Posted by Love Medical Spa on Oct 7 2022, 07:29 PM
Vitamin C and sunscreen are often used separately to protect your skin from sun damage. However, these two ingredients together form a powerful combination that provides a multitude of benefits. Here's what you need to know about this power couple.
Vitamin C is also called ascorbic acid and has many benefits for the body. This naturally occurring antioxidant helps the body form and maintain connective tissues, protects the immune system, and helps lower inflammation. But did you know that it can also help your skin look its best, too?
Studies have shown that when vitamin C is applied to the skin or taken orally, it can help with collagen production, which causes younger-looking skin. Additionally, topical application of vitamin C can help the skin repair itself after damage from the sun's UV rays. The antioxidant properties of this vitamin can also help protect the skin from sun damage—but it's important to remember that the protection that it provides only works as long as it is applied regularly. And while it can be found in many skincare products, it can also be taken as a supplement, which may also improve the health of your hair, nails, and skin!
Antioxidants are naturally occurring substances found in our bodies that help protect cells from damage and promote the overall health of our body. Because of their ability to neutralize free radicals, antioxidants can benefit the skin by helping prevent skin damage that causes fine lines and wrinkles. They also help promote collagen synthesis and prevent tissue damage that can lead to skin cancers. Using a topical antioxidant serum or moisturizer can help protect the skin against sun damage and help the skin recover after sun exposure. Free radicals damaged during sun exposure are another reason why wrinkles form, but vitamin C helps the body regenerate new skin cells faster to help reduce the appearance of fine lines on the face.
Vitamin C is a superstar antioxidant in skin care, but what is it exactly, and why is it so beneficial to the skin? As an antioxidant, vitamin C fights the free radicals that can damage skin cells and lead to signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, and more. This powerful vitamin also improves collagen production in the skin, which can reduce the appearance of acne scars and boost elasticity to fight off fine lines and wrinkles. The effects of vitamin C on the skin are so powerful that it's often found in anti-aging skincare products. As a bonus, this powerhouse vitamin also helps boost the body's natural defenses against the harmful effects of the sun.
When using a vitamin C-based serum, it's important to wear an SPF of at least 30 to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun while treating it with vitamin C. By applying the serum in the morning before being exposed to the sun; you can protect your skin and help prevent further damage. It's also essential to reapply your sunscreen every two hours while outdoors to prevent burning.
We recommend applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher that contains zinc oxide to protect the skin against both UVA and UVB rays. Zinc oxide is a natural mineral compound that provides a physical barrier to sunlight instead of chemicals that can irritate the skin. It's important to choose a sunscreen that has both UVA and UVB protection since both are known to cause skin cancers as well as signs of aging. Look for "broad-spectrum" on your sunscreen label to make sure you're getting the full benefits of your sunscreen.
There are two main ingredients in sunscreen that work together to protect your skin from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. First, the active ingredients absorb UV radiation and convert it to heat energy before it penetrates through to the deeper layers of your skin. These ingredients include p-methoxycinnamate or oxybenzone. Octinoxate is another common active ingredient that absorbs UV rays while acting as an antioxidant and reducing inflammation from UV exposure.
Second, the ingredients in sunscreen help reflect UV light away from the skin by scattering it. Titanium dioxide is a mineral ingredient that is commonly used in physical sunscreens. Zinc oxide is another common mineral ingredient in chemical sunscreens that is sensitive to light, so it is usually combined with other chemicals to help stabilize it and prevent it from degrading in the sun.
The combination of absorbing harmful UV rays and reflecting them away from your skin is what makes sunscreen such an effective sun protection product!
To learn more about the benefits of Vitamin C and sunscreen, visit our office, Love Medical Spa, at 2250 NW Flanders St., Portland, OR 97210. You can also reach us at (971) 500-9009 and schedule an appointment.
