When looking for a vitamin C serum, you need one that’s highly concentrated and has an oil-based infusion of skin-boosting ingredients. Additionally, “look for ascorbic acid (often listed as L-ascorbic acid on the ingredients list) because it is a stable and effective form of topical vitamin C," says Dr. Saedi. We researched dozens of vitamin C serums and evaluated them for active ingredients, packaging, scent, additional ingredients, usage, and price.
Here are the best vitamin C serums on the market.
It also contains 0.5% ferulic acid, an ingredient that Melanie Palm, MD, a dermatologist at Art of Skin MD in San Diego, California, says increases the absorption of vitamin C by nearly 90 percent—so you’ll know it’s really working. This serum is a bit pricier than others on our list, but it’s a bestseller for a reason; it’s suitable for all skin types and can last you a pretty long time, since you only need a few drops per use.
Price at time of publication: $170
Because of its plant-based ingredients, this formula is free of GMOs, sulfates, and fragrances, so you can take solace in the fact that this addition to your skin care regimen is all-natural. With aloe vera and jojoba oil, it should leave your skin looking supple and hydrated.
Price at time of publication: $30
Thanks to its tube-shaped packaging, this vitamin C serum allows you to use it more as a spot treatment, in case you don’t want to apply it to your entire face. The manufacturer recommends avoiding the eye area when applying to prevent irritation.
Price at time of publication: $23
“It’s important to find a formulation that works for your sensitive skin type [since] not all vitamin C serums are created equal and many formulations range from five to 30 percent [in strength],” Dr. Palm explains.
Dr. Saedi suggests avoiding more potentially irritating vitamin C serums, so starting with one like Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C might be less likely to cause a reaction than most other effective products; it contains a high level of pure vitamin C, but she points out that it’s a more hydrating form with a lower percentage of ascorbic acid. Because its formula is only made of 11 ingredients, there’s less of a chance for an irritating ingredient to trigger a reaction.
That means it’s less likely to cause irritation to sensitive skin, and since the Vichy serum also includes hyaluronic acid, is made with clean ingredients, and is paraben-, fragrance-, and oil-free, it’s worth giving it a try if you’ve got sensitive skin.
Price at time of publication: $29
“Vitamin C can be one of the best weapons against acne,” says Michael Somenek, MD, a facial plastic surgeon in Washington, D.C. “It has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can accelerate wound healing, [which] will also help to reduce the visible signs of acne.”
In addition to being an affordable vitamin C serum, this one also boasts sodium hyaluronate and collagen, a concoction of ingredients that will target signs of aging while simultaneously promoting moisture and smoothing your skin. It’s free of phthalates, synthetic fragrance, and mineral oil.
Price at time of publication: $45
It also contains an extremely potent variety of vitamin C called THD ascorbate: “A truly pH neutral and highly-absorbed form of vitamin C, tetrahexyldecyl (THD) ascorbate has superior absorption through skin and better bioavailability,” says Dr. Palm, adding that it’s extremely well tolerated and has been shown in clinical studies to decrease inflammation, roughness, and redness of the skin in addition to its skin brightening qualities.
Together with vitamin E, this serum is the perfect weapon for free radical damage, hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, and dark spots for all skin tones. It is also paraben and sulfate free.
Price at time of publication: $170
Drunk Elephant cuts out essential oils, alcohols, fragrances and dyes, and chemical sunscreen to prevent skin irritation, leaving you with a serum that’s simply packed with the potent antioxidant cocktail of 15% L-ascorbic acid, ferulic acid, and vitamin E. As a total bonus, it also includes fruit extracts, like pumpkin and pomegranate, to remove dead skin cells, brighten your skin, and leave it glowing.
Price at time of publication: $78
Considering how budget-friendly it is compared to some other high-end brands, we think that its three-month shelf life is hardly an issue, especially since you’ll want to use this product every day. It also has a very mild scent that will leave your skin feeling and smelling fresh.
Price at time of publication: $30
Additionally, pay attention to the order of the ingredients on the product. The order indicates how prevalent that ingredient is in the serum. Dr. Alam explains that you want the vitamin C, which most commonly comes in the form of L-ascorbic acid, within the top five ingredients on the label.
Type and Concentration of Vitamin C
Vitamin C comes in many forms, but the most common is L-ascorbic acid. “If this is the active ingredient, the serum should contain 10 to 20 percent L-ascorbic acid and have an acidic pH of 2 to 2.5 for optimal absorption and results,” Dr. Alam says.
If you have more sensitive skin and tend to react to skincare products, then it might be best to pick up a serum with a lower concentration of L-ascorbic acid, about 10 percent, or a “product that contains a derivative of vitamin C that is gentler than L-ascorbic acid, such as magnesium ascorbyl phosphate or ascorbyl-6-palmitate, which have a neutral pH of 7,” Dr. Alam says.
The takeaway? It’s not always the percentage of vitamin C but the form of vitamin C that’s most important for tolerance and effect, says Dr. Palm. If the specific serum you’ve been using seems to be causing a reaction or, on the flip side, not having much effect at all, ask your dermatologist if the particular form of vitamin C in your serum has been tested in published clinical trials: “This is the true mark of a well-thought out, tested, and formulated vitamin C preparation,” she advises.
Usage
While vitamin C serums help with a variety of skin conditions, it’s important to target a product that fits your specific skin care needs. For example, some serums may contain ingredients that irritate the skin, so if you have sensitive skin, consult your dermatologist to determine the best vitamin C serum for you.
It’s also important to consider how vitamin C serum fits into the timeline of your skin care regime, especially if you use other products with certain ingredients.
“Never [use vitamin C serum] within a few hours of using retinol, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid,” says Dr. Somenek, “to avoid burning, redness, and stinging.”
Packaging
Vitamin C is a sensitive ingredient, so it’s important you’re paying attention to not only the type of bottle the serum comes in, but also where you’re storing it daily. “Vitamin C is sensitive to light, heat, and air, so it must be stored in a UV-protected and air-tight bottle in a cool, dark place,” Dr. Alam says.
Potential Interactions
There are always concerns when trying a new product about how it might react with your skin and the other serums and moisturizers in your skincare routine. “Allergic reactions to skincare products are common and usually show redness and itching,” says Rebecca Baxt, MD, a board certified dermatologist with Baxt Cosmedical in New Jersey. “In which case, stop the product immediately, use cool compresses, hydrocortisone cream or ointment, mild cleansers, and if it is not resolving, see a board certified dermatologist.”
When testing a new serum, Dr. Alam recommends first applying the product to a small area of the skin. “If no side effects occur, then transition to using the product more broadly a few days per week before progressing to daily use. If any side effects are noted, use of the product should be stopped,” he says.
If you experience a negative reaction, then consider selecting a vitamin C serum with a lower concentration or altering other products in your routine that could be causing the sensitivity. A dermatologist can be your best source for why your skin’s reacting and what steps you can take to prevent future reactions.
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“Time of application matters: skincare products are pricey and you want to make sure you are applying topical skin care products when and where they will make the most difference,” says Dr. Palm, who recommends vitamin C serum be used in the morning on freshly cleansed skin. This is to give the skin a “protective antioxidant shield,” she explains, to prevent environmental damage encountered through daily activities.
The other school of thought, however, recommends using vitamin C serum in the evening.
“Common medical knowledge has recommended vitamin C serum for use in the morning to ward off damage during the day, because it helps to protect the skin from free radicals,” says Dr. Somenek. But newer data, he explains, shows that UV damage remains for hours after a person is no longer exposed to the sun.
“The current thought is that people should be using antioxidants such as vitamin C at night to prevent post-sun damage,” he continues. “When you apply them at night, it still helps to fight sun damage the next day.”
Since there are benefits to applying the serum in the morning and at night, we recommend thinking about when you can maximize benefits the most based on your daily activities. If you spend a lot of time in the sun, you may want to opt for a nightly application to both heal and prevent sun damage (but make sure you’re wearing a good sunscreen, too).
Products that incorporate benzoyl peroxide, Dr. Alam warns, could also react negatively with vitamin C. “Individuals should speak with their dermatologists about how to safely and effectively incorporate vitamin C in their skincare regimen,” he says.
As always, if you experience irritation as a result of combining products, consult your dermatologist.
It may also be wise, says Dr. Palm, to avoid pairing your vitamin C serum application with your other beauty products (besides a moisturizer); combining active ingredients like retinol, benzoyl peroxide, AHAs, and BHAs with vitamin C can increase the likelihood of having a reaction.
“Vitamin C is an active ingredient, so it’s important to build up a tolerance [gradually],” says Dr. Somenek. “You can start three times a week and build up to daily use.”
He also reminds users that it will probably take many weeks to see a positive difference in skin tone, and that much of what vitamin C does is preventive (so no instant gratification here!).
