No matter which skin issues you’re currently bemoaning, chances are your routine could benefit from the best vitamin C serums. The antiaging antioxidant is one of the few skin-care ingredients dermatologists will back for its noticeable brightening, protective, and firming properties, as well as its ability to boost collagen production—which has a plumping effect. Show “Vitamin C is an antioxidant,” says Kenneth Howe, MD, of Wexler Dermatology in New York City. “When ultraviolet light penetrates your skin, it causes lasting damage by producing free radicals. Vitamin C can prevent that damage by ‘quenching’ the free radicals as they form.” It also inhibits a key enzyme in melanin production, so it can improve pigmentation like dark spots. too. The end-result? A more radiant complexion and smoother skin texture over time. How to use vitamin C in your routineA vitamin C product can help slow or undo signs of aging—80% of which are caused by sun damage, research shows. There’s just one caveat: “It has to be present within the deeper layers of your skin in order to do that.” Derms will often tell you to get your daily dose of vitamin C in serum form when adding it to your skin-care routine. “Serums typically have the highest concentration of active ingredients,” says Dr. Howe. In order to get maximum results, though, you’ll need these highly concentrated actives to be properly formulated. You might have heard experts debating the merits of various forms of the power ingredient. Here’s one to memorize: L-ascorbic acid. “It’s a pure form of vitamin C,” says NYC dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD. “It’s typically highly unstable, so it must be adequately protected from sunlight and capped at an acidic pH.” Howe’s preferred form is also L-ascorbic acid, which he says penetrates more deeply than other forms, making it more likely to reach the layers of skin where you actually need it to work. Another popular one? Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, which tends to be more stable than its counterparts. What to look for in a vitamin C serumYou’ll also want to consider its concentration. “You should look for serums that contain 10% to 20% vitamin C,” says dermatologist Morgan Rabach, MD, cofounder of New York City practice LM Medical. “Less than 10% is not as effective, and over 20% causes more skin irritation.” A supporting cast of characters can also boost its efficacy. “Vitamin E stabilizes vitamin C for maximum skin protection, and ferulic acid helps lower the pH level of vitamin C so your skin can use the vitamins easily,” she says. How to store vitamin C serumVitamin C is notoriously unstable, so it can oxidize with light and heat. “Look for darkly tinted glass bottles with airless delivery, as air causes vitamin C to degrade,” says Rabach. It seems like a lot to remember, so we did the heavy lifting of finding out in which skin-care products those multiple factors intersect. Ahead, the 24 best vitamin C serums (or serum-like lotions, to use the term more generously) that meet this stringent list of criteria, according to derms, editors, and our Glamour Beauty Awards judges. All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
 Oprah Daily There are a whole lot of serums out there, from eyelash serum to
hyaluronic acid serum to anti-aging face serum. But what if you only have room in your
makeup bag for one? Experts say to go with a vitamin C serum—because it really works. “Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that fights fine lines by stimulating collagen, brightens your complexion by blocking excess pigment creation, and protects your skin from damaging free radical and other environmental
stressors,” says Michelle Henry, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan. “As we age, though, the skin’s natural levels of antioxidant
vitamin C decrease, which is why it’s so important to add it to your skincare routine.” The one downside? Compared to most products, it often costs more per ounce.
To make sure you get the best return on your investment, here are a few things to keep in mind: Skip creams spiked with vitamin C and instead choose a serum, which is more effective at penetrating the skin barrier, says Brooke Jackson, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Skin Wellness Dermatology Associates. Additionally, there are several forms of vitamin C—and not all are created equal, says Henry. Check the label for L-ascorbic acid, which is considered to be the vitamin C that’s best for skin. (Even better: if it contains 15 to 20 percent L-ascorbic acid, which is the most effective.) “Vitamin C is notoriously unstable—especially when it’s exposed to air and light,” says Jackson. “So it’s best to pick a formula that comes in an airtight pump or opaque bottle, and keep it away from direct sunlight.” Plus, once you begin to see the results of a good vitamin C serum, you can use less primer, less foundation, and less highlighter, ultimately saving you money. So, which ones are worth it? Dermatologists say these face-brightening-and-tightening formulas—suitable for a wide range of skin problems, including acne, hyperpigmentation, oiliness, dryness, and sensitivity—are the best vitamin C serums money can buy. 1 Best for Sensitive Skin Glossier Super Glow 2 Best Vegan Vitamin C Serum Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum 3 Best Serum With Hyaluronic Acid serumtologie C serum 22 4 Best Vitamin C Serum on Amazon TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C Serum 5 Most Affordable Vitamin C Serum The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% 6 Best Vitamin C Serum for Sensitive Skin CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum 7 Best Vitamin C Serum for Hyperpigmentation Hyper Skin Hyper Even 8 Best Vitamin C Serum at Sephora Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 9 Best Vitamin C Serum with Aloe Derma E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum 10 Best Scented Vitamin C Serum OLEHENRIKSEN Truth Serum 11 Best Serum for Oily Skin Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Brightening Skin Corrector 12 Best Vitamin C Serum for Dull Skin The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost Instant Smoother 13 Best Vitamin C Serum for Dark Skin BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner 14 Best Brightening Vitamin C Serum Murad Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum 15 Best Vitamin C Serum with Natural Ingredients Ursa Major Brighten Up Vitamin C Serum 16 Best Vitamin C Serum for Skin Over 50 Juice Beauty GREEN APPLE Age Defy Serum 17 Best Individually Packaged Vitamin C Serum Vitamin C Ceramide Capsules Radiance Renewal Serum 18 Best Vitamin C Serum for Dry Skin Paula's Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Serum 19 Best Pore-Minimizing Vitamin C Serum Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Vitamin C Serum 20 Best Vitamin C Serum for Redness SUNDAY RILEY C.E.O. Vitamin C Brightening Serum 21 Best Vitamin C Serum for All Skin Obagi Professional-C Vitamin C Serum 22 Best Vitamin C Serum with Squalane Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil 23 Most Expensive Vitamin C Serum SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic 24 Vitamin C Serum From a Black-Owned Brand ROSEN Bright Citrus Serum 25 Best Vitamin C Serum with Turmeric Herbivore Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum 26 Best Botanical Vitamin C Serum MARA Chlorella + Reishi Sea Vitamin C Serum 27 Best Vitamin C Serum for Boosting Elasticity iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Green Machine Serum 28 Best Affordable Serum for Dark Spots Olay Tone Perfection Serum 29 Best Drugstore Vitamin C Serum L'Oréal Paris 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum 30 Oprah Daily Reader Favorite Protocol Vitamin C Superserum 31 Quick Facts on Vitamin C Serums What vitamin C does:
Why you should use vitamin C:
What to look for in a vitamin C serum:
How to use vitamin C serums:
Cassie Hurwitz Assistant Editor Cassie Hurwitz (she/her) is an assistant editor at Oprah Daily, where she covers everything from culture to entertainment to lifestyle. Which vitamin C serum is the best?Healthline's picks for the best vitamin C serums. Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster.. Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Serum.. Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum.. La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Serum.. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic.. Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Day Serum.. Which company vitamin C is best?Healthline's picks of the best vitamin C supplements. Thorne Vitamin C with Flavonoids.. Care/of Vitamin C.. Amazon Elements Vitamin C.. NOW Chewable C 500.. Nature's Bounty Vitamin C with Rose Hips.. Nordic Naturals Vitamin C Gummies.. Llama Naturals Elderberry Gummies.. Pure Encapsulations Liposomal Vitamin C Liquid.. Which vitamin C serum is best for glowing skin?25 Best Vitamin C Serums for Glowing Skin, According to.... BEST FOR FINE LINES.. Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum.. BEST FOR FIRMING.. BEST FOR SENSITIVE SKIN.. Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate.. BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner.. SkinMedica Vitamin C + E Complex.. Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster.. Which brand has the best serum?Glo Skin Beauty C-Shield Anti-Pollution Drops.. Sunday Riley Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment.. Skinceuticals CE Ferulic.. Vichy Mineral 89 Prebiotic Recovery and Defense Concentrate.. Now Foods Bakuchiol Skin Renewal Serum.. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum.. Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide Recovery Serum.. |
