Our Editors Have Seen Such a Difference With These Vitamin C Serums

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Whether you have a complex or simple skincare routine, dermatologists agree that a solid vitamin c serum should be added into rotation, stat.

“Vitamin c is a potent antioxidant, which means it aids in your skin's natural regeneration process, protecting it against stressors like environmental pollutants and sunlight that can cause skin damage,” explains dermatologist Dr. Morgan Rabach, MD. "Vitamin c also triggers the skin to produce more collagen and elastin, helping it to feel firmer." So, if you struggle with hyperpigmentation, acne scars, dullness, uneven skin texture, and even fine lines, this one's for you.

Vitamin c comes in many different forms—think moisturizers, face washes, eye creams, etc—so if you're not sure where to start, Dr. Rabach says that using vitamin c in serum form is most effective, as it's able to penetrate the skin deeper than a moisturizer. That said, whether you have acne, dryness, sensitivity, or melanin-rich skin, there are tons of different vitamin c serums out there for you.

To flesh out the best of the best in the world of vitamin c serums, the Women's Health team got together and talked favorites. The team also reached out to several dermatologists to see what they recommend to their patients. See below for vitamin c serums derms (and your trusty WH editors) recommend for bright, glowy skin year-round.

Shop the best vitamin c serum deals on Amazon

C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum

"My patients love this for brightening," says dermatologist Dr. Laura Scott, MD. She adds that it's a great step for her patients who don't want a ten-step routine, as it "kind of doubles as a moisturizer." Dr. Scott also loves the brand's CEO glow oil, raving that the anti-inflammatory turmeric in the formula has been great for her own acne-prone skin.

This serum also gets a stamp of approval from dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp, MD, who says its thicker consistency improves the ability to control application, as thinner products can be runny and harder to apply.

C+ Correcting Complex 30%

Dr. Scott's biggest concern with her melanin-rich patients is that dark marks tend to last for a longer amount of time and can be hard to remove. But, this antioxidant-rich serum helps.

For those with melanin-rich skin, Dr. Scott recommends formulations that err on the gentle side. "I have never had a patient not like Revision's Correcting Complex," she says. "The only downside is that it’s a bit pricey."

Vitamin C Complex Face Serum

Let's be real—not all of us want to drop tons of cash on skincare. And Dr. Scott says you don't have to. She's a huge fan of drugstore skincare brand Naturium; her patients often come back with rave reviews after giving it a try.

"I have yet to try a product from Naturium that I haven’t liked," she tells us. "Quite a few of my patients love their Vitamin C Complex Serum." Inside the bottle, you'll find a solid concentration of pure l-ascorbic acid and Kakadu plum, another major source of vitamin C that helps address signs of aging.

"The brand has a lot of products that are some of the best around, and they're at such a good price point," adds Dr. Scott.

Pure Vitamin C Face Serum

This Pure Vitamin C Serum from La Roche-Posay is of dermatologist Dr. Mona Gohara, MD's favorite vitamin C serums, as it's made with acne-fighting salicylic acid, (uh, this is a rare find at just $40!).

"A lot of science went into developing this over-the-counter option," Dr. Gohara says. "It adds radiance to the skin by effectively fighting off free radical damage from UV light and other external sources."

Phloretin CF® with Ferulic Acid

Dermatologist Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose, MD says this serum is super well-known for a reason. "It delivers potent antioxidant effects with help from L-ascorbic acid and ferulic acid." The reason it's packaged in dark glass is to help preserve its potency, she adds.

Dr. Scott likes to recommend this serum to patients with acne-prone skin. "It’s not formulated with L-ascorbic acid or ferulic acid, both of which can oftentimes be too aggressive and cause irritation on acne-prone individuals."

WH Beauty director Brian Underwood backs both derms, saying, "Research shows that vitamin E and ferulic acid help to boost the skin benefits of vitamin C, and this product is the OG in that respect. Yes, it's pricey, but the results speak for themselves. And don't be put off by the smell (beauty editors have described it as hot dogs or bologna), it dissipates quickly."

Vitamin C Brightening Booster Serum

"Although it's a splurge, I consider 111Skin my special-occasion skincare," says WH fitness editor Jennifer Nied, who adds that a little goes a long way. "Even with sporadic and sparing use, I've noticed improvements in my biggest skin concerns—texture, coloration, and fine lines. My skin looks brighter and balanced almost instantly." She also adds that the bottle also looks lovely for shelfies.

MOLECULAR HERO SERUM

10% Pure Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid

“This serum provides high-quality vitamin C to the masses,” says dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner, MD. “It has been clinically tested for stability and efficacy and is available right at your local drugstore.”

Inside the product, you'll find an optimal concentration (10 percent, to be exact!) of Vitamin C to visibly boost skin’s radiance and overall tone. It also gives skin a matte look and absorbs super quickly, making it great for oily skin types.

Professional C Serum 15%

Dr. Gohara swears by using Obagi Medical's Vitamin C Serum every single morning. "It has highly-concentrated L-ascorbic acid (15 percent, if you're wondering) and it's easy to layer, making it not only very effective at evening out skin tone and minimizing lines, but also a breeze to use each morning!" According to reviews, it sinks right into the skin and leaves it feeling silky and soft.

Squalane + Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum

Those with sensitive skin should stick with a product that has just 10 percent Vitamin C in it, rather than some that use 20 percent or more, according to Dr. Gohara. A personal favorite among many WH editors is this one by Biossance, which also features squalane and white shitake mushroom for an ultra-hydrating boost.

C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum

Vitamin C is an antioxidant, but Dr. Gohara notes that if you're looking for a serum to even out your skin tone, you'll want to look for a product that has added skin-protecting antioxidants. This one from Drunk Elephant features Vitamin E and ferulic acid for that extra oomph. Dr. Murphy-Rose also loves it for its ability to add a major glow to the skin.

"I love the Drunk Elephant C-Firma serum," says WH executive digital director Amanda Woerner. "Since I started using it, I've noticed fewer brown spots on my skin and feel like my complexion looks brighter overall. It also feels very lightweight for use under makeup during the day." She adds that she's experimented with other pricier vitamin C serums over the years, but she keeps coming back to this one because of its amazing results.

15% Vitamin C

This is another great product to add to your collection if you struggle with acne scarring and hyperpigmentation. But, it's extra suitable for those with dry skin, as it has hyaluronic acid in it, per Dr. Gohara.

Bonus: This serum also features turmeric, which (as mentioned above!) is a great anti-inflammatory ingredient for those who are acne-prone, according to Dr. Scott.

8% Mandelic Acid Serum

First things first: this isn't actually a vitamin C product. But, Dr. Scott repeatedly notes that the potent skincare ingredient simply isn't for everyone, and can oftentimes cause irritation in her patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have rosacea. But, you can still get all the glowy vitamin C benefits with Vivant's Mandelic Acid Serum.

"When I was pregnant and breastfeeding, I used this serum and loved it. It's moisturizing, prevents dark spots, and was the only thing that didn't bother my skin during that time," she says.

How Our Team Chose The Best Vitamin C Serums

For the past few years, Women’s Health editors, including associate commerce editor Lily Wohlner, have been researching the most popular, and top-rated vitamin C serums. Our team consulted other WH editors and dermatologists Dr. Morgan Rabach, MD, Dr. Laura Scott, MD, Dr. Brendan Camp, MD, Dr. Mona Gohara, MD, Dr. Joshua Zeichner, MD, Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, and Dr. Sheri Sperling, MD for the story.

What should I look for in a vitamin C serum?

It should have vitamin E or ferulic acid in the formula:

"You should look for a vitamin C serum that has vitamin E or ferulic acid in the formula, as they help to stabilize the serum," says dermatologist Dr. Sheri Sperling, MD. "Vitamin C is not a stable acid, so it’s really important to get one that is compounded in a way that makes it effective." Among the natural factors that can alter the stability of your serum: Air, heat, and light.

It should have opaque packaging:

Like Sperling explained, Vitamin C is an unstable molecule. But, Dr. Camp adds that it's also prone to degradation and oxidative stress. "To make sure your vitamin C lasts, make sure you buy one that is packaged in an opaque or dark-colored bottle." He also notes that it's important to store vitamin C products at room temperature in the dark, such as in a medicine cabinet, so they're not effected by sunlight.

It should have a higher concentration of Vitamin C:

Dr. Murphy-Rose recommends buying a serum that has a vitamin C concentration of about 10 to 20 percent. "Studies have found that concentrations of less than eight percent may be ineffective. On the other hand, concentrations that are higher than 20 are more likely to cause skin irritation."

How often should you use a vitamin C serum?

When it comes to vitamin C, or really any skincare product, consistency is key. "Daily use is recommended for most vitamin C products," says Dr. White. But, when you apply it matters.

"Application of vitamin C products in the morning can help neutralize free oxygen radicals that develop during the day as a result of normal metabolism and exposure to IV radiation and environmental pollutants," notes Dr. Camp.

According to Murphy-Rose, applying vitamin C should always be the first step in your morning routine after cleansing. "But, make sure you use it in conjunction with mineral sunscreen before you head out the door!"

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