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The 16 Best Vitamin C Serums for Brighter, Healthier-Looking Skin
Your daily routine isn't complete without one of these expert-backed favorites
Using one of the best vitamin C serums is a fast and efficient way to brighten up your skin's complexion, and a common ingredient in many of the buzziest dark spot correctors. The ultra-popular antioxidant has a number of benefits: from protecting skin from UV rays and environmental pollution, to reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation by inhibiting melanin production.
But navigating which vitamin C products to include in your routine can sometimes be tricky, especially with a number of different percentages available in top serums. The ingredient is available in a number of concentrations depending on your skin's needs, ranging from five percent all the way to 30 percent. "Vitamin C is notoriously unstable," board-certified dermatologist Robert Finney tells Bazaar. "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."
Shop the Best Vitamin C Serums
One way to ensure that your serum will be as potent as possible? Make sure it's packaged and stored properly. Most serums are also designed with darker packaging to block light absorption and keep your product of choice effective."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.
To help narrow down the best of the best vitamin C serums, we've rounded up a few beloved favorites from SkinCeuticals, Ole Henriksen, and more that are worth adding to your morning routine. Each of these best-sellers contain effective formulas that are coveted by dermatologists, skincare experts, and beauty editors alike. Here, 15 effective serums that provide the ultimate glow up—just don't forget your go-to facial sunscreen.
Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum
Pros
- Aborbs well
- Hydrating
Cons
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.
Customer review:
"I was looking to incorporate a vitamin c into my routine to help with my acne scars, and this stuff is insanely good! I received a mini size to test out and one pump goes a long way. After about three weeks, I noticed my forehead and cheek scars were less visible, my overall skin texture improved, and my face was glowing! I have sensitive skin and this didn't make it purge or breakout. I'm so happy with this product." —Jessicah78
Herbivore Nova 15% Vitamin C and Turmeric Brightening Serum
Pros
- Gentle formula
Cons
Containing 15 percent stable vitamin C, this serum is best for addressing skin dullness, and helps improve the look of hyperpigmentation over time. Although it does initially have a slight scent from its turmeric blend, it quickly dissipates once the serum dries down.
Customer review:
"On my second bottle of this and I love this product! Makes my skin hydrated and bright. And I don’t break out with this product. I’m definitely hooked!" —Triotexasmomma
Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA
Pros
- Smooths skin
Cons
20 percent vitamin C is supported by 10 percent AHA fruit acids in Tatcha's best-selling serum that gently exfoliate while boosting skin's glow.
Customer review:
"I love this product. I have sensitive skin and use it in the morning and at night. It has helped reduce my hyperpigmentation and makes my skin look plump and hydrated. The price is steep but I have not found another vitamins C serum that compares to this." —Ajgomckib
Supergoop! Daily Dose Vitamin C + SPF 40 Sunscreen Serum
Pros
- Light texture
Cons
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.
Customer review:
"This product has given me exactly what I wanted. If you don’t want a glowy look, don’t buy this. I use this as my first step after cleansing, followed with moisturizer, then glow screen. It gives me the perfect dewy, natural look I’m going for. I have normal to dry skin. It has also helped even my skin tone. I’ve had acne through my mid-twenties and this is definitely helping me recover from that." —KLFisher
Pros
- Prime Delivery
Cons
Over 130,000 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 $25 bucks.
Customer review:
"I love, love, love, this stuff! I use it as a base morning and evening. It definitely helps to smooth the skin, and I noticed the difference within a couple of days. I'm on the autoship option for this product, and I'll never go a day without putting it on. It really makes a difference in my complexion." —Lisa P.
Pros
- Great for addressing fine lines
Cons
- 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.
Customer review:
"I never believed in 'holy grail' products until I started using C E Ferulic. Literally within days, the improvement in my complexion was obvious. I can't remember my skin being so smooth, even, and soft since before puberty. I am in my mid-thirties and have been using this for over a year now and I constantly get compliments on my skin, and remarks from old friends on how young I still look. Of all the expensive products I've tried or even ones I still use, this is the one that hands down, no questions, is worth every penny and makes an undeniable difference. Please, never ever ever change the formula!" —Kyhm86
Hyper Skin Brightening Dark Spot Vitamin C Serum
Pros
- Oil-Free
Cons
In addition to reducing the appearance of dark spots, this powerful and top-rated vitamin C serum is also oil-free, making it an ideal choice for both combination and acne-prone skin.
Customer review:
"The results are amazing! I’ve never seen another product work as well as this one. My skin has never looked this healthy before. This serum is a must have! Especially if you struggle with hyperpigmentation." —Maizerie
Ole Henriksen Truth Serum
Pros
- Great for dehydrated skin
Cons
This coveted vitamin C serum absorbs quickly, and has a pleasant, citrusy scent, unlike some harsher serums.
Customer review:
"I’m turning 30 and starting to get fine lines and this has genuinely made a difference in my skin—really helps minimize the appearance of fine lines when used consistently. I was surprise at how well it works. Definitely will repurchase." —Kellyemc
Pros
- Contains vitamin E
Cons
- May be too strong for sensitive skin
COSRX's new vitamin C serum contains a whopping 23 percent of the powerhouse ingredient, plus both vitamin E and hyaluronic acid to prevent avoid irritation on even the most sensitive of skin types.
Customer Review:
"Best Vitamin C Serum I have ever used! I like the higher concentration of pure ascorbic acid. My skin looks so smooth and has a nice healthy glow. Results are noticeable. I will continue to purchase." – Susan P.
Pros
- Airtight packaging
Cons
This concentrate eradicates dullness with a potent dose of with vitamin C, and is available right at the drugstore.
Customer review:
"I’ve tried many vitamin C serums, but this is the best. You only need a small amount: It’s warming without burning. I have very sensitive skin, so I was worried about a reaction but nothing but glowing smooth skin. I only use this in the morning and a hydrologic serum at night by the ordinary. Since I haven’t had a reaction and such amazing results, I’ll add this to my night routine. Just make sure you wear a sunscreen." —Carina K.
Pros
- Good for day or night
Cons
This buzzy 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 (the most potent form of vitamin C) that absorbs 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.
Customer review:
"I added this to my skincare routine a few months back and since then, my blemishes have decreased and my face has more of a glow. The substance is very lightweight, unscented, and glides on my skin very smoothly." —DJ
Summer Fridays CC Me Vitamin C + Niacinamide Serum
Here's a popular serum that has over 800 Sephora customer reviews, and combines two types of vitamin C with niacinamide to brighten skin while enhancing its glow. Plus, it also includes squalane as a main ingredient for added hydration.
Customer review:
"I am obsessed with this. Makes such a big difference in my skin's appearance! I love to put it on before bed with a fresh face because I wake up and my skin just glows. It has worked better than so many other products and excellent when used in combination with my other favorites in my routine. It produces an even skin tone and skin looking healthy, soft, and supple." —Seaofgreen
Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum
Pros
- Great for mature skin types
Cons
Use this serum for a few weeks and tell us your skin doesn't look like you just got a facial. Sunday Riley's 15 percent formula aims to restore plumpness and even tone with no more than two pumps per day.
Customer review:
"This is one of the best vitamin C serums I have ever tried. Just after two days of using it, my skin's texture improved, and I had a natural radiant glow to my skin. If you're trying to decide between this serum and another, I highly recommend you try this one!" —CAlvarez711
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum
Pros
- Vegan
Cons
This serum combines guava, tranexamic and ferulic acids, plus vitamin C to improve the texture of dull skin. It also happens to be vegan and especially effective at reducing the appearance of dark spots.
Customer review:
"[This serum] worked within weeks of daily use on my age spots, which are less pigmented. It also revealed a smoother, brighter complexion [all around]!" —Linda S.
Farmacy Beauty 10% Waterless Vitamin C Serum
Pros
- Eco-friendly
Cons
This oil- and water-free serum contains 10 percent L-ascorbic acid to brighten, firm, and smooth your complexion. It also uses upcycled tangerine peel and sugar beet to leave your skin feeling more supple.
Customer review:
"This stuff is great! Due to being waterless, it feels almost like an oil but doesn’t sit on your skin like one—it absorbs right in! Leaves my skin looking and feeling great." —Melanie
Pros
- Doesn't dry out skin
Cons
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.
Customer review:
"I use Obagi Medial Professional-C Serum 20% daily—it's the best part of my skin routine. It keeps my skin plump and bright. If you have never used the 20 percent strength, I recommend you start with the 10 percent and then work up to 20 percent. This is a truly great product that I will not go without." —Diana
Meet the Experts
- Robert Finney is a board-certified dermatologist at Entière Dermatology in New York City.
- Purvisha Patel is a board-certified dermatologist at Advanced Dermatology in Memphis, Tennessee, and the founder of Visha Skincare.
Why is vitamin C beneficial in skincare?
Vitamin C is primarily known for its skin brightening qualities. In addition, it's "A potent antioxidant that prevents free radicals from breaking down collagen and elastin," Patel explains. "It can also help decrease pigment production."
When is the best time to apply a vitamin C serum?
According to experts, the best time to apply a vitamin C serum is in the morning on clean, dry skin before using at least an SPF 30. Patel adds, "Vitamin C helps to compound the protection of your SPF.”
Which products should you avoid when using a vitamin C serum?
As some vitamin C serums can be extra potent in your routine, it's not surprising that it doesn't always play well with other ingredients. "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," Patel explains. If you're concerned about using products with these ingredients, try using them at night, and vitamin C in the morning.
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