The 12 Best Vitamin C Serums, Based On Dermatologist Advice (2024)

Molly Calhoun

Contributor

Content written by Forbes Vetted Contributors is assigned, reviewed and edited by Forbes Staff

Stephanie Montes

Contributor

Content written by Forbes Vetted Contributors is assigned, reviewed and edited by Forbes Staff

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

Active ingredients:15% L-ascorbic acid,1% alpha-tocopherol, ferulic acid| Additional benefits:Improves appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, reduces free radical damage | Consistency:Serum | Cruelty-free:No

What you’ll love:

• Combats photoaging
• Stimulates collagen
• Evens skin tone

Keep in mind:

• Some find the smell unpleasant
• Expensive

A gold standard in the industry for many years and a favorite of Chicago-based dermatologist Dr. Pritzker, the SkinCeuticals serum evens pigmentation and fights environmental aging using high concentrations of a trio of antioxidants: vitamin C (15% pure L-ascorbic acid), vitamin E (1% alpha tocopherol) and ferulic acid. They work in conjunction to minimize dark spots, fight future UVA/UVB damage, alleviate inflammation and neutralize free radicals. The result? The word “youthful” will replace “tired” and “blotchy” when describing your skin.

What our editors say: “I’ve tried various vitamin C serums in the past and always come back to this one,” says Sung. “It’s great for brightening and evening out my skin tone—and really just making it look healthier overall. It also layers well with skincare and makeup.”

Active ingredients:Vitamin C, vitamin E, sodium ascorbyl phosphate | Additional benefits:Improves skin elasticity, texture smoothing | Consistency:Oil | Cruelty-free: Yes

What you’ll love:

• Affordable
• Reduces dark spots
• Works well under makeup

Keep in mind:

• Some say it can cause dryness

This fully vegan, high-performance blend features vitamin C (sodium ascorbyl phosphate, a water-soluble form), vitamin E, hyaluronic acid and anti-inflammatory MSM (methylsulfonylmethane). It’s designed to brighten, reduce hyperpigmentation and promote elasticity to revitalize tired-looking skin. Its 5-star reviewers (there are more than 95,000 of them) rave about its ability to reduce dark spots and redness, decrease breakouts and minimize pore size. For best results, apply just three to five drops of this serum on clean skin—it works well with or without makeup.

What our writers say: “As someone who had never used a vitamin C serum previous to this one, I can say that this is a great option for beginners,” says updates writer Claire Epting. “I use it beneath my eyes and on acne spots, and I’ve definitely noticed a positive change in those areas since using it. I love that it doesn’t cause any stinging or irritation on my sensitive skin.”

Active ingredients:10% L-ascorbic acid, hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5 | Additional benefits:Restores skin barrier | Consistency:Gel | Cruelty-free: No

What you’ll love:

• Low cost
• Gentle enough for sensitive skin
• Boosts skin’s moisture levels

Keep in mind:

• Lower concentration of vitamin C

CeraVe is widely known for its gentle, non-irritating skincare products, and its vitamin C serum lives up to the brand’s reputation. Like CeraVe’s other moisturizers and cleansers, this serum is free of fragrances and ultra-hydrating, making it an excellent choice for sensitive skin. Hyaluronic acid and a blend of three essential ceramides boost your skin’s moisture barrier, negating the potentially drying effect of the 10% L-ascorbic acid.

What the reviews say: One Amazon customer says, “It leaves my skin glowing and noticeably brighter. I love how quickly it absorbs without leaving any sticky residue, and my complexion feels smoother and more even after just a few uses.” However, some users are less than satisfied with the bottle’s design, commenting that the cap falls off easily.

L'Oréal Revitalift Vitamin C

Active ingredients:10% vitamin c, hyaluronic acid | Additional benefits:Hydrating, wrinkle-reducing | Consistency:Gel | Cruelty-free: No

What you’ll love:

• Low cost
• Typically well-tolerated
• Primer-like finish

Keep in mind:

• Lower concentration of vitamin C
• May not be ideal for those with dry skin due to its powdery finish

This fragrance-free formula features 10% pure vitamin C in conjunction with hydrating hyaluronic acid. Together, they work to reduce wrinkles, even skin tone and make dark spots and pores less noticeable. While some serums can leave behind a greasy feel, this one has a powdery finish similar to that of a primer—making it ideal for layering underneath skincare, SPF or makeup. The lower vitamin C concentration compared to some competitors’ formulas makes this a great option for new users and those with sensitive skin.

What the reviews say: One Amazon customer says, “My skin not only feels great but [this product] takes all the redness away. It makes my face feel so soft." Users also noted that this product offers good value since “a little goes a long way.”However, a few users comment that it’s a bit dry going onto their skin.

La Roche-Posay Vitamin C

Active ingredients:10% vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid | Additional benefits:Minimizes pores, hydrating, exfoliating | Consistency:Serum | Cruelty-free:No

What you’ll love:

• No sticky feel
• Contains acne-fighting ingredients
• Hydrating

Keep in mind:

• Dropper can be messy
• Formula contains fragrance

Wake up “blah” skin, achieve a more youthful-looking glow and target uneven texture with this pure 10% vitamin C serum. It also contains hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid, a known acne fighter that helps exfoliate and minimizes pores. Keep in mind that this formula is applied with a dropper, so it has the potential to get a little messy. It also contains fragrance, so it may cause irritation for those with particularly sensitive skin.

What the reviews say: “The combination of vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid has noticeably brightened my complexion, reduced fine lines and evened out my skin tone,” says one Amazon customer. “I’ve seen a huge improvement in both the texture and radiance of my skin.” However, some users say the dropper is hard to use and that the formula can sometimes pill under makeup.

Mad Hippie Vitamin C

Active ingredients:Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, ferulic acid, konjac root | Additional benefits:Tightens skin, hydrating, calming | Consistency:Serum | Cruelty-free:Yes

What you’ll love:

• Hydrating
• Safe for sensitive skin
• Lightweight feel

Keep in mind:

• Exact percentage of vitamin C isn’t listed
• Some skin types may see better results with L-ascorbic acid

This serum from Mad Hippie is formulated withsodium ascorbyl phosphate, a form of vitamin C that’s more stable than L-ascorbic acid—and therefore, less likely to oxidize. (According to the brand, the potency is comparable to a 15% or 20% L-ascorbic acid formula.) Natural ingredients such as konjac root, chamomile and clary sage work to soothe irritated skin, while hyaluronic acid boosts your face’s moisture levels. The bottle’s wallet-friendly price also earned it the top spot on our list of the best drugstore vitamin C serums.

What the reviews say: “I love this product," says one Amazon customer. “It makes my skin feel smooth and removes blemishes.” However, they also note that it makes their neck “feel a little itchy,” so those with extremely sensitive skin may want to try a gentler formula.

Supergoop Daily Dose

Active ingredients:10% vitamin C, kakadu plum extract, niacinamide | Additional benefits:UV protection, hydrating, heals acne scars | Consistency:Serum | Cruelty-free: Yes

What you’ll love:

• Built-in UV protection
• Boosts radiance
• Combats acne scars

Keep in mind:

• Chemical SPF

This SPF-meets-serum formulation is, as the name suggests, a combination of powerhouse sun protection and toning vitamin C at a 10% concentration. This two-in-one product works double duty, saving on your beauty budget, time and valuable counter space. The non-comedogenic formula is packed with a slew of natural ingredients like ceramides (for moisture), squalene (for immediate hydration), hyaluronic acid (for long-term hydration) and kakadu plum (for combatting acne scars). It’s also gentle enough for daily use, even on sensitive skin types.

What the reviews say: “I use this product in combination with a moisturizer, and I get many compliments on my skin,” says one Ulta shopper. “I’ve also noticed some small blemishes started fading since I’ve started using it.” Reviewers note that while itn can leave your face a little dewy, it’s fine to layer underneath makeup.

Active ingredients:Vitamin C, sugarcane-derived squalane | Additional benefits:Hydrating, improves loss of firmness and elasticity | Consistency:Oil | Cruelty-free: Yes

What you’ll love:

• Layers well under makeup
• Unlikely to cause irritation
• Oil-based for added moisture

Keep in mind:

• Includes fragrance
• May be too heavy for oily skin

This product features THD ascorbate, an oil-soluble, stable form of vitamin C that is typically easier to tolerate than straight L-ascorbic acid. Its other star ingredients are sugarcane-derived squalane and chios crystal oil, which work to lock in moisture and increase skin firmness. While some oils and serums leave behind a greasy residue, this hydrator seems to absorb in just a few minutes. Still, bear in mind that less is more—you only need a few drops. Unlike some other vitamin C products, this one also has a nice, light rose smell, and it works well under makeup without pilling.

What our testers say: “I’ve been using the Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil in my skincare regimen for a few years,”says Forbes Vetted senior e-commerce partnerships manager Jessica Weisman. “It not only hydrates my skin, but it helps with discoloration and elasticity. I live in a super dry climate and I’ve found this oil really helps keep my skin hydrated.”

Revision C+ Correcting Complex 30%

Active ingredients:30% THD ascorbic acid, vitamin E | Additional benefits:Protects against blue light and urban dust, supports skin’s microbiome, improves fine lines | Consistency:Cream | Cruelty-free: Yes

What you’ll love:

• High concentration of vitamin C
• Lightweight feel
• Protects against blue light

Keep in mind:

• Expensive

Revision’s serum has 30% THD ascorbic acid, which Pritzker says “is not only some of the highest percentage on the market, but [also] extremely stable.” The formula brightens and evens skin tone, improves fine lines, helps correct damage and acts as armor to defend against future free radical damage. Another plus: It’s a lightweight cream consistency, which works well for most skin types.

What our experts say: “This is one of my very favorite serums, and it’s a cult favorite,” says Pritzker. “The airless pump ensures that the vitamin C will not oxidize. It protects against blue light and urban dust, and supports the skin’s microbiome.”

Active ingredients:15% vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, kojic acid | Additional benefits: Smooths skin texture, targets fine lines | Consistency:Serum | Cruelty-free: Yes

What you’ll love:

• Helps heal acne and blemishes
• Non-sticky
• Works on all skin tones

Keep in mind:

• A little product goes a long way

Black-owned brand Hyper Skin’s Hyper Even Serum is a vitamin C formula that caters to all skin types and tones. Fruit enzymes and 1% kojic acid tackle hyperpigmentation while 15% vitamin C and vitamin E work together to brighten skin, target fine lines and smooth rough texture. Finally, anti-inflammatory turmeric and salicylic acid (less than 1%) help heal and prevent future breakouts.

What the reviews say: “I love this vitamin C serum,” says one Sephora customer. “It has done wonders for my dark spots from ingrown hairs and discoloration. When I go without this product, my skin doesn’t have the same glow as before.”

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum

Active ingredients:15% vitamin C, PHAs, hyaluronic acid | Additional benefits:Improves skin firmness and elasticity, exfoliating | Consistency:Serum | Cruelty-free: Yes

What you’ll love:

• Can give results in as early as one week
• Multitasking formula also color corrects
• Targets hyperpigmentation and elasticity

Keep in mind:

• Can feel sticky, according to some reviewers

Many vitamin C serums require some time before you can see results, but this vegan and cruelty-free serum is designed to brighten and plump skin in as little as one week of consistent use. It contains a core trifecta of hardworking ingredients: 15% vitamin C to improve elasticity and reduce the look of dark spots, pores and wrinkles, 5% PHAs (polyhydroxy acids) to exfoliate and even skin tone and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump skin. And an added bonus: This serum features “banana powder-inspired pigments” that work to instantly illuminate and color correct.

What our editors say: “It’s so hydrating and lightweight; it immediately gives me a supple, radiant look,” says Forbes Vetted sleep and mattress editor McKenzie Dillon. “The serum preps my skin so well in the morning that I don’t use primer before makeup application. Plus, the smell is to die for.”

Sunday Riley CEO Serum

Active ingredients:Glycolic acid, vitamin C | Additional benefits:Fights signs of aging, minimizes redness, supports natural skin turnover | Consistency:Cream | Cruelty-free:Yes

What you’ll love:

• No greasy residue
• Reduces redness
• Minimizes pores

Keep in mind:

• May be too strong for sensitive skin

If your skin feels dull, you’re not alone. This popular serum, which glides on like a light moisturizer, brightens skin, targets dark spots and reduces the appearance of fine lines. Its star ingredient with a 15% concentration is oil-soluble tetrahexyldecyl (THD) ascorbate, a type of vitamin C that absorbs quickly. Other standouts in this cruelty-free formulation: Phytosterols reduce signs of skin sensitivity—such as redness—and saccharide isomerate acts as a pore minimizer. Think of this as an IRL filter: It evens tone, smooths skin and boosts radiance.

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