If you’re anything like me you love a good beach day and soaking up the sun in the summertime. But, if you’re anything like me, then you also suffer from summer sun spots (no matter how much sunscreen you wear). Ugh.. they’re the WORST. I’m trying my hardest to fight summer sun damage and I’ve got one powerful skincare ingredient that’s got my back: Vitamin C.
Of course, you could always head to a medical spa or your dermatologist and pay the big bucks for procedures such as laser treatments, microdermabrasion, or chemical peels. I’m totally down for those procedures. But, sometimes you need more of an ongoing treatment and an at-home solution. Plus, that summer sunshine is still going strong and hopefully I’ll sneak a couple more beach days in this year. So, I’d personally rather save those bigger treatments for the end of summer and focus on at-home skincare for now.
Hyperpigmentation from Summer Sun Damage
If you’re lucky enough to not have dark spot problems from the sun, then you may not know what hyperpigmentation is. Lemme break it down for you…
Hyperpigmentation is what happens when your skin starts producing too much extra melanin (what gives skin it’s color). It can impact people of all different types of skin and it results in darker patches of skin. These spots can occur on different areas of the body, but, for me personally, the face is the most frustrating.
Hyperpigmentation can come from several different causes, but sun exposure is one of the most popular and is often referred to as “sun spots”.
Oh, and it seems to just get worse with age. When you get to be in your late twenties like me, gone are the golden days of no strange discoloration after a beach day.
Vitamin C vs. Hyperpigmentation
Luckily, Vitamin C can help to fight against sun spots and other hyperpigmentation issues.
Vitamin C is important both in your daily diet and in your skincare regime. One of the benefits of Vitamin C is that it blocks tyrosinase (an enzyme that forms melanin). Read more on that here.
For years, dermatologists and aestheticians have been touting the benefits of this rockstar skincare ingredient. And no, it doesn’t change your natural skin color. However, I will say from personal experience — you’ve got to be very, very consistent in use to see results. And, as always, make sure to protect your skin from further sun damage by slathering on the SPF daily. Seriously, not just on days that you’re laying out.
The Products I'm Using
Recently, I’ve been rotating three main serums and oils that have Vitamin C to fight off my dark spots. But, trust me — I’ll be booking a chemical peel soon, too!
My recommendations for sun damage fighting products:
- Biossance Squalane & Vitamin C Rose Oil – This one is a cult favorite. You might remember when I snagged this oil during the last Sephora Sale. I recommend not only because the packaging is beautiful (lol) but because the ingredients are fantastic for a variety of skin ailments. If you don’t believe me, believe the 600+ five star reviews on Sephora.
- Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum – I love how lightweight this one is and it won’t leave you feeling greasy at all. The Vitamin C is combined with hydroquinone, another key ingredient for sun spots, making it a knock-out product!
- From Plants Beauty OMG Serum – This product was gifted to me as a PR service, but I can honestly say that I’m really enjoying it so far! I love that it’s an all-natural serum and that the brand plants a tree for every product sold. Plus, there are tons of other active ingredients to fight other skin issues. (Use code BYJESS10 for $ off!)
Do you have another favorite? Let me know below! x
I might just need to go to the store and buy myself on right now! The sun is so harsh on our skin and I definitely need to start taking better care of it. Thanks for sharing!
It really is! It’s crazy to me to think about the days when I would lay out all day with little to no sunscreen. Now I coat it on my face before taking one step out the door haha
While I don’t have sun spots, I do have hyperpigmentation because that’s just the way my skin has always been. I’ll have to look into using these products and see if they can counter my natural hyperpigmentation. It would be a miracle to not suffer from this any longer!
Thank you so much for sharing this post, I’m really fair skinned and worry about damaging my skin in the sun. So I look forward to trying these products out!
Thanks so much for reading! I hope one of these products will be helpful for you! x
These are amazing! I would love to try some of these soon, thanks for sharing!
Vitamin C is amazing! I love it for hyperpigmentation too and I feel like it brightens my skin so much.
Ahhh I need to try this! I literally just ran out of my vitamin C, so I might need to try this!
Yesss!! I ALWAYS incorporate vitamin c in my skincare! I should try that Murad serum!
It’s such a good ingredient!! Definitely give that one a try — it’s a good one! x
I love products that have Vitamin C. I think they help so much!
I use vitamin c daily. It’s so important especially if I do have sun damage so my skin.
I’m all about anti-aging and sun protection!