Shield and Strengthen: The Ultimate Guide to Antioxidants and Daily Sun Protection

If there’s one universal truth in skincare, it’s this: protection is everything. No matter how advanced your serums or moisturisers are, their effects mean little without daily defense against UV rays, pollution, and oxidative stress.

At Pt78 Skin and Body, we view sun protection and antioxidant care as the foundation of healthy, youthful skin. Together, they form the perfect partnership—one prevents future damage, while the other repairs and strengthens your skin from within.

Today, we’ll explore how antioxidants like Vitamin C and broad-spectrum sunscreens like SPF 50 work together to fight environmental ageing and keep your complexion radiant, resilient, and protected every single day.

Why Protection Comes First in Every Routine

Every day, your skin faces invisible stressors—from UV rays to air pollution and blue light exposure. These aggressors trigger the formation of free radicals, unstable molecules that damage collagen, DNA, and lipids within the skin.

The result? Premature wrinkles, uneven tone, and a loss of firmness.

Antioxidants such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Ferulic Acid neutralise these free radicals before they can do harm, while SPF provides a physical and chemical barrier against UV radiation.

The most effective skincare routines combine both—antioxidants in the morning to disarm free radicals, and sunscreen to prevent further formation throughout the day.

The Power of Vitamin C

Vitamin C is the cornerstone of antioxidant skincare, known for brightening, firming, and protecting the skin. It stimulates collagen synthesis and inhibits melanin production, reducing the appearance of pigmentation and dullness over time.

At Pt78 Skin and Body, two standout formulas represent the best of both natural and clinical innovation: the Pt78 Highlight C 15% Vitamin C Serum and SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic.

Pt78 Highlight C 15% Vitamin C Serum

This vegan-friendly serum is crafted with 15% L-ascorbic acid, the purest and most active form of Vitamin C, blended with native Australian botanicals like Kakadu Plum—the world’s richest natural source of Vitamin C.

Key actives include:

• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Brightens and refines texture.

• Panthenol (Vitamin B5): Soothes and hydrates.

• Hyaluronic Acid: Maintains plumpness and hydration balance.

The lightweight texture absorbs quickly, leaving skin immediately radiant and silky smooth. Ideal for all skin types, it provides potent antioxidant defense with a clean, cruelty-free formulation.

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

A global icon in antioxidant skincare, SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic combines 15% L-ascorbic acid, 1% Vitamin E, and 0.5% Ferulic Acid—a trio clinically proven to enhance each other’s stability and performance.

This powerhouse formula delivers eight times the skin’s natural protection against photoaging and oxidative stress, visibly improving fine lines, firmness, and tone. It’s particularly effective for normal to dry skin, offering both immediate radiance and long-term strengthening.

The SPF Connection: Preventing Damage Before It Starts

While antioxidants repair damage, sunscreen prevents it from happening in the first place. UV radiation is responsible for up to 90% of visible ageing signs, including fine lines, pigmentation, and loss of elasticity.

The SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial Defense SPF 50 provides broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays using advanced filters like Mexoryl SX and XL.

It’s lightweight, non-comedogenic, and perfect for layering over antioxidant serums. Unlike many sunscreens, it’s designed for daily use under makeup, providing hydration without greasiness.

For those seeking a more minimalist option, Pt78 Moisture+ Hydrating Moisturiser offers barrier support that complements your SPF protection, ensuring your skin remains hydrated and resilient.

Combining Vitamin C and Sunscreen for Maximum Protection

Using Vitamin C and sunscreen together creates a synergistic effect—Vitamin C neutralises free radicals caused by UV exposure, while SPF blocks the rays that trigger those radicals in the first place.

Here’s how to combine them effectively in your morning routine:

1. Cleanse: Start with Pt78 Cream Cleanser or SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser to prepare your skin.

2. Apply Vitamin C: Use Pt78 Highlight C 15% Serum or SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic to shield against oxidative stress.

3. Moisturise: Lock in hydration with Pt78 Moisture+ or SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2.

4. Protect: Finish with SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial Defense SPF 50 for full-spectrum UV defense.

This four-step routine not only prevents premature ageing but also maintains an even, luminous complexion year-round.

For Oily or Sun-Exposed Skin: Try Phloretin CF

If your skin leans oily, or you spend a lot of time outdoors, SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF is a fantastic alternative to C E Ferulic.

It combines 10% L-ascorbic acid, 2% Phloretin, and 0.5% Ferulic Acid—a combination that penetrates more easily into oilier complexions while reducing discolouration and photo-damage. It also helps protect against infrared and pollution-induced ageing.

Pair it with SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF for antioxidant protection specifically formulated for oily and blemish-prone skin.

The Role of Antioxidants in Long-Term Skin Health

Antioxidants do more than brighten your complexion—they’re an investment in your skin’s long-term health. By preventing oxidative damage, they help maintain collagen integrity, reduce inflammation, and promote smoother texture and elasticity.

Regular use can even improve how your skin responds to UV exposure over time, meaning fewer fine lines and less pigmentation with age.

Whether you’re using Pt78 Highlight C for its natural purity or SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic for its clinically proven stability, you’re actively preserving your skin’s youthfulness every morning you apply them.

The Bottom Line

Antioxidants and SPF aren’t optional—they’re essential. Together, they form the ultimate defense system against environmental ageing, helping you maintain radiant, youthful skin for years to come.

Incorporate a potent Vitamin C serum and daily sunscreen into your morning routine, and you’ll see visible improvements in texture, brightness, and firmness—along with long-term protection that truly makes a difference.

Discover your ideal antioxidant and sunscreen combination at Pt78 Skin and Body, where science meets sustainability and every product is chosen to protect, repair, and enhance your skin’s natural vitality.