When the clocks go back and the mornings turn grey, many of us notice that our faces look a little flat and tired, even without any real skin complaint. In a first-person piece for Vanity Fair Italia, beauty writer Giulia Lenzi describes exactly that feeling: skin that was neither dry nor oily, yet often looked dull and pale. Her answer, after years of testing products, was a simple one. She added vitamin C to her morning routine.
Why skin gets tired in the colder months
Lenzi’s point is that even well-behaved skin works hard all year. In summer it copes with the oxidative stress caused by the sun; in autumn and winter it has to deal with cold air, central heating and sudden changes of temperature, on top of everyday city pollution. All of this creates free radicals, unstable molecules that damage skin cells over time. Dermatologists quoted by Cleveland Clinic explain that vitamin C is an antioxidant that neutralises these free radicals, and that it also supports the skin’s production of collagen, the protein that keeps it firm. A review in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology adds that topical vitamin C can reduce the formation of melanin, which is why it is often used to brighten uneven tone and dark spots.
How to use it
Lenzi began with a 10% serum applied in the morning after cleansing, before her moisturiser and sunscreen, and says her complexion soon looked brighter and rosier. That matches expert advice. Cleveland Clinic suggests looking for L-ascorbic acid at between 10% and 20%, since lower strengths do little and higher ones can irritate, and choosing a dark or tinted bottle, as the ingredient breaks down in light and heat. Its dermatologists also stress that vitamin C backs up sunscreen but never replaces it, and that results usually take around three months to show.
Lenzi also suggests a few variations: concentrated ampoules, of which five or six drops can be mixed into a day cream; oil-based formulas in the coldest weeks, when the skin’s natural lipids drop; and handy balm sticks for the delicate eye area. As always, anyone with sensitive skin should patch-test a new product first and ask a dermatologist if unsure.
A brighter look for darker days
A fresh complexion is the best backdrop for jewellery, too. Warm golden stones such as those in our citrine earrings echo the glow of a good vitamin C routine, while delicate pendant necklaces and classic earrings catch the low autumn light beautifully. Add a few bracelets and a practical crossbody bag for busy days, and the season’s grey mornings feel a lot less gloomy.
Sources: Vanity Fair Italia (Giulia Lenzi, 30 October 2026); Cleveland Clinic, “Vitamin C Serum: Benefits, How to Apply”; Al-Niaimi and Chiang, “Topical Vitamin C and the Skin”, Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology (via PubMed Central); Harvard Health Publishing. This article is for general information and is not medical advice.
