Glow Definition
Vitamin C is one of the most glow-reinforcing antioxidants in skincare — known for supporting radiance, evening skin tone, and helping protect against free radicals caused by UV exposure, pollution, and daily stressors. It’s often featured in morning routines to visibly brighten and create a more even, luminous appearance over time.
Frequently paired with antioxidant allies like resveratrol and vitamin E, and alternated with niacinamide in sensitive skin routines, vitamin C works as a core defender in the fight against oxidative stress. Whether you’re layering it under SPF or using it to jumpstart your radiance routine, this powerhouse antioxidant plays a central role in skin’s visible glow support.
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Why It Matters
Vitamin C in skincare is more than a brightening step — it’s a foundational glow-builder. Its antioxidant properties help defend skin from free radicals triggered by pollution, UV exposure, and daily stress, offering essential support to maintain a more even, radiant complexion. Used consistently, it boosts visible luminosity, helps refine texture, and supports long-term skin clarity.
It also plays well with others. Vitamin C can amplify the benefits of SPF in the morning and is often layered before moisturizers or paired with ingredients like niacinamide or resveratrol in antioxidant-rich routines. For anyone building a well-rounded skincare ritual, vitamin C is one of the most researched, versatile, and glow-rewarding ingredients to include.
GLOW TIP Apply vitamin C serum on clean, dry skin in the morning — right before sunscreen — to maximize protection and glow payoff throughout the day.
Why We Love It For Glow
Vitamin C is the kind of glow-giver that earns a spot in nearly every routine. It brightens on contact, evens tone overtime, and helps defend skin against daily stressors — all while giving that subtle, lit-from-within look that doesn’t need a filter. What makes vitamin C especially powerful is how well it layers: with SPF by day or hydrating serums by night, it plays well with others and boosts the impact of your full routine.
For skin that looks energized, clear, and truly radiant, this antioxidant does more than pull its weight — it elevates everything around it.
Reach for La Roche-Posay Pure 12% Vitamin C Face Serum — a dermatologist-loved formula that delivers glow without the grit.
This pharmacy-grade serum blends pure 10% Vitamin C with salicylic acid and neurosensine to visibly smooth and brighten while calming the look of sensitivity. The velvety texture melts into skin without stickiness or pilling — ideal for layering under SPF or moisturizer in your morning glow ritual.
FAQ
Can I use vitamin C every day?
Yes — most skin types can benefit from daily use, especially in the morning. Start with a lower concentration if you’re new to actives, and always follow with sunscreen.
What is the best time to apply vitamin C in skincare?
Morning is ideal. Using vitamin C in your AM routine helps defend against daily stressors like pollution and UV exposure — making it a natural fit under SPF.
Can I mix vitamin C with other actives?
It depends on the formulation. While many modern products are designed to play well with others, avoid layering with high-strength exfoliants or retinoids unless your routine is well established.
Featured in our: Hydration From Within: 5 Internal Hydration Tips for Glowing Skin (Beyond Just Water) Our inside-out hydration guide spotlights vitamin C as a glow-supportive player. It’s not just about what you drink — pairing vitamin C with collagen helps support cellular hydration and lasting radiance from the inside.