Use Vitamin C Serum, Sunscreen is Still Mandatory, Here's the Explanation from an Expert

Illustration of vitamin C serum and sunscreen. Experts say vitamin C can help protect the skin, but it does not replace sunscreen. Illustration made by AI.

Serum vitamin C can help protect the skin from sun damage. However, experts emphasize that this product is still not a substitute for sunscreen.

The Guardian, quoted Friday, July 31, reported that vitamin C works in a different way than sunscreen. Vitamin C does not block UVB, the rays that cause skin to burn and play a major role in the risk of skin cancer.

Vitamin C also does not filter UVA, the rays that are related to signs of aging on the skin.

Rosalind Simpson, professor of dermatology at the University of Nottingham, said vitamin C does not perform the two main functions of sunscreen. Even so, vitamin C is suspected of helping prevent sun damage in other ways.

"Antioxidants such as vitamin C have been a hot topic," Simpson said.

According to Simpson, many people are interested in using antioxidants because they want to improve the appearance of the skin. Antioxidants are believed to help neutralize free radicals that appear due to exposure to UV rays and pollution.

"Free radicals play a role in collagen damage and loss of skin firmness," he said.

Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells. In the skin, this damage can also affect collagen, a protein that helps keep the skin supple and firm.

Sunscreen works like a filter for UV rays. Meanwhile, antioxidants such as vitamin C are thought to provide additional protection by helping to resist the effects of free radicals.

UVA exposure can trigger free radicals in the skin. These free radicals can damage cells by disrupting their structure. Vitamin C is believed to help prevent this process.

However, the benefits do not stand alone. Vitamin C seems to only provide additional protection against skin damage from UVA if used with sunscreen.

A 1996 study examined the effectiveness of antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, with and without sunscreen. The study looked at protection against UV-induced skin damage.

As a result, vitamin C seems to increase protection against UVA-induced skin damage. But the effect is seen when vitamin C is used with sunscreen.

The researchers concluded that antioxidants can provide additional protection when combined with proven sun protection products.

Simpson emphasized that there is no product that can replace a good quality broad-spectrum sunscreen. Broad-spectrum means that sunscreen provides protection against UVA and UVB.

"Nothing can replace a good quality broad-spectrum sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection, as well as wise habits when in the sun," said Simpson.

Simpson advised staying in the sun, reapplying regularly, and limiting direct exposure to the sun at the hottest times.