Better Vitamin C

best vitamin c serums

amazon, dermstore

As far as buzzy skincare ingredients go, vitamin C is one of the most talked about — and for good reason. "Packed with antioxidants, vitamin C has shown to improve dull skin texture and tone, fight free radical damage, reduce signs of aging, dark spots and hyperpigmentation, hydrate, increase collagen production, brighten and provide anti-inflammatory effects," says Geeta Yadav, M.D., a board certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Science Dermatology.

"Also known as ascorbic acid and L-ascorbic acid, vitamin C provides antioxidant protection, as it uses electrons to neutralize the free radicals found on skin from environmental stressors like solar radiation and pollution," says Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab chemist Danusia Wnek. Additionally, vitamin C blocks the enzyme responsible for melanin (or pigmentation) production, which means it can help brighten skin. Dr. Yadav explains that because the vitamin is a water-soluble nutrient, it can be used topically in many different forms, including vitamin C serums.

In theory, everyone can incorporate a vitamin C serum into their skincare routine. However, Ellen Marmur, M.D., a New York based dermatologist and founder of Marmur Metamorphosis Skincare, cautions that too much vitamin C can potentially irritate skin. It depends on your skin type, but she personally recommends products that contain between 10-15% potency for best results.

The Good Housekeeping Institute regularly tests skincare products to find the best ones on the market. When we review vitamin C serums, we look for technology to preserve the vitamin C, unique packaging to protect against light degradation and ingredients with synergistic benefits to improve efficacy. The below picks reflect our Lab picks, Good Housekeeping Seal-holders and top-rated items from our favorite trusted brands, plus favorites from consumers. Below, you'll find the best vitamin C serums you can buy for your skin type, whether you have oily skin, want to boost collagen production, fight signs of aging or anything in between:

1

Best Overall Vitamin C Serum

C E Ferulic

SkinCeuticals SkinCeuticals

$166.00

Sabina Wizemann, senior chemist in the GH Beauty Lab, loves this serum for its gentle yet effective performance. "Even with a high concentration of 15% of L-Ascorbic acid — an outstanding and proven form of vitamin C — this serum doesn't irritate my skin like other products I've tried," she says. "It firms and brightens skin, and leaves it supple and glowy," thanks to the conditioning and anti-inflammatory properties of added vitamin E. This is also Dr. Yadav's top pick. "It contains vitamin E and ferulic acid, and this combination has been shown to complement sunscreens and reduce the effects of environmental stressors on the skin," she says

  • Non-irritating
  • Popular brand
  • Pricey

2

Best Value Vitamin C Serum

Luminous Miracle Boost Concentrate

This Olay serum is like radiance bottled, with concentrated skin tone-evening ingredients such as niacinamide. A study of 144 women showed that it reduced dark spots and uneven tone after two weeks.It's also an Amazon favorite, can be found in drugstores and costs less than $30. The brand says the serum delivers best results when paired with Olay Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream.

  • Reduces dark spots
  • Lightweight

3

Best Vitamin C Serum for Hyperpigmentation

Revitalift Vitamin C Serum

Formulated for optimal skin absorption, the airtight packaging on this standout L'Oreal product helps ensure that the vitamin C inside stays stable and therefore effective. Our Lab experts think it's especially great for targeting hyperpigmentation (a.k.a. dark spots) since you can use the precise, pointed applicator to spot-treat problem areas.

  • Tip applicator is good for spot-treating marks

4

Best Vitamin C Serum for Sensitive Skin

TimeWise Replenishing Serum C+E

Mary Kay marykay.com

$58.00

The Mary Kay TimeWise line is nothing new to the Good Housekeeping Institute team: For years, our Beauty Lab experts have been recommending TimeWise products for various skincare concerns. This replenishing serum contains vitamin C and E for an age-defying combination. Clinical studies have shown the serum is generally mild and does not bother testers with sensitive skin.

  • Age-defying formula is great for mature skin

5

Best Vitamin C Serum for Oily Skin

C-Firma Day Serum

"This serum has the right amount of vitamin C and brightens, plumps and hydrates," says Dr. Marmur. The product contains additional products such as vitamin E, ferulic acid and fruit enzymes that help brighten and buff the skin's texture. Keep in mind that some reviewers complained about the formula being too sticky, but others say it's lightweight and sinks into the skin.

  • Hydrates and plumps skin
  • Can be sticky

6

Best Vitamin C Serum for Beginners

Grapefruit Daily Brightening Serum

"For something a little more accessible, and a great entry into vitamin C, I love this treatment," says Dr. Yadav. "It's widely available, gentle on the skin and contains grapefruit, which adds another citrus ingredient into the mix!" You can use it directly on your skin or mix a few drops into your favorite moisturizers or serums.

  • Gentle on skin
  • Brightening

7

Best Restorative Vitamin C Serum

Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum

If you're looking to avoid irritation, this serum holds a relatively lower level of vitamin C at 10%, and it contains ceramides that help protect and maintain the skin barrier. Hyaluronic acid is another key ingredient in the formula that helps moisturize the skin and retain moisture.

  • Affordable
  • Ceramides create a stronger skin barrier

8

Best Drugstore Vitamin C Serum

Multi Correxion Revive + Glow Daily Serum

  • Helps promote a more even skin tone

9

Best Vitamin C Serum for Acne-Prone Skin

SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF

SkinCeuticals skinceuticals.com

$166.00

This variation on SkinCeuticals' popular CE Ferulic serum contains salicylic acid and is specially formulated for oily and blemish-prone skin. One online reviewer says that after a month's use, she's noticed a reduction in oiliness and breakouts on her skin.

  • Excellent for oily skin
  • Pricey

10

Best Vitamin C Serum for Acne Scars

Fresh Pressed 7-Day System

To keep the vitamin C potent and fresh, this product keeps it isolated. To use, press the button to release the vitamin C powder into an emulsion serum, ensuring optimal efficiency and a strong, potent product to perfect your skin. Reviewers say they saw acne scarring go away within a week — but a couple note that overuse can cause mild redness or dryness.

  • Can be used with your regular moisturizer

11

Best Vitamin C Serum with Tri-Peptide

Bright Idea Vitamin C & Tri-Peptide Collagen Serum

This is formulated with a newer form of vitamin C called 3-O ethyl ascorbic acid, which is thought to be less irritating without sacrificing efficacy.The formula is collagen-protecting and brightening to fade dark spots, firm skin and improve texture. The brand claims the formula is ultra-stable, so it can live right in your medicine cabinet or vanity. "I love its fresh — not cloying! — citrus scent, and that it's dye, paraben and cruelty-free," says editor Jessica Teich.

  • Good for sensitive skin
  • Helps with collagen production

12

Best Vitamin C Serum for Dry Skin

Active C10

La Roche-Posay dermstore.com

$49.99

If you suffer from dry skin, this serum from La Roche-Posay has a creamier formula that contains 10% vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, which is great for hydrating and plumping the skin.The brand also claims it helps to fill lines and fight wrinkles. La Roche-Posay thermal spring water is also said to "repel free radicals and soothe skin."

  • Moisturizing cream formula

13

Best Long-Lasting Vitamin C Serum

C15 Super Booster

Paula's Choice dermstore.com

$49.00

This C15 Super Booster contains the trifecta of vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid that has been shown to have synergistic benefits and help protect vitamin C formulas from losing efficaciousness quickly. The container is not clear so it protects it from sunlight, which degrades vitamin C formulas. Thus, this shelf-stable product will last and last, even if you don't use it every day.

  • Packaging design promotes longer shelf life

14

Best Vitamin C Serum for Evening Skin Tone

Visionnaire Skin Solutions 15% Vitamin C

Lancôme nordstrom.com

$65.00

With 15% pure vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and jasmonate deritives, Lancôme's vitamin C serum will help even your skin tone and protect the skin barrier from free radicals with continued use. Simply apply 4-5 drops of this concentrated serum onto skin every morning to notice results in as little as 10 days. Make sure to let it sit for a few moments before applying your usual cream, and don't use more than once a day.

  • Promises quicker results
  • Expensive

15

Best Vitamin C Serum for Discoloration

Vitamin C Facial Serum

One Love Organics dermstore.com

$75.00

This oil formula is great for hydration, and uses vitamin C to boost radiance and reduce discoloration. Other key ingredients include jojoba seed oil to retain moisture and rosehip oil to to help cell generation, plus vitamin E and green tea to protect the skin from aging and environmental stressors.

  • Vitamin E and green tea help reduce signs of aging

16

Best Vitamin C Serum for Crow's Feet

Universal C Skin Refiner Vitamin C Treatment

BeautyStat dermstore.com

$80.00

This potent serum contains microscopically encapsulated vitamin C to prevent degradation from light and air. According to the brand, stabilization and efficacy were of the utmost importance in the development of this formula, which was created by a cosmetic chemist. In a special study, they found that consumers saw significant improvement in crow's feet and skin firmness.

  • Formulated by a cosmetic chemist
  • Pricey

17

Best Vitamin C Daily Moisturizer

SkinActive Face Moisturizer with Vitamin C

Garnier garnier.com

$14.99

If you're new to vitamin C and are worried about the concentration strength, our Lab experts recommend this light moisturizer that contains SPF 15. It has a derivative of vitamin C called ascorbyl glucoside, along with salicylic acid, which is a great exfoliating ingredient. Reviewers say they love the fresh scent and saw dark spots fade with use .

RELATED:Everything You Need to Know About Using Salicylic Acid on Your Skin

  • Cheaper option for everyday
  • Good for beginners to vitamin C

18

Best Vitamin C Serum Night Cream

Multi-Correxion Revive + Glow Gel Cream

In clinical studies, users saw that their skin looked plumper after one week of application. They also reported that the serum was lightweight and absorbed quickly. Online reviewers agree saying it's super hydrating, but some noted that it left a slight greasy feeling on the skin.

  • Cream formula that absorbs quickly
  • Leaves a greasy feel

19

Best Vitamin C Serum for Dull Skin

C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum

SUNDAY RILEY sephora.com

$85.00

Several online reviewers admit that this serum is a tad overpriced, but most agree that it really works. It contains 15% antioxidant vitamin C to help lighten dark spots, smooth fine lines and minimize the appearance of pores.

  • Brightens skin and fades dark spots

20

Best Anti-Aging Vitamin C Serum

Professional-C 20% Vitamin C Serum

Obagi dermstore.com

$133.00

  • Non-drying formula
  • Helps reduce signs of aging
  • Pricey

21

Best Line-Reducing Vitamin C Serum

Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate

This lightweight cream formula uses 10% vitamin C, ascorbyl glucoside and hyaluronic acid to help brighten your skin and improve your skin texture's appearance. The brand claims to even reduce the look of deep-set wrinkles and pores over time with continued use.

  • Smoothes out fine lines
  • Good for mature skin

22

Best Korean Beauty Vitamin C Serum

Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop

A K-beauty favorite and Amazon best-seller, this daily serum is gentle enough to be used everyday. It has a smaller concentration of 5% vitamin C, and the brand claims that it can help clear irritation, fade scars and dark spots and protect the skin from hyperpigmentation.

RELATED: 20 Best Korean Skincare Products for Clearer Skin

  • Gentle formula

Chemist, Health, Beauty & Environmental Sciences Lab Danusia Wnek is a chemist in the Health, Beauty & Environmental Sciences Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty and health tools.

Product and Reviews Editor Shanon worked as the former Products & Reviews editor for the Good Housekeeping Institute covering the best deals and products across home, appliances, health, beauty and parenting.

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Better Vitamin C

Source: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/anti-aging/g26840895/best-vitamin-c-serums/