Best Vitamin C Serums: The Foolproof Way to Radiant Skin

Vitamin C serums have gained immense popularity in the skincare industry for their numerous benefits and powerful antioxidant properties. These serums are formulated with a stable form of vitamin C, such as ascorbic acid or sodium ascorbyl phosphate, which can help brighten the skin, even out skin tone, and reduce the appearance of fine lines.

In addition to its antioxidant properties, vitamin C is known to boost collagen production, which can improve skin elasticity and firmness. This makes it a valuable ingredient in anti-ageing skincare routines. Vitamin C serums also help protect the skin from environmental stressors like pollution and UV radiation, making them essential for maintaining healthy and radiant skin. Explore some of the most concentrated and effective face serums on the market for a more radiant complexion from day one.

Top Vitamin C Serums for Glowing Skin

1. Vichy Liftactiv Supreme Vitamin C Serum 20ml

The Vichy Liftactiv Supreme Vitamin C Serum is a cult favourite. The potent concentration of vitamin C (15%) and hyaluronic acid visibly brightens skin, evens tone and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. If you’re looking to immediately invigorate tired skin, this one is for you. Vichy combines hydrolysed hyaluronic acid, medium-weight hyaluronic acid and peptides for the ultimate glass skin trifecta.

Price: €43.50

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Why we love it:

• Brightens and evens skin tone

• Reduces fine lines and wrinkles

• Improves skin texture and radiance

• Suitable for sensitive skin

Possible downsides:

• Some users report a sticky texture

• May cause slight tingling on sensitive skin

• The non-opaque (but UV-resistant) packaging could cause some degradation of ascorbic acid

• Comes in 20ml container

Key ingredients:

• 15% Pure Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

• Hyaluronic Acid (medium and low weight)

• Hydrolysed proteins

Best for:

• Fighting dullness

• Fighting the first signs of ageing

2. IMAGE Vital C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum 50ml

This tantalising formula makes it IMAGE’s bestseller for a good reason. Enjoy a rich, hydrating serum infused with multiple forms of stabilised Vitamin C and a tri-peptide complex to combat the visible signs of ageing (fine lines, wrinkles, free radical damage and pigmentation). Moreover, the glossy texture deeply soothes and hydrates stressed skin using hyaluronic acid, yeast polysaccharides, peptides and aloe vera gel. Achieve the ultimate skin glow - don’t wait to try the IMAGE Vital C Hydrating Anti-Ageing Serum

Price: €90.00

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Why we love it:

• Deep hydration

• Reduces the appearance of wrinkles

• Brightens and balances skin tone

• Fights environmental damage and pigmentation

• Opaque packaging for longer shelf-life

• Comes in a 50ml bottle

Possible downsides:

• Some users find it too heavy for oily skin

• Fragrance may be too strong for some

• It comes at a higher price point

Key ingredients:

• Vitamin C (four forms)

• Hyaluronic Acid

• Tri-peptide complex

• Yeast polysaccharides

• Aloe vera base

• Antioxidants

Best For:

• Hydration

• Fighting the visible signs of ageing

• Higher price point

3. Murad Environmental Shield Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum

If you want to target a dull complexion, uneven texture and tone, a sure winner will be this Vitamin C and Glycolic Acid Serum by Murad. Skincare acids such as glycolic acid gently exfoliate without drying or irritating the skin - it leaves a dewy glow after just one use. Moreover, Murad uses quite literally, the Gold Standard form of stabilised vitamin C. Stabilised with gold and glutathione, this vitamin C offers prolonged efficacy. Fight discoloration dullness, and the early signs of ageing with this royal illuminating serum.

Price: €95.00

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Why we love it:

• Exfoliates and brightens skin

• Improves skin tone and texture

• Reduces dark marks acne scars and hyperpigmentation

• Gold-stabilised vitamin C for prolonged potency

• Opaque packaging with pump dispensing mechanism

Possible downsides:

• May cause irritation on sensitive or dry skin

• Higher price point

Key ingredients:

• Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)

• Glycolic acid

• Antioxidants

• Phyto-luminescent extract for a dewy glow

Best For:

• Targeting uneven skin tone and texture

• All-day radiance

• Fights pigmentation and premature ageing

4. Pestle & Mortar Vitamin C Phase 2 Serum 40ml

This is a go-to for oily skin types or for anyone who prefers a silky and weightless finish. It uses three types of stabilised vitamin C and ferulic acid for immediate and prolonged antioxidant action and age-defying efficacy. Moreover, the Pestle & Mortar Vitamin C Phase 2 Serum contains probiotics for barrier support and cross-linked hyaluronic acid to act as an environmental shield. The innovative serum promotes immediate radiance and long-term improvements to skin tone, texture and the visible signs of ageing.

“Fabulous product really illuminates my skin. Use every day and love it”

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Why we love it:

• Lightens pigmentation

• Improves skin radiance

• Suitable for sensitive skin

Possible downsides:

• Some users report slow visible results

Key ingredients:

• Vitamin C (ascorbyl glucoside, 3-O-ethyl-L-ascorbic acid & sodium ascorbyl phosphate)

• Extracts from natural botanicals

• Cross-linked hyaluronic acid

• Probiotics

• Ferulic acid

Best For:

• Pigmentation and dullness

• Protecting against free radical damage

• Boosting barrier function

5. The Inkey List 15% Vitamin C & EGF Serum 30ml

Our favourite budget-friendly brand is back with another excellent product to compete with the higher-end offerings. The Inkey List 15% Vitamin C & EGF Serum contains a high concentration of vitamin C in an opaque container to ensure maximum stability and efficacy over time. Interestingly, this affordable serum contains Epidermis Growth Factor (Oligopeptide-1). Peptide serums can help boost skin hydration levels, and fight the signs of ageing.

The Inkey List also has a pure vitamin C serum but we recommend the one with EGF for its multi-benefits and a more stable form of vitamin C. Get started with a vitamin C serum that doesn’t break the bank.

Price: €17.99

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Why we love it:

• Brightens and firms the skin

• Reduces wrinkles and fine lines

• Enhances skin's elasticity

Possible downsides:

• Some users experience sensitivity

• Can feel heavy on the skin

Key ingredients:

• 15% stable Vitamin C (ascorbyl glucoside)

• EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor)

• Budget-friendly

• Fights dullness & pigmentation

• Fights oxidative damage

• Fights the first signs of ageing

6. La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C 10 Serum 30ml

One of the more popular vitamin C serums on our list is the La Roche Posay Pure Vitamin C 10 Serum. It combines 10% pure vitamin C, salicylic acid with hydrolysed hyaluronic acid and medium-weight HA. This concoction fights textural irregularities, hyperpigmentation, dullness and dehydration. This one has been tested on sensitive skin and has been shown to improve overall texture.

Price: €46.00

“Absolutely love the Vitamin C serum my skin is so much Brighter in a matter of days, i don't think I can live without it now”

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Why we love it:

• Brightens skin

• Fights pigmentation

• Fills fine lines

• Improves texture and tone

• Suitable for sensitive skin

User Pain Points:

• Some find the scent unpleasant

• May cause a tingling sensation from pure ascorbic acid

Key ingredients:

• 10% Pure vitamin C

• Salicylic acid

• Hydrolysed HA

• Hyaluronic acid

Best For:

• Dullness

• Fine lines

• Sensitive skin

7. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic 30ml

Finally, one of our favourite brands offers an award-winning, high-potency serum with a combination of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and ferulic acid. These provide advanced antioxidant protection against environmental damage, improve skin firmness, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This serum is clinically proven to reduce UV oxidative damage, and free radicals caused by pollution and metal. Slow down the number one contributor of skin ageing with this miracle antioxidant serum.

"It is really the triple combination of antioxidants that makes this product stand out as this means it provides up to an eight-fold amplification in free radical protection. I like to think of it essentially as an anti-ageing serum with superpowers."

- Dr. Ana Mansouri - Aesthetic Doctor

Price: €185.00

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Why we love it:

• Advanced antioxidant protection

• Slows the progression of skin ageing

• Enhances skin brightness

Possible downsides:

• High price point

• Some report an oily residue

Key ingredients:

• 15% L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C)

• 1% vitamin E (alpha tocopherol)

• 0.5% ferulic acid

Best For:

Signs of ageing

Environmental damage

Vitamin C serums are some of the most popular in the skincare world in 2024, but how come this simple vitamin makes such an impact in your daily beauty regime? Ascorbic acid is a versatile antioxidant that targets multiple skin concerns such as dullness, pigmentation, uneven skin texture, collagen loss and oxidative damage.

If you could include one antioxidant in your skincare routine, we would recommend vitamin C for its additional benefits. Explore a summary of the benefits of vitamin C below:

• Anti-ageing - this molecule is essential in forming the main protein structures in the skin. It also helps stimulate collagen formation

• Dark Spots - Vitamin C fights the formation of melanin in the skin which can help fade dark spots over time and prevent their formation.

• Dullness - the antioxidant action of vitamin C helps encourage a healthy skin tone and texture. It protects against free radicals (from the sun and environmental pollutants), which would otherwise disrupt the skin barrier and damage skin structures.

How to Choose the Right Vitamin C Serum

With many vitamin C products available, choosing the best vitamin C serum for your skin is not always simple. Here, we explore which types of vitamin C are available and which are the best for your primary skin concern. Then we help you select the most worthwhile product.

What's the Best Form of Vitamin C for You?

Although powerful, pure vitamin C is not the most stable compound. When it’s exposed to UV light and air, it degrades. Many products use vitamin C derivatives to help the product reach deeper layers of the skin before being used up - an added benefit is that your serum lasts longer.

There are many different active forms of vitamin C available in skincare products, non-exhaustive examples are summarised below:

• Ascorbic Acid: Pure vitamin C is not very stable but is a highly active form of the vitamin. This can often have an immediate brightening effect on the skin’s surface but may not reach deeper layers of skin. Also, unless it’s protected from environmental damage, the product doesn’t have a long shelf life.

• Ascorbyl Palmitate: A fat-soluble derivative, ascorbyl palmitate is more stable than ascorbic acid. It can penetrate the skin more easily due to its fat-soluble nature, providing potent antioxidant benefits and aiding in collagen synthesis.

• Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP): This water-soluble derivative is stable at neutral pH levels and less irritating, making it suitable for sensitive skin types. It converts to ascorbic acid upon absorption and offers skin-brightening and antioxidant properties.

• Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP): Another water-soluble derivative, SAP is highly stable in formulations and effective in lower concentrations. It is often used for its antioxidant and skin-brightening benefits.

• Ascorbyl Glucoside: Formed by attaching glucose to ascorbic acid, ascorbyl glucoside is stable and gentle on the skin. It slowly converts to ascorbic acid, providing long-lasting antioxidant benefits.

• Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate: A lipid-soluble form of vitamin C, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate is stable and capable of penetrating the skin's lipid barrier. It is known for its anti-ageing properties and effectiveness in boosting collagen production.

• Ethyl Ascorbic Acid: A relatively new derivative, ethyl ascorbic acid is both water and oil-soluble, making it versatile in formulations. It is stable and effective in brightening the skin and protecting against UV damage.

Although all forms of vitamin C act as an antioxidant, treat dullness and fight the signs of ageing, some can have more targeted effects. The best form of vitamin C depends on your primary skin concern. Explore which type of vitamin C you should look out for.

Best for Anti-ageing properties

Choose a highly absorbable but stable form of the vitamin so it reaches deeper levels of skin, look for Ascorbyl Palmitate or Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate for example.

Murad’s vitamin C and glycolic acid serum contains Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate.

Best for Dull skin

Water-soluble vitamin C is useful for an immediate radiance boost. Choose pure vitamin C, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP) or Ethyl Ascorbic Acid.

Pestle & Mortar’s Vitamin C serum contains Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate and Ethyl Ascorbic Acid

Best for dark spots

Vitamin C has a skin-brightening effect by inhibiting melanin production. If you want to target age spots choose Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP). Additionally, SAP is stable and gentle, making it suitable for sensitive skin prone to pigmentation issues.

Best for powerful antioxidant action

Stable and slow-release forms of vitamin C are the best for antioxidant protection and reducing daily environmental damage, you may also want a fat-soluble form for deep penetration into the skin. In this case choose Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ethyl Ascorbic Acid or Ascorbyl Palmitate.

The Inkey List Vitamin C + EGF serum contains a high dose of Ascorbyl Glucoside

Best for sensitive skin

Pure vitamin C can be slightly irritating on the skin or cause a mild tingling sensation. If you want to avoid this but still get the benefits of this active ingredient, choose Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate or Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate as these are gentler on the skin.

Best vitamin C Serum Overall

We decided that the best serum targets multiple areas with a range of stabilised vitamin C types. The IMAGE Vital C Hydrating Anti-Ageing Serum contains four types of vitamin C. MAP and pure ascorbic acid target dullness for an immediate glow. Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate and Ascorbyl Palmitate have collagen-boosting properties. Combined with a nourishing hydration boost, this serum is perfect for achieving a bright and youthful complexion.

Tips on Stability and Packaging for Maximum Efficacy

Vitamin C shouldn’t be exposed to excessive environmental damage as this causes it to degrade, reducing its efficacy. A vitamin C face serum ideally has opaque or UV-resistant packaging to prevent UV light exposure and a small opening to reduce air exposure.

The IMAGE vitamin C serum and Murad Environmental shield use opaque packaging and a pump dispenser to minimise air re-entry into the product. Both also contain stabilised forms of vitamin C. Vichy Liftactiv Vitamin C Serum also has a UV-resistant bottle and a dropper to reduce damage.

Products containing pure vitamin C without opaque or UV-resistant packaging will be the least shelf-stable and may not be worth your money. Also, check the concentration of vitamin C, some serums use niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to improve skin comfort but don’t contain enough vitamin C to provide transformative results.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Often Should I Apply Vitamin C Serum?

Apply vitamin C to the entire face and neck every morning after cleansing and before your moisturiser and SPF. Allow to fully absorb before applying another serum or skincare product. Layer serums from most to least lightweight.

Can I Use Vitamin C Serum Under Sunscreen?

Yes, you should always use sunscreen during the day, especially in summer. You can apply an SPF or a moisturiser with SPF after your vitamin C serum has fully absorbed into the skin

What Time of Day is Best for Applying Vitamin C Serum?

To protect against environmental damage and pollutants, vitamin C is most effective during the day. Apply your vitamin C serum in the morning to a dry face, before moisturiser and SPF.

How Long Does it Take to See Results from Using Vitamin C Serum?

An immediate skin glow will set in within minutes of applying a vitamin C serum. Continued use can improve pigmentation concerns, tone, texture and free radical damage within 8-16 weeks.