Vitamin C for the skin and sun: what do you need to know?

You may have read that vitamin C is incompatible with exposure to the sun and is photosensitising. In reality, vitamin C is not photosensitising. This misconception is based on the fact that some vitamin C products are irritating to the skin in the sun. As dermatologist Dr Agathe Aoun-Coussieu explains,

"ascorbic acid, which is usually found in most vitamin C serums, is very unstable and oxidises easily in an aqueous environment. What's more, it requires an acidic pH of less than 4 to be more stable, which can lead to poor skin tolerance and irritation".

So the application of skin care products with such an acidic pH is not recommended when exposed to the sun.

Our non-irritating Aroma-Zone vitamin C serum is safe to use in the sun.

Thanks to its powerful antioxidant action, vitamin C combats the oxidative stress and free radicals that lead to premature ageing of the skin and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also plays a photoprotective role during exposure to the sun. However, using a vitamin C skin care product does not mean that your skin is protected from UV rays!

When exposed to the sun, apply a suitable sun protection product with a high SPF (at least 30) and adapted to your phototype. Also check that the vitamin C products you use are compatible with sun exposure.

Our Aroma-Zone 10% Vitamin C And Astaxanthin Facial Serum Concentrate is formulated with ascorbyl glucoside, a more stable derivative of vitamin C which is much better tolerated by the skin. The pH of our serum is close to that of the skin, for a skin-friendly, non-irritating formula. It's safe to use in the sun and combats sun-related ageing by protecting the skin from sun-induced free radicals.

You can also safely use our Pure Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid active ingredient, mixed with one of our Neutral Face Creams or with the Hyaluronic Acid Serum, in the recommended doses.

Vitamin C serum

This highly concentrated face serum with 10% vitamin C is a real beauty elixir and radiance booster for the skin. A benchmark active ingredient for dull skin and a must-have in anti-ageing skincare, vitamin C stimulates collagen synthesis, fights the signs of photo-ageing, evens skin tone and reduces dark spots.

There are no real contraindications to using a vitamin C skin care product for your face, unless this is specified on the bottle of your product. It's up to you to monitor your skin's reactions, particularly if you have very sensitive skin, and to adjust the frequency of application of your skin care product.

Our vitamin C serum can be used by pregnant and breast-feeding women.

If you'd like to find out more, please read our Vitamin C for the skin: instructions for use.