The Best Moisturiser with vitamin C for Radiant Skin

Vitamin C has become a hero ingredient in modern skincare, known for its brightening, anti-ageing, and collagen-boosting properties. While vitamin C serums are a popular choice, moisturisers with vitamin C offer a simpler, more hydrating option for daily use.

In this guide, we explore the benefits of vitamin C moisturisers, what to look for in their ingredients, and review some of the best products suited for various skin types. Whether you're looking to combat dullness, fade dark spots, or protect against environmental damage, the right vitamin C moisturiser can transform your skincare routine.

What are the Benefits of Using a Vitamin C Moisturiser?

Vitamin C is an ingredient that has taken the skincare industry by storm. It’s a highly active antioxidant which has several other benefits, including fading dark spots, boosting collagen production, fighting the first signs of ageing and skin healing.

Vitamin C serums are a popular way to use the ingredient, but potent formulations can be irritating for certain skin types, and choosing the right product for efficacy and shelf stability can be challenging.

Another popular way to include vitamin C into your skincare routine is to use a moisturiser containing active ingredients. Explore some of the benefits of using a vitamin C moisturiser.

• It can be easier than layering several products
• Vitamin C brightens skin tone and fades dark spots
• Vitamin C offers potent antioxidant protection
• Facilitates collagen production and wound healing
• Wound-healing properties can be helpful for acne-prone skin
• Fat-soluble vitamin C can penetrate better into the skin than water-based forms

Is it better to use a vitamin C moisturiser or vitamin C serum?

There are so many options for vitamin C serums that it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. Vitamin C creams can make the decision easier because they have both hydrating and brightening properties. There are merits to both formulas, explore the pros and cons of each below:

	Vitamin C Cream	Vitamin C Serum
Pros	Good absorption of oil-soluble vitamin C Simpler skincare routine More affordable	Usually more potent doses Possibility for layering different actives Fast-absorbing formula
Cons	Lower doses, less potent Less flexible skincare routine	More complex skincare routine Often water-based serums don’t penetrate as deeply More expensive than cream

What Ingredients to Look for in a Vitamin C Moisturiser

Bear several things in mind when shopping for a vitamin C moisturiser – the type of vitamin C, the dosage and the complementary ingredients. Here are some things to check for when reading the ingredients label:

• Multiple forms of vitamin C: usually mean the product will have immediate and prolonged efficacy. Pure vitamin C is potent but short-lived. Meanwhile stable forms have time to absorb into the skin before breaking down. Try the IMAGE Hydrating Intense Moisturiser.
• Fat-soluble forms of vitamin C: these are more stable and penetrate more deeply into the epidermis – ascorbyl palmitate or tetrahexal desoxyascorbate are both fat soluble, look out for these. Try the Murad Vitamin C Day Cream.
• Avoid creams with retinol: while this ingredient helps fight the first signs of ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles, it also fades blemishes. However, it works at a different pH to vitamin C, so these shouldn’t be applied at the same time.
• Consider a moisturiser with SPF: helps prevent the number one cause of skin ageing - oxidative damage.
• Niacinamide, kojic acid or salicylic acid: these ingredients also help to fade blemishes and dark spots alongside vitamin C.

Which form of vitamin C is best for skin?

There are so many forms of vitamin C used in skincare with varying degrees of stability and efficacy. Explore some of our favourites at Meaghers Pharmacy.

• Ascorbic acid (pure vitamin C):this form very unstable but a potent antioxidant. It can cause tingling or a mild irritation in high doses.
• Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (THD ascorbate):this form is fat-soluble, stable and suitable for all skin types. It’s widely tolerated and effective.
• Ascorbyl palmitate: ascorbyl palmitate is also oil-soluble making it ideal for using in a moisturiser for the best results.
• Magnesium Ascorbyl Phospahte (MAP) or Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP): these forms are highly effective and suitable for sensitive skin types however, they’re water-soluble
• Ascorby glucoside: Another water-soluble vitamin C which is stable and effective in various skincare formulations

The Best Vitamin C Moisturisers for All Skin Types

Looking for a hydrating moisturiser that also includes the benefits of vitamin C? Here are our favourite vitamin C moisturisers suitable for a range of skin types. Read our expert reviews.

Trilogy Vitamin C Ceramide Night Cream

This is a rich, antioxidant-packed night cream from Trilogy is designed to brighten, hydrate, and repair skin while you sleep, boosting radiance and improving the skin’s moisture barrier for a healthy, glowing complexion.

Key Ingredients:
Brightening vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate) Barrier-boosting ceramides Hydrating hyaluronic acid Brightening kakadu plum extract Skin soothing aloe vera Smoothing rosehip
Why We Love It :
Contains vitamin C for brightening and evening out skin tone Moisturisers with ceramides help restore the skin’s barrier and lock in hydration Ideal for nighttime repair Non-comedogenic and 99.2% natural origin ingredients
Downsides:
May not be suitable for oily skin due to its rich texture

Murad Essential-C Overnight Barrier Repair Cream 50ml

This overnight cream restores stressed skin while enhancing firmness and radiance while you sleep. The rich night cream formula is packed with antioxidants, it repairs the skin’s barrier and fights free radical damage.

Key Ingredients:
Oil-soluble vitamin C (tetrahexyldexyl ascorbate) Soothing agents: bisabolol, allantoin, ginger extract, jojoba esters and cucumber extract Antioxidant: vitamin E
Why We Love It :
Antioxidant-rich formula repairs skin and improves firmness Strengthens the skin’s barrier and fights damage Helps with environmental and sun damage recovery
Downsides:
Heavier texture, possibly not suitable for oily skin High price point May not contain enough active hydrators Contains fragrance

IMAGE Vital C Hydrating Intense Moisturiser

This ultra-hydrating cream from Image Skincare provides intense moisture and antioxidant protection, making it ideal for soothing dry, sensitive, or irritated skin. It repairs and strengthens the skin barrier while promoting a healthy glow.

Key Ingredients:
Three types of vitamin C: TDH ascorbate (oil-soluble), sodium ascorbyl phosphate and ascorbic acid Hydrating hyaluronic acid Antioxidant: vitamin E Hydrating glycerin Nourishing shea butter Hydrating and anti-ageing peptides
Why We Love It :
Four types of vitamin C actively brighten the skin, fight damage and skin ageing Deeply hydrates and repairs dry and damaged skin Soothes and moisturises sensitive skin and irritation Antioxidant-rich formula for added protection Opaque packaging and dispenser keeps product stable
Downsides:
The rich texture may feel heavy for oily skin Contains colour and fragrance

The Best vitamin C moisturisers for mature skin

Murad Essential-C Firming Radiance Day Cream 50ml

Looking for a lightweight day cream formulated to improve skin firmness and radiance, this one from Murad is formulated with vitamin C, niacinamide and squalane for a radiant skin glow, while protecting against environmental damage.

Active Ingredients:
Brightening vitamin C (THD ascorbate) Brightening niacinamide Hydrating squalane Antioxidant: vitamin E Hydrating urea
Why We Love It :
Brightens and firms the skin Lightweight texture, suitable for daily use Enhances radiance and resilience
Downsides:
Doesn’t contain SPF

The best vitamin C moisturisers with SPF

Murad Essential C Day Moisture SPF30 50ml

A daily moisturiser with broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection, designed to hydrate the skin while defending against environmental aggressors. Infused with Vitamin C, it brightens and firms skin over time.

Key Ingredients:
Vitamin C: Brightens and protects SPF 30: Broad-spectrum protection against UVA/UVB rays Antioxidants (including ginkgo biloba)
Why We Love It :
Provides SPF 30 protection, ideal for everyday use Antioxidant-rich to combat environmental stress Hydrates without feeling greasy
Downsides:
May require additional sun protection for prolonged exposure

How to Use a Vitamin C Moisturiser for the Best Results

Using a vitamin C moisturiser is simple, however, there are some key considerations to bear in mind. Firstly, you should avoid applying a vitamin C cream with a retinol product. You can use both but apply one at night and one in the morning. Alternatively, wait at least 30 minutes after applying vitamin C to apply retinol.

Apply a vitamin C moisturiser to your face and neck after your face serums have fully absorbed or after cleansing. If you have a moisturiser with hyaluronic acid such as the IMAGE Vital C Hydrating Intense Moisturiser, apply to damp skin for maximum hydration and product absorption.

Due to the potent antioxidant properties of pure vitamin C, it doesn’t stay shelf stable for long. If your product contains ascorbic acid, you’ll need to keep it tightly sealed while you’re not using it and keep it away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

When to use a vitamin C moisturiser

Stable forms of vitamin C can be used in the evening and the morning. Pure vitamin C may be too irritating for morning and nightly use (depending on the concentration). However, if you use a product containing pure retinol, you shouldn’t use it at the same time as vitamin C.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any side effects of topical vitamin C?

High concentrations of vitamin C can cause burning or itching but this is usually only with pure ascorbic acid – use stabilised forms such as THD ascorbate, MAP or SAP for gentle but effective antioxidation. Use lower concentrations if you have sensitive skin

Are vitamin C moisturisers suitable for all skin types?

Most skin types tolerate vitamin C well but sensitive skin may prefer different formulations which reduce irritation. Try magnesium ascorbyl phosphate or sodium ascorbyl phosphate if you experience irritation from vitamin C products.