Monthly Archives: June 2025

Learning how to use vitamin C the right way is a worthy skincare endeavour. The expert-approved ingredient is the gold standard for brightening a dull complexion and fading sun spots (especially as the years go on) and it’s a natural collagen booster. In short, getting familiar with this powerhouse antioxidant is essential to any robust skincare strategy.

“Vitamin C is perhaps the most potent topical antioxidant we have,” says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD. “It neutralises free radical damage and protects the skin against UV light and other environmental aggressors, while blocking abnormal pigmentation to even tone and fade dark spots.” And while it’s best known for brightening, it can also help with skin firming, adds Los Angeles facialist Kate Somerville. “I’ve used vitamin C in my clinic for years to help with elasticity and to tighten the skin around the neck and décolletage,” she says.

Though it does come with a few side downsides (Michelle Henry, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, says that it can be irritating for those with sensitive skin or if you happen to be using a strong percentage of it, and you might experience redness, stinging or breakouts if you’re not careful), that shouldn’t deter you. It’s all about finding the best product for you and your skin. “Everyone can benefit from vitamin C,” says Shereene Idriss, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr Idriss Skincare. “It’s a staple in any skincare routine, no matter your age. You just need to find the right form for your skin type.”

Here, how best to utilise the hero ingredient for a brighter, smoother and plumper complexion.

Choose the right concentration

Identifying the right concentration for your skin type is essential to how effective your topical vitamin C will be, says New York City dermatologist Dr Patricia Wexler. “Begin with a low concentration of 10% and increase to 15% or 20% as tolerated,” she instructs. For oily or normal skin, L-ascorbic acid is the most potent form of vitamin C and can be the most beneficial, while for dry and sensitive skin, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, a water-soluble vitamin C, is less irritating.

Pay attention to pH

Absorption of vitamin C is largely contingent on its pH level. If you have normal skin, look for one with a low pH of approximately 3.5 for optimal absorption. If you have sensitive skin, you should use a formula with a pH of 5 to 6. “This is the skin’s natural pH and will not be as irritating,” says Wexler.

Go with a serum

Serums are the most common type of vitamin C product. They’re designed to deliver a high concentration of actives in simple, layerable form: they “keep that ingredient stable and enhance penetration through the outer skin layer,” says Zeichner. As far as complementary ingredients are concerned, Wexler believes vitamin C works best in combination with vitamin E, ferulic Acid, vitamin B and hyaluronic acid. “Vitamin C and E are both antioxidants and support each other,” she explains, adding that ferulic acid is another antioxidant which boosts and stabilises both vitamin C and vitamin E in fighting free radical damage and collagen production. That being said, sensitive skin types might benefit from mixing their serum into a moisturiser or opting for a vitamin C-infused moisturiser for gentler delivery.

Start slowly

Regardless of the sensitivity of your skin, a gradual testing of new ingredients is always advisable. “With any active, it’s important to start slowly when incorporating ingredients into your routine,” says Somerville. “I’ve seen some amazing results with clients who’ve added vitamin C into their regimen at three times a week and worked up to daily use.” To that end, don’t expect instant gratification. “It takes several weeks of continuous use to start to see improvement in skin tone,” says Zeichner, adding that because it’s a key ingredient for prevention, some of vitamin C’s benefits will be imperceptible.

Store it safely

Vitamin C serums come in two broad categories: Water-based and anhydrous (which means “without water”). The former is more unstable and light sensitive, and is typically held in opaque or amber-coloured bottles for that reason, while the latter tends to be more stable, even in the presence of sunlight. No matter what kind you opt for, ensuring your vitamin C is stabilised and kept airtight in a dark, cool space is essential. “If the colour becomes dark or cloudy it has already oxidised,” cautions Wexler, adding that the same is true if you detect a rancid odour. Packaging matters, too. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr Whitney Bowe, traditional droppers can speed up oxidation and cause the antioxidant to break down, so opt for airless pumps when possible.

Layer it under SPF

Unlike hydroxy acids or retinol, vitamin C does not make the skin more vulnerable to sunburn. The most potent forms of vitamin C itself, though, are vulnerable to light exposure, making broad-spectrum UVA/UVB coverage worn in conjunction with the ingredient a must. The good news is that, when layered underneath sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30, vitamin C protects the skin even further. “Think of it as a safety net to help neutralise free radical damage that can occur from UV light penetration despite our best protection efforts with sunscreen,” says Zeichner.

Brighten up your diet

While vitamin C is a topical powerhouse, it also works wonders within. “You can incorporate vitamin C into your diet to nourish your skin from the inside out,” says Bowe. “Citrus fruits (oranges, lemon, grapefruit) are a great source of vitamin C, but you can also reach for bell peppers and more.”

What step in your skincare routine do you apply vitamin C?

Dr Idriss says that this will depend on the type of vitamin C product you’re using. If you’re using a vitamin C serum, she says that you’ll want to use it right after cleansing your face. If you’re using a vitamin C moisturiser, she says it can double as your hydrator and treatment step.

For the trailer launch of her upcoming film Metro in Dino, Sara Ali Khan wore a sculpted white mini dress with dramatic detailing. The off-shoulder dress was designed by Australian fashion house Aje and featured a cinched waist with a flared hemline.

The highlight of the look is the three-dimensional floral embellishment that blooms along the neckline and across her upper arms. The oversized rosettes bring a romantic element to the otherwise structured dress.

Styled by Tanya Ghavri, the actor completed the look with matching white stilettos from London Rag India, diamond studs by Anayah Jewellery and a wristwatch with pink leather straps. Her hair was tied up in a low bun, with a few face-framing loose strands adding to the softness of the look. The makeup was minimal—dewy cheeks, smudged kajal and nude lips.

The actor has often been spotted in fresh, fairy tale-like outfits. She was recently seen in a similar baby blue mini dress by Elliatt. Instead of flowers, the visual centrepiece of the dress was a statement bow at the back.

Romantic red flags and dramatic betrayals get a lot of attention (rightfully so). But it’s often the everyday bad relationship habits that quietly drive couples apart.

Compared to the biggies like cheating, yelling or outright disrespect, more subtle patterns—in the way we communicate (or don’t), the assumptions we make, the emotional needs we ignore—tend to slip under the radar and get dismissed as annoying yet harmless quirks. But really, “what ends up happening is that resentment builds, and it builds and it builds,” says Janet Bayramyan, LCSW, a licensed psychotherapist at Road to Wellness in Los Angeles, which is why recognising these small but impactful behaviours (before they grow beyond repair) is so important.

Read below for the most common mistakes even the strongest couples make without realising, according to relationship experts—plus, easy fixes to keep your romance strong.

1. You hide behind humour to avoid deeper discussions

Whenever serious topics come up, you turn into Chandler Bing—cracking jokes or dropping sarcastic one-liners to lighten the mood. Whether it’s a talk about moving in together, money stuff or big feelings, you’d rather dodge it than face it head-on.

“Typically, I’ve seen this happen because one partner feels uncomfortable or incapable of having tough conversations and emotional intimacy, so they’ll use humour to deflect,” Bayramyan explains. The problem, though, is that this defence mechanism can leave your loved one feeling dismissed, as if you’re only interested in the fun, easy parts of a romantic relationship—and not willing to face the deeper, messier moments together.

What to do instead: You don’t have to pretend that opening up isn’t scary. “Be honest and let your partner know there’s a part of you that wants to deflect because you have a hard time with serious conversations,” Bayramyan says. For them, this can be the reassurance they need to know you’re not just brushing them off. And for you, this kind of confession is a necessary baby step toward being more vulnerable with your partner.

2. You swap date nights for takeout and TV in bed

Most long-term relationships aren’t as high-energy as they were in the beginning. As you settle in and get comfortable with each other, it’s normal—even kind of heartwarming—to fall into a softer, more familiar routine that might look something like dinner after work, an episode of your favourite show, some phone scrolling (or fooling around) before bed. Then repeat the next day.