17 best vitamin C serums for every skin type, according to dermatologists
Nailing your skincare routine may seem like an overwhelming task, but having one of the best vitamin C serums in your stash can certainly make matters easier. Consider them the hydrating, glow-giving and brightening solution that will take your skincare game to a whole new level.
As a beauty journalist, I regularly review all kinds of face serums – from retinol serums to niacinamide serums – but out of all the formulations I've tested, vitamin C-infused concoctions have always stood out and paired well with my dry and sensitive skin, leaving it glowier and more moisturised than ever. Over the years, they've also helped me even out my skin tone, brighten dark spots and even fade acne scars.
In fact, they're the one skincare hero that I confidently recommend to my all my friends/colleagues/family members whenever I'm quizzed about an effective skincare routine. My ride-or-dies? The Medik8 C-Tetra Luxe or the SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic (thank me later).
What does vitamin C do?
Having spoken to multiple board-certified dermatologists and top aestheticians, I've also learnt even more scoop on this powerful antioxidant. Dr Christine Hall, general practitioner in medical aesthetics told me that this powerful antioxidant "is proven to not only protect against skin damage but reverse some of the damage that has already been caused by oxidative stress – the process that damages cells, proteins and DNA resulting in premature skin ageing, loss of collagen, pigmentation and the formation of lines and wrinkles.”
Even if your current skincare rota (such as your go-to moisturisers, eye creams, cleansers and toners) already includes vitamin C as an ingredient, trust us when we tell you that a dedicated serum will supercharge the benefits that much further. I'm also not one to gate-keep, so here goes: your definitive guide on vitamin C serums, and all the best dermatologist-recommended and beauty editor-approved formulas that genuinely work.
Reviewed, the best vitamin C serums of 2024:
- Best Vitamin C Serum Overall: Medik8 C-Tetra Luxe, £59
- Best Dermatologist-Approved Vitamin C Serum: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Antioxidant Vitamin C Serum, £165
- Best Brightening Vitamin C Serum: Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum, £70
- Best Vitamin C Serum For Sensitive Skin: La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C 10 Serum 30ml, £45
How we test the best vitamin C serums:
Over the years, the GLAMOUR beauty team has collectively tested dozens of vitamin C serum formulations, while keeping in mind the value for money, efficacy and how they perform on a variety of skin types. When it comes to skincare in general, we aim to test products for a month as a minimum, which helps us determine whether the formula is worth recommending to our readers.
Meet the experts:
- Dr Christine Hall, GMC registered, general practitioner in medical aesthetics.
- Dr Ana Mansouri, multi-award-winning cosmetic doctor..
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Which form of vitamin C is best for each skin type?
According to dermatology experts, selecting the right form of vitamin C derivatives is crucial when choosing a dedicated serum, some of the top-recommended forms include:
- L-ascorbic acid, which, according to Dr Hall is the most stable type of vitamin C for all skin types.
- Serums with ferulic acid, such as the SkinCeuticals SE Ferulic are ideal for dry skin.
- Formulas that feature phloretin, are "proven to reduce melanin synthesis and reduce visible pigmentation,” explains Dr Hall.
- According to Dr Mansouri, silymarin-infused formulas are great for oily and acne-prone skin.
FAQs: What is vitamin C and what are its benefits? | Which form of vitamin C is best for each skin type? | What is the recommended concentration of vitamin C? | Can I use vitamin C with other actives, such as retinol and BHA? | What is the best way to apply a vitamin C serum? | Why does my vitamin C serum sting upon application? | Our full reviews
The best vitamin C serums, reviewed by GLAMOUR editors
Best vitamin C serum overall
- Best for: Brightening and reducing dark spots.
- Skin type: All skin types, particularly mature skin.
- Key ingredients: Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, squalane, maracuja oil, red ginseng and vitamin E.
Why we love it: This skin-brightening treatment contains twice the amount of vitamin C as the original Medik8 C-Tetra formula. It has a gentle, deeply nourishing consistency that gives your skin the radiance it deserves while also reducing the appearance of fine lines and hyperpigmentation. “Its gentle yet effective formula is perfect for rocasea-prone sensitive skin. Over the course of four weeks, it visibly brightened my complexion and gave my skin the most beautiful glow” – Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR's Beauty Commerce Writer.
Best dermatologist-approved vitamin C serum
Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Antioxidant Vitamin C Serum for Normal/Dry Skin
- Best for: Protecting against environmental aggressors and stressors.
- Skin type: Normal, dry and sensitive skin types.
- Key ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid.
Why we love it: Delivering an impressively high concentration of its active ingredients to your skin, it includes a 15% L-ascorbic acid content and has a high pH (which, in comparison to its low-pH counterparts, means it can deliver vitamin C through the top layer of your skin without causing redness and irritation). It's water soluble, feels lightweight upon application and sits nicely under foundation or concealer. What's more, vitamin C has been paired with vitamin E and ferulic acid, which work to reduce the appearance of dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles. "My dry skin instantly loved this hydrating formula, it gave me a glass skin look and helped even out my complexion. About the only downside was that it felt slightly tingly upon first application, but this definitely got better within a week.” – Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR's Beauty Commerce Writer.
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Best brightening vitamin C serum
Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum
- Best for: Youth-boosting.
- Skin type: All skin types, particularly mature skin.
- Key ingredients: Squalane, glycolic acid and jojoba esters.
Why we love it: An absolute dream to apply, Sunday Riley's C.E.O Rapid Flash Brightening Serum is super-charged with vitamin C to target signs of ageing, dullness, dehydration, fine lines and hyperpigmentation. It's also formulated reduce the size of pores over time, so if large pores around your T-zone is something you struggle with, this could be the vitamin C serum for you. "It has a refreshing citrus-y scent, a thick; creamy consistency which feels hydrating on application. Over time, I've definitely noticed a change in the brightness of my complexion and plan on continuing using it for the foreseeable," – Sophie Cockett, GLAMOUR's Senior European Commerce Editor.
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Best vitamin C serum for beginners
- Best for: Beginners.
- Skin type: All skin types, particularly sensitive skin.
- Key ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E and jojoba oil.
Why we love it: This potent vitamin C serum is one of the best skincare products you can buy, period. It has a gentle formulation that's designed to penetrate your skin deeply to minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while also shielding it against pollution and other environmental aggressors. Plus, it's cruelty-free, vegan-friendly and free from artificial fragrances. Glowy skin in a bottle. “My dry skin soaked up this gentle formula like a dream. However, do make sure to give it a good few minutes to absorb before going in with your moisturiser, because otherwise, it might result in peeling,” Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR's Beauty Commerce Writer.
Best vitamin C serum for sensitive skin
La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C 10 Serum 30ml
- Best for: Refining and balancing out skin tone.
- Skin type: All skin types, particularly sensitive skin.
- Key ingredients: Pure vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid and thermal water.
Why we love it: Best used once in the morning – over your face and neck – this pure vitamin C serum has a lightweight, non-greasy texture. It can be used on all skin types, even sensitive skin, and it helps correct signs of ageing while evening skin tone, brightening complexion and softening the skin. Alongside vitamin C, it contains hyaluronic acid which effectively hydrates and plumps the skin, as well as salicylic avid (for exfoliation) and thermal spa water (which contains an exceptional mineral diversity to help restore skin’s barrier, soothe sensitivity and fend off pro-ageing free radical damage). After all, La Roche-Posay is always a favourite among board-certified dermatologists for a reason.
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Best affordable vitamin C serum
L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Clinical 12% Pure Vitamin C Serum
- Best for: Reducing appearance of pores.
- Skin type: All skin types.
- Key ingredients: L-ascorbic acid, salicylic acid, vitamin E and hyaluronic acid.
Why we love it: Infused with salicylic acid, vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, this effective, antioxidant-rich serum provides great hydration and protection while helping smoothen out your skin texture. One of the best options out there if your goal is to plump your complexion and brighten it all at once. “I loved how hydrating it felt on the skin and how it visibly improved the appearance of my acne scars over time. I did find it a bit tingly at first, but as my skin got used to the formula, I was more than comfortable applying it on the daily,” – Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR's Beauty Commerce Writer.
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Best vitamin C serum for pigmentation
Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster
- Best for: Brightening and youth-boosting.
- Skin type: All skin types.
- Key ingredients: L-ascorbic acid, vitamin E and ferulic acid.
Why we love it: Formulated with the main aim of diminishing the appearance of dark spots and discolouration in mind, this potent C15 Super Booster face serum diminishes visible signs of ageing for smoother, brighter, and firmer-feeling skin. It contains a blend of 15% stabilised vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid) at a pH of 3.0, plus potent antioxidants including vitamin E and ferulic acid – and not forgetting the skin-smoothing peptides.
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Best antioxidant-rich vitamin C serum
Dr. Dennis Gross Vitamin C + Lactic 15% Vitamin C Firm & Bright Serum
- Best for: Firming and reducing appearance of fine lines.
- Skin type: All skin types, particularly mature skin.
- Key ingredients: Lactic acid, L-ascorbic acid and antioxidants.
Why we love it: Formulated with both vitamin C as well as collagen amino acids, this powerful antioxidant serum can help support your natural skin repair process and boost your collagen production. This makes it particularly useful on age-damaged, breakout-prone or dull skin. It can be used on your face and neck daily – just a dropper a day keeps the blemishes away.
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Best vitamin C serum for gentle exfoliation
Murad Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum
- Best for: Brightening and evening out skin tone.
- Skin type: All skin types.
- Key ingredients: Glycolic acid and L-ascorbic acid.
Why we love it: This powerhouse of a vitamin C serum contains glycolic acid, which boosts cell turnover and banishes the skin of dead skin cells. This results in the ultimate glow – alongside reduced pore appearance and all-round brighter skin served up by the vitamin C itself. “The serum effortlessly glides on with its hydrating oil-like texture, drying down quickly without any stickiness, imparting a natural glow. Through consistent use, the potent blend of vitamin C and glycolic acid markedly brightened my complexion and improved texture, leaving my skin feeling brighter and smoother,” Mayola Fernandes, GLAMOUR's Commerce Writer.
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Best vitamin C serum for an even skin tone
The Inkey List 15% Vitamin C and EGF Serum
- Best for: Brightening.
- Skin type: All skin types.
- Key ingredients: 15% ascorbyl glucoside, 1% epitensive (EGF).
Why we love it: The Inkey List 15% Vitamin C and EGF serum is ideal for anyone who's after a lightweight and quick-absorbing formula that doesn't compromise on its effectiveness. Proven to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation, acne scars and dark spots, this plant-based vitamin C formula is also rich in antioxidants and features Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), which helps improve uneven skin and increase elasticity, resulting in a firmer-looking complexion. One of the best drugstore options out there.
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Best vitamin C serum for reducing fine lines and wrinkles
Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate
- Best for: Reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Skin type: All skin types (particularly sensitive skin).
- Key ingredients: 12.5% vitamin C, 10.5% L-ascorbic acid, 2% ascorbyl glucoside, hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
Why we love it: This youth-boosting serum from Kiehl's is filled to the brim with various forms of vitamin C, as well as a few hydrating skincare favourites such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which help gently brighten and smooth out uneven texture. The best part? It's perfectly suitable for those of us with more sensitive and acne-prone skin.
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Best vitamin C capsules
RoC Multi Correxion Revive and Glow Capsules
- Best for: Dehydrated, dull skin.
- Skin type: All skin types (including sensitive).
- Key ingredients: 20% pure vitamin C, peptides, antioxidants.
Why we love it: If you're someone who prefers your face serums in form of capsules, you'll love this formula from RoC. Featuring a blend of stable 20% pure vitamin C, peptides and antioxidants, these vitamin C capsules are suitable for all skin types (even sensitive skin). This dermatologist-approved formula will help brighten dark spots and hyperpigmentation like a dream, increase your skin's luminosity and even out your skin tone. A must.
Best caffeine-infused vitamin C serum
Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C and Clean Caffeine Energy Serum
- Best for: Reducing appearance of dark circles and puffiness.
- Skin type: All skin types.
- Key ingredients: Ascorbic acid, citric acid, squalane, passionfruit extract, dragon fruit extract, ginger root oil and hyaluronic acid.
Why we love it: Not only is this formulation 100% vegan and cruelty-free, but it also comes with a healthy dose of natural botanicals, fruit extracts and even plant-derived caffeine. Great for providing weightless hydration and protecting your gentle complexion from environmental aggressors such as pollution.
- Courtesy of brand
Best vitamin C serum for radiant-looking skin
Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum
- Best for: Dull, uneven skin.
- Skin type: All skin types.
- Key ingredients: 20% pure vitamin C, 10% AHAs, Japanese beautyberry and Japanese angelica root.
Why we love it: This clean and gentle formula from Tatcha is rich with antioxidants and even boasts a good amount of mild fruit AHAs, which help clear up your skin and give it a healthy, radiant glow. Great for reducing the appearance of dark spots and discolouration and evening out your skin tone.
Best vitamin C serum with AHA
Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Day Serum
- Best for: Hydrating, soothing and dissolving dead skin cells.
- Skin type: All skin types.
- Key ingredients: 15% l-ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, 1% vitamin E, pumpkin ferment extract, pomegranate extract, chronocyclin, grape juice extract, Indian gooseberry and sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer.
Why we love it: Are you after a brighter, firmer, and more even-looking complexion? Drunk Elephant's got you covered. Infused with pumpkin ferment extract and sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer (which is more hydrating than your typical hyaluronic acid), this vitamin C serum comes with its fair share of AHAs that help dissolve dead skin and leave behind more radiant-looking look.
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Best vitamin C serum with retinol
Kate Somerville Retinol+ Vita C Power Serum
- Best for: Smoothing out skin overnight.
- Skin type: All skin types (particularly mature skin).
- Key ingredients: Retinol, ascorbic acid (pure vitamin C) and physalis angulata extract.
Why we love it: Supercharged with both retinol and vitamin C, this powerful serum is ideal for brightening and smoothing out your complexion as you sleep. All you need to do is apply a thin layer to your face and neck every night before bed and you'll have firmer, more toned skin in no time at all.
Best vitamin C serum for mature skin
- Best for: Soothing and smoothing without stripping your natural oils.
- Skin type: All skin types (particularly mature skin).
- Key ingredients: Orange extract, green tea extract, citric acid, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
Why we love it: Enriched with orange and green tea extracts, this potent vitamin C serum delivers visible results by smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. It has a lightweight and bouncy texture and even carries a soft scent of citrus to help energise your senses. “I really enjoyed this hydrating serum that helped bring my dull skin back to its plump and bouncy self,” – Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR's Beauty Commerce Writer.
Can I use vitamin C with other actives, such as retinol and BHA?
Dr Christine Hall explains that the best regimen is to “use of a vitamin C in the morning, a retinol at night and an SPF. For some, starting off with a retinol and a vitamin C together may be too much for their skin as each can be irritating in their own rights and it is always better to introduce new ingredients one at a time."
If you're someone who wants to minimise the risk of irritation or flare-ups, Dr Mansouri suggests avoiding “any acids such as AHA or BHA-based products e.g., glycolic, or salicylic acid for sensitive skin types.” However, if you're keen on exfoliating, Dr Hall advises to separate your active ingredients: “a vitamin C in the morning and AHA/BHA at night.” In fact, Dr Hall notes that exfoliation can actually increase the penetration of vitamin C, therefore increasing the benefits.
Why does my vitamin C serum sting upon application?
Dr Mansouri assures that “it’s common to experience some mild burning, stinging or tingling sensation for a few seconds after due to its acidic nature.”
“By definition, acids have a low pH and we know that in order to formulate a stable vitamin C serum, we need a pH of around 3.5. Any less acidic and the risk of oxidation increases rendering the ingredient less effective,” shares Dr Hall.
“It’s also worth noting that a lot of vitamin C products are formulated with alcohol which helps with the absorption and penetration of the product and this can lead to further stinging and irritation of the skin.”
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What is vitamin C and what are its benefits?
“Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is a powerful antioxidant that is proven to not only protect against skin damage but reverse some of the damage that has already been caused by oxidative stress – the process that damages cells, proteins and DNA resulting in premature skin ageing, loss of collagen, pigmentation and the formation of lines and wrinkles,” shares Dr Christine Hall, general practitioner in medical aesthetics.
Dr Ana Mansouri, multi-award-winning cosmetic doctor explains that “vitamin C is also a pigment suppressor which evens out the skin tone and has collagen stimulating properties and has been clinically proven to benefit the skin in a multitude of ways including brightening pigmentation, preventing ageing, protecting from sun damage, stimulating collagen and neutralising free radical damage. It also gives a radiant glow to the skin.”
Pro tip? Dr Hall also recommends to “also look for a vitamin C serum that is housed in an airtight container and in a dark or tinted package to protect it.”
What is the recommended concentration of vitamin C?
“Look for a product containing a concentration of vitamin C in the region of around 10-15%– anymore and it may cause irritation, any less and it may not be doing much,” reveals Dr Hall.
If you're an experienced vitamin C user, Dr Mansouri recommends potentially opting for the 20% concentration, as this is considered the most effective concentration on the market.
What is the best way to apply a vitamin C serum?
“Vitamin C should always be the first ingredient that is applied in the morning after cleansing your skin. Allow a few minutes for it to soak in before applying your other skincare ingredients. Once soaked in, vitamin C has been shown to remain active in the skin for between 8 and 24 hours post-application. The skin then creates a reservoir of vitamin C that it can use when needed,” shares Dr Hall.
Looking to introduce other actives such as AHAs/BHAs/retinol into your skincare regimen? Check out our roundups of the best BHA exfoliants and best retinol creams. Otherwise, read our guide on best moisturiser for dry skin full of ceramides, best moisturiser for combination skin and the best moisturizer for oily skin. We've also got the best anti-ageing creams, best sunscreens for face, best cleansers and best niacinamide serums.
