How Does Sunscreen with Vitamin C Protect Your Skin from Sun Damage?

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that has many benefits for your skin. Found in citruses like oranges, kakadu plum, kiwis and strawberries, and rich oils like buriti fruit and pumpkin seed, vitamin C can naturally protect your skin from environmental stressors. And, when paired with UV-blocking ingredients like non-nano zinc oxide in sunscreen formulations, it can also safely and effectively shield your skin from the sun.

But how exactly does sunscreen with vitamin C work in protecting your skin? In this article, we’ll explore how natural sun protection with vitamin C rich ingredients can help enhance the skin’s natural defenses against the elements and protect skin from the sun’s strong rays.

Does Vitamin C Protect Skin From Environmental Stressors?

Yes! Vitamin C rich ingredients have tons of antioxidants, which help enhance your skin’s natural defenses against the environmental stressors that age your skin. And when you pair vitamin C and sun protection in the form of a natural sunscreen with safer ingredients like non-nano zinc oxide (which blocks both UVA and UVB rays) and buriti fruit for an added boost of antioxidants, you get heavy UV protection while spending time outdoors under the sun.

How Does Vitamin C Protect Your Skin From Sun Damage and Environmental Stressors?

When you are exposed to pollution, dirt and other environmental stressors, it can stress out your skin. This type of exposure, oftentimes outside of our control, can contribute to premature aging and other common skin concerns. So, when you apply a sunscreen rich in vitamin C, you’ll not only block the sun’s UV rays and protect skin from overexposure to sun, but also shield the skin by fortifying the skin’s natural barrier against the elements due to vitamin C being a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C also brightens your complexion, fading away the look of dark spots for a more even tone and texture, as well as promoting a firmer, more resilient appearance in the skin. Expect to not only protect and nourish your skin, but also brighten and beautify it when you incorporate non-toxic, mineral-based sunscreens with vitamin C.

Sunscreens With Vitamin C for Sun Protection

While vitamin C products can support sun-kissed skin, it’s important to remember that they are not a substitute for sunscreen. A natural, non-toxic sunscreen is still the most effective way to protect your skin from aging and damaging UV rays.

Look for mineral-based sunscreens that have non-nano zinc oxide paired with vitamin C for sun protection. We’ve formulated our moisturizing Sun Love Everyday Sheer Sunscreen with non-nano zinc oxide and vitamin C rich buriti fruit and sea buckthorn, so you can enjoy the outdoors without having to worry about sun damage or harsh chemicals on your skin. It’s also reef-friendly

Can You Use Vitamin C With Sunscreen?

Yes, you can use vitamin C with sunscreen. In fact, vitamin C can help support the work of your sunscreen. There are many ways to incorporate these two types of products into your routine.

Either use a sunscreen already formulated with vitamin C for sun protection or apply your vitamin C serum or vitamin C boosted moisturizer first and then wait a few minutes before applying your natural sunscreen. This allows vitamin C to be absorbed into your skin before you finish off with your sunscreen for optimal, antioxidant sun protection.

Does Using Vitamin C Boost Your Sunscreen?

Vitamin C can support the work of your sunscreen due to its rich antioxidant quality and ability to strengthen the skin’s natural defense system. Again, it’s important to note that vitamin C alone cannot replace sunscreen. A non-toxic sunscreen is still the most effective way to protect the skin from UV rays.

Sunscreen With Vitamin C Benefits for Sun Protection

In addition to providing antioxidant protection, vitamin C boosts sunscreen’s effectiveness on your skin. Together, sunscreen with vitamin C provide a slew of benefits to help shield as well as support your skin when you’ve been exposed to the sun.

Natural sunscreen protects your skin from the damaging effects of UVA and UVB rays, and if you’ve been overexposed to the sun, vitamin C helps soothe and calm temporary redness on your skin. Using sunscreen with vitamin C can also be a powerful combination to help address skin concerns—like reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and fading the look of darkened spots and areas on your skin—that usually result from exposure to environmental stressors.

Further benefits of vitamin C used with sunscreen includes smoothing and evening out your skin tone and improving and brightening the overall look, tone and texture of your skin. The shielding and rejuvenating combination of sunscreen and vitamin C can protect, firm and tone your skin for a plump, bouncy look and feel.

If you are looking for other ways to expand your usage of vitamin C, learn how to incorporate niacinamide and vitamin C together in your daily routine for protecting your skin from environmental stressors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does vitamin C make your skin sensitive to the sun?

Vitamin C alone doesn’t make your skin more sensitive to the sun. In fact, it supports the work of your natural sunscreen. However, some individuals may be allergic to vitamin C or other ingredients in skin care products containing vitamin C, which can lead to sun sensitivity. Always patch test a small area of skin before applying sunscreens with vitamin C and sun protection properties or any vitamin C product to the entire face or body.

What vitamins cause sun sensitivity?

Vitamins themselves do not cause sun sensitivity. However, certain activated ingredients (like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or retinol alternatives) in your skin care routine and medications or supplements can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. You can learn more about how to use AHAs, BHAs and vitamin C together; however, it’s important to speak with your healthcare professional about your specific situation and your skin’s potential for sun sensitivity.

Does vitamin C serum protect against sun?

Vitamin C serums can provide antioxidant protection for your skin. But remember, vitamin C should not substitute sunscreen and be relied upon as the only form of protection. After applying your vitamin C serum, follow up with a facial oil. Then, use a safe and natural sunscreen with UV-blocking ingredients like non-nano zinc oxide for effective sun protection. 

Is vitamin C good for sunburn?

Vitamin C has been shown to help calm and soothe temporary redness in the skin. To minimize future risk of sunburn, wear daily SPF, along with a wide-brimmed hat, and apply your non-toxic, mineral-based sunscreen every 2 hours when you are out in the sun. Also, make sure you layer on appropriate clothing to cover large areas of skin. It is best to consult with your healthcare professional on how to address sunburn and seek medical attention if you are experiencing severe sunburn.