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.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers
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
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.”
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 powdery finish similar to that of a primer—ideal for layering underneath skincare, SPF or makeup. The lower vitamin C concentration compared to some competitors’ formulas makes this a great option for new users and those with sensitive skin.
What the reviews say: One Amazon customer says, “I have seen amazing results: Fine lines disappear, and dark spots and pores are clearer and much smaller.” However, a few users comment that it’s a bit dry going onto their skin.
Revive your complexion with this fully vegan, high-performance blend featuring vitamin C (sodium ascorbyl phosphate, a water-soluble form), vitamin E, hyaluronic acid and anti-inflammatory MSM (methylsulfonylmethane). It promises to brighten, reduce hyperpigmentation and promote elasticity to revitalize tired-looking skin. Its 5-star reviewers (there are more than 90,000 of them) rave about its ability to reduce dark spots and redness, decrease breakouts and minimize pore size. For best results, apply just three to five drops of this serum on clean skin—it works well with or without makeup.
What our testers say: “As someone who had never used a vitamin C serum previous to this one, I can say that this is a great option for beginners,” says updates writer Claire Epting. “I use it beneath my eyes and on acne spots, and I’ve definitely noticed a positive change in those areas since using it. I love that it doesn’t cause any stinging or irritation on my sensitive skin.”
Wake up “blah” skin, achieve a more youthful-looking glow and target uneven texture with this pure 10% vitamin C serum. It also contains hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid, a known acne fighter that helps exfoliate and minimizes pores. Keep in mind that this formula is applied with a dropper, so it has the potential to get a little messy. It also contains fragrance, so it may cause irritation for those with particularly sensitive skin.
What the reviews say: “The serum goes on smooth and leaves your skin feeling soft, rather than tacky like other serums I have tried,” says one Ulta customer. “The smell isn’t overly strong, but there is a scent at application.” However, some users say the dropper is hard to use and that the serum can sometimes pill under makeup.
Some skin types may see better results with L-ascorbic acid
This serum from Mad Hippie is formulated with sodium ascorbyl phosphate, a form of vitamin C that’s more stable than L-ascorbic acid—and therefore, less likely to oxidize. (According to the brand, the potency is comparable to a 15% or 20% L-ascorbic acid formula.) Natural ingredients such as konjac root, chamomile and clary sage work to soothe irritated skin, while hyaluronic acid boosts your face’s moisture levels. The bottle’s wallet-friendly price also earned it the top spot on our list of the Best Drugstore Vitamin C Serums.
What the reviews say: “This serum is not just gentle and non-irritating, but it’s also quite effective,” says one Ulta customer. “I have noticed significantly fewer breakouts and a brighter, more even complexion.”
Active ingredients: 10% L-ascorbic acid, hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5 | Additional benefits: Restores skin barrier | Consistency: Gel | Cruelty-free: No
What you’ll love:
Low cost
Gentle enough for sensitive skin
Boosts skin’s moisture levels
Keep in mind:
Lower concentration of vitamin C
CeraVe is widely known for its gentle, non-irritating skincare products, and its vitamin C serum lives up to the brand’s reputation. Like CeraVe’s other moisturizers and cleansers, this serum is free of fragrances and ultra-hydrating, making it an excellent choice for sensitive skin. Hyaluronic acid and a blend of three essential ceramides boost your skin’s moisture barrier, negating the potentially drying effect of the 10% L-ascorbic acid.
What the reviews say: One Amazon customer says, “I also have very sensitive skin and didn’t have any problems with irritation. I like the texture a lot too, it’s very smooth and soft.” However, some users are less than satisfied with the bottle’s design, commenting that the cap falls off easily.
This SPF-meets-serum formulation is, as the name suggests, a combination of powerhouse sun protection and toning vitamin C at a 10% concentration. This two-in-one product works double duty, saving on your beauty budget, time and valuable counter space. The non-comedogenic formula is packed with a slew of natural ingredients like ceramides (for moisture), squalene (for immediate hydration), hyaluronic acid (for long-term hydration) and kakadu plum (for combatting acne scars). It’s also gentle enough for daily use, even on sensitive skin types.
What the reviews say: “My skin does have a noticeable glow and radiance to it after application,” one Ulta Beauty customer says. However, the same reviewer does mention that the formula feels a bit greasy upon application, which may bother some users.
Active ingredients: Vitamin C, sugarcane-derived squalane | Additional benefits: Hydrating, improves loss of firmness and elasticity | Consistency: Oil | Cruelty-free: Yes
What you’ll love:
Layers well under makeup
Unlikely to cause irritation
Oil-based for added moisture
Keep in mind:
Includes fragrance
May be too heavy for oily skin
This product features THD ascorbate, an oil-soluble, stable form of vitamin C that is typically easier to tolerate than straight L-ascorbic acid. Its other star ingredients are sugarcane-derived squalane and chios crystal oil, which work to lock in moisture and increase skin firmness. While some oils and serums leave behind a greasy residue, this hydrator seems to absorb in just a few minutes. Still, bear in mind that less is more—you only need a few drops. Unlike some other vitamin C products, this one also has a nice, light rose smell, and it works well under makeup without pilling.
What the reviews say: Reviewers report that this serum visibly brightens dull skin. “It has drastically changed my dry skin for the better,” one Amazon customer says. “I mix it in with my makeup and always look like I’m glowing.” However, some users found the consistency to be too tacky for their skin type.
Dermstore
Revision C+ Correcting Complex 30%
Active ingredients: 30% THD ascorbic acid, vitamin E | Additional benefits: Protects against blue light and urban dust, supports skin’s microbiome, improves fine lines | Consistency: Cream | Cruelty-free: Yes
What you’ll love:
High concentration of vitamin C
Lightweight feel
Protects against blue light
Keep in mind:
Revision’s seemingly tireless serum has 30% THD ascorbic acid, which Pritzker says “is not only some of the highest percentage on the market, but [also] extremely stable.” The formula brightens and evens skin tone, improves fine lines, helps correct damage and acts as armor to defend against future free radical damage. Another plus: It’s a lightweight cream consistency, which works well for most skin types.
What our experts say: “This is one of my very favorite serums, and it’s a cult favorite,” says Pritzker. “The airless pump ensures that the vitamin C will not oxidize. It protects against blue light and urban dust and supports the skin’s microbiome.”
Black-owned brand Hyper Skin’s Hyper Even Serum is a vitamin C formula that caters to all skin types and tones, including melanated skin. Fruit enzymes and 1% kojic acid tackle hyperpigmentation while 15% vitamin C and vitamin E work together to brighten skin, target fine lines and smooth rough texture. Finally, anti-inflammatory turmeric and salicylic acid (less than 1%) help heal and prevent future breakouts.
What the reviews say: “It leaves my skin looking so beautiful, especially on the days I don’t wear makeup,” says one Sephora shopper. “This serum has helped brighten a few of my dark acne scars.”
Many vitamin C serums require some time before you can see results, but this vegan and cruelty-free serum promises brighter, bouncier skin in just one week. It contains a core trifecta of hardworking ingredients: 15% vitamin C to improve elasticity and reduce the look of dark spots, pores and wrinkles, 5% PHAs (polyhydroxy acids) to exfoliate and even skin tone and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump skin. And an added bonus: This serum features “banana powder-inspired pigments” that promise to instantly illuminate and color correct.
What our editors say: “It’s so hydrating and lightweight; it immediately gives me a supple, radiant look,” says Forbes Vetted sleep and mattress editor McKenzie Dillon. “The serum preps my skin so well in the morning that I don’t use primer before makeup application. Plus, the smell is to die for.”
Sunday Riley
Sunday Riley CEO Serum
Active ingredients: Glycolic acid, vitamin C | Additional benefits: Fights signs of aging, minimizes redness, supports natural skin turnover | Consistency: Cream | Cruelty-free: Yes
What you’ll love:
No greasy residue
Reduces redness
Minimizes pores
Keep in mind:
May be too strong for sensitive skin
If your skin feels dull after a long winter, you’re not alone. This popular serum, which glides on like a light moisturizer, brightens skin, targets dark spots and reduces the appearance of fine lines. Its star ingredient with a 15% concentration is oil-soluble tetrahexyldecyl (THD) ascorbate, a type of vitamin C that absorbs quickly. Other standouts in this cruelty-free formulation: Phytosterols reduce signs of skin sensitivity—such as redness—and saccharide isomerate acts as a pore minimizer. Think of this as an IRL filter: It evens tone, smooths skin and boosts radiance.
What the reviews say: Unlike some funky smelling vitamin C serums, this one has a subtle, refreshing citrusy scent that many love. “It smells like an orange dreamsicle, but it’s very light and doesn’t linger,” says one Sephora reviewer. Note that while some users saw brightening effects immediately, they reported it took more time to see additional results.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted team has collectively researched, written and published a wide variety of beauty and grooming content, including dozens of stories on skincare.
Author Molly Calhoun is a regular Forbes Vetted contributor who has written many roundups in the beauty and skincare space, including the best sunscreens for sensitive skin and the best neck-firming creams.
Calhoun enlisted the help of dermatologist Dr. Rachel Pritzker of Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology for her take on key formulations, ingredients and the most important factors to look for in vitamin C serums.
Every iteration of this article—and the products featured—has been edited and reviewed by deputy editor Jane Sung, who oversees the beauty and grooming section and has 15-plus years of experience testing and researching products in the industry.
This article is routinely updated so that availability, prices and reviewer ratings stay relevant. It was last updated in June 2024 by beauty writer Claire Epting, who specializes in writing and researching lifestyle content. For this newest iteration, she added the CeraVe Vitamin C Serum as the best pick for sensitive skin.
How We Chose The Best Vitamin C Serums
To narrow down our options for the best vitamin C serums, we tapped into our deep market knowledge, highlighting products and brands that offer innovative, effective formulas.
What To Consider In A Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C has so much potential to deliver complexion-enhancing results, but according to Pritzker, choosing the right one can be tricky. “Beyond the efficacy of the [ingredient], it’s important to find a formula that works with your skin,” she says. With this in mind, here are the main points to consider when picking a vitamin C serum.
Ingredients
Companies use various forms of vitamin C in their formulations, and the two most common are L-ascorbic acid and THD ascorbate. Certain formulations offer higher concentrations for more brightening power, but users with sensitive skin should opt for a lower dose.
L-ascorbic acid: This is 100% pure vitamin C. It’s water-soluble, well-researched and effective, but extremely unstable. It begins to oxidize and change color over time and can be irritating to some people’s skin.
Tetrahexyldecyl (THD) ascorbate: This ingredient is stable and fat soluble, so it can be used in oil-based products. It tends to be well tolerated and permeates the skin easily.
Additional ingredients found in vitamin C serums assist with hydration, minimizing signs of aging, dark spot correcting and more. Below are some common ones to look for when addressing skin concerns.
Vitamin E: An antioxidant that’s ideal to pair with vitamin C according to Pritzker, vitamin E offers a host of benefits including moisturizing, dark spot correcting and healing burns and blemishes.
Ferulic acid: Another complementary antioxidant, this ingredient is often paired with vitamin C because it helps strengthen its efficacy and also on its own can calm inflammation and reduce signs of aging.
Hyaluronic acid: This is known for moisturizing and plumping skin for a more youthful appearance.
Squalane: This emollient is not only hydrating, but it smooths, softens and calms the complexion.
Formulation
“Vitamin C products have different vehicles that may or may not agree with your skin,” says Pritzker. “There are creams, serums and oils, and depending on these factors some skin types react differently than others.” Nearly all of the picks on this list can be characterized as a serum, due to their highly concentrated ingredients that penetrate deep within the skin; however, you may find that your skin prefers a cream or gel formula to an oil-based one.
Packaging
Because vitamin C is often an unstable ingredient and can start to oxidize in the presence of light, heat and air, it’s a good idea to seek out serums with dark, opaque packaging. If the formula itself has turned brown, it has lost its potency. Shelf life varies from brand to to brand, but most vitamin C serums last around 3 to 4 months. Many brands package their formulas in 1-ounce bottles, so you should be able to use up the entire product before it declines in quality.
Which Vitamin C Serum Is Most Effective?
When it comes to skincare, choosing a formula largely depends on your skin type, goals and budget. Identifying the right concentration for your skin will determine how effective your serum will be, and starting slow helps ease you into a new regimen. Consider starting with a lower vitamin C dose of 10% before increasing to 15% or 20%. If you have normal or oily skin, try using L-ascorbic acid, the most potent form of vitamin C. However, if your skin is on the drier side, opt for the Biossance +Vitamin C Rose Oil, which features the gentler THD ascorbate.
Which Vitamin C Serums Do Dermatologists Recommend?
Pritzker recommends two vitamin C serums in particular: the Revision Skincare C+ Correcting Complex and the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. The former is made with 15% L-ascorbic acid, while the latter features 30% THD ascorbic acid. In addition to addressing hyperpigmentation, both formulas protect against future free radical damage, which means you’re investing in your skin’s health in the long run.
Is There A Really Big Difference In Vitamin C Serums?
While the vitamin C serums above are all designed to brighten skin and reduce hyperpigmentation, each one differs in the additional benefits it provides. It’s rare for a vitamin C treatment to only include this active ingredient; for example, the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic also includes vitamin E and ferulic acid, making it an effective anti-aging serum. Meanwhile, the Ole Henriksen Banana Bright contains PHAs, which help it act as a face exfoliator while hyaluronic acid boosts skin’s moisture barrier. So while many of these products may looksimilar, it’s important to pay close attention to the ingredients within each.
Should You Use Vitamin C Serum Every Day?
A vitamin C serum can be used daily, “as long as it is tolerated well and not irritating the skin or causing an adverse reaction,” says Pritzker. But if you’re new to vitamin C serum, it may be best to start at a lower concentration or apply it less frequently to avoid irritation. “You should not use vitamin C on compromised skin,” she says. You should also be cautious using it with some other active ingredients, like retinol. As for how long it takes to see a noticeable change in your complexion, Pritzker says, “You can start to appreciate the results of a topical vitamin C in as little as a month.”
