Fact Checked
By Wendy Gould
Much has been said about the pros and cons of using a good vitamin C serum to promote healthier skin. While many contests that Vitamin C is best taken orally as a supplement, too many believers in topical Vitamin C application has made skin applications extremely difficult to ignore.
So, what’s the real deal with using Vitamin C as a face serum?
Best Vitamin C Serums For Face
Top Rated Vitamin C Serums – Image/Shutterstock
The Vitamin c is one of the most popular dermatologist approved skincare ingredients. Clearly, there are beauty advantages when Vitamin C is applied to the skin. It is so easy to get this ingredient from many types of face products. Although, the most concentrated forms are available in serum form.
Here is the list of the best vitamin c serum that works. However, if you are wondering how we choose the best Vitamin C Serum, continue reading our methodology.
Our Methodology: How We Choose The Best Vitamin C Serums?
There are numerous vitamin c serums available in the market, it’s very hard to pick the best ones among the pool of vitamin c serums without seeking professional help. Thus, we consulted a panel of dermatologist, cosmetologist & beauty writers to share their most recommended vitamin c serums.
We also researched all the dermatologists recommendations and some other highly rated vitamin c serums and rounded up these 7 best vitamin serums.
While choosing these vitamin C serums, we considered some factors such as concentration of vitamin C, the form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid is the most effective form), the pH level of the serum, the presence of other beneficial ingredients such as antioxidants and hyaluronic acid, and whether the product is stable and does not turn yellow or brown, indicating that it has oxidised and lost its effectiveness.
Additionally, we checked upon the brand reputation, customer reviews and also how your skin reacts to the serum.
Our Top Picks – Best Vitamin C Serums Edition
Best Vitamin C Serum for Sensitive Skin
CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum
Let’s Get an Individual Tour upon Dermatologists Approved Vitamin C Serums 2024
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum joins the ranks of anti-aging products that claim to fight oxidative stress.
Furthermore, the plethora of positive reviews suggests that the serum could be a hidden gem in the anti-aging market and that the price may justify the quality or even a try.
In other words, given the available ingredient information, previous user feedback, and the fact that this product is returnable, it may be worth your time.
Brand: SkinCeuticals | Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Ferulic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate | Size: 1 fl oz / 30 ml | Skin Type : Combination & Normal Skin
Green Signal
- Diminish Deep Wrinkles
- Increases Firmness
- Maintains a Youthful-Looking Skin
Red Flag
- Only Available Online
Best Vitamin C Serum for Sensitive Skin
CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum
This gentle yet effective lightweight vitamin C serum with three essential ceramides also helps to restore your protective skin barrier and includes moisturizing hyaluronic acid and soothing vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) to help improve skin hydration.
Brand: CeraVe | Key Ingredients: Panthenol, Glycerin, Vitamin C | Size: 1 Fl oz | Skin Type : All Skin Types
Green Signal
- Improves Skin Texture
- Visibly Brightens Skin Tone
- Maintains Skin’s Natural Barrier
Red Flag
- Results are bit Gradual
Universal C Eye Perfector is a daily eye-brightening treatment -formulated with 5% L-ascorbic acid (the purest form of vitamin C), CMH Repair Complex, and optical diffusers- to instantly brighten and blur imperfections.
The Universal C Eye Perfector is safe for all skin types and gentle on the delicate skin around your eyes.
Brand: BeautyStat| Key Ingredients: L-ascorbic acid, CMH Repair Complex & Hyaluronic Acid | Size: 0.5 Fl. Oz. | Skin Type : All Skin Type
Green Signal
- Soothes & Plumps Skin
- Reduces Premature Aging Effect
- Hydrates Skin in the Eye Area
Red Flag
- It’s More of Eye Cream
A potent 15% vitamin C day serum packed with antioxidants, nutrients, and fruit enzymes to visibly firm, brighten and improve photoaging signs.
Brand: Drunk Elephant | Key Ingredients: Potent Antioxidant Complex, Pumpkin Ferment and Pomegranate Extract | Size: Powder (0.17 oz), Activated Serum (0.94 Fl Oz) | Skin Type : Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily
Green Signal
- Diminishes signs of aging
- Diminishes Photoaging Damage
- Adds Radiant Glow
Red Flag
- It’s Overpriced
This vitamin c serum mad hippie has a harmonious antioxidant blend which sinks beautifully into the skin, leaving it soft and glowing!
In addition, this serum works wonders on aging, sun-damaged, and acne-prone skin by utilizing Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, an advanced and stable form of vitamin C!
Brand: Mad Hippie | Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Ferrulic Acid & Clary Sage | Size: 1 Fl. oz | Skin Type : Oily Skin
Green Signal
- Reduces Wrinkles
- Combats Hyperpigmentation
- Plumps the Skin
Red Flag
- Results Vary With Every Individuals
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% is a water-free formula that contains 23% pure L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), which aids in the reduction of visible signs of aging. Hyaluronic acid also keeps the skin plumper and fuller, giving it a youthful appearance.
Brand: The Ordinary | Key Ingredients: L- Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate | Size: 1 Fl.Oz | Skin Type : All Skin Types
Green Signal
- Brightens Skin Complexion
- Provides Antioxidant Support
- Targets signs of aging
Red Flag
- May Cause Irritation
This product, vitamin c serum truskin targets the most common aging signs, such as brightness, firmness, fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. According to the brand, the serum contains many skin-friendly ingredients, including organic aloe vera, jojoba oil, vitamins C and E, and hyaluronic acid for added hydration.
Brand: TruSkin | Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, MSM, Botanical Hyaluronic Acid & Vitamin E | Size: 1 Fl.Oz | Skin Typ : All Skin Type
Green Signal
- It’s Very Lightweight
- Reduces Signs of Aging
- Brightens and Evens Tone
Red Flag
- May Cause Breakouts
5 Amazing Vitamin C Serum Benefits For Face
5 Benefits of Vitamin C Serum For Face – Image/Shutterstock
Experts and ordinary people alike have long held that using vitamins for aging skin through skin applications like vitamin c serum is a viable solution for preventing and correcting wrinkles, age spots and other multiple signs of skin aging.
Everybody agrees that skin damage worsens with age. Sun damage on the face and elsewhere on your skin also builds up over the years.
Eventually, your skin becomes unable to cope with the growing severity of damage and the repairs necessary for your skin to recover.
Many studies have validated that antioxidants are one of the most effective ingredients to protect cells and correct damages caused to it, most especially due to free radicals from the environment and stress.
Vitamin C has been recognized as one of the most powerful antioxidants available for skin application as well as an oral supplement.
Is Vitamin C good for aging skin?
Listed below are just five of the skin benefits that you can derive from Vitamin C:
Benefits of Vitamin C Serum – Image/Shutterstock
1. It Boosts Your Skin’s Antioxidant Protection – Antioxidants defend your body cells, including your skin cells, from the permanently damaging effects of free radicals. When free radicals attack healthy skin cells, it can either damage your skin cells, cause it to die or, turn it into another free radical. Antioxidants help prevent these irreversible consequences by combining with free radicals to neutralize these.
2. Vitamin C Re-Energizes Your Skin Cells – This antioxidant is a powerful sun damaged skin treatment. By reviving and rejuvenating your skin cells, it also boosts your cells’ energy levels that give your skin the power to improve the volume and rate of production of collagen and elastin fibers. When there are more fibers in your skin, your skin becomes more capable of coping with required repairs on the skin matrix. As a result, you get to avoid the appearance of visible signs of skin aging.
3. Vitamin C Has Natural Astringent Properties – Vitamin C serum for face is highly recommended as well for its astringent and skin toning properties. Vitamin c naturally lightens dark spots and brightens your overall complexion, making your skin more radiant and even-toned. Meanwhile, it’s tonic properties smoothen your skin’s texture by minimizing the size of your pores.
4. Vitamin C Blocks Damaging UV Rays – This ingredient has the ability to block your skin from damage caused by UV by neutralizing these. Sunscreen that combines UV blockers with antioxidants such as Vitamin C performs better in keeping UV off of your skin. It does not stop there. It also boosts the benefits that you can derive from other products in your skincare regimen.
5. Vitamin C Improves Skin Moisture And Hydration – The toning properties of Vitamin C minimizes water lost that escape when your pores are wide open. This mechanism makes Vitamin C one of the ideal ingredients of the best hydrating serums.
How to Choose the Best Vitamin C Serum? (5 Factors You Must Consider)
How To Choose The Best Vitamin C Serum – Image/Shutterstock
It’s not enough that you seek only the best facial serum with Vitamin C.
You must take the time to consider the following factors as well:
Active ingredients
Skin Type
Accessibility
You want a product that has a reliable distribution channel for when you need to replace your bottle.
Brand Reputation
Value for money
How to Use Vitamin C Serum For Aging Skin?
Vitamin C is available in many forms. You may take vitamin C orally or, apply it topically to support the appearance of healthy skin. As a topical treatment, vitamin C is available in several preparations, including serums.
It is best to get two separate anti-aging vitamin C serum when you’re planning to make vitamin C an integral part of your morning and evening skincare routine. For your morning regimen, make sure to get a serum that also contains sunscreen protection.
Vitamin C face moisturizer that combines sunscreen, moisturizer and vitamin C, which sometimes also come with pigment to match your skin tone, is now available for daytime use.
How To Use Vitamin C Serums – Image/Shutterstock
Another variety is hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C serum[1]. For your nighttime treatment, make sure to combine vitamin C serum with your nighttime repair cream.
Keep in mind that you should follow a cleanse-tone-moisturize routine every time. When applying your products, always start with any treatment, followed by your lightweight serums, and your heavier creams last.
Give your skin ample time to absorb the product completely before layering with another product.
How Vitamin C Serum Helps In Sun Damaged Skin Treatment?
Yes, in fact, vitamin C generally provides a great way of healing sun-damaged skin. It restores the ideal energy levels of your skin cells so that collagen production picks up speed and skin regeneration takes place sooner.
Vitamin C also improves the quality of collagen and elastin fibres produced at much faster rates. When there’s more of these building blocks in your skin, your skin brings new skin to the surface much faster, eliminating the appearance of skin aging due to the sun.
You can check the efficacy of vitamin c serums with the before and after results shown below:
Vitamin C Serum Before and After Results
Vitamin C Serum Before and After Results
Can Age Spots Be Removed With Vitamin C Hyaluronic Acid Serum?
Yes, in much the same way that vitamin C can treat sun-damaged skin.
Vitamin C Hyaluronic acid serum offers added advantages. Its hyaluronic component leaves your skin with a dewier look for longer. This ingredient draws in water droplets from the surroundings to rest on your skin.
It further helps your skin keep this water content locked in, so your skin can stay well-hydrated for longer periods of time. When these two ingredients are combined, your skin becomes damage resistant and becomes capable of healing faster at the same time.
Vitamin C Hyaluronic Acid Serum
What are the Effective Ingredients to look for in a Best Vitamin C Serum For Face?
The best vitamin C skincare products will also be formulated with the following other than vitamin C:
Hyaluronic acid
It protects your skin from chronic dryness and dehydration. It helps your skin draw in a larger volume of water from the surroundings then, it locks this in for a long period of time.
Vitamin E
A powerful antioxidant, it boosts the skin revitalizing[2] power of vitamin C. In turn, Vitamin E also works better in rejuvenating your skin and repairing the skin barrier when combined with vitamin C.
Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide)
Another powerful antioxidant, it also calms inflamed skin to give your skin a more even skin tone[3]. This ingredient is fast becoming another favorite ingredient in skin care products. A study has demonstrated its anti-inflammatory effect on the skin. Vitamin B3 also works closely with Vitamins C and E to deliver a triple antioxidant advantage that thoroughly protects and revitalizes your skin.
Ferulic Acid
The antioxidant function of a formula that contains Vitamins C and E is enhanced with the addition of ferulic acid, which is also a powerful antioxidant. It strengthens your skin and defends it from environmental stressors[[4].
Panthenol
It works with vitamin C to enhance collagen production rates and volume, which, in turn, supports faster skin healing and repair. In addition, panthenol also leaves your skin with a thin film that helps trap moisture in and gives your skin a better-conditioned feeling as well.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q.What Is the Best Vitamin C to Use on Your Face?
A. Vitamin C is available in many forms, but the most popular ones are L-ascorbic acid and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate. However if your skin is normal to oily then L-ascorbic acid will be perfect form of vitamin c whereas people with dry or sensitive skin should opt for magnesium ascorbyl phosphate.
Q.What Do Vitamin C Serums Do For Your Skin?
A. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can help to fight wrinkles and skin damage. It also prevents damage against environmental stressors & photoaging.
Q.Should I Use Vitamin C Serum Everyday?
A. Yes of course, a vitamin c serum can be used everyday. You can apply it gently on your freshly cleansed skin before moisturizer and a sunscreen.
Q.Should I Use Vitamin C Serum Everyday?
A. Yes of course, a vitamin c serum can be used everyday. You can apply it gently on your freshly cleansed skin before moisturizer and a sunscreen.
Final Verdict
Adding vitamin C serum into your skincare regimen can work as a blessing if you be wise & specific about your concern, ingredients & your skin type. As vitamin C serums help you tackle the signs of aging, hyperpigmentation & environmental damage, it’s an excellent decision to invest in vitamin C serums.
We have tested all the products mentioned above, and the one which works magically is SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum.
Why Should You Trust Us?
We are a reliable source of information when it comes to beauty secrets, product reviews & best product guides. We mined the best products on the basis of dermatologists opinion & extensive research. You can undoubtedly use this recommendations with or without seeking any professional help.
(Note: We always specify the skin type any product is most suited to pair with; however we always advise performing a patch test before direct application of any cosmetic formulations.)
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References
The Beauty Insiders takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
[1] Dermatoendocrinol. 2012 Jul 1; 4(3): 253–258. doi: 10.4161/derm.21923. PMCID: PMC3583886
PMID: 23467280. Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583886/
[2] Aging Skin | Sunlight | MedlinePlus https://medlineplus.gov/skinaging.html
[3] Niacinamide: MedlinePlus Supplements https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/1534.html
[4] Environmental Stressors | USGS.gov https://www.usgs.gov/centers/werc/science-topics/environmental-stressors
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