Best vitamin C serum for dull skin
L’Oreal Paris Revitalift 10% Vitamin C Concentrate
- Price: $
- Size: 1 ounce (oz.)
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, ascorbic acid
- Key features: paraben-free, fragrance-free
- Skin type: dull, uneven skin
Why we love it: At a reasonable price point, this 10 percent vitamin C serum is free of fragrances and dyes. It also contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin. Users say the formula is light and effective, visibly improving wrinkles.
What you should know: While many love that this is more of a cream than a serum, some feel it’s too heavy.
Best drugstore vitamin C serum
Pixi Vitamin-C Serum
- Price: $
- Size: 1 oz.
- Key ingredients: ferulic acid, vitamin C
- Key features: paraben-free, cruelty-free
- Skin type: all skin types
Why we love it: This ascorbic acid vitamin C serum includes ferulic acid, which also helps fight free radicals and reduces the effects of sun damage. Caffeine helps brighten skin, too.What you should know: This serum has a citrus peppermint scent. While many reviewers say it smells great, some find it too strong.
Best vitamin C serum for hyperpigmentation
Murad Environmental Shield Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum
- Price: $$$
- Size: 1 oz.
- Key ingredients: glycolic acid, vitamin C
- Key features: cruelty-free, vegan, gluten-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free
- Skin type: oily or combination skin
Why we love it: Vitamin C can be a little unstable, breaking down easily when exposed to light, air, or water. Murad uses gold to stabilize the vitamin C in this serum, which the brand says results in a stronger product.
The convenient pump top is designed to deliver the same dose of vitamin C each time you apply it.
What you should know: The serum also contains glycolic acid, a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that can work well for hyperpigmentation. However, it can sometimes be irritating to sensitive skin. Additionally, you may get more benefits from using glycolic acid and vitamin C separately than you will combining them.
Best vitamin C serum for all skin types
Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster
- Price: $$$
- Size: 0.67 oz.
- Key ingredients: vitamin E, ferulic acid, vitamin C
- Key features: fragrance-free, cruelty-free, paraben-free, recyclable through TerraCycle
- Skin type: all skin types
Why we love it: This 15 percent vitamin C formula can be used alone or added into your moisturizer. Just a few drops are all you need for a healthy glow. This is also helpful for reducing the appearance of scars.What you should know: Some users with dry skin say this caused irritation.
Most splurge-worthy vitamin C serum
Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Serum
- Price: $$$
- Size: 1 oz.
- Key ingredients: tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate vitamin C, ferulic acid, vitamin E
- Key features: fragrance-free
- Skin type: all skin types
Why we love it: This vitamin C serum contains vitamin C in the form of tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. At 20 percent potency, it’s a much higher concentration than most of the other available vitamin C antoanvesinh.com serum also contains vitamin E and ferulic acid. A 2005 study suggests that ferulic acid is most effective when combined with vitamins E and C, like in this serum.What you should know: Some reviewers report that this serum has an off-putting smell.
Best vitamin C serum for oily skin
Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum
- Price: $$$
- Size: 1-1.7 oz.
- Key ingredients: vitamin C, phytosterols complex, glycolic acid
- Key features: B corp certified, cruelty-free, My Green Lab certified
- Skin type: oily or acne-prone skin
Why we love it: This serum absorbs quickly into the skin and doesn’t leave a greasy feel. After a few applications, reviewers report fading acne scars and improved appearance.
What you should know: You don’t need a lot of this product for each use, so one bottle goes a long way.
Like the Murad serum, this product contains glycolic acid. Though glycolic acid and vitamin C can safely be combined, they may work better when used separately.
Best vitamin C serum for acne-prone skin
La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Serum
- Price: $$
- Size: 1 oz.
- Key ingredients: vitamin C, salicylic acid
- Key features: allergy tested, dermatologist tested, paraben-free, noncomedogenic, oil-free
- Skin type: acne-prone skin
Why we love it: The combination of vitamin C and salicylic acid makes this nongreasy formula great for acne-prone skin. Those who are concerned about aging skin say they love the improvement in their skin’s appearance.What you should know: Salicylic acid is tough on acne, but it may irritate sensitive skin. This formula also has a strong scent, so it’s not a great option for people who are sensitive to fragrances.
Best vitamin C serum for dry skin
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
- Price: $$$
- Size: 1 oz.
- Key ingredients: vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid
- Key features: paraben-free
- Skin type: dry skin
Why we love it: This 15 percent vitamin C serum contains L-ascorbic acid, which is the most potent kind of vitamin C. It also contains vitamin E and ferulic acid, as well as glycerin to hydrate dry skin. Reviewers say they like how bright and smooth their skin was after just a few applications.What you should know: Some users don’t like the scent.
Best long-lasting vitamin C serum
Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Day Serum
- Price: $$$
- Size: 1 oz.
- Key ingredients: vitamin C, pumpkin ferment, pomegranate extract
- Key features: vegan, cruelty-free, fragrance-free
- Skin type: all skin types
Why we love it: A vitamin C formula that’s cruelty-free, free of essential oils, *and* has a fun name — what’s not to love? This Drunk Elephant formula is designed to stay on your skin for 72 hours. What you should know: Drunk Elephant relaunched the product in 2021. It now comes in two separate vials you mix together to “activate” the vitamin C, so you know the product will stay fresh for at least 6 months.