For the longest time, sunscreen has been a staple in our beauty arsenal. We’ve been wearing sunscreen every season for years to protect our skin from sunburn and exposure to harmful UVA and UVB rays. But have we ever considered whether slathering all that sunscreen on our skin is healthy?
Many sunscreens on the market today are loaded with chemicals that can harm our skin in the long term and lead to significant skin problems. A healthy alternative is to pair your trusted sunscreen with vitamins (or look out for sunscreen formulated with vitamin C and E) that help prevent the sun’s harmful rays. Here are several vitamins that work in coordination with sunscreen to ensure your skin looks its best.
Here Are Some Of The Hero Ingredients That Work Best With Sunscreen
Power Couple: Vitamin C & Sunscreen
Enhance your sun protection by incorporating Vitamin C into your everyday sunscreen routine. Vitamin C has long been lauded for its anti-aging and skin-brightening properties, but research has revealed that it also acts as a sun-protectant. According to research, applying sunscreen in combination with L-ascorbic acid or Vitamin C protects the skin from further photodamage caused by ultraviolet rays. When an antioxidant, such as vitamin C, is applied to the skin, it combats oxidative stress, slows the ageing process, and further preserves the skin.
After-Sun Care: Vitamin E & Sunscreen
If you get tanned and burned easily and need something to help prevent sunburns, Vitamin E may be a solution. When applied to the skin after applying sunscreen, Vitamin E provides additional protection against acute UVB damage as well as protection against cell mutation caused by the sun and pollution exposure. It should be mentioned, however, that Vitamin E does not act as a sunscreen by itself.
Moreover, Vitamin E is an excellent after-sun treatment for sunburns. As an antioxidant, it will aid in the battle against free radicals created by UV radiation, eventually easing sunburns.
Dynamic Duo: Vitamin B3 & Sunscreen
Niacin, or Vitamin B3, is a vital component in the body. Its active form, niacinamide, is a key precursor to the molecules NADH and NADPH, which are the basic energy ‘currency’ units used within cells and drive metabolism.
While niacinamide has been shown to help minimise water loss from the skin on its own, it can also improve the efficiency of other moisturisers, making it an important ingredient along with moisturisers and sunscreens. UV radiation exposure can produce reactive oxygen species and free radicals, which are responsible for various types of skin damage. Niacinamide has antioxidant qualities that may assist to prevent the detrimental effects of UV-radiation, while the exact mechanism is still uncertain.
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Do not forget to apply your sunscreen along with these Vitamins!
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