The 17 Best Vitamin C Serums 2021

There aren’t a ton of certain issues in the case of skincare, however vitamin C is about as close as it gets. Consultants agree this highly effective antioxidant is a rock star for aging skin and the important thing to a vivid and even complexion. One of the simplest ways to benefit from this standout ingredient is in a high quality serum.

However with about one million available on the market and enjoyable particulars like focus percentages and different substances to consider, it may be robust to commit to 1 — particularly as a result of these serums can get dear quick. Don’t fear, we sifted by the ocean of C and picked out 17 of our favorites for each pores and skin kind.

Plus, we chatted with a number of derms to get the inside track on stuff like how to decide on ’em and use ’em. Since you need to shine vivid like a diamond, child.

Vitamin C goes to work on free radicals, these pesky (however pure!) molecules that contribute to untimely pores and skin ageing, pigment adjustments, and even sickness when there’s too many constructed up.

In your pores and skin, topical vitamin C combats indicators of ageing, reduces hyperpigmentation, and evens out pores and skin tone. Dr. Anna Chacon, a board-certified dermatologist, says vitamin C is understood for these fab advantages:

• selling collagen manufacturing
• enhancing the looks of the pores and skin by minimizing positive traces and wrinkles and lowering darkish spots attributable to UV injury
• defending in opposition to solar injury

With so many vitamin C merchandise available on the market, we needed to slender it down someway. Right here’s what we took into consideration when making our picks:

• Vitamin C. Our precedence was the famous person ingredient: vitamin C. There are a number of completely different types of vitamin C, some stronger and secure than others. We selected merchandise with L-ascorbic acid, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, ascorbyl palmitate, and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate for optimum effectiveness.
• Different substances. We gave precedence to formulation with good supporting substances and clear formulation, though not all on this listing are thought-about “clear.”
• Critiques. We appeared to critiques to verify these merchandise are *really* liked by actual clients.
• Worth. We made certain to incorporate a variety of costs so that folks with all types of budgets have entry to this rock star ingredient.
• Vetted merchandise. We additionally put each product on this listing by a radical vetting course of to verify the businesses aren’t making any unsupported well being claims or partaking in shady enterprise practices. Solely merchandise that handed vetting made this listing.

Prepared so as to add this skincare famous person to your arsenal? Try the 17 greatest vitamin C serums for each pores and skin kind.

Finest total vitamin C serum

The SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

• Worth: $$$
• Standout substances: vitamin E, ferulic acid
• Good for: all pores and skin varieties/dry pores and skin
• Product measurement: 30-milliliter (mL) bottle

Earlier than you gawk on the value, there’s a motive this little bottle wins nearly each award on the market: it options the holy trinity of vitamin C (15 p.c pure vitamin C right here), vitamin E (1 p.c), and ferulic acid (0.5 p.c). These two further substances play tremendous properly with our golden baby. Vitamin E helps increase vitamin C’s UV safety energy and ferulic acid helps stabilize it (whereas additionally providing you with an additional increase of antioxidants).

Past its potential to brighten and agency up your pores and skin, this mix has been confirmed to cut back oxidative injury attributable to ozone air pollution, diesel engine exhaust, and UVA/UVB rays by as much as 41 p.c. Backside line: this serum has your again.

This little bottle has fairly a little bit of hype round it too — with 1000’s of Google critiques. One reviewer went so far as to say they will’t dwell with out it. So be ready to perhaps fall in love, which might be pricey.

Finest vitamin C serum for darkish spots

BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner

• Worth: $$
• Standout substances: EGCG (inexperienced tea lively), squalane, tartaric acid
• Good for: darkish spots and discoloration
• Product measurement: 30-mL bottle

This creamy serum delivers full-strength 20 p.c L-ascorbic acid, the most effective form of topical vitamin C.

This intense dose — nonetheless appropriate for delicate pores and skin, BTW — evens out pores and skin tone and texture because of tartaric acid (a light AHA that comes from grapes), squalane (hydrating AF), and EGCG, a green tea lively that works with vitamin C to reduce indicators of ageing.

We love that BeautyStat goes to nice lengths to forestall oxidation (which lessens your product’s punch) by encapsulating the vitamin C in an opaque bottle. So whereas it’s slightly dear, not less than it’s designed to final. It’s additionally value a point out that this serum is made within the U.S. by a Black-owned and based magnificence model.

Finest cruelty-free vitamin C serum

TruSkin Naturals 20% Vitamin C Serum

• Worth: $
• Standout substances: vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
• Good for: all pores and skin varieties
• Product measurement: 30-mL bottle

Vitamin C helps scale back darkish spots by impeding melanin production, and this serum does simply that. However there’s a couple of motive 87,000+ Amazon reviewers are obsessive about these things: it pairs a robust 20 p.c vitamin C focus with nourishing vitamin E and collagen-encouraging hyaluronic acid for plumper, hydrated, and tremendous glowy pores and skin. The addition of MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) helps calm inflammation.

Bonus factors for a paraben- and phthalate-free formulation. It additionally has leaping bunny approval — which means it’s cruelty-free. And it doesn’t damage that this is likely one of the extra reasonably priced serums on our listing.

Finest firming vitamin C serum

Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Vitamin C Serum

• Worth: $$
• Standout substances: hyaluronic acid
• Good for: all pores and skin varieties, dry pores and skin
• Product measurement: 50-mL bottle

Give positive traces and visible pores the boot with this silky serum that melts into your face flawlessly. You get two sorts of stabilized vitamin C right here: 10.5 p.c L-ascorbic acid for deep penetration (as much as 6 days, says the model) and a couple of p.c Ascorbyl Glucoside, which absorbs shortly within the high layers of the pores and skin.

A quick-absorbing type of hyaluronic acid helps your pores and skin really feel plump and moisturized whereas the vitamin C protects in opposition to free radicals. It’s additionally freed from parabens, alcohol, mineral oil, and dye.

Google reviewers inform related tales of immediately falling for this serum, loving the blurring impact on imperfections, and squeezing out each final drop earlier than ordering once more.

Finest vitamin C for dry pores and skin

M-61 Vitablast Face Oil

• Worth: $$
• Standout substances: vitamin E, licorice root extract, squalane
• Good for: soothing, hydrating
• Product measurement: 30-mL bottle

Magnificence retailer bluemercury’s in-house model’s tackle a vitamin C serum delivers 10 p.c of the great, stabilized, meant-to-last stuff in a light-weight facial oil that’s something however greasy. Along with the dullness-fighting dose of vitamin C, licorice root got here to the occasion to relax irritation and discoloration, whereas skincare favourite squalane leaves your pores and skin delicate and supple for a really ~luxurious~ consequence.

P.S. this dangerous b*tch is vegan, too.

Finest brightening vitamin C serum

OLEHENRIKSEN Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum

• Worth: $$
• Standout substances: vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, polyhydroxy acids (PHAs), banana powder
• Good for: uninteresting, uneven texture
• Product measurement: 30-mL bottle

Right here’s a serum that shade corrects whereas it protects. Along with the standard gamers — 15 p.c vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and stabilizing vitamin E — this serum accommodates banana powder-inspired pigments, which the model says brighten issues up whereas the opposite substances go to work under the floor.

One essential ingredient stays up above, and that’s 5 p.c PHAs, which have all the identical advantages of AHAs like glycolic acid, however they’re less likely to cause irritation. In case you’re unsure how you’re feeling concerning the banana issue, one Google reviewer says the scent is extra of a citrus expertise than a banana one.

Finest drugstore vitamin C serum

CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum

• Worth: $
• Standout substances: hyaluronic acid, panthenol (vitamin B5), ceramides
• Good for: dry, delicate pores and skin
• Product measurement: 30-mL tube

This trusted delicate pores and skin model pairs 10 p.c vitamin C with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and panthenol (aka vitamin B5) to assuage delicate pores and skin and strengthen your pores and skin barrier. Bonus factors for an reasonably priced, fragrance-free formulation that won’t clog pores. Plus, it’s freed from parabens. Amazon reviewers say it has a creamy texture and works gently for his or her delicate pores and skin.

Finest vitamin C serum for shiny pores and skin

Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum

• Worth: $
• Standout substances: vitamin E, ferulic acid, hyaluronic acid, konjac root, chamomile extract, clary sage
• Good for: oily pores and skin
• Product measurement: 30-mL bottle

This serum from Mad Hippie combines Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate — an especially secure model of vitamin C — with vitamin E and ferulic acid (identical to that tremendous costly/fan fave SkinCeuticals serum) to ship the strongest antioxidant impact with out irritating delicate pores and skin. It accommodates hyaluronic acid for an additional dose of moisture and plumping motion and chamomile extract to assuage irritated pores and skin.

It additionally has clary sage, which the model says brings dry and oily skin into steadiness. To high issues off, it’s additionally vegan, cruelty-free, and GMO-free. Google reviewers are obsessive about this extra reasonably priced choice, making it a staple of their day by day routine.

Finest vitamin C serum for delicate pores and skin

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum

• Worth: $$
• Standout substances: ferulic acid, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, pumpkin ferment, pomegranate extract, chronocyclin, grape juice extract, Indian gooseberry
• Good for: all pores and skin varieties
• Product measurement: 30-mL bottle

We love this model for delicate pores and skin as a result of its merchandise are normally with out irritating essential oils, silicones, chemical sunscreens, drying alcohols, fragrances, and dyes. This clear gel serum is cooling and soothing to the contact (excellent if you happen to’re feeling notably infected) and accommodates that vitamin C-ferulic acid-vitamin E holy trinity for optimum effectiveness and absorption.

It additionally accommodates pumpkin ferment and pomegranate extract — a combo the model says gently exfoliates and helps cells flip over quicker for a faster glow — and grape juice extract and Indian gooseberry to cut back indicators of oxidative stress. Lastly, the model says chronocyclin mimics the antioxidant advantages of vitamin D (with out having to sit in the sun for it!).

Reviewers say they discover an enormous change of their complexion and advocate placing it within the fridge for a cool, refreshing begin to your day.

Finest vitamin C for uneven pores and skin tone

BeautyCounter Counter+ All Bright C Serum

• Worth: $$
• Standout substances: camu camu extract, turmeric, hyaluronic acid
• Good for: all pores and skin varieties
• Product measurement: 30-mL bottle

BeautyCounter is understood for its clear, sensitivity-friendly formulation, and this serum doesn’t disappoint. It makes use of two forms of vitamin C: 5 p.c of Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate for diminishing dark spots, and 5 p.c of moisturizing Bis-Glyceryl Ascorbate for cover in opposition to free radicals and environmental stressors.

Tumeric and camu camu extracts each struggle irritation, serving to even out pores and skin tone and scale back darkish spots. Google reviewers say they see an actual distinction with this choose — one even says if this serum was cake batter, they’d lick the spoon. (Don’t lick these things, pls and thanks.)

Finest vitamin C powder

Neogen Real Vita C Powder Lemon

• Worth: $
• Standout substances: allantoin, trehalose, panthenol, collagen
• Good for: all pores and skin varieties
• Product measurement: 20-mL jar

Okay, so technically not a serum, however hear us out. Over 2,000 folks frolicked on a waitlist for this 17 p.c vitamin C powder, which you combine into your toner, serum, or moisturizer for a brightening and protecting addition of antioxidants. And since it’s a dry formulation, it received’t deteriorate just like the cream and gel kinds we’ve seen earlier than. It has collagen to enhance pores and skin elasticity and panthenol to assuage and moisturize. It additionally accommodates allantoin and trehalose, which the model says hydrate, defend, and strengthen your pores and skin barrier.

A pleasant perk: it’s travel-friendly! It’s additionally freed from alcohol, silicone, paraben, synthetic perfume, surfactants and mineral oil. This formulation does use lemon extract, which may trigger irritation for some folks.

Finest vitamin C serum for mixture pores and skin

Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Brightening Skin Corrector

• Worth: $
• Standout substances: hyaluronic acid
• Good for: delicate pores and skin
• Product measurement: 10-mL bottle

This reasonably priced serum is serving you purity and efficiency with 15 p.c vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. This straightforward formulation is free from fragrances and parabens and is dermatologist-tested, so it’s protected even for delicate pores and skin.

The model says this serum doesn’t depart your pores and skin shiny or oily feeling, however it’s nonetheless hydrating because of hyaluronic acid — so this can be a good choose for those that have a troublesome time balancing out their combo skin.

Reviewers love the brightening impact however level out that the bottle is teeny tiny. Good issues it’s on the cheaper aspect!

Finest vitamin C capsule

Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair 20% Vitamin C Serum Capsules

• Worth: $
• Standout substances: vitamin E, raspberry leaf extract
• Good for: smoothing pores and skin
• Product measurement: 30 capsules per bottle

In case you’re fearful about making use of an excessive amount of or too little product to your pores and skin, then that is the vitamin C serum for you. These single-use, biodegradable capsules comprise a excessive focus of vitamin C for the worth — 20 p.c!

Neutrogena well pairs it with antioxidant-rich raspberry leaf extract and vitamin E for much more free radical-fighting energy — a combo {that a} 2020 study discovered considerably improves pores and skin shade, elasticity, radiance, and wrinkles.

Plus, it doesn’t clog pores and is free from parabens, preservatives, alcohol, oil, perfume, and dyes. Slather it on! Many Amazon patrons are stunned by how briskly this reasonably priced choose will get to work.

Aspect notice: Although this can be a capsule, you’re not speculated to swallow it. MmmK?

Finest price range vitamin C serums

The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%

• Worth: $
• Standout substances: squalane, hyaluronic acid
• Good for: all pores and skin varieties
• Product measurement: 30-mL bottle

We’ll by no means perceive how the very best vitamin C focus on the listing is available in on the lowest value — lower than $6 — however we’re so glad it does.

The Bizarre retains all that good vitamin C stabilized in a water-free, silicone-free suspension so it stays recent and highly effective. It’s additionally loaded with squalane and hyaluronic acid for a lift of hydration.

However be warned: customers famous a tingling sensation for the primary 1 to 2 weeks of use. This choose is vegan although, and cruelty-free.

L’Oréal Revitalift Derm Intensive Vitamin C Serum

• Worth: $
• Standout substances: hyaluronic acid
• Good for: all pores and skin varieties
• Product measurement: 30-mL tube

Vitamin C is a fickle beast — for as highly effective as it’s, it’s tremendous susceptible to destabilization and oxidation, which actually decreases its efficiency. This drugstore diamond retains the important thing ingredient secure and proud of a water-free formulation and a UV-blocking tube.

One Amazon reviewer says it has a gel/lotion consistency and absorbs quick. And since slightly goes a great distance, you’ll be getting an excellent larger bang on your lower than 20 bucks. Did we point out it’s additionally fragrance-free and freed from parabens, mineral oils, and artificial dyes? As a result of it’s.

Finest vitamin C spot therapy

Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Targeted Spot Brightener

• Worth: $$
• Standout substances: vitamin E, ferulic acid, algae extract, aloe, allantoin
• Good for: delicate pores and skin
• Product measurement: 15-mL tube

In case you’ve made it this far, you’ll be able to most likely write a thesis on vitamin C’s darkish spot diminishing powers. This little spot therapy from Peter Thomas Roth combines 10 p.c THD Ascorbate — an excellent potent type of vitamin C — with vitamin E and ferulic acid in an excellent concentrated spot therapy to actually target acne scars. The model additionally threw in an algae extract it says helps scale back darkish spots much more. Additions of aloe and allantoin assist soothe these darkish spots as they disappear.

Reviewers name this a complete sport changer for pimples scars and hyperpigmentation. One reviewer says it really works wonders on their darker pores and skin tone, too.

Finest vitamin C serum with probiotics

Tula Triple Vitamin C Serum

• Worth: $
• Standout substances: probiotics extracts, prebiotics; lychee, Japanese mandarin, and mango extracts
• Good for: soothing pores and skin
• Product measurement: 30-mL bottle

Tula’s line of skincare praises the ability of probiotics to assist steadiness and nourish your pores and skin. On this oil-free, noncomedogenic gel serum, a ten p.c focus of three forms of vitamin C work with the probiotics and nourishing fruit extracts to even out pores and skin tone and loosen up darkish spots.

We love that it’s freed from mainly all the things irritating, an additional perk for reactive pores and skin varieties. Most Google reviewers are completely satisfied campers and say the serum feels refreshing AF.

Vitamin C is usually a bit finicky, so that you wanna know your stuff earlier than you enterprise out into the ocean of C. Right here’s whatcha have to know:

Packaging

Be certain your serum is available in an hermetic, opaque, or dark-colored bottle or tube. Vitamin C is tremendous delicate to mild and may lose its energy or turn out to be ineffective if it turns into uncovered to oxygen or daylight.

Focus

For the very best (and quickest) outcomes, search for a ten to twenty p.c focus of vitamin C. Dr. Anthony Rossi, a board-certified dermatologist in New York Metropolis, says {that a} focus of larger than 10 p.c is required for higher absorption however greater than 20 p.c is simply pointless and will probably trigger irritation.

If the bottle doesn’t say the focus on it, look to the complete ingredient listing. “If [vitamin C] is likely one of the first substances, it has a better focus,” says board-certified NYC dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman.

Substances and pores and skin concern

Jaliman says it’s a good suggestion to maintain your eyes open for a easy product with out too many substances, but additionally recommends in search of merchandise that match your pores and skin’s wants.

Listed here are a number of all-star substances to look out for:

• Vitamin E and ferulic acid. Bear in mind these — our golden trio. These assist maintain vitamin C secure and make it rather more efficient.
• Hyaluronic acid. A famous person hydrator for all pores and skin varieties. It’s additionally obtained anti-aging advantages of its personal and can assist enhance pores and skin elasticity.
• Squalane. One other wonderful hydrator that’s nice for dry pores and skin.

However we even have dangerous information. Some substances can really trigger pores and skin irritation or making vitamin C much less efficient, so it is best to keep away from utilizing them collectively. In case you see serums (or plan to layer different merchandise) with these substances, proceed with warning:

• Niacinamide. We LOVE niacinamide — it helps curb oil manufacturing, clears up pimples, and strengthens your pores and skin’s barrier. However it could additionally lower the efficacy of vitamin C, so use it at evening if you happen to’re a niacinamide stan.
• Retinol. Retinol tends to extend pores and skin sensitivity — particularly photosensitivity, which is why lots of people use it at evening. If you wish to use retinol and vitamin C, think about using vitamin C within the morning and retinol at evening.
• AHAs (glycolic acid and lactic acid). AHAs are exfoliators and so they work wonders on pores and skin texture and pimples. However they will make vitamin C much less secure and fewer efficient. They’ll additionally trigger irritation when used collectively.
• BHAs (salicylic acid). Identical as AHAs. Utilizing these collectively may cause some severe irritation, so it is smart to make use of these at evening.
• Benzoyl peroxide. Generally used to treat acne, benzoyl peroxide oxidizes vitamin C, making it completely ineffective. Womp, womp.

Worth

Don’t let value convey you down — vitamin C serums get costly shortly, however there are reasonably priced choices on the market. Some price range choices — like CeraVe and The Ordinary — are even cult favorites. Don’t be afraid to start out with a less expensive choice and see the way it works earlier than transferring onto costlier merchandise.

High quality and security

Understanding whether or not a model’s product is sweet high quality is hard. And you probably have delicate pores and skin, low high quality merchandise can mess together with your pores and skin.

Listed here areChacon’s vitamin C buying tips for making certain a superb expertise: