14 Moisturizers With Vitamin C to Improve the Look of Discoloration and Dullness

What Is a Vitamin C Moisturizer?

A vitamin C moisturizer is, as the name suggests, a moisturizer that contains vitamin C. While many vitamin C skincare products come in the form of serums, vitamin C moisturizers tend to offer more hydrating benefits and tend to be more gentle on the skin. 

What Are the Benefits of Using a Vitamin C Moisturizer?

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that boasts free radical-fighting properties, which helps to stave off signs of premature aging like fine lines and wrinkles. It’s also hailed for its abilities to help fade the look of discoloration. “When added to your daily routine, vitamin C provides a range of benefits, from evening out your skin tone to reducing pigmentation and shielding skin from the visible impacts of pollution,”  Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, previously told Skincare.com. “It is a powerful antioxidant that, when combined with SPF, can be an added boost against UV light.” 

Who Should Use a Vitamin C Moisturizer?

Vitamin C can benefit any skin type, but to find the best one for you, you should keep these three features in mind: the type of vitamin C the moisturizer contains, the concentration of vitamin C, and the other ingredients the vitamin C is paired with. Products that combine vitamin C with hyaluronic acid, for example, may be a good option for dry skin, while a vitamin C and niacinamide pairing can help balance oily skin. “Vitamin C as L-ascorbic acid is the most potent, but can irritate dry or sensitive skin,” Dr. Frank told Skincare.com. “For more mature skin, THD ascorbic acid is fat soluble and can be found in a more hydrating lotion form.”

A board-certified dermatologist can help you determine which vitamin C formula is right for your skin type and concerns. 

Ahead, check out our list of 14 editor-approved vitamin C moisturizers below. 

The Best Vitamin C Moisturizers

Garnier SkinActive Green Labs Pinea-C Brightening Serum Cream Moisturizer

Infused with vitamin C and pineapple, this fast-absorbing serum cream works to smooth and improve the look of skin tone and texture. It also contains SPF to help protect from UV rays. This pick works for all skin types.

Vichy LiftActiv Peptide-C Brightening Anti-Aging Moisturizer

This dullness-zapping moisturizer has a combination of vitamin C, phyto peptides and Vichy volcanic water to help soothe, visibly brighten and diminish the look of dark spots on all skin types. It also works to help soften and firm the look of the skin for a more youthful-looking complexion.

L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Day Cream

Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask

Those with dry, dehydrated skin will love this cream’s rich, nourishing feel and antioxidant-packed ingredient list. Apply every night to dry and dehydrated skin, or use as a hydrating treatment three times a week to help target occasional dryness.

Skinceuticals Phloretin CF Gel

If you don’t like the feel of a heavy moisturizer on your skin, you might love this vitamin C gel from Skinceuticals. In addition to 10% L-ascorbic acid, it contains antioxidants phloretin and ferulic acid. This pick is recommended for dry, normal, combination and sensitive skin types.

La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Cream

For a plumped, bright complexion, opt for this anti-aging moisturizer. It contains vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and thermal spring water that will hydrate, refresh, and improve the look of skin’s firmness and tone on all skin types.

Vichy LiftActiv Peptide-C Sunscreen SPF 30

This SPF-moisturizer hybrid helps improve the look of dullness, wrinkles, uneven skin tone and loss of firmness. It utilizes a combination of vitamin C, phyto peptides and soothing volcanic water for a formula that will work for all skin types. 

iNNBEAUTY PROJECT 10+10 Moisturizer

With a whopping 10% vitamin C, 10% peptide complex and ceramides, the brand touts that this potent formula helps combat dryness, and visibly improve a loss of elasticity and dullness. This pick is approved for normal, oily, dry and combination skin types.

Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Face Moisturizer

Protect the skin with this soothing moisturizer with peptides, vitamin C and citrus. The brand promises intense hydration, and visibly bright, bouncy skin on all skin types.

Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester Photo-Brightening Moisturizer

Add a boost of radiance to your complexion with this brightening moisturizer. It contains a proprietary formula of vitamin C ester and broad-spectrum SPF 30 to revitalize, refresh and even out the look of a dull complexion. It’s ideal for all skin types.

Freck Beauty Rich Bitch Cactus + Vitamin C Moisturizer

Give any skin type a serious boost of hydration with this comforting cream. Inside the soothing, redness-calming formula, you’ll find a blend of vitamin C, prickly pear seed oil and jojoba oil. A little bit of this moisturizer goes a long way, thanks to its rich consistency.

Allies of Skin Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment

This five-in-one moisturizer helps to hydrate, brighten, refine and firm the look of skin, in addition to offering potent antioxidant benefits. It’s a great pick for all skin types, but the brand says it’s especially ideal for dry, dehydrated skin that’s facing signs of premature aging. 

Versed Weekend Glow Daily Brightening Moisturizer

Made to quench dryness and dullness, this moisturizer combines two forms of stabilized vitamin C with antioxidant-dense cloudberry seed oil and carrot seed extract. Per the brand, it helps to even out skin tone and increase your glow without irritating sensitive skin types. 

Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Moisturizer

Intended for normal to dry skin, this moisturizer has a cushiony consistency that helps defend against free radicals as it brightens. Key ingredients include vitamin C, squalane, damascus rose extract and fermented lemon peel, which according to the brand helps even out the look of discoloration.