What to Look for in a Vitamin C Face Serum

Choosing the right vitamin C serum can enhance your skincare routine and help you achieve a brighter, more even complexion.

1. Vitamin C Concentration

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Look for serums with a concentration of vitamin C between10-20% for optimal effectiveness without causing irritation. Lower concentrations may be suitable for sensitive skin, while higher concentrations offer more potent results.

2. Form of Vitamin C

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L-ascorbic acid is the most researched and effective form of vitamin C, but gentler derivatives like sodium ascorbyl phosphate or magnesium ascorbyl phosphate are ideal for sensitive skin.

3. Stability and Packaging

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Vitamin C is sensitive to light and air, so choose serums packaged in dark, airtight bottles to maintain potency. Look for products that mention stabilized formulas on their packaging.

4. Additional Ingredients

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Serums with added antioxidants like vitamin E and ferulic acid can boost the effectiveness of vitamin C. Hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid can also help soothe and plump the skin.

  1. 1
    C+C Vitamin Antiox Solution

    Natura Bissé

    9 REVIEWS
    A lightweight concentrate formulated with a 20% powerful antioxidant cocktail, including 12% pure vitamin C
  2. 2
    An Autumn On The World

    Odacité

    7 REVIEWS
    An intensive age-defying and illuminating facial serum provides the skin with the nourishment it needs to appear firm, bright, and youthful.
  3. 3
    Sea Vitamin C Sèrum
    5 REVIEWS
    This supercharged vitamin C sèrum offers a hydrating cocktail of 14 vitamin C-rich fruit extracts, herbs, and marine botanicals for a brighter complexion.
  4. 4
    Buriti Lime Serum Concentrate
    1 REVIEWS
    Specific Skin Concern: Sagging Skin High-performance serum that helps to provide the skin with the support it needs to stay firm and youthful.
  5. 5
    Retinol Overnight Gel Deluxe
    1 REVIEWS
    Your night-time must-have to reinvigorate dull, lacklustre complexions, powered by a combination of ingredients including retinol, vitamin c and niacinamide. 
  6. 6
    Black Diamond Vitamin C Brightening Booster Serum
    1 REVIEWS
    A liquid serum to enhance, rebalance, and brighten skin.
  7. 7
    Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir
    44 REVIEWS
    A serum that reduces appearance of dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles, visibly brightens, and plumps skin for flawless makeup application.
  8. 8
    Vitamin C THDA 20% Elixir
    399 REVIEWS
    A powerful plant-based Vitamin C concentrate that targets dark spots for visible improvement of complexion, amplified radiance, and brighter skin.
  9. 9
    24K Gold Serum Intense

    Chantecaille

    19 REVIEWS
    A silky, luxurious, textured serum.
  10. 10
    Biolumin-C Serum

    Dermalogica

    163 REVIEWS
    High-performance lactic acid and vitamin c serum. This AHA serum brightens, exfoliates firms and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines.

What to Look for in a Vitamin C Face Serum

Choosing the right vitamin C serum can enhance your skincare routine and help you achieve a brighter, more even complexion.

1. Vitamin C Concentration

Citrus catapult arrow

Look for serums with a concentration of vitamin C between10-20% for optimal effectiveness without causing irritation. Lower concentrations may be suitable for sensitive skin, while higher concentrations offer more potent results.

2. Form of Vitamin C

Citrus catapult arrow

L-ascorbic acid is the most researched and effective form of vitamin C, but gentler derivatives like sodium ascorbyl phosphate or magnesium ascorbyl phosphate are ideal for sensitive skin.

3. Stability and Packaging

Citrus catapult arrow

Vitamin C is sensitive to light and air, so choose serums packaged in dark, airtight bottles to maintain potency. Look for products that mention stabilized formulas on their packaging.

4. Additional Ingredients

Citrus catapult arrow

Serums with added antioxidants like vitamin E and ferulic acid can boost the effectiveness of vitamin C. Hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid can also help soothe and plump the skin.