For starters, the concentration of your vitamin C serum is key, especially if you have sensitive skin. According to Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist located in New York City, choosing a serum that's too highly concentrated can cause irritation. "It's best to stick with vitamin C serums that contain L-ascorbic acid between 10–20%," she shares. "If you're sensitive, it's best to start with a concentration of 8–10% and increase if needed." Show
Going for a lower concentration isn't the only option, either. There are other forms of vitamin C, like magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, that can be just as beneficial for delicate skin types. MAP is water-soluble and oil-loving so it more deeply penetrates the skin. This also makes it less irritating and easier on a sensitive visage. Another important factor to consider when buying the right vitamin c serum for your skin? The product's pH level. "Those with sensitive skin may prefer a vitamin C with a pH that more closely mimics the skin’s natural pH," says Garshick. "Often vitamin C products are formulated to have a low pH to help with stability, but the lower pH can be irritating, so remember this if you have sensitive skin." Additionally, some vitamin C serums are formulated with other ingredients. This can be either a win or a loss if you're prone to sensitivities. Garshick reports that moisturizing and soothing agents like niacinamide or hyaluronic acid combine well with vitamin C in this case. "These [ingredients] contain other antioxidants which may help to stabilize and boost results." We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:
We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. To understand how vitamin C works, you first have to understand free radicals. These natural molecules aren’t bad on their own, but they can become a problem when they build up. In high numbers, they can break cells down over time, contributing to illness and aging. Antioxidants help fight free radicals, though, keeping everything in balance. Vitamin C is one such antioxidant. In selecting our top vitamin C serums picks, we looked at:
It’s worth keeping in mind that there are different types of vitamin C, and not all of them are equally effective. We mostly chose products made with:
We also kept an eye out for products that have additional beneficial ingredients. Pricing guide
Best vitamin C serum for dull skinL’Oreal Paris Revitalift 10% Vitamin C Concentrate
Why we love it: At a reasonable price point, this 10 percent vitamin C serum is free of fragrances and dyes. It also contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin. Users say the formula is light and effective, visibly improving wrinkles. What you should know: While many love that this is more of a cream than a serum, some feel it’s too heavy. Best drugstore vitamin C serumPixi Vitamin-C Serum
Why we love it: This ascorbic acid vitamin C serum includes ferulic acid, which also helps fight free radicals and reduces the effects of sun damage. Caffeine helps brighten skin, too. What you should know: This serum has a citrus peppermint scent. While many reviewers say it smells great, some find it too strong. Best vitamin C serum for hyperpigmentationMurad Environmental Shield Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum
Why we love it: Vitamin C can be a little unstable, breaking down easily when exposed to light, air, or water. Murad uses gold to stabilize the vitamin C in this serum, which the brand says results in a stronger product. The convenient pump top is designed to deliver the same dose of vitamin C each time you apply it. What you should know: The serum also contains glycolic acid, a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that can work well for hyperpigmentation. However, it can sometimes be irritating to sensitive skin. Additionally, you may get more benefits from using glycolic acid and vitamin C separately than you will combining them. Best vitamin C serum for all skin typesPaula’s Choice C15 Super Booster
Why we love it: This 15 percent vitamin C formula can be used alone or added into your moisturizer. Just a few drops are all you need for a healthy glow. This is also helpful for reducing the appearance of scars. What you should know: Some users with dry skin say this caused irritation. Most splurge-worthy vitamin C serumPeter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Serum
Why we love it: This vitamin C serum contains vitamin C in the form of tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. At 20 percent potency, it’s a much higher concentration than most
of the other available vitamin C serums. A 2005 study suggests that ferulic acid is most effective when combined with vitamins E and C, like in this serum. What you should know: Some reviewers report that this serum has an off-putting smell. Best vitamin C serum for oily skinSunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum
Why we love it: This serum absorbs quickly into the skin and doesn’t leave a greasy feel. After a few applications, reviewers report fading acne scars and improved appearance. What you should know: You don’t need a lot of this product for each use, so one bottle goes a long way. Like the Murad serum, this product contains glycolic acid. Though glycolic acid and vitamin C can safely be combined, they may work better when used separately. Best vitamin C serum for acne-prone skinLa Roche-Posay Vitamin C Serum
Why we love it: The combination of vitamin C and salicylic acid makes this nongreasy formula great for acne-prone skin. Those who are concerned about aging skin say they love the improvement in their skin’s appearance. What you should know: Salicylic acid is tough on acne, but it may irritate sensitive skin. This formula also has a strong scent, so it’s not a great option for people who are sensitive to fragrances. Best vitamin C serum for dry skinSkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
Why we love it: This 15 percent vitamin C serum contains L-ascorbic acid, which is the most potent kind of vitamin C. It also contains vitamin E and ferulic acid, as well as glycerin to hydrate dry skin. Reviewers say they like how bright and smooth their skin was after just a few applications. What you should know: Some users don’t like the scent. Best long-lasting vitamin C serumDrunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Day Serum
Why we love it: A vitamin C formula that’s cruelty-free, free of essential oils, *and* has a fun name — what’s not to love? This Drunk Elephant formula is designed to stay on your skin for 72 hours. What you should know: Drunk Elephant relaunched the product in 2021. It now comes in two separate vials you mix together to “activate” the vitamin C, so you know the product will stay fresh for at least 6 months. When shopping for a vitamin C serum, it’s important to look for a product made of a potent, stable type of vitamin C. Look for one of these types of vitamin C on the ingredients list:
It’s also best to look for a product that’s sold in opaque packaging, as vitamin C can break down when exposed to sunlight. You can also check out the other ingredients, especially if you’re looking to help several skin concerns at once. For example, hyaluronic acid or glycerin are good additions for dry skin, while AHAs can help slough off dead skin. Some products may also be formulated with retinol to help lessen the appearance of wrinkles. Many products are made with 10 to 20 percent vitamin C, and that’s usually potent enough. Older studies show that maximum absorption is achieved at 20 percent. Considerations by skin typeVitamin C is safe to use for most skin types, but it’s still a good idea to do a patch test before applying serum all over your face. To do this, apply a small amount of product on the inside of your wrist. Wait 24 hours for any signs of irritation before using broadly. Sensitive skinIf you have sensitive skin or a skin condition, like rosacea, you might want to stick to serums with lower concentrations of vitamin C. That’s because concentrations higher than 20 percent may cause irritation. Oily skinFor oily or acne-prone skin, look for serums labeled “noncomedogenic” so they won’t clog your pores. Dry skinIf your skin tends to be on the dryer side, look for serums with hydrating ingredients, like hyaluronic acid. Higher concentrations of vitamin C may cause irritation in some people. But most people tolerate it pretty well. And while mixing vitamin C with other ingredients won’t necessarily cause side effects, it can render the vitamin inactive. Board certified dermatologist Elizabeth Mullans cautions against mixing vitamin C with the following:
You can apply vitamin C serum both in the morning and at night, following your cleansing and toning routine. One study suggested applying a vitamin C serum every 8 hours, but twice daily will suffice. Since ultraviolet (UV) light lowers the skin’s vitamin C levels, research from 2013 shows it’s best to apply topical vitamin C after being exposed to UV light, not before. So if you’re spending time in the sun, slather on the SPF beforehand and plan to apply your vitamin C serum after. First, you’ll want to test the product to make sure your skin doesn’t react negatively to it. Here’s the three step process:
Once you are ready to apply, check the product label for detailed instructions. Typically, you will apply twice a day after cleansing and toning, then put moisturizer over the vitamin C serum. There are a number of tools you can use to apply vitamin c serum:
What does vitamin C serum do?Vitamin C can help minimize the signs of aging, protect against skin damage, reduce discoloration, and more. Is vitamin C serum really worth it?Vitamin C is a versatile skin care ingredient that may be able to improve your skin’s appearance. Whether that sounds valuable to you depends on your skin care needs and overall budget. How often should I use vitamin C serum?You can apply it once per day. Or you can even apply twice daily — once in the morning and again a night. What percentage of vitamin C is best for the face?Look for a formula with at least 10 percent vitamin C and a maximum of 20 percent. Anything less may not be effective. Anything over 20 percent could lead to irritation — and research says the benefits of vitamin C don’t increase after that threshold anyway. What vitamin C is best for oily skin?Vitamin C in the form of L-ascorbic acid may be the best option for oily skin, because it’s both lightweight and water-soluble. What vitamin C is best for combination skin?Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate is a form of vitamin C that may work well for combination skin. It’s known for being able to prevent the oxidation that causes blackheads, but it also has hydrating properties. Adding a vitamin C serum to your daily routine will improve your skin’s glow while reducing the damaging effects of the environment and the sun. The longer you use a vitamin C serum consistently, the more you’ll be able to see the difference it makes. As always, discontinue use if the product irritates your skin. Is magnesium ascorbyl phosphate an effective form of vitamin C?#3: Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
MAP is one of the most stable forms of vitamin C. It's also one of the most hydrating in its class, and can effectively soothe skin irritations with its anti-inflammatory properties. It's a water-soluble form of vitamin C, meaning it is best used in water based formulas.
Which brand is best for vitamin C serum?Healthline's picks for the best vitamin C serums. Pixi Vitamin-C Serum.. Murad Environmental Shield Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum.. Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster.. Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Serum.. Sunday Riley C.E.O. ... . La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Serum.. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic.. Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Day Serum.. What is the best vitamin C combination?Vitamin C + vitamin E + ferulic acid
It's the best of all worlds, offering triple the protective powers. With antioxidants like vitamin C and E working in tandem to undo the damage caused by UV rays, you're probably thinking how it makes sense to apply this combination under your sunscreen for extra UV protection.
What should you not take with magnesium ascorbyl phosphate?Which products can and can´t be used with Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate? Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate is a derivative and originally had no conflicts, but now Deciem has said that the Vitamin C derivatives should not be used in the same routine as Niacinamide Serum and powder.
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Best vitamin c serum with magnesium ascorbyl phosphate
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