Vitamin C is one of the best ways to improve the appearance of your skin, and although it can be used year-round, the warmer months are the perfect time to add a Vitamin C serum to your skincare routine.
This is truly a great product to use all year round, but the strong summer sun can make dark spots more likely to appear. Vitamin C helps prevent/reduce pigmentation, promotes collagen production and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Sounds great? Read on for expert tips and our top picks…
Meet Our Experts
Dr. Jason ThomsonMedical Director, Skin + Me: Dr Jason is an award-winning dermatologist with degrees from the Universities of Cambridge and King’s College London. He specializes in acne, rosacea, skin cancer and skin care science and has developed award-winning, gold standard formulations and cosmetic routine products for Skin + Me.
What are the benefits of using Vitamin C serum?
Jason says, “Vitamin C is Ascorbic acidis an important nutrient required for many normal cellular functions, including the growth, development and repair of body tissues, including the skin. It is a powerful antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals that damage cells and accelerate aging.
“Topical vitamin C has many benefits for the skin. It is a powerful antioxidant. Protects skin from oxidative damage Free radicals and UV rays. Vitamin C Promotes collagen productionhelpful Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinklesMakes skin look beautiful Tighter, More Youthful. Also, Whitening effect,help Lightens pigmentation and evens out skin toneOverall, I think Vitamin C is a great multi-tasking ingredient and with regular use, it can give you healthier, more radiant skin.”
The best Vitamin C products – at a glance
How to use Vitamin C Serum?
“First, you need to find a good vitamin C product. There are a lot of products on the market, but they’re not all created equal. Scientific studies have shown that 10 to 20 percent L-ascorbic acid is most effective. In general, we recommend looking for products that contain at least 10% vitamin C.If you’re new to vitamin C or have sensitive skin, start with 10% or look for a product that contains encapsulated vitamin C, which releases ascorbic acid more slowly and is easier to tolerate. Brightens skin and boosts Vitamin C This is why it’s necessary to include encapsulated ascorbic acid. The stability of a vitamin C serum is also important. Ascorbic acid is very unstable and oxidizes quickly when exposed to sunlight and air. If the serum turns brown, it usually means it’s oxidized, and if it’s lost all of its active ascorbic acid, it may not be as effective. This is another benefit of encapsulating the ascorbic acid.”
She adds: “To use Vitamin C serum effectively, apply it to freshly cleansed, dry skin. A few drops are usually enough for the entire face. Gently massage the serum into skin using upwards movements. Once absorbed, apply moisturizer. If you have dry skin, you can skip this step and apply sunscreen as the last step of your morning routine.”
How to Choose the Best Vitamin C Serum
- Trusted Brand: In this edit, you’ll find tried-and-true Vitamin C serums Hello! We never recommend something unless we are a fan of the brand that our shopping experts use.
- price: In this roundup, you’ll find a Vitamin C serum to suit every budget.
- trend: Many of these Vitamin C serums are trending on social media.
The best vitamin C serum
L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Clinical 12% Pure Vitamin C Serum
© L’OrealSuitable for: Suitable for all skin types and tones
ratio: 12%
A 12% Vitamin C serum that brightens, smooths and evens out the complexion.
After five years of research and testing, we’ve perfected the formula to provide highly concentrated, ultra-stable vitamins. Fortified with Salicylic Acid and Vitamin E for maximum effectiveness, this antioxidant-rich serum hydrates, protects, smooths and regenerates skin.
Skin + Me Brighten + Boost Regulating Vitamin C Serum
© Skin + MeSuitable for: Suitable for all skin types and tones
ratio: 15%
Skin + Me’s exclusive 15% Vitamin C complex, Brighten + Boost Regulating Serum helps even out unwanted dark spots and hyperpigmentation while peptides brighten skin from within – perfect for those looking for a rejuvenating strengthening step to revitalize skin.
Garnier Vitamin C Anti-Dark Spot & Brightening Serum
© GarnierSuitable for: Suitable for teenage skin
How to use: Apply one dropperful to cleansed face and gently massage into skin.
ratio: 3.5%
Garnier Vitamin C Anti-Dark Spot Serum is fortified with a powerful combination of 3.5% Vitamin C*, Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid to help fade dark spots and boost radiance. Carefully formulated to target dark spots.
La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum
© La Roche-PosaySuitable for: Suitable for all skin types and tones
ratio: Ten%
Pure Vitamin C 10 helps prevent and improve aging even in sensitive skin. Fans say their skin instantly feels softer, more hydrated, and more radiant. Tested on sensitive skin, it has an extraordinary mineral diversity thanks to its thermal spring waters that help restore the skin’s barrier function, soothe sensitivity, and ward off the attack of free radicals that accelerate aging.
Murad Vita C Glycolic Acid Brightening Serum
© MuradSuitable for: Suitable for all skin types and tones
ratio: Murad doesn’t sell products on a percentage basis.
If you’re struggling with dark spots, Murad Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum is designed to reduce the appearance of dark spots for glowing, healthy-looking skin.
Formulated with gold-stabilized Vitamin C, this formula features a proprietary Vita-C complex that enhances the stability and potency of L-Ascorbic Acid, while Glycolic Acid exfoliates dead surface cells for smoother, more radiant skin.
SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF Antioxidant Vitamin C Serum
© SkinCeuticalsSuitable for: Suitable for oily skin and skin prone to blemishes
ratio: 15%
SkinCeuticals is a favorite among skincare enthusiasts, and their daytime Silymarin CF Antioxidant Vitamin C Serum contains 15% pure Vitamin C, 0.5% Ferulic Acid, 0.5% Salicylic Acid and 0.5% Silymarin to naturally protect skin from free radical damage and prevent blemish-causing sebum oxidation, making it especially effective for acne-prone skin.
The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%
© The OrdinarySuitable for: Suitable for all skin types and tones
ratio: 23% L-Ascorbic Acid. The Ordinary product contains an oil-soluble vitamin C derivative that can be used safely in high concentrations. It is one of the most stable vitamin C derivatives, but because it is a derivative, its potency cannot be directly compared to pure L-Ascorbic Acid.
The Ordinary’s easy-to-use serum contains a water-soluble Vitamin C derivative that converts to Vitamin C upon application, reducing the potential for irritation, and its advanced antioxidant properties help protect skin against the visible damaging effects of environmental stressors, helping to maintain a more radiant complexion.
When should I use Vitamin C serum? Day or night?
“Vitamin C can be used morning and night, but we recommend using it as part of your morning skincare routine so you get all the antioxidant benefits and protect your skin from the stresses of everyday life (pollution, UV exposure). The serum is best applied to freshly cleansed skin.”
How often should I use Vitamin C Serum?
“While it can be used up to twice a day, we recommend using it just once in the morning and saving your evening routine for other active ingredients such as retinoids and exfoliating acids (AHA/BHA). This way, you can maximise the benefits of different active ingredients in both your morning and evening skincare routine.”
At what age should I start using Vitamin C?
“We recommend starting to incorporate vitamin C into your skincare routine as soon as you start to notice signs of aging skin, such as fine lines around the eyes, uneven skin tone, and pigmentation. Typically this will be in your mid-20s to early 30s (depending on how diligent you’ve been with your sun protection efforts).”
Do I need to spend a lot of money on Vitamin C?
“There are many premium vitamin C serums on the market, but you don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of money to get good results. The efficacy of a vitamin C serum depends heavily on the formulation, concentration, and stability of the vitamin C used. Look for products with a 10-20% concentration of L-ascorbic acid and see if it contains a stabilizing ingredient such as ferulic acid or vitamin E. Products with encapsulated vitamin C tend to be more stable than pure ascorbic acid. Many affordable products meet these criteria and can give you great results without spending a fortune.”
Before and after: How can you spot the difference?
“Those who suffer from dull skin, uneven skin tone, fine lines and hyperpigmentation will see the biggest changes with regular use of a good vitamin C serum. After four to six weeks of consistent use, you will usually see a noticeable improvement in skin brightness and clarity. You will see an increase in even skin tone and radiance, and the appearance of fine lines and hyperpigmentation will be reduced. Your skin’s overall texture may also be smoother.”
