skin retain water, thereby keeping skin smooth and supple, reducing sebum secretion.

Vitamin C has many wonderful benefits for the skin.

2. Does using vitamin C cause sunburn?

Many people think that using vitamin C will make the skin more susceptible to sunburn and tan faster.  On the contrary, this ingredient has strong antioxidant properties, helping to protect the skin from the effects of sunlight by neutralizing free radicals and reducing damage caused by UV rays.

It should be noted that vitamin C cannot replace sunscreen, and does not have the effect of shielding and completely protecting the skin from the harmful effects of sunlight. Therefore, when using vitamin C, it is still necessary to use sunscreen with the appropriate SPF to protect the skin comprehensively. Vitamin C will help optimize the effectiveness of sunscreen.

Vitamin C should be applied in the morning and evening for increased effectiveness.

3. Notes when using vitamin C for skin care

‏Like any other skin care product, vitamin C also needs time to be effective. Depending on the skin type and condition, the time for vitamin C to be effective can be fast or slow. You need to persistently use vitamin C for at least 4 weeks to feel the changes on your skin and note a few things after using vitamin C for skin care:

– For those who are just starting to use it, you should choose a product with a vitamin C concentration of 15%. When first used, vitamin C serum can cause dry skin, redness, peeling, even at low concentrations can cause this phenomenon, especially for people with sensitive skin. Therefore, it is necessary to combine it with moisturizer to add moisture to the skin. When the skin has adapted to the active ingredient, the vitamin C concentration can be increased to 25%.

– You should apply vitamin C in the morning and evening to increase effectiveness. In the morning, after washing your face and using toner, you can apply a thin layer of vitamin C serum, then apply moisturizer and sunscreen to optimize skin protection.

– Store vitamin C in a cool place, avoid exposure to sunlight. Tighten the lid, avoid exposing the product to air. If you notice that vitamin C has changed color to yellow-brown or dark brown, it means the product has been oxidized, do not use it on your face to avoid irritation.