The 17 Best Vitamin C Serums to Tone and Brighten Your Skin in 2024, According to a Dermatologist (2024)

Table of Contents
And answering the question: do Vitamin C serums work? Meet our expert: The Best Vitamin C Serums at a Glance: 1. Revision Skincare C+ Correcting Complex 30% The Best Vitamin C Serums for All Skin Types 2. CeraVe Vitamin C Serum The Best Drugstore Vitamin C Serum 3. goPure Vitamin C Serum The Best Vitamin C Serum for Toning 4. Wander Beauty Sight C-ER Vitamin C Concentrate The Best Vitamin C Serum for Sensitive Skin 5. Oars + Alps Wake Up Serum The Best Vitamin C Serum for All Weather Conditions 6. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic The Best Vitamin C Serum for Dry Skin 7. SK-II PITERA™ Facial Treatment Essence The Best Vitamin C Serum for Aging Skin 8. Estee Lauder 3X The Power Advanced Night Repair Skincare Set The Best Vitamin C Serum for Nighttime 9. Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum The Best Vitamin C Serum for Brightening 10. La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Serum The Best Vitamin C Serum for Acne-Prone Skin 11. Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum The Best Vitamin C Serum for Fine Lines 12. Biossance Squalane + 10% Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum The Best Natural Vitamin C Serum 13. PCA SKIN C&E Strength Max Antioxidant Corrective Cream The Best Vitamin C Serum for Oily Skin 14. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare 15% Vitamin C Firm & Bright Serum The Best Vitamin C Serum for All-Day Wear 15. Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Vitamin-C Day Serum The Best Vitamin C Serum for Firming 16. Obagi Serum 20% The Best Vitamin C Serum for Uneven Skin 17. Tree of Life Vitamin C Face Serum The Best Vitamin C Serum With Natural Ingredients FAQs about Vitamin C Serums, answered by a dermatologist
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And answering the question: do Vitamin C serums work?

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The 17 Best Vitamin C Serums to Tone and Brighten Your Skin in 2024, According to a Dermatologist (1)

Dermstore, Amazon, goPure

The 17 Best Vitamin C Serums to Tone and Brighten Your Skin in 2024, According to a Dermatologist (2)

By: Jael Rucker

Published Feb 2, 2024

Skin care is one that is an ever-evolving process that constantly includes mixing and matching up your routine. Whether it's a matter of finding a suitable night cream to help keep your skin lively as you sleep, a neck cream that helps with firming, or finding a specific moisturizer to help with your skin type—the process of caring for your skin is one that's always changing. If you haven't already, you should consider adding a Vitamin C serum to your routine as they can help with addressing common skin issues and concerns such as uneven spots and texture, dullness, discoloration, and fine lines. Furthermore, according to the Linus Palling Institute, the antioxidant properties of Vitamin C (which is an absorbic acid) and its role in collagen synthesis makes the vitamin a vital molecule for skin health, and may help with preventing and treating UV-induced photo damage. As such, we consulted with goPure’s board-certified Dermatologist Dr.Trisha Khanna to put together a guide of the best Vitamin C serums you can purchase to tone and brighten your skin, and the how you can best use your serum to achieve effective results.

Whether it's the Revision Skincare C+ Correcting Complex 30% ($176) or the CeraVe Vitamin C Serum ($20.02), these are options that will have you seeing great results in no time.

RELATED: The 21 Best Face Washes and Cleansers for Men in 2023

Meet our expert:

Trisha Khanna MD FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist in Orlando, Florida. She completed her medical training at Columbia University, College Of Physicians And Surgeons. Then, went on to complete residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida and Orlando Dermatology. She has a focus on integrative dermatology and enjoys combining Eastern and Western medicine to address dermatologic conditions. In her time away from the clinic, she enjoys yoga, dancing, pickleball, and spending time with her French Bulldog.

The Best Vitamin C Serums at a Glance:

1. Revision Skincare C+ Correcting Complex 30%

The 17 Best Vitamin C Serums to Tone and Brighten Your Skin in 2024, According to a Dermatologist (3)

Dermstore

The Best Vitamin C Serums for All Skin Types

  • Pros: Smooths fine lines, revitalizes and hydrates skin, brightens dark spots
  • Cons: May not work for all skin types
  • Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, pentylene glycol, hydrogenated lecithin, Cyclopentasiloxane
  • Fragrance Free: Yes
  • Sulfate Free: Yes
  • Paraben Free: Yes
  • A Promising Review: "Love this Vitamin C. I was previously using a popular high end Vitamin C serum and decided to switch to revision and I'm so happy I did! It's hydrating and leaves my skin feeling supple and moisturized." - Derin, Dermstore Reviewer

Editors, dermatologists, and consumers all around the world love the Revision Skincare C+ Correcting Complex 30% because of all the benefits it brings to the table. Containing Vitamin E and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (THD) as it's key ingredients, the formula helps with revitalizing and hydrating the skin to appear more healthy and moisturized, along with smoothing fine lines and brightening dark spots in the process. Over time, your complexion will be begin to improve as it will appear less spotty, more even, and firmer. Furthermore, if your skin has experienced sun damage, the formula helps with the correction of that issue as well. Additionally, the application process is an easy one—all you have to do is apply one pump and evenly spread through the skin twice a day and you're all good to go.

SHOP NOW AT DERMSTORE, $176

2. CeraVe Vitamin C Serum

The 17 Best Vitamin C Serums to Tone and Brighten Your Skin in 2024, According to a Dermatologist (4)

Amazon

The Best Drugstore Vitamin C Serum

  • Pros: Brightens complexion, evens skin tone, contains l-ascorbic acid, has a lightweight texture
  • Cons: The tube can be difficult to squeeze product out of
  • Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, Vitamin B5
  • Fragrance Free: Yes
  • Sulfate Free: Yes
  • Paraben Free: Yes
  • A Promising Review: "CeraVe’s Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid is my new skincare staple! My face feels so replenished and looks noticeably brighter. The 10% pure Vitamin C truly works wonders in revitalizing my complexion, and the Hyaluronic Acid is the hydration boost my skin needed" - Begum, Amazon Reviewer

If you are looking for a Vitamin C serum that you can run to your local drugstore and purchase, we recommend the CeraVe Vitamin C Serum for both its affordability, and its Vitamin B5 and C, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides ingredients. Additionally, the formula contains ten percent l-ascorbic acid, which is the purest form of Vitamin C one can get. You only need a drop or two in order to get full benefits, and seeing as though the formula is free of parabens, sulfate, and fragrances, you shouldn't experience any irritation or breakouts as a result of trying. At any rate, the CeraVe Vitamin C Serum is just $20 and available at most stores/drugstores, so if it doesn't work for you, you'll only be out twenty bucks. If it does, you got a great serum for $20!

SHOP NOW AT AMAZON, (Was $28.99, Now $19.75)

3. goPure Vitamin C Serum

The 17 Best Vitamin C Serums to Tone and Brighten Your Skin in 2024, According to a Dermatologist (5)

goPure

The Best Vitamin C Serum for Toning

  • Pros: Hydrates and moisturizes skin, brightens complexion, softens skin and makes it appear more energized
  • Cons: May not work for all skin types
  • Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Ferulic Acid, jojoba oil
  • Fragrance Free: Yes
  • Sulfate Free: Yes
  • Paraben Free: Yes
  • A Promising Review: "Wonderful. Seeing results weekly. Had many sun spots and by using the go pure vitamin C it has tremendously lightened the spots and my skin feels and has a noticeable brighter look. Thank you goPure. I love all your products." - goPure Reviewer

Renowned by editors and dermatologists for its top-grade formula that contains key ingredients of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Ferulic Acid, and jojoba oil, goPure's Vitamin C Serum is another affordable formula that works at improving your skin's overall complexion through hydrating, moisturizing, softening, and brightening. The Ferulic Acid in particular works to enhance the effects of the other antioxidants present in the formula, while also giving the Vitamin C power to brighten the skin even more. Since Ferulic Acid can be a bit on the stronger side, the formula is softened with jojoba oil, which helps with smoothing and comfort. All you have to do is massage four or five drops onto your face and neck every morning and evening, and that's it!

SHOP NOW AT GOPURE, $19.99

4. Wander Beauty Sight C-ER Vitamin C Concentrate

The 17 Best Vitamin C Serums to Tone and Brighten Your Skin in 2024, According to a Dermatologist (6)

Wander Beauty

The Best Vitamin C Serum for Sensitive Skin

  • Pros: Firms and brightens skin, helps with hyperpigmentation, helps to increase elasticity, absorbs quickly
  • Cons: The antioxidants present might irritate skin
  • Key Ingredients: Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid, niacinamide
  • Fragrance Free: Yes
  • Sulfate Free: Yes
  • Paraben Free: Yes
  • A Promising Review: "I have only used this serum for about a couple of weeks, but it's the BEST serum I used with vitamin C in it. It's not an oil and doesn't leave me looking oily like other vitamin C serums that I have tried (I have dry skin). Simply a must-try for anyone who wants to use vitamin C but doesn't want to look oily." - Azula, Dermstore Reviewer

One of our favorites on this list, Wander Beauty's Sight C-ER Vitamin C Concentrate provides a range of antioxidant benefits that work in tandem with its key ingredients of squalane, Hyaluronic Acid, and niacinamide. Dermatologists and customers love how it helps with anti-aging through firming the skin, correcting dark spots along with spots accumulated during the years from sun damage, and be reversing dryness by adding tons of moisture and hydration. For best use, all you have to do is apply a pea-sized amount onto your finger, and massage into your face and neck area in the morning and evening. Priced at $42, this is definitely an investment that doesn't hit the pockets too much either.

SHOP NOW AT WANDER BEAUTY, $42

5. Oars + Alps Wake Up Serum

The 17 Best Vitamin C Serums to Tone and Brighten Your Skin in 2024, According to a Dermatologist (7)

Oars + Alps

The Best Vitamin C Serum for All Weather Conditions

  • Pros: Reduces redness, fine lines, and wrinkles, hydrates the skin, fights free radicals from UV exposure
  • Cons: May not work for sensitive skin types, could experience redness and irritation
  • Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E
  • Fragrance Free: Yes
  • Sulfate Free: Yes
  • Paraben Free: Yes
  • A Promising Review: "Wake up serum is a great addition to any skin care routine. Helps start the day feeling fresh!" - Tyler, Oars + Alps Reviewer

Formulated with light creamy texture that's super easy to use and apply, Oars + Alps Wake Up Serum is just what you need to brighten your mood and complexion all in one go. Containing key ingredients of Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, and Vitamin E, your skin literally eats up the formula as goes directly into attack mode of reliving skin issues such as uneven skin tones and textures. Overtime you'll slowly begin seeing the improvement of your skin's complexion, while also seeing a reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. If you have sensitive skin and begin noticing an increase of redness/itchiness, the company recommends taking a break for a few weeks and then trying it again as the initial process of introducing the serum to your skin can be a bit too strong. Otherwise you shouldn't experience any issues.

SHOP NOW AT OARS + ALPS, $49

6. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

The 17 Best Vitamin C Serums to Tone and Brighten Your Skin in 2024, According to a Dermatologist (8)

Dermstore

The Best Vitamin C Serum for Dry Skin

  • Pros: Provides environmental protection, firms skin, reduces fine lines, brightens complexion
  • Cons: Could cause inflammation for sensitive skin types
  • Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, l-ascorbic acid, Ferulic Acid
  • Fragrance Free: Yes
  • Sulfate Free: Yes
  • Paraben Free: Yes
  • A Promising Review: "It is expensive! But it works better than all other Vitamin C serums that I have tried. It really does help reduce sunspots and hyperpigmentation, as well as brighten skin." - Dermstore Reviewer

The SkinCeuticals C E Ferulicis one beloved by dermatologists because it's a no-frills formula that cuts straight to the chase of attacking problematic areas and regions. Aimed specifically at providing environmental protection, firming skin, reducing fine lines, and brightening complexion, the serum features anti-aging properties and l-ascorbic acid, which is a key ingredient in the skin brightening process. With the usage, you'll see the fading of dull and dark spots, while simultaneously noticing the improvement of skin firming. Priced at $182 the formula is bit on the pricier side compared to others, but many have experienced major benefits to their skin from using, making it worth the rather steep price.

SHOP NOW AT DERMSTORE,$182

7. SK-II PITERA™ Facial Treatment Essence

The 17 Best Vitamin C Serums to Tone and Brighten Your Skin in 2024, According to a Dermatologist (9)

SK-II

The Best Vitamin C Serum for Aging Skin

  • Pros: Hydrates the skin, improves signs of aging, reduces sun spots, firms skin
  • Cons: Could cause inflammation for sensitive skin types, may not work for dry skin types
  • Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid
  • Fragrance Free: Yes
  • Sulfate Free: No
  • Paraben Free: No
  • A Promising Review: "SKII is one of my favorite department story luxury brands. I tend to stick with medical grade from my doctors office, but SKII works and is fantastic. This helps my skin have a glow and look of health that is gone when I stop using it." - SK-II Reviewer

According to dermatologists, the SK-II PITERA™ Facial Treatment Essence is one that is slept on as it's one of the best out there at regenerating and hydrating the skin. Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid is what primarily makes up the formula, which is stabilized through its lightweight texture and packaging. You won't see immediate results as it takes at least two weeks to start noticing minor improvements such as a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, and a month for an improvement in the overall vibrancy of the skin and elimination of sun spots. However, if you are able to stick with it for a year, the brand claims that you'll see an elimination of ten years worth of damage. That means tens years of skin damage will be gone in just one. Seems like a good deal to us!

SHOP NOW AT SK-II, $84.15

8. Estee Lauder 3X The Power Advanced Night Repair Skincare Set

The 17 Best Vitamin C Serums to Tone and Brighten Your Skin in 2024, According to a Dermatologist (10)

Estee Lauder

The Best Vitamin C Serum for Nighttime

  • Pros: Repairs skin damage, firms and hydrates, reduces signs of aging, tones skin
  • Cons: May not work for all skin types
  • Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, tripeptide-32, sodium hyaluronate
  • Fragrance Free: Yes
  • Sulfate Free: Yes
  • Paraben Free: Yes
  • A Promising Review: "I love the way this makes my skin feel and even with this small sample, I notice my skin looking younger." - Steph, Estee Lauder Reviewer

If you are specifically on the hunt for a Vitamin C serum that you can use in the evening, the Estee Lauder 3X The Power Advanced Night Repair Skincare Set is one that does it all. Containing a powerful mixture of Vitamin C, tripeptide-32, and sodium hyaluronate amongst others, all of the ingredients in the formula work together to penetrate the skin quickly and improve skin damage while firming and hydrating. As you progress, you'll eventually begin to see the reduction of aging on the skin, along with improvements in overall skin health and brightening. Also containing free-radical benefits, you don't need a lot to get the job done, and the application process (which involves massaging a small amount into your neck and face) is one of ease.

SHOP NOW AT ESTEE LAUDER, $125

9. Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum

The 17 Best Vitamin C Serums to Tone and Brighten Your Skin in 2024, According to a Dermatologist (11)

Amazon

The Best Vitamin C Serum for Brightening

  • Pros: Brightens and plumps skin, evens tone, restores moisture
  • Cons: The bottle is on the smaller side
  • Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, phytosterols
  • Fragrance Free: Yes
  • Sulfate Free: Yes
  • Paraben Free: Yes
  • A Promising Review: "I am new to this brand. The vitamin C Brightening Serum is great. I have been using this for only a few days and noticed the difference immediately. So glad I tried this brand." - Amazon Reviewer

In Sunday Riley's C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum, the 15% Vitamin C comes in the form of THD Ascorbate, which helps with eliminating dullness and discoloration. The rest of the ingredients pair with the THD to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging, while also improving brightening the skin to the point of looking radiant, improving redness and uneven skin tones, and by reinforcing the skin's natural barrier. Even better is the fact that the formula works especially well for those that suffer from skin conditions like acne and eczema due to its lightweight, sensitive, and not-too-harsh nature. Some customers say they have begun to see benefits immediately, but the brand recommends giving it a couple of weeks of testing to make sure.

SHOP NOW AT AMAZON, $85.40

10. La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Serum

The 17 Best Vitamin C Serums to Tone and Brighten Your Skin in 2024, According to a Dermatologist (12)

Amazon

The Best Vitamin C Serum for Acne-Prone Skin

  • Pros: Eliminates wrinkles, evens skin, helps with brightening and smoothing
  • Cons: Oxidizes quickly, can irritate some skin types
  • Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Salicylic Acid
  • Fragrance Free: Yes
  • Sulfate Free: Yes
  • Paraben Free: Yes
  • A Promising Review: "I saw this advertised on Tik Tok non the less! I've been looking for a serum and gave it a try. Now I'm hooked. I use it daily." - Amazon Reviewer

Dermatologist-loved for its help with minimizing wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots, the La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Serum comes highly recommended for its blend of Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, and Salicylic Acid, which needless to say makes for a powerful trio. The 10% Vitamin C included in the formula helps with boosting the skin's radiance, reducing wrinkles, and refining skin texture. All you have to do is apply three or four drops to your fingertips, massage into your neck and area, and that's it. An under $40 serum, this is another great formula that you can try out without spending hundreds of dollars.

SHOP NOW AT AMAZON, $37.59

11. Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum

The 17 Best Vitamin C Serums to Tone and Brighten Your Skin in 2024, According to a Dermatologist (13)

Sephora

The Best Vitamin C Serum for Fine Lines

  • Pros: Improves uneven texture, corrects dark spots, good for all skin types
  • Cons: Can break certain skin types out, may not work for all skin types
  • Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, Glutathione
  • Fragrance Free: Yes
  • Sulfate Free: No
  • Paraben Free: Yes
  • A Promising Review: "I got a sample of this with my purchase and I will be buying the full size! My skin usually breaks out with vitamin C serums, or turns a weird orange tint until I wash it off, but this has been amazing!" - Sephora Reviewer

Powered by a whopping 25 % Vitamin C, the Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum has a whole lot of Vitamin C going on, and it works towards the improvement of uneven skin tones and correcting dark spots. While the Vitamin C is working on the brightening, the Glutathione recharges the Vitamin C while increasing the skin's defenses. In the meantime, other ingredients like Ergothioneine helps with supporting the skin's natural antioxidants, which in turn results in smoother, plumper, and more youthful skin. The formula airy, lightweight, and easy to apply, and upon using, it's not hard to see why this serum has been a heavy hitter in the skin care community.

SHOP NOW AT SEPHORA, $62

12. Biossance Squalane + 10% Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum

The 17 Best Vitamin C Serums to Tone and Brighten Your Skin in 2024, According to a Dermatologist (14)

Sephora

The Best Natural Vitamin C Serum

  • Pros: Corrects dark spots, improves discoloration, evens out the skin
  • Cons: Can take a while to see improvements
  • Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, squalane, Hyaluronic Acid
  • Fragrance Free: Yes
  • Sulfate Free: Yes
  • Paraben Free: Yes
  • A Promising Review: "The only vitamin C products I’ve been tolerate have all been from Biossance—but this one is my #1. Applying in the mornings for ~2 months, I’ve seen considerable improvements in my skin’s brightness & texture. A must." - Sephora Reviewer

This serum pairs 10% Vitamin C with squalane alongside Hyaluronic Acid to give you a potent combination that aggressively attacks, eliminates, and prevents dark spots. Boasting a lightweight formula that absorbs quickly with stickiness, residue, or greasiness, it may take a couple of months to start noticing a huge difference, but if you stick with it you can really see a huge reduction in dark spots along with a more even skin tone that's visibly brighter and more hydrated-looking. Also boosting an easy application process that only requires a couple of pumps, you'll be getting the bang for your buck out of this $65 bottle.

SHOP NOW AT SEPHORA, $65

13. PCA SKIN C&E Strength Max Antioxidant Corrective Cream

The 17 Best Vitamin C Serums to Tone and Brighten Your Skin in 2024, According to a Dermatologist (15)

Amazon

The Best Vitamin C Serum for Oily Skin

  • Pros: Corrects dark spots, reduces fine lines, evens skin, reduces wrinkles
  • Cons: May not work for all skin types, could irritate sensitive skin
  • Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, Vitamin E
  • Fragrance Free: Yes
  • Sulfate Free: Yes
  • Paraben Free: Yes
  • A Promising Review: "I've only been using this product for about a month and have seen the fine crows line under my eyes nearly disappear." - Amazon Reviewer

Dermatologists and editors are big fans of the PCA SKIN C&E Strength Max Antioxidant Corrective Cream for its powerful antioxidant treatment and targeted approach. Containing the purest forms of both Vitamin C and E (l-absorphic acid and bisabolol), after some weeks of use you'll see the reduction in fine lines, the correction of dark spots, and the overall evening of skin. Additionally, your complexion will begin to look more hydrated and energized, leaving you with a refreshed and more refined youthful appearance. That said, this formula is super potent thanks to having antioxidants as its leader, which is something to consider if you suffer from dry skin as it could cause more dryness and sensitivity upon using.

SHOP NOW AT AMAZON, $114

14. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare 15% Vitamin C Firm & Bright Serum

The 17 Best Vitamin C Serums to Tone and Brighten Your Skin in 2024, According to a Dermatologist (16)

Sephora

The Best Vitamin C Serum for All-Day Wear

  • Pros: Firms and brightens skin, evens texture, reduces dark spots, wrinkles, and dullness
  • Cons: Product can result in an orange tint
  • Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, l-ascorbic acid, lactic acid, licorice
  • Fragrance Free: No
  • Sulfate Free: Yes
  • Paraben Free: Yes
  • A Promising Review: "Have been using this vitamin c formula for two years and a decidedly improved glow to my skin! Expensive but worth it; a little goes a long way! Pro-tip: use daily and wait 15 minutes and apply minimum 50SPF sunscreen" - Sephora Reviewer

The Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare 15% Vitamin C Firm & Bright Serum does all the work for you by making it easier to keep your skin protected as it doesn't contain any radicals, all while using its key ingredients of l-ascorbic acid, lactic acid, and licorice to firm, brighten, even, and reduce the effects of aging on the skin. The l-ascorbic acid does its part by reducing the signs of sun aging, the lactic acid increases the absorption rate and enhances the performance of antioxidants, and the licorice reduces hyperpigmentation. Over time you'll see the improvement of all the issues you've been experiencing in your skin, making the $85 price tag well worth your coins.

SHOP NOW AT SEPHORA, $85

15. Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Vitamin-C Day Serum

The 17 Best Vitamin C Serums to Tone and Brighten Your Skin in 2024, According to a Dermatologist (17)

Sephora

The Best Vitamin C Serum for Firming

  • Pros: Firms and brightens skin, hydrates and restores moisture, evens complexion
  • Cons: Could make skin breakout
  • Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, l-ascorbic acid, Ferulic Acid, 1.0% Tocopherol
  • Fragrance Free: Yes
  • Sulfate Free: Yes
  • Paraben Free: Yes
  • A Promising Review: "Best Vitamin C serum that is perfect for dry skin! It’s pricey but a whole bottle will last 6-12 months for me. This is the only serum I have been repurchasing for almost 3 years now" - Sephora Reviewer

By now, if TikTok says it's worth purchasing than that's more than enough reason to give a product a shot. However, Drunk Elephant's C-Firma Fresh Vitamin-C Day Serum does come recommended by dermatologists due to its firming properties. Containing Vitamin C, l-ascorbic acid, Ferulic Acid, and 1.0% Tocopherol, the lightweight formula is one that absorbs easily, all while brightening, firming, toning, and hydrating the skin at the same time. There's no added fragrances, but the formula is one that's cruelty-free, which should give you extra incentive to give it a shot.

SHOP NOW AT SEPHORA, $78

16. Obagi Serum 20%

Obagi

The Best Vitamin C Serum for Uneven Skin

  • Pros: Reduces fine lines, helps to eliminate wrinkles, brightens skin tone
  • Cons: Could cause skin tingling
  • Key Ingredients: L-ascorbic acid
  • Fragrance Free: Yes
  • Sulfate Free: No
  • Paraben Free: No
  • A Promising Review: "After my dermatologist recommended that I use a Vitamin C serum on a patch of damaged skin, as well as my face and neck. Knowing that if I didn’t see quick results I probably wouldn’t continue to use it, I decided to go with the 20% serum. I also incorporated a toner into my daily routine. Within 3 weeks, I saw healthier, brighter skin on my face and the lines on my neck faded a little." - Amanda, Obagi Reviewer

Dermatologists, editors, and customers all believe that Obagi is very much the real deal as it takes the brightening properties of Vitamin C (20% to be exact), and blends it together with Arbutin to defeat aging, dark spots, and sun damage. The Vitamin C and Arbutin work together in combating those skin issues by moisturizing and evening out the skin, giving you a brightness that will be seen more clear over time and with regular use. All you have to do is apply five to seven drops in the morning before moisturizing, and bam—you're all set! Priced at $77 this serum is an investment, but customers can't get enough of it.

SHOP NOW AT OBAGI, $77 - $142

17. Tree of Life Vitamin C Face Serum

The 17 Best Vitamin C Serums to Tone and Brighten Your Skin in 2024, According to a Dermatologist (19)

Amazon

The Best Vitamin C Serum With Natural Ingredients

  • Pros: Brightens and smooths skin, hydrates, is good for sensitive skin, targets anti-aging, affordable
  • Cons: Application process can be messy
  • Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Hyaluronic Acid
  • Fragrance Free: Yes
  • Sulfate Free: Yes
  • Paraben Free: Yes
  • A Promising Review: "Iam one of the “problematic skin” persons, tried many different creams and lotions but alway got some kind of reaction. I am very happy to say that this serum wakes up my skin in the morning without negative efect.It is easy to spread, just use one “squish” on palms of your hands in the morning and spread on the face, hand motions towards for head and the rest spread on the neck and chest line. I always come back at the cheeks and massage it upwards until it is all absorbed." - Amazon Reviewer

An under $15 Vitamin C serum that works towards addressing sensitive skin and anti-aging, this Tree of Life Vitamin C Serum is a good one to consider adding to your lineup if you are in the early phases of testing for potential serums to add to your skincare routines as it's super affordable (meaning you aren't out a lot of money if it doesn't work for you), and gentle in nature, but still effective enough to combat the aforementioned issues plus more. Containing Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Hyaluronic Acid as it's main ingredients, after a couple of weeks of usage you'll be able to see a general improvement in fine lines, wrinkles, the overall hydration of the skin and dullness. This serum is also recommended by dermatologists and has an easy application process.

SHOP NOW AT AMAZON, $13.94

FAQs about Vitamin C Serums, answered by a dermatologist

Here are some frequently asked questions about Vitamin C serums answered directly by our dermatologist Dr. Trisha Khanna:

What should I look for in a Vitamin C Serum?

"Vitamin C is a powerhouse antioxidant that can seriously enhance your skincare routine. The main things I look at when choosing a formula are the type of Vitamin C and concentration. L-ascorbic acid is regarded as the 'gold-standard' of pure Vitamin C, and one of my favorite products that contains this type is theVitamin C Booster by goPure. If you’d like something slightly easier to tolerate, THD Ascorbate is a close derivative that’s just as effective. Kakadu plum extract is the world’s richest natural form of vitamin C, and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate is a stable, gentle form for those with sensitive skin – both of which I’ve found to work wonders in goPure’sBrighten & Even Serum.

"In terms of concentration, it all depends on the type of Vitamin C you choose. Generally, the higher the percentage of Vitamin C, the faster your results. However, certain forms can be just as effective in lower doses."

What does a Vitamin C Serum do?

"Vitamin C is one of my favorite ingredients to get glowy skin. Clinical studies suggest that it can help visibly fade dark spots, and give your complexion a more even look. Vitamin C is also known to help boost collagen production for minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Plus, it’s been shown to help protect your skin from the sun and free radicals to prevent premature signs of aging."

How often should you apply Vitamin C Serums?

"I usually recommend Vitamin C serums be applied once a day, ideally in the morning. Since it has protective properties, applying in the morning will allow your skin to defend itself all day long. I also highly recommend a formula with a high absorption rate in the morning, like goPure’s30% Vitamin C Dry Oil, for deeper benefits that last for hours. If you would rather apply Vitamin C at night, I’d pick a formula that is known to work well with other antioxidants in your routine like Retinol and Niacinamide. Yet another reason I’m obsessed with the goPureDry Oil!"

How should you apply a Vitamin C Serum?

"Vitamin C serums should be applied once in the morning to dry skin, by massaging 4-5 drops in with your fingertips – before your moisturizer. Although it’s protective, I highly recommend you use a daily sunscreen on top for added defense. It’s also extremely beneficial to pair Vitamin C with other hydrating ingredients to add plumpness along with your smoothing and brightening results. I love goPure’sVitamin C Moisturizerfor that dynamic marriage of antioxidants and hydrators."

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