Who doesn’t want healthier, shinier, brighter, smoother skin? That is why vitamin C is such an essential ingredient in skincare. The antioxidant protects the skin from UV damage, activates collagen development, and lifts dark spots away, revealing bright and glowing skin. A serum is the easiest way to incorporate it into the routine. Only a few drops applied before moisturizer in the morning can protect skin all day.
What does vitamin C serum do?
To understand how vitamin C works, you must first understand the concept of free radicals. These natural molecules are not harmful on their own. But they can become a problem if they build up. In high numbers, they can break down cells over time, leading to illness and ageing.
On the other hand, antioxidants help fight against free radicals, keeping everything in balance. One such antioxidant is vitamin C. When applied to the skin, it can help to reduce the symptoms of ageing. It reduces hyperpigmentation, evens skin tone, smoothes wrinkles, and protects the skin from sun damage.
Don’t worry if you want to use vitamin C serums for brighter skin. But you aren’t sure which one to use! We’ve created a list of 10 excellent options for you.
10 amazing vitamin C serums for brighter skin
1. Luminous Niacinamide + Vitamin C Super Serum by Olay
Price: $59.99
Another strong contender for the best vitamin C serum for brighter skin is Olay’s newly launched Luminous Niacinamide + Vitamin C Super Serum. To brighten skin, a powerful mixture of Niacinamide (to prevent pigmentation), vitamin C (to fade dark spots), pro-vitamin B5 (to soothe and moisturize), and vitamin E (to protect against free radical damage) works in conjunction. This non-greasy formula absorbs in easily and delves deep into the skin’s top 10 layers to produce real, long-lasting results for all skin types, from dry to oily.
What a brand leaves out is just as important as what it includes. This serum is free of sulphates, parabens, phthalates, petrolatum, and mineral oil.
2. Paula’s Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
Price: $39
Paula’s Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum includes tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. It is a very stable source of vitamin C. Other vitamins, such as vitamin E and peptides, as well as ceramides, aid in barrier repair.
It’s a good option for those with sensitive skin who can’t absorb the active ingredient because it contains such a stable source of it and contains soothing agents.
3. SkinBetter Science Alto Defense Serum
Price: $199
SkinBetter Science’s Alto Defense Serum won a 2020 Allure Best of Beauty Award. And dermatologists love it as well. This formula contains a very powerful source of vitamin C that has shown to be stable and effective in clinical trials. It also contains a variety of other antioxidants that help keep cells healthy and reduce inflammation and redness.
Ceramides and hydrating glycerin are two of the reparative ingredients. This serum is super lightweight and won’t clog pores. It’s perfect for acne-prone skin.
4. Naturism Vitamin C Complex Serum
Price:$20
This formula’s vitamin C is stabilized with gold and glutathione to ensure long shelf life. It has a super-light texture that makes it easy to introduce into an existing skin care regimen.
Needless to say, this is an excellent option for those looking for a low-cost brightening serum for high-end results.
5. Transparen-C Pro Spot Treatment (PEACH & LILY COLLECTION)
Price:$43
Transparen-C Pro Spot Treatment by Peach & Lily is a unique product. It contains ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, which is an oil-soluble source of vitamin C that is more stable in cosmetic formulations than standard ascorbic acid. What also sets this product from the others is that it was created to be a spot treatment rather than a traditional all-over vitamin C serum.
As a result, for maximum efficacy, the brand formulated it with 20% ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate.
6. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Serum
Price:$93
According to the study, vitamin C benefits are improved when mixed with vitamin E or ferulic acid. The Dermadoctor Kakadu C 20 percent Vitamin C Serum with Ferulic Acid and Vitamin E formula accomplishes this by containing vitamin C, E, and ferulic acid in each drop. And as for the dark bottle? When it comes to preserving vitamin C, this is a bonus. Vitamin C is a tricky ingredient to work with because it is notoriously unstable. It breaks quickly when exposed to light or air. That’s why it’s beneficial when it comes in a dark or opaque dropper bottle.
7. L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensive Vitamin C Serum
Price:$20
Remember how we said earlier that vitamin C is prone to oxidation? A few things should be done to prevent this from happening. An anhydrous composition (made without water) and a UV-blocking metal tube may help keep the formula stable and effective. L’Oréal’s Revitalift Derm Intensive Vitamin C Serum is a true drugstore find for these reasons.
8. Mara Sea Vitamin C Serum
Price:$96
Mara’s Sea Vitamin C Serum has a heavy amount of vitamin C. Inside the stunning ombré blue bottle is 15% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (THD ascorbate), as well as 14 other forms of vitamin C derived from fruits and plants such as Kakadu plum, papaya, and grapefruit. Furthermore, Allison McNamara, the brand’s founder, told us that she included three different kinds of adaptogens (chlorella, reishi, and ginseng) because she wanted the serum to brighten and soothe the skin at the same time.
9. SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF
Price:$166
SkinCeuticals’ latest Silymarin CF is a great choice for people with oily or acne-prone skin because it combines vitamin C as L-ascorbic acid with silymarin, ferulic acid, and salicylic acid. These ingredients work together to provide antioxidant protection against free radical damage while also reducing oil and gently exfoliating.
Silymarin CF improves skin tone and texture while reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and excess sebum production with continued use.
10. Universal C Skin Refiner
Price:$80
BeautyStat’s 20 percent Vitamin C formulation is shelf stable and ultra-effective. And it’s loved by nearly every makeup editor you know. With such a high concentration of vitamin C in airtight packaging, you’ll see fine lines and hyperpigmentation fade away after only a few days of use. Bonus: unlike most formulations, this one dries somewhat matte, making it perfect for the summer season when we all have a little more sheen.
How to Use Vitamin C Serums for brighter skin?
There are various theories and suggestions about when and how to use vitamin C serums for brighter skin. According to some experts, vitamin C skin care products should be used at night while other sleep-restorative functions are taking place to help skin repair itself. Some believe it should be used throughout the day to help fight free radical damage that accumulates during the day. It doesn’t matter much to Dr Magovern what time of day you use it; what matters is that you remember to use it.
As for how often? According to Dr Magovern, you may not need to use it every day. The receptors for vitamin C become saturated, and it may not be necessary to apply it every day. Regular use may not provide any extra advantages. We suggest applying vitamin C serums for brighter skin at least once every 48 to 72 hours.
