Sun-drenched beaches and warm climates attract many travel lovers every year, but however much we enjoy this type of environment, unfortunately, the sun is not always so good for our skin.

Whilst it’s true we need some natural sunlight on our bare skin for health reasons such as helping our bodies create enough vitamin D, too much basking in the sun can have a negative impact on our skin causing sun damage and accelerating the ageing process.

It’s always important to wear a high SPF sunscreen for prolonged exposure to the suns harmful rays to protect our skin, as well as sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat, but what sun exposure aftercare can we do to soothe our skin and prevent any potential sun damage and ageing?

If you’re looking for a way to help protect your skin from radical damage then read on. I was kindly sent the Obagi Medical Professional-C Serum 10% to review and explore how it can help protect the skin of those seeking the sunniest travel spots.

Read on for my Obagi Professional-C Serum 10% review and why vitamin C can protect your skin damage caused by sun exposure.

Skinstation kindly sent me this Obagi Professional-C Serum 10% for the purpose of this review.

What is a vitamin C serum?

Vitamin C Serum is one of the most potent ingredients for skincare. It is a powerful anti-ageing product that helps to reduce the signs of ageing and also helps in promoting collagen production.

Vitamin C serum has natural antioxidant properties which help to protect skin from free radicals and environmental damage which can cause signs of ageing. It also provides complexion with an even tone and fresh glow.

Choosing the best vitamin C serum is not an easy task. There are many products out there, including serums that are just not good for your skin type. It can be quite confusing to figure out which one will work best for you. The Obagi Professional-C Serum 10% is a high-quality product and is often recommended.

How free radicals from sun exposure causes ageing and why vitamin C serum can help

The more free radicals we produce the more our skin breaks down and wrinkles. Sun exposure is our main exposure to UVA and UVB radiation which causes the production of free radicals. This means that we must protect our skin from UV exposure or else we will inevitably start breaking down collagen and producing more free radicals.

Free radicals break down collagen and elastin in our skin and interfere with the natural regeneration of these molecules, causing skin ageing such as wrinkles. Without powerful antioxidants such as vitamin C, free radicals would break down our skin’s collagen, which is the connective tissue that holds together our entire body.

Vitamin C serum helps to protect our body from free radicals that can cause signs of ageing like wrinkles and age spots. There are studies proving how vitamin C can help further protect our skin from photodamage.

However not all serums are made the same and you must find a high-quality serum that won’t irritate your skin such as Obagi Professional-C Serum 10% which is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

How does vitamin C work to protect skin from sun damage?

Vitamin C serum works on a cellular level to protect skin from the ageing effects of free radicals. The antioxidants play a role in healing skin and repairing collagen, which reduces wrinkles and age spots.

When using it specifically to aid the skin from sun damage, do not apply it bare on your skin before entering the sun. It does not act as an SPF, so you still need to apply a high SPF to protect your skin in direct exposure to sunlight. However, you can use vitamin C serum before applying SPF and after sun exposure to soothe the skin and let the antioxidants get to work. It should not be applied as sunscreen itself.

Teaming Obagi Professional-C Serum 10% with your favourite SPF can be a winning combination when it comes to sun protection. I’ll let Obaji explain:

“In a 2013 study is was found that “sunscreens block only 55% of the free radicals produced by UV exposure” when under strict lab conditions it was shown that applying a 10% vitamin C serum reduced UVB-induced redness by 52%, as well as reducing sunburn cell formation by 40-60%. So, forget Love Island, the perfect couple this summer is vitamin C and SPF!

Apply a light layer of the Obagi Professional-C Serum 10% to your skin prior to applying your SPF as part of your morning routine. Allow this potent antioxidant serum to absorb before continuing with your skincare routine. Not only will this serum naturally boost your sunscreen, it will also brighten your complexion and help to create a more even tone by reducing the appearance of broken capillaries and mild pigmentation.”

How do I apply vitamin C serum?

The Obagi Professional-C Serum 10% I received for this review came with a dropper application. I simply add a few drops to my fingertips and gently apply them to my skin in circular motions. Obviously, I ensure I have a clean face and hands before applying. I have been using this both night and day.

You can easily apply vitamin C serum to clean skin every morning before applying moisturiser, SPF and make-up. Then again in the evening before bed, to a clean face.

Obagi Professional-C Serum 10% review

I have been applying Obagi Professional-C Serum 10% for several days now, morning and night, and whilst the season is turning to winter and I am currently not travelling and sun-drenched, I can still see many benefits from this serum for regular skincare routines. 

My skin has looked noticeably glowing, felt smoother and soft to touch, all-in-all making my skin feel fresher and younger. I can’t wait to see the effects after prolonged use.

Whilst this product is great for protecting against free radical damage, it will also benefit your skin all year round, helping to keep skin pumped full of antioxidants to protect from all sorts of environmental damage throughout the year.

Here are some of the benefits of the Obagi Professional-C Serum 10%:

• Obagi Professional-C Serum 10% is a potent serum that can help you reduce the appearance of wrinkles, lines and age spots. It increases collagen production, which in turn helps to keep the skin looking youthful.
• Obagi Professional-C Serum 10% has been clinically tested and approved, so you can trust it is a genuine high-quality product.
• It’s a gentle serum and suitable for all skin types, even those with sensitive skin.
• The serum has been formulated with L-ascorbic acid which is the purest and most potent form of vitamin C to ensure it is effective.
• It’s a fast-absorbing product that does not leave skin greasy. The molecules of the serum are small enough to be quickly absorbed and penetrate the skin effectively.
• You need only apply a small amount for effective results.
• It’s vegan-friendly.

If I were to have one criticism of the product, it would be the price. It is around £60 to £70 for a bottle, however, you only need to apply a few drops per day so it will last a very long time. And, when it comes to beauty and your face, you get what you pay for. Compared to some serums, and with their efficacy which has been proven in clinical trials, it’s actually a reasonable price with other comparable serums costing closer to £100! If you want to make it last longer, then you could choose to apply it once per day.  Once each day is better than nothing, or even a few times a week!

You can find the Obagi Professional-C Serum 10% featured in this review at the Skinstation website. The serum is also available at Pure Obagi for European customers.

Conclusion

Obagi Professional-C Serum 10% is a powerful anti-ageing product that actually works. Start using a vitamin C serum today to supercharge your aftersun skincare and get clear, glowing skin!