The Best Vitamin C Serums We Tested and Recommend For Glowing Skin
The Best Vitamin C Serums We Tested and Recommend For Glowing Skin
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Vitamin C serum is a skincare product that contains a concentrated form of vitamin C, which is also known as ascorbic acid. It is a popular ingredient in the beauty industry due to its various skin benefits. Here's some information about vitamin C serum:
Antioxidant properties: Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, which means it helps protect the skin from free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage skin cells and contribute to aging and the development of certain skin conditions.
Collagen synthesis: Vitamin C plays a crucial role in the production of collagen, a protein that provides structure and elasticity to the skin. By stimulating collagen synthesis, vitamin C can help improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin.
Brightening effect: Vitamin C has skin-brightening properties, as it inhibits the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Regular use of vitamin C serum can help even out skin tone and give the complexion a more radiant appearance.
Sun damage protection: Vitamin C has been shown to have a protective effect against sun damage. While it's not a substitute for sunscreen, using vitamin C serum alongside sun protection can provide an extra layer of defense against harmful UV rays.
Potential for reducing inflammation: Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe irritated skin and reduce redness. It may be particularly beneficial for individuals with sensitive or acne-prone skin.
When using vitamin C serum, it's important to consider the following points:
Stability: Vitamin C can be unstable and prone to oxidation when exposed to air, light, and heat. Look for serums that are packaged in dark, airtight containers to preserve the potency of the vitamin C.
Concentration: The effectiveness of vitamin C serum can vary depending on its concentration. Higher concentrations may be more potent but can also be more irritating to the skin. It's generally recommended to start with a lower concentration (around 10-20%) and gradually increase if tolerated.
Application: Apply vitamin C serum to clean, dry skin. It's typically used in the morning before moisturizer and sunscreen. Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer for the specific product you're using.
Patch test: If you have sensitive skin or are using vitamin C serum for the first time, consider doing a patch test on a small area of skin to check for any adverse reactions before applying it to your entire face.
It's worth noting that individual results may vary, and it's always a good idea to consult with a dermatologist or skincare professional for personalized advice regarding the use of vitamin C serum or any other skincare product.
Best for Sensitive Skin
If you have sensitive skin, then you know how important it is to find products that are gentle but effective. This one is just that, and we loved it. Not to mention, tons of our Byrdie readers adore it, too. The product was really comfortable on sensitive and acne-prone skin. While it took about 30 seconds to dry, which is slightly longer than some other options, it dried down to a moisturizing and non-greasy finish. We even noted that we could get away without applying a moisturizer on top of it and our skin still felt hydrated. Another bonus? It didn’t clog our pores.
As for the results after the testing period, we were really pleased with them. Post-acne marks were noticeably lightened, and our complexions looked radiant.
Who It's For
Who It's For
Considering that it’s effective, non-irritating, suitable for all skin types, and doesn’t contain harsh acids, we think it’s a great choice for anyone with sensitive skin.
Benefits: Radiance-boosting, improves appearance of dark spots and fine lines | Skin Type: All | Dosage: A few drops daily day or night | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Acne-Prone Skin
People with acne-prone skin know that trying new skincare products can often lead to breakouts and irritation. We found that this product actually helped improve the appearance of our oily skin overall. The formula contains L-ascorbic acid, the purest form of vitamin C for powerful antioxidant protection, as well as hyaluronic acid for an added boost of hydration.6
While we struggled a bit to set up the dispensing part of the packaging for the initial use, once it was complete, the product was easy to use moving forward. We also loved that our skin looked slightly brighter after consistent use, and the fine lines near our mouths appeared to have smoothed out a bit.
Who It's For
Who It's For
This is a great option if you have acne-prone skin. We appreciated that the serum had a lightweight texture that didn’t feel greasy on our already oily skin, and we noticed that after a few weeks of using it, our post-acne marks were visibly reduced.
Benefits: Antioxidant protection, helps improve skin tone and radiance | Skin Type: All | Dosage: A few drops daily | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Brightening
OLEHENRIKSEN Banana Bright 15% Vitamin C Serum is our fave for brightening because it leaves the skin with a glow right after application and it helps to improve the skin’s radiance over time with consistent use.
We appreciated how user-friendly the packaging is, that the formula absorbed into the skin quickly, and that it left us feeling moisturized and looking glowy. It also layers beautifully with other skincare and makeup products. After the six-week period, our skin was left looking hydrated, illuminated, and refreshed.
While the serum claims to help with skin plumpness thanks to the inclusion of hyaluronic acid, we didn’t notice a visible improvement in this area. But given how brightening this serum is, we highly recommend it if you’re dealing with dull skin.
Who It's For
Who It's For
If you struggle with dull skin, incorporating this brightening vitamin C serum into your skincare routine might be just what you need to achieve a more radiant complexion.
Benefits: Radiance-boosting, firming, reduces appearance of dark spots | Skin Type: Balanced, dry, combination, oily | Dosage: A few drops daily | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Hyperpigmentation
Dark spots can result from many things—like post-acne scarring and sun damage—and they can often be tricky to fade. But if you have fairly surface-level dark spots, we highly recommend incorporating a vitamin C serum into your routine because the powerful antioxidant has been known to help lighten hyperpigmentation.
This one is excellent for that because, in addition to containing vitamin C, it’s also formulated with niacinamide, another ingredient known for its spot-fading capabilities. This formula is suitable for all skin types, has a lightweight and non-oily finish, and the packaging is simple and effective. Over time, we recognized a significant reduction in the appearance of our post-acne marks, and our complexions looked generally more even in tone.
Who It’s For
Who It’s For
If you have hyperpigmentation this powerful formula will help fade it over time. Remember to slather on the sunscreen to prevent dark spots from coming back.
Benefits: Lightens dark spots, calms inflammation | Skin Type: All | Dosage: A few drops morning and night | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Discover the secret to glowing, flawless skin with Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum. This powerful blend of rice and alpha-arbutin addresses dark spots, discoloration, and acne scars. Suitable for all skin types, this Korean skincare essential provides deep hydration and pigmentation correction. Elevate your skincare routine and unlock the path to luminosity and confidence.
Best Hydrating
Vitamin C serums don’t always provide a ton of hydration, but if you’re looking for one that truly pumps up the moisture, this is the one we recommend for you. The formula feels like a typical, lightweight face oil—as opposed to some vitamin C serums that have a grittier texture—and it nourishes the skin in addition to providing all of the wonderful antioxidant benefits.
We didn’t feel that this formula made our face look or feel greasy, rather, it provided the necessary hydration and a bit of glow. Over time, we noticed a real improvement in the radiance and texture of our skin. The one thing we think is missing? It didn’t do much in terms of firming the skin, but if improving radiance and skin texture is your goal, we don’t think you’ll be disappointed with this product.
Who It’s For
Who It’s For
This silky formula contains sugarcane-derived squalane–a vegan version of squalane (with an ‘e’), a moisturizing molecule that’s naturally produced in our bodies. Squalane is a highly effective hydrator, making this product great for anyone with a drier skin type.
Benefits: Brightening, firming, hydrating | Skin Type: Balanced, dry, combination, oily | Dosage: A few drops morning and night | Size: 0.5 or 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Overall
We love that this product is available at your local drugstore, relatively affordable, and highly effective. Over time, we noticed a significant improvement in the radiance of our complexion. After six weeks, our skin appeared brighter and smoother. We also saw a noticeable difference in the firmness of our skin.
As for the texture of the product, it’s not liquidy nor oily; rather, it almost feels like a lightweight paste. While this might not sound super appealing, it spreads easily and sinks into the skin quickly. We also appreciated the squeeze-tube packaging, which made dispensing the right amount of product easy. The one con we found is that, unlike some other vitamin C serums that immediately leave the skin looking radiant due to oily or luminous formulas, this one doesn’t. But given how effective it is over time, this isn’t a major downfall.
Who It's For
Who It's For
This is a great all-rounder for anyone in need of a radiance boost, though it’s best for those with a bit of patience, as results may take time.
Benefits: Radiance-boosting, wrinkle-reducing | Skin Type: All | Dosage: Apply a dime-size morning and evening | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Splurge
As avid vitamin C serum enthusiasts, we know a good formula when we try one. Sometimes the most buzz-worthy products don’t live up to expectations, but this one absolutely does. It has a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula that doesn’t feel sticky or drying on the skin, it’s easy to apply and layer in a skincare routine and yielded some really impressive results.
We noticed a real improvement in the texture of our skin when we used SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, as well as a reduction in the appearance of fine lines. After six weeks of using it, our skin looked and felt softer and smoother. However, we weren’t convinced that contributed to the glowiness of our complexions significantly more than other, more affordable options we’ve used. There’s no denying that we adore this serum, but it’s worth noting that while it doesn’t contain fragrance, it doesn’t have a particularly appealing smell. However, the scent doesn’t linger on the skin, so it’s not a dealbreaker for us.
Who It's For
Who It's For
This SkinCeuticals serum is a winner for anyone concerned about fine lines and photoaging. The addition of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), and ferulic acid helps enhance this formula’s protective qualities, guarding against environmental damage caused by free radicals.
Benefits: Brightening, antioxidant protection, improving appearance of fine lines and wrinkles | Skin Type: Balanced, dry, combination, sensitive | Dosage: A few drops in the morning | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Korean
Popular vitamin C serums on the market, like Glossier’s Superglow or Klair’s Freshly Juiced vitamin C serum, contain a concentration of around 5–10 percent vitamin C. COSRX vitamin C serum, however, contains a whopping 20.5 percent — higher than even the extremists at Drunk Elephant, whose serum contains only 15 percent vitamin C. The only thing to say about this product is that it just really, really works — after a couple weeks of consistent use, you will notice fading of dark spots and an overall brightness in your complexion. If you like Drunk Elephant’s Vita C, you must try this for half the price.
Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum
Discover the secret to glowing, flawless skin with Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum. This powerful blend of rice and alpha-arbutin addresses dark spots, discoloration, and acne scars. Suitable for all skin types, this Korean skincare essential provides deep hydration and pigmentation correction. Elevate your skincare routine and unlock the path to luminosity and confidence.
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