Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Like a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice for your complexion, a vitamin C serum hydrates and addresses hyperpigmentation, leaving your face bright and glowy. After researching several formulas and consulting with a dermatologist, we determined the 12 best vitamin C serums for every skin type and budget. Our top pick overall is the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic for effectively brightening and evening out skin tone. TruSkin’s serum wins as the best option for first-time users, thanks to its beginner-friendly formula. The best vitamin C serums offer skin-brightening benefits for a natural-looking glow.
Besides acting as dark spot correctors, vitamin C serums are designed to help protect against environmental stressors and stimulate collagen. For the best results, it’s important to pick a formula that fits your face’s specific needs, whether you have oily, dry, combination or sensitive skin. See our picks—recommended and reviewed by Vetted’s deputy editor Jane Sung and dermatologist Dr. Rachel Pritzker—for the best vitamin C serums you can get.
Best Vitamin C Serum Overall: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
Best Value Vitamin C Serum: L’Oréal Revitalift Vitamin C
Best Vitamin C Serum For Beginners: TruSkin Vitamin C
Best Vitamin C Serum For Acne-Prone Skin: La Roche-Posay Vitamin C
Best Drugstore Vitamin C Serum: Mad Hippie Vitamin C
Best Vitamin C Serum For Sensitive Skin: CeraVe Vitamin C
Best Vitamin C Serum With SPF: Supergoop Daily Dose
Best Vitamin C Serum For Dry Skin : Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Oil
Best Vitamin C Serum For Hyperpigmentation : Revision C+ Correcting Complex 30%
Best Vitamin C Serum For Darker Skin Tones: Hyper Skin Hyper Even
Best Vitamin C Serum For Oily Skin: Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum
Best Vitamin C Serum For Combination Skin: Sunday Riley CEO Serum
Best Vitamin C Serum Overall
The Holy Grail That Helps Keep The Compliments Coming MOST POPULAR Dermstore SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Active ingredients: 15% L-ascorbic acid, 1% alpha-tocopherol, ferulic acid | Additional benefits: Improves appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, reduces free radical damage | Consistency: Serum | Cruelty-free: No What you’ll love: Combats photoaging Stimulates collagen Evens skin tone Keep in mind: Unpleasant smell to some Expensive A gold standard in the industry for many years and a favorite of Chicago-based dermatologist Dr. Pritzker, SkinCeuticals’ serum evens pigmentation and fights environmental aging using high concentrations of a trio of antioxidants: vitamin C (15% pure L-ascorbic acid), vitamin E (1% alpha tocopherol) and ferulic acid. They work in conjunction to minimize dark spots, fight future UVA/UVB damage, alleviate inflammation and neutralize free radicals. The result? The word “youthful” will replace “tired” and “blotchy” when describing your skin.
What our editors say: “I’ve tried various vitamin C serums in the past and always come back to this one,” says Sung. “It’s great for brightening and evening out my skin tone—and really just making it look healthier overall. It also layers well with skincare and makeup.”
Best Value Vitamin C Serum
An Affordable Product That Helps Smooth Fine Lines Amazon L’Oréal Revitalift Vitamin C Active ingredients: 10% vitamin c, hyaluronic acid | Additional benefits: Hydrating, wrinkle-reducing | Consistency: Gel | Cruelty-free: No What you’ll love: Low cost Typically well-tolerated Primer-like finish Keep in mind: Lower concentration of vitamin C This fragrance-free formulation features 10% pure vitamin C in conjunction with hydrating hyaluronic acid. Together, they work to reduce wrinkles, even skin tone and make dark spots and pores less noticeable. While some serums leave behind a greasy feel, this one has a pow
