Vitamin C: An Antioxidant Powerhouse

There’s a solid chance you’ve heard the word “antioxidant” floating around both in terms of skincare and the foods you eat. But what does antioxidant even mean?

Well, you know how rust can accumulate on metal? That’s a form of oxidation, and the same can occur at a micro-level on our skin via free radicals. Long story short, these pesky unpaired oxygen atoms attach to your skin and accelerate the deterioration of collagen, which leads to premature signs of aging. Specifically, they can cause sunspots, fine lines and wrinkles, and skin laxity. Vitamin C is an anti-oxidation hero that basically tells free radicals to get lost so your skin continues looking healthy for longer.

Sunscreen is another non-negotiable ingredient to keep in your beauty lineup, and with so many amazing formulations to choose from, there’s zero excuse to skip it. Especially when you think about the fact that it’s your number one defense against skin cancer – the most common cancer in the world.

“SPF protects your skin against continuous harm from UVA and UVB exposure, which can lead to the development of skin cancers and worsened aging of the skin with increased uneven pigmentation, wrinkles, and loss of skin elasticity,” notes Dr. Morgana Columbo, a board-certified dermatologist in Reston, Virginia. Like vitamin C, she says you should slather sunscreen daily and then reapply every two to four hours. Even on cloudy days and days spent inside, your skin is subjected to the ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun.

“I tell patients to apply a good [broad spectrum] sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection to face and neck daily and rest of body when exposed,” says Dr. Colombo. “A layer thick enough to cover your whole face and neck should be applied, which is about the size of a nickel or two fingertips. One ounce should cover the whole body.”

If there are two ingredients every single person should keep in their skincare regimen, it’s definitely vitamin C and SPF. Better yet, by pairing these two together, your skin gets an additional boost of antioxidant protection and UV protection. Consider this timeless duo extra insurance for healthy and radiant skin.