Most people think sunscreen is a "put it on once in the morning" job. It's not. SPF sits on your skin as a physical and chemical shield — and that shield degrades. Sweat breaks it down. Humidity thins it out. Rubbing your face, touching your phone, wiping sweat with your sleeve — all of it wears the layer away hours before lunch.

By 1pm, most people are wearing a fraction of the protection they applied at 8am. And they have no idea.

Think of SPF as the shield and vitamin C as the repair crew working behind it.

Did you know?

SPF blocks UV rays, but it doesn't neutralise the free radicals those rays generate before they're blocked. A vitamin C serum works underneath your SPF, mopping up oxidative stress that sunscreen alone lets through.

Our go-tos for this exact combo: Medik8 C-Tetra in the morning before SPF and Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sunscreen SPF50 as a lightweight, barrier-friendly reapplication option that won't clog pores in the heat.

Skin Tip

Pat your serum into damp skin to increase skin penetration and product efficiency.

If the sun has already caught up with your skin…

Even with good SPF habits, summer can leave skin looking dull, dehydrated, congested and uneven, with pigmentation becoming more noticeable after increased UV exposure.

This is where a Hydrafacial can make a real difference.

The treatment combines deep cleansing, gentle exfoliation, extraction and intensive hydration to remove the build-up that can leave skin looking tired, while infusing targeted serums to replenish and revitalise the skin.

For skin showing signs of sun exposure, I particularly love it for restoring brightness, hydration and that fresh, healthy-looking glow — without the downtime of a more intensive peel.

Think of your SPF as your daily prevention and your Hydrafacial as your skin reset.

If your skin is feeling a little more summer-worn than summer-glowing, this is your sign to book one.