Vasanti's Glow Boosting Serum tackles dullness with antioxidant superstars vitamin C, bearberry-derived arbutin, and Abyssinian kale oil. Kora Organics Noni Night AHA Resurfacing Serum, GOOPGENES All-in-One Nourishing Face Cream. Other less intense versions include sodium ascorbyl phosphate and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate. Vitamin C is inherently unstable and quickly broken down when exposed to light and/or oxygen. We went to work and tried a handful of top-rated vitamin C serums spanning a range of budgets, skin types, and concerns. When it comes to over-the-counter topicals, theres often a limit to just how much of a difference you can see from products without a prescription. "They're also great for fine lines, melasma, and rosacea." An Evaluation of Efficacy and Tolerability of Novel Enzyme Exfoliation Versus Glycolic Acid in Photodamage Treatment. Radha MH, et al. What also sets this product apart from the rest is the fact that it was specifically designed to be a spot treatment, rather than a traditional all-over vitamin C serum. 8,9 3024-3031. No wonder it won a 2021 Best of Beauty Award. Tatcha's Violet-C Brightening Serum is everything you love about the brand's beloved lavender mask, in serum form. Inside the beautiful ombr blue bottle, you'll find 15 percent tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (a stable, oil-soluble form of vitamin C), as well as 14 other forms of vitamin C derived from fruits and plants including Kakadu plum, papaya, and grapefruit. Matrescence makes the best option for sensitive skin, with a blend of skin soothers and anti-inflammatories like like chamomile, lavender oil, and aloe. To do so, its active ingredients include tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (a super stable, oil-soluble form of vitamin C), antioxidant-rich turmeric, and berry-based arbutin to brighten discoloration. PCA Skin C-Quench Antioxidant Serum. Published 2009 Jan 23. doi:10.3390/molecules14010540. Benefits: Firming, tightening, smoothing, radiance-boosting | Skin Type: Balanced, dry, combination, oily | Dosage: 1 pump daily | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes, Niacinamide in combination with vitamin C fades dark spots. BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner, This Vitamin C Serum Sold Out in Less Than 24 Hours and Now I See Why, Best for Fine Lines: You can subscribe to the Allure Beauty Box here for access to even more of our favorites for just $23. A citrus-scented concoction of 2 percent vitamin C, willow bark extract, and alpha hydroxy acids like citric acid gently sweep away dead skin cells. Toxicology Reports. hyaluronic As the brand's founder, Alicia Yoon, explains, "We decided to include 20 percent because we really wanted it to target any discoloration, blemish scarring, and stubborn melasma." Benefits: Radiance-boosting, refining, hydrating, tightening | Skin Type: Balanced, dry, combination, oily, mature, sensitive | Dosage: A few drops daily | Size: 1 ounce or 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No, Plant-derived stem cells help to accelerate cellular turnover and promote elasticity, Botanical extracts and antioxidant blend attack free radical damage. We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best Ferulic supports the efficacy of vitamin C while and hyaluronic acid, konjac root powder, vitamin E, and chamomile extract deliver hydrating properties. Vitamin C formulas can have a lifting effect, but the addition of cleancaffeinederived from yerba mate and guayasa, increases microcirculation to help the de-puffing process. Vasanti Brighten Up! Did we mention it's also TikTok-famous? ensuring your skin reaps all the benefits from using vitamin C. The formula also calls on pumpkin and pomegranate enzymes to gently exfoliate and smooth dull, uneven texture. Published 2014 December 23. It's expensive, for sure, but you only need to use a couple of pea-size drops for your entire face, so it should last a decent amount of time. InnBeauty Project Green Machine Vitamin C + Green Superfoods Jelly Serum, Best With SPF: We then combined these results with the recommendations of board-certified dermatologist, Diane Madfes, MD, as well as our own research to compile a list of the best in show. We've already waxed poetic about vitamin C's ability to fade dark spots. Nutrients vol. Supergoop! one made without water) and a UV-blocking metal tube can help keep the formula stable and in its most effective state. Former editor Devon Abelman swears by PCA Skin's C&E Advanced for its smoothing and brightening glass skin effects on her acne-prone skin. Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Vitamin C Day Serum, Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Vitamin C Day Serum Just Got a Major Refresh, Best Budget: Lilac stem cell extract is effective in controlling oil, leaving you with a smooth, matte finish. Cosmetics. For this roundup, she considered dozens of products, evaluating each serum on its active ingredients, skin-feel, and value. Hallie Gould, Editorial Director, Addition of ginkgo biloba helps tamp redness. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Another reason why it's always used in brightening products is because vitamin C contains a property that inhibits your skin's melanin production, which is what causes skin discoloration like dark spots and hyperpigmentation, New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Patricia Wexler, MD, previously told Allure. Milani M, Sparavigna A. Serums containing vitamin C are the exception, according to board-certified dermatologist, Diane Madfes, MD. The naturally amber-colored formula gives my skin a lovely, lit-from-within glow immediately upon application, and over time, my skin has become more luminous and healthy-looking (even when I'm not wearing it). You can squeeze product out of this CeraVe tube of vitamin C serum. Benefits: Hydrating, firming, plumping, smoothing | Skin Type: All | Dosage: A few drops daily | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes, Licorice root extract and argan oil brighten and hydrate. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. All rights reserved. Theresa Holland is a seasoned commerce writer specializing in cosmetics. And if you're looking for a brightening peel to start off your morning, check out the Versed Doctor's Visit Instant Resurfacing Mask. This Maelove serum includes a powerful blend of antioxidants and ferulic acid to even out skin tone and boost radiance. Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate, This Vitamin C Serum Gave Me Smooth, Even Skin in a Few WeeksNo Joke, Best for Uneven Skin Tone: The 24-hour skin hydration and barrier function effects of a hyaluronic 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract moisturizing fluid: an intra-subject, randomized, assessor-blinded study. Ruskiewicz, J. Neurotoxic effect of active ingredients in sunscreen products, a contemporary review. Ferulic acid and vitamin E boost vitamin Cs efficacy and stability. After using them for weeks at a time, our testers rated each formula's texture, skin-feel, and how well it worked to brighten complexion, even out skin tone, fade dark spots, and address signs of aging. Jojoba oil, allantoin, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and turmeric root combine to hydrate skin. Common antioxidants found in vitamin C serums include vitamin E and ferulic acid, says Cheung. Benefits: Radiance-boosting, hydrating, replenishing | Skin Type: All | Dosage: Thin layer daily | Size: 1 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes, Antioxidant blend further attacks free radical damage. In addition to 10 percent L-ascorbic acid, this affordable formula replenishes the skin barrier with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides and soothes stressed skin with vitamin B5. Think of it as the ideal daytime counterpart to the retinol or acids you might be using at night to smooth over your skin and speed up cellular turnover. Scoring a 4.5 out of 5 overall score from our at-home tester, this serum delivers noticeable results when it comes to reducing the appearance of fine lines. Glow Boosting Serum, Best Dry Skin: The face serum uses a glass pump bottle to avoid any air mixing with the formula, which can make vitamin C oxidize, but we'd still recommend keeping the bottle in a cool, dark area to give it the longest shelf life possible. The experts have spoken, and this list of vitamin C-spiked serums, face masks, and moisturizers is sure to leave your skin happy and bright. THE ORDINARY Vitamin C 23% + HA Spheres 2%, The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% Gave Our Tester Smoother Skin, This Wallet-Friendly Vitamin C Serum Lightens Dark Spots in Just 3 Weeks, Best Drugstore: Dr. Zeichner says that vitamin C neutralizes free radicals, which are molecules found in external factors like air pollution and sunlight. Madfes says this product is worth the splurge and delivers a noticeable improvement in the texture, evenness, and elasticity of skin. Improvement of the Skin Barrier Function with Physiologically Active Substances. The creamy pale-yellow tint (inspired by banana powder, makeup artists' best-kept secret for faking brighter skin) is instant skin-care gratification at its best, while vitamin C works to diminish dark circles over time. Benefits: Hydrating, radiance-boosting, de-puffing | Skin Type: All | Dosage: Dime-sized amount twice daily | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes, Lilac stem cell extract helps control oil production and restore skin. Maelove The Glow Maker, This Vitamin C Serum Gave Me Radiant, Hydrated SkinAnd It's Under $30, Best for Dullness: Sabrina Crews is a copy editor and fact checker. Our home tester gave the Mad Hippie serum a 4.5 out of 5 rating, noting that the formula was fast-absorbing and boosted radiance without irritation. Madfes recommends Flavo-C for the addition of ginkgo biloba to reduce redness and safeguard your skin against free radicals. Sephora's C+E Super Serum boasts an impressive blend of antioxidants and algae-derived peptides to deliver tighter skin and a dewy, healthy glow. New York City board-certified dermatologist Robert Finney, MD, recommends the Paula's Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum because it contains tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, which is a very stable form of vitamin C, an ingredient that is notorious for being unstable. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Benefits: Hydrating, smoothing, radiance-boosting | Skin Type: Dry, balanced, sensitive, mature | Dosage: A few drops daily | Size: 1 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No, "If I had to pick one skincare product to rave about, this is the one. 2015 Nov;14(11):1306-19. Ad Choices. Drunk Elephant's C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream contains not one, but five different derivatives of vitamin C, plus eight different peptides, making it an under-eye brightening powerhouse. The formula also contains calming ingredients like squalane and green tea, which improve cellular turnover without irritation. Vitamin C in serum form is so effective because it attacks free radicals that can damage skin DNA. Dry skin drinks up the formula, which is fortified with vitamin C (to brighten), niacinamide (to help plump and smooth over fine lines), squalane (to strengthen the skin barrier), and hyaluronic acid (for lasting hydration). Since her years as an editorial intern, Arielle has worked on staff and freelanced for multiple publications including Marie Claire, Good Housekeeping, and People. Allure may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with Lactic acid gently resurfaces skin to reduce wrinkles. Ole Henriksen's deliciously named Banana Bright Eye Crme has already earned icon status from fans. Put on an episode of your favorite show and let the formula soak in for a good 10 to 15 minutes treating your skin (and boosting your natural radiance) is really as easy as that. Cosmeceuticals for Hyperpigmentation: What is Available? New York-based board-certified dermatologist Angelo Landriscina, MD, says that for a $20 product, Naturium's Vitamin C Complex Serum feels like it should be way more expensive.