Harper’s Bazaar posted “15 Best Vitamin C Serums for Brighter, Healthier-Looking Skin” In article, Visha Skincare founder, Dr. Patel recommends adding serums containing the skin-brightening antioxidant to morning skincare routines before applying a minimum of SPF 30. Just make sure that whatever product you buy comes in nontransparent, sealed packaging.
Your beauty routine isn’t complete without one of these expert-backed picks
While cleansing and moisturizing are undoubtedly the backbone of any good skincare routine, a great routine begins with the application of one of the best vitamin C serums. The ultra-popular antioxidant protects skin from free radicals (like UV rays and pollution), stimulates collagen production, and lifts away dark spots by inhibiting melanin, revealing glowy, bright skin.
Vitamin C derivatives in skincare can be finicky, and not just any ordinary serum will deliver the kind of results you’re after. “Vitamin C is notoriously unstable,” Robert Finney, a board-certified dermatologist at Entière Dermatology in NYC tells BAZAAR.com. “And although you can find many cheap options, you can’t always be confident that they’re formulated in a way that renders the product effective.”
One way to maintain the integrity of your serum of choice is to make sure it’s packaged and stored properly. “Vitamin C easily degrades in oxygen and sunlight,” Purvisha Patel, a board-certified dermatologist at Advanced Dermatology and founder of Visha Skincare says. Therefore, your vitamin C should there be kept in an opaque, airtight container.
In addition to finding the right serum formulation for you, it’s also important to keep in mind that vitamin C is available in a number of concentrations depending on your skin’s needs, ranging from 5 percent all the way to 30 percent. Most serums are also designed with darker packaging to block light absorption and keep your product of choice effective. To help you narrow down the best of the best vitamin C serums, we’ve rounded up a few beloved picks from top brands like SkinCeuticals, Biossance , and Ole Henriksen worth adding to your daily routine. Each of these best-sellers contain effective formulas that are beloved by dermatologists, skincare experts, and beauty editors alike. Here, 15 coveted serums for the ultimate glow to apply each and every morning under your favorite sunscreen.
BEST FOR HYPERPIGMENTATION
- Aborbs well
- Hydrating
While vitamin C is known for its ability to help boost collagen and elastin, it also works to help brighten skin. This serum goes a step further with white shiitake mushroom and licorice root extract to specifically target stubborn dark spots.
BEST FOR DRY SKIN
Skin Laundry
- Hydrating Formula
Vitamin C on its own is an amazing antioxidant. However, this serum takes it one step further, combining the brightening qualities of Alpha Arbutin along with Endimoist 4HA, a combination of four types of hyaluronic acid that maintain moisture and curb inflammation.
BEST TO EVEN TONE
- Absorbs quickly
This powerhouse serum features two forms of vitamin C as well as turmeric and camu camu to aid in brightening.
BEST FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
Tatcha
- Smooths skin
The vitamin C in this natural serum is supported by 10 percent AHA fruit acids to help gently exfoliate, boosting the skin-glowing results.
BEST FOR SUN PROTECTION
- Light Texture
Cons
- Shouldn’t mix with other serums
If fading dark spots is top of mind, then sunscreen is even more of essential than usual. SPF 40 in this serum allows the vitamin C to be even more effective in brightening and evening skin tone.
BEST FOR MATURE SKIN
TruSkin Vitamin C Serum for Face
Pros
- Budget friendly
Over 100,000 Amazon shopper reviews (yes, you read that number right) all come to one conclusion: This is one of the best vitamin C serums you can get with two-day delivery—and at less than $20 bucks.
BEST SPLURGE PICK
C E Ferulic
SkinCeuticals
Pros
-
Great for addressing fine lines
-
Has a strong scent
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is consistently a user, editor, and dermatologist favorite. The combo of vitamins and ferulic acid instantly gives skin back its glow, and the results speak for themselves.
BUDGET-FRIENDLY PICK
Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid
CeraVe
Pros
- Antioxidant-rich formula
This vitamin-packed serum also contains cermaides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin B5 to keep skin hydrated, plump, and healthy in addition to boosting your natural glow.
BEST FOR PLUMPING SKIN
Truth Serum
Ole Henriksen
Pros
- Great for dehydrated skin
This coveted vitamin C serum absorbs quickly, and has a pleasant, citrusy scent, unlike some harsher serums.
BEST DRUGSTORE PICK
10% Pure Vitamin C Serum
L’Oréal Paris
Pros
- Airtight packaging
This concentrate eradicates dullness with a potent dose of with vitamin C, and is available right at the drugstore.
BEST FOR ALL SKIN TYPES
Universal C Skin Refiner
BeautyStat
Pros
- Good for day or night
Here’s a popular vitamin C product that falls somewhere between a serum and a cream. The unique fragrance-free formula feels like a plush gel with tiny granules of encapsulated L-Ascorbic acid that instantly absorb right into skin. Paired with EGCG (the active in green tea), squalane, and exfoliating tartaric acid, this genius formula will deliver brighter, smoother skin faster than most other vitamin C products out there.
BEST FOR ADDRESSING TEXTURE
C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum
Sunday Riley
Pros
- Great for mature skin types
Use this serum once a day for a week and tell us your skin doesn’t look fresh and plump—like you just got a facial.
BEST EXFOLIATING SERUM
Pineapple-C Brightening Serum
Glow Recipe
Pros
- Gentle formula
This serum has the best possible blend of ingredients to deliver your glowiest skin ever. Pure pineapple juice—a natural source of vitamin C— is combined with exfoliating AHAs and bromelain enzymes to improve the texture of dull skin. It also happens to be gentle and non-irritating, thanks to its blend of chamomile and skin-plumping hyaluronic acid.
VERY POTENT FORMULA
Obagi System Professional-C 20% Vitamin C Serum
Obagi
Pros
- Doesn’t dry out skin
Cons
- Might Experience Tingling
With a 20 percent vitamin C formulation, this elixir is potent, so keep in mind that a little goes a long way. Pat it on in the morning when you’re ready for serious, derm-level skin-brightening results from your own bathroom counter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does Vitamin C Do?
It’s known for it’s brightening qualities. In addition, “Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that prevents free radicals from breaking down collagen and elastin,” explains Dr. Purvisha Patel. “It can also help decrease pigment production.”
When Is the Best Time to Apply a Vitamin C Serum?
“It is best applied in the morning on clean, dry skin before using at least an SPF 30,” recommends Patel, who adds, “Vitamin C helps to compound the protection of your SPF.”
What Products Should You Avoid When Using a Vitamin C Serum?
Some ingredients don’t play well with it. “Using too many products with exfoliating agents, such as AHAs, retinol, and vitamin C all at once can make the skin peel and lead to sensitivity. Using only one active ingredient at a time helps minimize this,” explains Patel. If you’re concerned about using products with these ingredients, try using them at night, and vitamin C in the morning.