The One That Keeps Your Skin From Acting Like a 3-Day-Old Pear

We all know the basics — cleanse, moisturize, sunscreen. And for many people, that’s where the routine stops. Simple, consistent, and easy to stick with.

But over time, skin is still exposed to more than just what we see on the surface.

If you’ve ever cut a pear and left it on the counter for a few days, you’ve seen what happens — it slowly turns brown and dull. That process is oxidation, and your skin goes through something very similar, just much more gradually.

There is one step people often skip because it feels like “extra”… until they start using it. That’s usually where Vitamin C comes in. It’s not always the first product someone adds, but it’s often the one they end up keeping.

From a Patient Perspective

People don’t stick with something in their routine unless it’s doing something they can actually see, and that’s why Vitamin C tends to earn its place. Over time, patients start to notice small but meaningful changes. Skin looks a little brighter. Texture feels smoother. Tone looks more even. Skin just looks… healthier.

It’s not dramatic overnight, and it’s not meant to be. It’s the kind of gradual improvement that makes you catch your reflection and think something looks better. That’s usually what makes it worth the extra step in the morning.

From a Dermatology Perspective

What’s happening underneath the surface is just as important — and often more impactful over time. Vitamin C is what we call an antioxidant. That means it helps protect your skin from something called free radicals.

Free radicals are unstable molecules created by everyday exposures — sunlight, pollution, and even normal processes in your body. They interact with your skin constantly, and over time, they contribute to the changes we associate with aging.

Let’s go back to that pear for a second. When it sits out, it doesn’t change all at once — it slowly darkens, softens, and loses that fresh look. That’s oxidation at work. Your skin experiences a similar kind of change, just much more gradually. Over time, that quiet damage starts to show.

Free radicals contribute to collagen breakdown, uneven pigment, dullness, and the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin C helps interrupt that process by neutralizing those unstable molecules before they can cause as much damage. It helps slow down that “pear on the counter” effect happening in your skin every day.

Why Vitamin C and Sunscreen Work Together

Sunscreen protects your skin by blocking and absorbing UV rays. Vitamin C works differently. It helps manage the damage that still happens from environmental exposure — including UV that gets through, as well as pollution and other stressors.

That’s why the combination matters. Sunscreen protects your skin. Vitamin C supports that protection. Together, they create a more complete approach to keeping skin healthy over time.

The Simple Routine

If you’ve been thinking about adding Vitamin C, not all products are created the same. Knowing the right ingredients is a good starting point, but many products on the shelf don’t have the strength or delivery systems needed to reach the right depth in the skin to actually make a difference. The wrong Vitamin C can do very little to provide the kind of protection dermatologists are recommending.

In our office, we carry three medical-grade Vitamin C options designed to deliver results where it matters.  Advanced Regenerative Serum is the star of our new Ourself  product line and is packed with stabilized Vitamin C and other important ingredients for your skin, like Niacinamide.  SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is a true serum — it feels more like a treatment than a typical product and is well known for its ability to provide advanced antioxidant protection. For those who prefer a more lotion-like feel, SkinBetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum is a next-generation antioxidant powered by proprietary technology designed to provide comprehensive protection and help repair visible signs of aging caused by environmental and internal oxidative stress.

If you’re not sure where to start, we’re happy to guide you to the option that fits your skin and your routine.

Sunscreen protects your skin. The right Vitamin C protects your sunscreen.