Vitamin C

Vitamin C is the morning antioxidant — it brightens over time, fades pigmentation, and meaningfully improves how well your sunscreen protects you. In Australian sun that second point is worth more than the first.

Korean formulas tend to avoid the high-strength L-ascorbic acid that goes brown in a fortnight and stings on the way. Instead you get stabilised derivatives and capsule delivery: gentler, far more stable, and much easier to actually keep using.

Apply in the morning on clean skin, then SPF. Contrary to the old advice it is fine alongside niacinamide. Just keep it away from your retinal night.