Vitamin C serums have become a popular skincare trend, with claims they can enhance sun protection. However, dermatologists warn they are no substitute for sunscreen.
Professor Rosalind Simpson, a dermatology expert at the University of Nottingham, explains that vitamin C does not block UVB or UVA radiation. Instead, it acts as an antioxidant, neutralising free radicals generated by UV exposure and pollution, which can damage collagen and lead to skin ageing.
A 1996 study found that vitamin C appeared to enhance protection against UVA-induced skin damage, but only when used alongside sunscreen. The researchers concluded that antioxidants may provide additional protection when combined with established sun-protection products.
“Nothing is a substitute for a good quality, broad-spectrum sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection and sensible habits when in the sunshine,” says Simpson. This includes wearing sunscreen, reapplying it regularly, and limiting direct sun exposure during the hottest parts of the day.
