Vitamin C is not desirable in summer: truth or myth?

The truth that most people overlook

Summer brings sunshine, the sea, and a lighter routine – but also one of the most common skincare dilemmas: should you remove vitamin C from your routine? If you have also heard that "vitamin C doesn't mix with sun," you aren't the only one. But the reality is a little different – and much more interesting.

Why is everyone suddenly doubting vitamin C?

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid and its derivatives) is known as a powerful antioxidant that:

• brightens the complexion,
• reduces hyperpigmentation,
• promotes collagen production,
• protects the skin from external influences.

Vitamin C is a potent active ingredient, but it does not cause photosensitivity in the sense of damaging the skin in the sun (unlike some acids). In fact – it acts quite the opposite.

Vitamin C + sun = better protection

Vitamin C neutralizes free radicals generated under the influence of UV radiation, increases the effectiveness of SPF protection, and reduces oxidative stress in the skin.

In other words – in summer, it is even desirable to use it.

But... the sun reduces the effect of vitamin C because it breaks it down. That is, vitamin C protects your skin by "absorbing" harmful substances (free radicals), but in the process, it gets used up itself and stops working.

Where do people usually go wrong in summer?

1. Overly strong formulas

High concentrations (15–20%) can irritate the skin. But if you tolerate the formula well during the rest of the year, there is no reason you shouldn't tolerate it well in summer too. New users should definitely do a patch test to see how their skin reacts to vitamin C.

2. Unstable products

Vitamin C easily oxidizes under the influence of heat and light – which is even more pronounced in summer, so vitamin C serums often darken and turn brown.

L’ADRIA Vitamin C Ritual is specifically designed to be resilient and stable. The only storage limitation is to keep it away from direct sunlight.

3. Skipping SPF

Vitamin C is not a substitute for sun protection. Without SPF, its effect is limited.

How to use vitamin C in summer (without risk)

If you want the benefits without the side effects, follow these guidelines:

• use it once a day and choose the time of day that suits you best, depending on what you want to achieve;
• use it in the morning if you want the best skin resistance to the sun. Applied in the morning, it will be present in a high concentration on the skin and will be able to neutralize the largest number of free radicals;
• use it at night if you want a better anti-aging effect, because vitamin C will have time to penetrate deeper into the skin, to the areas where it has an anti-aging effect, before it begins to break down significantly in the morning upon contact with light.

Additionally, when vitamin C penetrates deeper into the skin, if you protect yourself well with SPF in the morning, it creates a reservoir in the skin and remains active for about 3 days.

For this reason, L’ADRIA recommends evening use of their Vitamin C Ritual – simply to give it the opportunity to penetrate deeper and act more efficiently.

• combine it with SPF (mandatory);
• choose more stable and gentle formulas with plenty of soothing ingredients;
• listen to your skin – if it is sensitive, reduce the frequency of use.

A minimalist routine often yields the best results and includes: cleansing, hydration, vitamin C, and SPF.

When should you skip it after all?

There are situations when it is better to take a break:

• if the skin is irritated or sun-damaged;
• after intensive sun exposure;
• for very sensitive skin prone to redness.

In such cases, focus on hydration and restoring the skin barrier.

Conclusion: don't throw it out - adjust it

Vitamin C is not an enemy of summer. On the contrary, it can be one of your key allies for a healthy, even, and protected complexion. The point isn't "yes or no," but rather how and how much to use it.