The Vitamin C Serums Our Editors Love
August 26, 2022
If there’s one ingredient that holds a front row seat in any skincare aficionado’s medicine cabinet, it’s vitamin C. People love it and its benefits so much, it even has its own national holiday. (That’s right — you can celebrate National Vitamin C Day every April 4th.)
“Vitamin C is a great antioxidant,” says board-certified dermatologist and Skincare.com consultant Michael Kaminer, MD. “It helps neutralize free radicals and reduce environmentally-induced damage to cells.” While this doesn’t mean vitamin C is a substitute for broad-spectrum sunscreen, when worn together, vitamin C and sunscreen are an anti-aging force to be reckoned with. Armed with the pair, expect protection against harmful UV rays, free radicals and other environmental assaults for a more youthful, even complexion.
Get on board with this all star skincare ingredient with these editor-approved vitamin C serums.
Kiehl’s Vitamin C Eye Serum
Dark under-eye circles are a form of pigmentation that can be addressed with vitamin C. But because the eye area is so delicate, we recommend using a product formulated just for it, like this vitamin C eye serum from Kiehl’s. In addition to 10% pure vitamin C, the serum contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate and a Tri-Peptide Complex to target signs of aging.
La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Serum
Brighten your complexion and refine your skin texture with this rich formula. It features 10% vitamin C, plus exfoliating salicylic acid. Despite its powerful ingredients, the non-comedogenic serum is safe for everyday use on even sensitive skin.
L'Oréal Paris Revitalift 12% Pure Vitamin C + E + Salicylic Acid Serum
All it takes is one week to transform dull skin with this radiance-boosting serum. The fragrance-free, fast-absorbing serum contains 12% pure vitamin C to brighten, plus vitamin E and salicylic acid to help even skin tone and prevent fine lines and wrinkles.
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
No vitamin C serum list is complete without SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. Favored by dermatologists and beauty editors alike, this beloved vitamin C serum delivers advanced protection against free radicals and can help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness and brighten the skin's complexion.
Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Serum
Targeted toward healing skin from daily environmental aggressors, this vitamin C serum is packed with lightweight antioxidants that brighten and nourish the skin. And with 15% vitamin C, you’ll notice radiant, healthy skin in as little as 10 days, according to the brand.
Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum
This clinical-grade 15% vitamin C serum is the perfect morning boost for your skin. Our editors love this luxe formula for its plant-derived caffeine from yerba mates, which reduce morning puffiness and visibly brighten the skin.
Herbivore NOVA 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum
Combining vitamin C with other potent, powerful ingredients makes for a super-strong formula that improves skin complexion. In this serum, turmeric works with 15% vitamin C to improve dark spots and even skin tone, without being too harsh on the skin.
Read more
