Enjoyed a day out? Sunny, fun, laughter-filled day with family and friends. It’s been so good, but your skin feels a little tight and on glancing in the mirror you notice some redness. Oh dear, you think, did I get too much sun? Vitamin C for After-Sun Skin Care…
You wore a hat – most of the day and applied sunscreen in the morning – it’s so annoying when that is not enough.
So, what to do about it now?
Liberally lather your Vitamin C serum over all affected areas as soon as you can, followed by your best (non-nasty) moisturiser and repeat a few hours later. Keep doing this until the redness and tightness has abated.
Spray your face often during the following days with a Hydrating Mist.
Drink lots of water and avoid using your Vitamin A for a day or two.
Some Facts About Vitamin C Skin Care Products
- It doesn’t matter how much we eat of it, only a small amount will reach our skin. Oral vitamin C has an inadequate gut/skin transport system and as the body cannot make its own, we do need to eat it, but this also means that
we MUST apply it topically in the form of a serum to our skin – if we want it working in our skin. Vitamin C for After-Sun Skin Care is very important. - The body doesn’t store Vitamin C very effectively either, which means every day we do need to both eat more and apply it topically onto our skin.
- Once in the skin, Vitamin C loses efficacy when exposed to UV. However, it also protects the skin from the ageing effects of UV exposure by neutralising free radicals and slowing the cascading effect of their formation.
- Vitamin C does not absorb UV light and it is equally effective against both UVB and UVA in the skin.
- UVA changes and destroys skin cells, including collagen, elastin and other structures in the dermis. Therefore, it causes ageing and possible melanoma formation.
- UVB causes you to turn red and be sunburnt, creates free radicals and possible skin cancers.
- It has been shown that when Vitamin C is added to a sunscreen or maybe applied directly prior to, there is reduced sunburn and, therefore, reduced ageing effect in the skin.
- Vitamin C skincare is water-soluble and so, finds it very difficult to penetrate the skin. It is also quite unstable and loses its “goodness” very quickly when exposed to air and light. To overcome these problems, Vitamin C serums need to be either in dark bottles or in a crystalline form.
- Manufacturers formulate it in various ways to help it be more stable and to improve its ability to penetrate the skin. What you should read on packaging are words such as: L-ascorbic acid, esterified Vitamin C, ascorbyl-6-palmitate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate. Although there are more, these ones should all be stable for you as well as able to penetrate, so smile if they are in your cupboard, but also check that there are no SLS’s, parabens or other nasties. That way you know you have a perfect product!
- The % of Vitamin C is not so important; it is more relevant that you apply it to your skin at least once a day. Differing % of Vitamin C actually work differently in your skin, so you benefit either way.
- By combining a Vitamin C serum with Vitamin E, zinc and other plant-based antioxidants, such as ferulic acid, its efficacy can be increased by up to 20 times.
we MUST apply it topically in the form of a serum to our skin – if we want it working in our skin. Vitamin C for After-Sun Skin Care is very important.
The Action of Vitamin C in Your Skin:
- Repairs the redness from too-long exposure to the sun
- Slows sun-burn cell formation whilst in the sun
- Slows the formation of pigment (brown spots) by inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase
- Stimulates collagen and elastin production – slows wrinkle formation
- Fights free radicals – damaged cells and is, therefore, anti-ageing skin
- Gives a brightening effect to the skin
- Decreases cellular inflammation – helps fight photo-ageing (sun damage)
It is easy to see the importance of Vitamin C for After-Sun Skin Care and it’s essential part of your skin care regime. Not just so you look great, but so your skin is healthier! A healthier, thicker skin that shows fewer capillaries is smoother, more even-toned and simply feels and looks younger. Generally, it is recommended that your Vitamin C serum is applied every morning.
Best Vitamin C Skincare Products for After-Sun:
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- CosMedix Pure C Mixing Crystals mixed with CosMedix Benefit Balance – brilliant combination for all ages and skin types as your skin receives a high dose of Vitamin C, plus a hydration mist full of restoring antioxidants. However, Pure C can actually be added to any antioxidant serum or cream. It’s an easy way to provide added Vitamin C to your skin.
- Osmosis MD Replenish – all skins, except the most reactive.
- Aspect Dr Active C Serum – all skins, though best for 20-30’s & Redless – dryer skins, all ages
- CosMedix Affirm – normal ageing, generally 35 years plus
- CosMedix Elite Pepoxide (formerly Results Rx) – normal ageing, generally over 45 years
Still not sure?
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I really enjoyed reading this! The importance of Vitamin C in after-sun skincare is so well-explained here. It’s incredible to learn how this powerhouse ingredient helps repair and protect the skin from sun damage. Thank you for the helpful tips and product recommendations—I’ll definitely be adding Vitamin C to my after-sun routine!