THE LAB REPORT™

The 1 Ingredient You Need This Summer

RAYYAN, BEAUTY EDITOR | JUNE 23, 2021

The roaring 2021 summer is upon us and as a result, we are finding ourselves out and about more often under the beautiful sunshine with long summer days. I’m sure many of us have already begun revamping our skincare routine to incorporate more sun protection and even hydration, and one thing is for sure: our skin needs care this summer. Instead of doing a complete overhaul to your vanity, let us keep things simple by focusing on maintaining your skincare goals with the official must-have ingredient… in addition to, of course, sunscreen – all day, every day. To protect and care for your skin while enduring added sun exposure and other lifestyle stressors, there’s truly one ingredient that should be the backbone of your routine for the next few months (and longer, potentially).

Vitamin C

The benefits of Vitamin C have been known for decades however more recently has that knowledge become commonplace for all beauty consumers. Generally, Vitamin C is touted as one of the best anti-aging ingredients because it can help promote collagen production, cell turnover, and also due to its antioxidant properties that help protect against free radical damage. One of these damaging free radicals is Blue Light, which comes from UV rays in the environment but also artificial light like our phone screens and laptops.

Protecting your skin (and eyes) from the sun is important all year, but even more prevalent during the summer days. Another effect of the summer season we often encounter is sun damage or irritation. This can look like sunspots, burns, or any other form of visible stress on the skin. Vitamin C is known for its ability to aid in reducing hyperpigmentation and discoloration from lifestyle and environmental aggressors. Medical experts suggest that this key ingredient can prevent melanin production as a result of distressed skin, ultimately leading to more radiant and ageless-looking skin. Other amazing benefits of this skincare addition are hydration, which is key in harsher weather, and irritation reduction which can be pivotal after a sunburn or sun exposure. If you implement Vitamin C in your lifestyle, topically or internally, there are also a plethora of health benefits including support to your immune system.

How to Incorporate

Today, you will find a multitude of skincare products on the market that include Vitamin C, both over the counter and through a dermatologist. If you are wanting to receive the best continuous results from this ingredient, you’ll want to incorporate it into your daily routine through a serum, treatment, or moisturizer – or all for maximum results. In a serum format, I prefer the Deep Wrinkle Protocol Age Reset Serum Intensive which contains microencapsulated time-release Vitamin C. What this allows for is the ideal suggested amount and perfectly timed distribution throughout the day with every use. Or, my favorite treatment step: the Divine Elixir Luminous Skin Facial Oil that contains the hero ingredients of Vitamin C and Manuka Honey. This facial oil works effortlessly to boost radiance and luminosity and these two ingredients together support and improve the skin’s microbiome – the protective layer of the skin from external stressors.

Other great products to incorporate with Vitamin C are:

Vitamin C can work wonders for the skin when used topically. However, due to its ability to accelerate cell turnover and essentially rejuvenate skin, some people may experience skin sensitivity with the use of Vitamin C. The best way to receive the benefits of this vitamin without leading to potential skin sensitivity is to make sure you are pairing it with adequate protection like sunscreen so that you can achieve the skincare goals you are striving for, along with throwing on that oh so on-trend wide brim straw hat. #hotgirlsummer

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