THE 10 BEST VITAMIN C SERUMS 2023

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Vitamin C is a popular and  well-sought after ingredient commonly used in skincare.  Its increased popularity has led to the formulation of everything from cleansers, to serums, and moisturizers.  Many people sing its praises and consider it to be the holy grail of skincare ingredients, especially when it comes to anti-aging.

WHY IS VITAMIN C GOOD FOR THE SKIN?

Vitamin C has a number of benefits for the skin.  It is well known for its antioxidant properties, which help to protect and prolong the skin’s youthful appearance. When used consistently, this powerful ingredient can work wonders on the skin.

Vitamin C is a  naturally occurring  vitamin commonly found in many fruits and vegetable.  Vitamin C is water soluble, but must be in a stable form when used in skincare. It has a myriad of benefits when applied topically, including:

• Fight free radicals and environmental stressors which accelerate the aging process and damage the skin.
• Protect the skin against harmful UV rays and damage caused by photoaging.
• Boost the skin’s natural collagen production, helping maintain overall firmness and skin elasticity.
• Brightens the complexion and fades hyperpigmentation. With consistent usage vitamin C will minimize the appearance of dark spots, giving the skin a brighter, more even tone.
• Improve hydration levels in the skin, making  the skin plumper and more youthful in appearance. 

HOW TO ADD VITAMIN C TO YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE

Serums are an excellent addition to any skincare routine, as they  give an additional boost (especially) when used in conjunction with creams. Out of all the products containing vitamin C on the market,  vitamin c serums remain the most popular and in high demand.  Most serums in the beauty space usually contain between 10-25%.
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First and foremost, vitamin C must be in a stable form in order to work properly on the skin.  Look for L-ascorbic acid or ascorbyl glucoside on the ingredient list before making a purchase. For those of you with sensitive skin that is easily irritated, look for products contain Ascorbyl glucoside as it is more stable and less irritating to the skin.  Ascorbyl glucoside is also much more effective than L-ascorbic acid.

The second thing to remember when choosing a vitamin C serum is the concentration. Potent  vitamin C serums containing high percentages of vitamin C can irritate the skin and lead to PIH (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation). Less is more when it comes to vitamin C. Start off with a serum of 10% or less. Leave the serums of 25% to seasoned users and more tolerant skin types.

WHEN TO USE VITAMIN C SERUM

Vitamin C can be used either day or night.  Some deem it more effective when used during the day, while others say it’s best used at night.  It’s up for debate.  I personally prefer to use vitamin C during the day, as it protects the skin from free radicals, harmful UV rays, and pollution. When used  with sunscreen during daytime hours, vitamin C adds an extra layer of protection from the sun. 

​Always apply vitamin C on a clean face, after cleansing and before applying moisturizer and sunscreen. Remember that building up tolerance is key, when applying vitamin c to the skin.  It’s important to watch your skin’s reaction during the  start of your journey with vitamin C. Start off by using  vitamin c serum every other day or every two days to avoid irritation.  When the skin builds up tolerance, you can start to apply it everyday. 

VITAMIN C SERUMS

DR. DENNIS GROSS VITAMIN C LACTIC

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This serum by Dr. Dennis Gross was carefully formulated with 15% vitamin C and lactic acid.  This vitamin C serum visibly improves uneven skin tone, tackles dark spots, damage from sun exposure, and diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  Turn back the hands of time and reveal a more luminous complexion with this serum. 

VICHY LIFTACTIV

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Created by Vichy Laboratoires, this powerful serum contains 15% vitamin c, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and pine bark extract. The perfect formulation to leave you with brighter, more even toned skin. It also works to combat the signs of aging and correct free radical damage. I really loved this product. The brightening effects were seen almost immediately after a couple of uses.  Introduce this serum into your daily routine with caution as it can cause some irritation. 

LA ROCHE POSAY VITAMIN C10

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Probably one of the most gentle vitamin C serums on the market. La Roche-Posay C10 contains 10% vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, glycerin and thermal spring waters.  This serum works well on all skin types, targeting everything from fine lines and wrinkles to dull skin and hyperpigmentation. I found it easy to apply, as it has a  great texture and doesn't leave the skin sticky. What's great about this serum is that it can be applied with or without using moisturiser. 

DERMALOGICA BIOLUMIN-C SERUM

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If you're looking for a good brightening serum, then you're in luck.  This high performance serum uses a super stable form of vitamin C and advanced bio-technology to deliver results. Formulated in tandem with AHA and peptides, Dermalogica Biolumin-C will give you firmer and more radiant looking skin. If you want a high performance serum that has brightening power and lives up to its claims, then this product is your number one choice. 

DR. BARBARA STÜRM THE GOOD C

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Although pricey, this medical-grade serum by Dr. Barbara Stürm is worth every penny.  The Good C contains a cocktail of three types of vitamin C, zinc, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera.  This serum has an agreeable texture that is easy to apply and penetrates the skin quickly.

DRUNK ELEPHANT C-FIRMA DAY SERUM

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C-Firma Day Serum by Drunk Elephant promises to firm, brighten and correct sun damage. This potent serum is packed with antioxidants, essential nutrients, and fruit enzymes. The only thing not to like about this serum is that it requires you to mix the ingredients yourself. To activate the serum, simply combine the liquid serum with the vitamin C powder. Once activated, the serum will last up to six months. The results are nothing short of spectacular. 

CERAVE VITAMIN C SERUM

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If you're looking for a cheap and cheery serum that doesn't break your pockets, then Cerave Vitamin C Serum would be an excellent choice.  It contains a wonderful cocktail of 10% vitamin C, ceramides, panthenol, andhyaluronic acid so it's guaranteed to work.  This serum is lightweight, goes on smoothly, and absorbs relatively quickly. The only downside about this product is that it contains denatured alcohol, so it may be irritating and drying for some.

PAULA'S CHOICE BOOST C15

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Paula's Choice Boost C15 contains a combination of vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid, which was first popularised by SkinCeuticals. Though not quite the same, this formulation contains only 15% stabilised vitamin C and a dose of peptides.  If you're looking for brighter, younger looking skin then give this serum a try. 

OBAGI PROFESSIONAL-C SERUM 20%

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Obagi is medical grade skincare line. It's no wonder why the Professional-C Serum delivers such amazing results. This high performance serum contains 20% vitamin C. Highly effective, this serum lives up to its claims. This serum leaves the skin brighter and deeply hydrated after the first few uses.  The only con is this product contains alcohol, which can irritate and dry out the skin. 

MAELOVE THE GLOW MAKER

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What this product lacks in price tag, it makes up for in formulation.  Don't be deterred by the low price point.  Maelove The Glow Maker has been called the perfect "dupe"  of the Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum.  This serum visibly plumps the skin, hydrates, brightens and evens out the complexion. It is weightless, spreads on easily, absorbs quickly, and is gentle on the skin. I feel in love on the very first use. My skin was glowing and noticeably brighter within the fist couple of uses.  I honestly couldn't find a reason not to like this product.  You can definitely purchase this product without hesitation. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.