The 13 Best Vitamin C Serums to Brighten You Up

There aren’t a ton of sure things when it comes to skin care, but vitamin C is about as close as it gets. Experts agree this powerful antioxidant is a rock star for aging skin and the key to a bright and even complexion. The best way to take advantage of this standout ingredient is in a high quality serum.

But with about a million on the market and fun details like concentration percentages and other ingredients to think about, it can be tough to commit to one — especially because these serums can get pricey fast. Don’t worry, we sifted through the sea of C and picked out 13 of our favorites for every skin type.

Plus, we chatted with a few derms to get the scoop on stuff like how to choose ’em and use ’em. Because you deserve to shine bright like a diamond, baby.

A quick look at the best vitamin C serums

1. Best rated: The SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
2. Best firming: Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Vitamin C Serum
3. Best for oily skin:Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster
4. Best affordable: Maelove The Glow Maker
5. Best drugstore: CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum
6. Best for sensitive skin: Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum
7. Best for hyperpigmentation: BeautyCounter Counter+ All Bright C Serum
8. Best powder: Neogen Real Vita C Powder Lemon
9. Best for combination skin: Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Brightening Skin Corrector
10. Best capsule: Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair 20% Vitamin C Serum Capsules
11. Best for dry skin: L’Oréal Revitalift Derm Intensive Vitamin C Serum
12. Best for acne scars: Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Targeted Spot Brightener
13. Best with probiotics: Tula Triple Vitamin C Serum

What are the benefits of vitamin C?

Vitamin C goes to work on free radicals, those pesky (but natural!) molecules that contribute to premature skin aging, pigment changes, and even illness when there are too many that build up.

Vitamin C and your skin

On your skin, research shows that topical vitamin C combats signs of aging, reduces hyperpigmentation, and evens out skin tone. Dr. Anna Chacon, a board certified dermatologist, says vitamin C is known for these fab benefits:

• promoting collagen production
• improving the appearance of the skin through minimizing fine lines and wrinkles and decreasing dark spots caused by UV damage
• protecting against sun damage

FYI: Vitamin C helps protect your skin from photodamage by neutralizing free radicals, but it’s not a substitute for SPF. In fact, they’re best used together.

Topical vs. oral vitamin C

So, we know that topical vitamin C can do amazing things for your skin, but you can also take vitamin C orally with supplements. How do the benefits differ?

Research shows that supplementing with vitamin C gives you access to super similar skin benefits as topical vitamin C, including increased collagen production, reduced dark spots, and improved skin hydration and texture. It also helps speed up wound healing. But so far, it looks like UV protection and wrinkle reduction are only found when used topically.

When it comes to your general health, antioxidants like vitamin C might help reduce your chances of developing certain chronic diseases caused by oxidative stress, like cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, age-related macular degeneration, and cataracts — but more research is needed to confirm these findings.

Lastly, some research has found that vitamin C supplementation can help some peeps get the common cold less often, including people who engage in extreme physical exercise, those exposed to cold for long durations of time, and people with lower levels of vitamin C (like the elderly and chronic smokers). It *might* reduce the duration of the common cold for adults that take it regularly, but it won’t do squat if you don’t take it until after your symptoms start.

How we chose the best vitamin C serums

With so many vitamin C products on the market, we had to narrow it down somehow. Here’s what we took into consideration when making our picks:

• Vitamin C. Our priority was the superstar ingredient: vitamin C. There are several different forms of vitamin C, some more potent and stable than others. We chose products with L-ascorbic acid and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate for maximum effectiveness.
• Other ingredients. We gave priority to formulas with supporting ingredients to help you reach specific skin care goals.
• Reviews. We looked to reviews to make sure these products are *actually* loved by real customers.
• Price. We made sure to include a range of prices so that people with all kinds of budgets have access to this rock star ingredient.
• Vetted products. We put every product on this list through a thorough vetting process to make sure the companies aren’t making any unsupported health claims or engaging in shady business practices. Only products that passed vetting made this list.

Pricing guide

• $ = under $50
• $$ = $50–$100
• $$$ = over $100

The 13 best vitamin C Serums

Ready to add this skin care superstar to your arsenal? Check out the best vitamin C serums for every skin type.

Best rated vitamin C serum

The SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

• Price: $$$
• Vitamin C concentration: 15% L-ascorbic acid
• Standout ingredients: vitamin E, ferulic acid, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, panthenol (vitamin B5)
• Skin type: all skin types
• Product size: 30-milliliter (mL) bottle

Before you gawk at the price, there’s a reason this little bottle wins almost every award out there: it features the holy trinity of vitamin C (15 percent pure vitamin C here), vitamin E (1 percent), and ferulic acid (0.5 percent). These two extra ingredients play super well with our golden child. Vitamin E helps boost vitamin C’s UV protection power and ferulic acid helps stabilize it (while giving you an extra boost of antioxidants).

Beyond its ability to brighten and firm up your skin, this blend has been proven to reduce oxidative damage caused by ozone pollution, diesel engine exhaust, and UVA/UVB rays by up to 41 percent. And with hydrating favorites glycerin and hyaluronic acid and soothing panthenol in the mix, you know this serum has your back.

This little bottle has quite a bit of hype around it too — with thousands of v happy reviewers. One reviewer went as far as to say they can’t live without it. So be prepared to fall in love, which could be costly.

Best firming vitamin C serum

Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Vitamin C Serum

• Price: $$
• Vitamin C concentration: 10.5% L-ascorbic acid, 2% ascorbyl glucoside
• Standout ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin
• Skin type: normal, oily, combination
• Product size: 50-mL bottle

Give fine lines and visible pores the boot with this silky serum that melts into your face flawlessly. You get two kinds of stabilized vitamin C here: 10.5 percent L-ascorbic acid for deep penetration (up to 6 days, says the brand) and 2 percent ascorbyl glucoside, a derivative of vitamin C that’s stable, penetrates the skin well, and is about as effective as L-ascorbic acid at reducing signs of aging.

Hyaluronic acid and glycerin help your skin feel plump and moisturized while vitamin C protects against free radicals. It’s free of parabens, alcohol, mineral oil, and dye.

Reviewers tell similar tales of instantly falling for this serum, loving the blurring effect on imperfections, and squeezing out every last drop before ordering again.

Best vitamin C for oily skin

Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster

• Price: $
• Vitamin C concentration: 15% ascorbic acid
• Standout ingredients: vitamin E, ferulic acid, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, bisabolol
• Skin type: all skin types
• Product size: 20 mL

This Paula’s Choice serum contains the same trio we love in our SkinCeuticals pick — vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid — but at a much lower price. Also, like that SkinCeuticals pick, it has HA, glycerin, and panthenol to soothe and hydrate your skin. But what makes it unique is the addition of bisabolol, an anti-inflammatory that can further soothe irritated skin.

This serum is a reviewer and Greatist team favorite. It gets high marks for effectiveness *and* it’s not going to break the bank. It works especially well for oily skin since its hydrating ingredients are lightweight. It absorbs quickly, leaving your skin glowing without feeling oily.

Best affordable vitamin C serum

Maelove The Glow Maker

• Price: $
• Vitamin C concentration: 15% ascorbic acid
• Standout ingredients: vitamin E, ferulic acid, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, aloe, grape seed extract
• Skin type: all skin types
• Product size: 30 mL

Maelove’s take on vit C brings you a super similar formula as SkinCeuticals and Paula’s Choice for under 30 bucks. It has all the necessary ingredients to boost vitamin C’s effectiveness, two hydration favorites, and soothing aloe.

It also has grape seed extract, which is loaded with extra skin-happy antioxidants that can help further reduce signs of aging.

One of our editors tried this serum and says it really does get a ~glow~ going. She loved the way it made her skin look and feel, especially at such a low price. The serum has over 11,000 reviews from tons of happy customers, too — but some say it didn’t give them the results they were expecting.

Best drugstore vitamin C serum

CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum

• Price: $
• Vitamin C concentration: 10% L-ascorbic acid
• Standout ingredients: vitamin E, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, panthenol (vitamin B5), ceramides
• Skin type: normal, oily, combination
• Product size: 30-mL tube

This trusted sensitive skin brand pairs 10 percent L-ascorbic acid with glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and panthenol to soothe sensitive skin and strengthen your skin barrier.

Bonus points for an affordable, fragrance-free formula that won’t clog pores. Plus, it’s free of parabens. Reviewers say it has a creamy texture and works gently on their sensitive skin.

Best vitamin C serum for sensitive skin

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum

• Price: $$
• Vitamin C concentration: 15% L-ascorbic acid
• Standout ingredients: ferulic acid, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, pumpkin ferment, pomegranate extract, chronocyclin, grape juice extract, Indian gooseberry
• Skin type: all skin types, including sensitive skin
• Product size: 30-mL bottle

We love this brand for sensitive skin because its products are usually without irritating essential oils, silicones, chemical sunscreens, drying alcohols, fragrances, and dyes. This clear gel serum is cooling and soothing to the touch (perfect if you’re feeling particularly inflamed) and contains that vitamin C-ferulic acid-vitamin E holy trinity for maximum effectiveness and absorption.

It also contains pumpkin ferment and pomegranate extract — a combo the brand says gently exfoliates and helps cells turn over faster for a quicker glow — and grape juice extract and Indian gooseberry to reduce signs of oxidative stress. Lastly, the brand says chronocyclin mimics the antioxidant benefits of vitamin D (without having to sit in the sun for it!).

Reviewers say they notice a huge change in their complexion and recommend putting it in the fridge for a cool, refreshing start to your day.

Best vitamin C for hyperpigmentation

BeautyCounter Counter+ All Bright C Serum

• Price: $$
• Vitamin C concentration: 5% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, 5% bis-glyceryl ascorbate
• Standout ingredients: glycerin, hyaluronic acid, camu camu extract, turmeric
• Skin type: normal, combo, and oily skin
• Product size: 30-mL bottle

This BeautyCounter serum uses two types of vitamin C: 5 percent tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and 5 percent of bis-glyceryl ascorbate.

Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate is a very promising (and less irritating) derivative of vitamin C with similar benefits as ascorbic acid. There isn’t a ton of research on bis-glyceryl ascorbate ATM, but the brand says it’s moisturizing and helps improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Turmeric and camu camu extracts both fight inflammation, helping to even out skin tone and reduce dark spots. Reviewers say they see a real difference with this pick — one even says if this serum was cake batter, they’d lick the spoon. (Do not lick this stuff, pls and thanks.)

Best vitamin C powder

Neogen Real Vita C Powder Lemon

• Price: $
• Vitamin C concentration: 17% ascorbic acid
• Standout ingredients: trehalose, allantoin, panthenol, collagen
• Skin type: all skin types
• Product size: 20-mL jar

Okay, so technically not a serum, but hear us out. Over 2,000 people hung out on a waitlist for this 17 percent vitamin C powder, which you mix into your toner, serum, or moisturizer for a brightening and protective addition of antioxidants. And because it’s a dry formula, it won’t deteriorate like the cream and gel forms we’ve seen before.

It has collagen to improve skin elasticity and panthenol to soothe and moisturize. It also contains allantoin and trehalose, which the brand says hydrate, protect, and strengthen your skin barrier.

A nice perk: it’s travel-friendly! It’s also free of alcohol, silicone, paraben, artificial fragrance, surfactants, and mineral oil. This formula does use lemon extract, which can cause irritation for some people.

Best vitamin C serum for combination skin

Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Brightening Skin Corrector

• Price: $
• Vitamin C concentration: 15% ascorbic acid
• Standout ingredients: vitamin E, glycerin, hyaluronic acid
• Skin type: combination or oily skin
• Product size: 10-mL bottle

This affordable serum is serving you purity and potency with 15 percent vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. This simple formula is free from fragrances and parabens and is dermatologist-tested.

The brand says this serum doesn’t leave your skin shiny or oily feeling, but it’s still hydrating thanks to hyaluronic acid — so this is a good pick for people that have a tough time balancing out their combo skin.

Reviewers love the brightening effect but point out that the bottle is teeny tiny. Good thing it’s on the cheaper side!

Best vitamin C capsule

Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair 20% Vitamin C Serum Capsules

• Price: $
• Vitamin C concentration: 20 percent ascorbic acid
• Standout ingredients: vitamin E, raspberry leaf extract
• Skin type: all skin types
• Product size: 30 capsules per bottle

If you’re worried about applying too much or too little product to your skin, then this is the vitamin C serum for you. These single-use, biodegradable capsules contain a high concentration of vitamin C for the price — 20 percent!

Neutrogena smartly pairs it with antioxidant-rich raspberry leaf extract and vitamin E for even more free-radical-fighting power — a combo that a 2020 study found significantly improves skin color, elasticity, radiance, and wrinkles.

Plus, it doesn’t clog pores and is free from parabens, preservatives, alcohol, oil, fragrance, and dyes. Slather it on! Many buyers are surprised by how fast this affordable pick gets to work.

Side note: Though this is a capsule, you’re not supposed to swallow it. MmmK?

Best vitamin C serum for dry skin

L’Oréal Revitalift Derm Intensive Vitamin C Serum

• Price: $
• Vitamin C concentration: 10% ascorbic acid
• Standout ingredients: glycerin, hyaluronic acid
• Skin type: all skin types
• Product size: 30-mL tube

Vitamin C is a fickle beast — for as powerful as it is, it’s super prone to destabilization and oxidation, which really decreases its potency. This drugstore diamond keeps the key ingredient stable and happy with a water-free formula and a UV-blocking tube.

Plus, it has two hydrating faves — glycerin and HA — to keep your skin smooth and moisturized.

One reviewer says it has a gel/lotion consistency and absorbs fast. And since a little goes a long way, you’ll be getting an even bigger bang for your less than 20 bucks. Did we mention it’s fragrance-free and free of parabens, mineral oils, and synthetic dyes? Because it is.

Best vitamin C treatment for acne scars

Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Targeted Spot Brightener

• Price: $$
• Vitamin C concentration: 10% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
• Standout ingredients: vitamin E, ferulic acid, glycerin, algae extract, aloe, allantoin
• Skin type: all skin types
• Product size: 15-mL tube

If you’ve made it this far, you can probably write a thesis on vitamin C’s dark spot diminishing powers.

This little spot treatment from Peter Thomas Roth combines 10 percent tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate with vitamin E and ferulic acid in a concentrated spot treatment to really target acne scars. The brand also threw in algae extract, which helps increase collagen production. Additions of aloe and allantoin help soothe those dark spots as they disappear.

Reviewers call this a total game-changer for acne scars and hyperpigmentation. One reviewer says it works wonders on their darker skin tone, too.

Best vitamin C serum with probiotics

Tula Triple Vitamin C Serum

• Price: $
• Vitamin C concentration: 10% ascorbic acid, ascorbyl glucoside, 3-O-Ethyl ascorbic acid
• Standout ingredients: probiotics extracts, prebiotics, turmeric, lactic acid
• Skin type: all skin types
• Product size: 30-mL bottle

Tula’s line of skin care praises the power of probiotics to help balance and nourish your skin. In this oil-free, noncomedogenic gel serum, a 10 percent concentration of three types of vitamin C work with the probiotics and nourishing fruit extracts to even out skin tone and lighten up dark spots.

The formula also contains lactic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps exfoliate your skin and brighten your complexion. Some experts believe that acids reduce vitamin C’s effectiveness when used together, but there isn’t much research on how they interact when formulated together.

We love that it’s free of basically everything irritating, an extra perk for reactive skin types. Most reviewers are happy campers and say the serum feels refreshing AF.

Side-by-side comparison

How to choose the right vitamin C serum for you

Vitamin C can be a bit finicky, so you wanna know your stuff before you venture out into the sea of C. Here’s whatcha need to know:

Packaging

Make sure your serum comes in an airtight, opaque, or dark-colored bottle or tube. Vitamin C is super sensitive to light and can lose its power or become ineffective if it becomes exposed to oxygen or sunlight.

Concentration

For the best (and fastest) results, look for a 10 to 20 percent concentration of vitamin C. Dr. Anthony Rossi, a board certified dermatologist in New York City, says that a concentration of greater than 10 percent is needed for better absorption but more than 20 percent is just unnecessary and could possibly cause irritation.

If the bottle doesn’t say the concentration on it, look to the full ingredient list. “If [vitamin C] is one of the first ingredients, it has a higher concentration,” says board certified NYC dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman.

Ingredients and skin concern

Jaliman says it’s a good idea to keep your eyes open for a simple product without too many ingredients, but also recommends looking for products that match your skin’s needs.

Here are a few all-star ingredients to look out for:

• Vitamin E and ferulic acid. Remember these — our golden trio. These help keep vitamin C stable and make it much more effective.
• Hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Superstar hydrators for all skin types. HA also has anti-aging benefits of its own and can help improve skin elasticity.
• Squalane. Another amazing hydrator that’s great for dry skin.

However, some ingredients can actually cause skin irritation or make vitamin C less effective, so you should avoid using them together. If you see serums (or plan to layer other products) with these ingredients, proceed with caution:

• Niacinamide. We LOVE niacinamide — it helps curb oil production, clears up acne, and strengthens your skin’s barrier. It can also decrease the efficacy of vitamin C, so use it at night if you’re a niacinamide stan.
• Retinol. Retinol tends to increase skin sensitivity — especially photosensitivity, which is why a lot of people use it at night. If you want to use retinol and vitamin C, consider using vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night.
• AHAs (glycolic acid and lactic acid). AHAs are exfoliators and they work wonders on skin texture and acne. But they can make vitamin C less stable and less effective. They can also cause irritation when used together.
• BHAs (salicylic acid). Same as AHAs. Using these together can cause some serious irritation, so it makes sense to use these at night.
• Benzoyl peroxide. Commonly used to treat acne, benzoyl peroxide oxidizes vitamin C, making it totally ineffective. Womp, womp.

Price

Don’t let price bring you down — vitamin C serums get expensive quickly, but there are affordable options out there. Some budget options — like CeraVe — are even cult favorites. Don’t be afraid to start with a cheaper option and see how it works before moving onto more expensive products.

Quality and safety

Knowing whether a brand’s product is good quality is tough. And if you have sensitive skin, low quality products can mess with your skin.

Here areChacon’s vitamin C shopping guidelines for ensuring a good experience:

• Reviews. What are (verified) users saying about the product? Does the company have a positive brand reputation?
• Ask your dermatologist. During your next visit, chat with your derm about specifics since no one knows your skin better than you and your doc.
• Patch test the product on a nonsensitive area. This is the best way to know if it’s safe for your skin before committing to slathering it all over your face. Try applying a thin amount to your inner forearm several times a day. If you develop a reaction, don’t apply it to your face. You’ll thank us later.

How to use vitamin C serum (yes, it matters!)

Rossi says that as an antioxidant and UV protector, Vitamin C is useful in the morning. “Not only should you eat oranges to ingest vitamin C, but you can also apply some topically to protect the skin.” So, down some Cuties and apply the serum first thing!

When to use it in your skin care routine

But at what point in your skin care routine should you use vit C?

First things first: always follow the instructions on the product’s label. Vitamin C serum is typically applied once or twice per day, after toner but before moisturizer and SPF. (Side note: Seriously always wear SPF. Vitamin C can only do so much on its own. Plus, physical UV blockers like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide can help prevent vitamin C from becoming inactive).

Remember our ingredients to avoid above: AHAs, BHAs, and retinol can all cause serious irritation if used with vitamin C. AHAs and BHAs can even change the pH balance of your serum and render it useless. If you plan on using any of these ingredients, consider using them at night and applying your vitamin C in the morning. That way, you get the best of both worlds.

How much to use

A little goes a long way — which is great news since many vitamin C serums are on the pricey side. Using 2 to 4 drops, or 1 to 2 pumps of creamy serum is all you need to cover your face. (Believe it or not, you can use too much. If you start to notice an increase in blackheads, ease up.)

Frequently asked questions

What does vitamin C do for your skin?

Research shows that topical vitamin C combats signs of aging, reduces hyperpigmentation, evens out skin tone, and protects against UV damage. It can also promote collagen production and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Does vitamin C serum actually work?

Yes! Vitamin C is one of the best-researched skin care ingredients out there, so you can feel confident that this is a good ingredient to add to your arsenal.

What strength of vitamin C serum should I use on my face?

For the best (and fastest) results, look for a 10 to 20 percent concentration of vitamin C. Rossi says that a concentration of greater than 10 percent is needed for adequate absorption, but more than 20 percent is just unnecessary and can lead to irritation.

Can you use vitamin C serum every day?

Hell yes, you can. Just remember to top it off with a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to really reap all the skin-protecting benefits of vit C.

What is the most effective vitamin C serum?

Though it’s expensive, SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is one of the best-rated antioxidant serums around. It contains that magical mix of vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid — a combo that has proven to boost the stability and benefits of vitamin C.

If you can’t swing that, we recommend either Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster or Maelove The Glow Maker, since they contain the same ingredients at a lower price.

What’s the best moisturizer to use with vitamin C serum?

Some ingredients — like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and niacinamide — can decrease the effectiveness of vitamin C, so look for a moisturizer without those ingredients in it to use every morning.

The bottom line

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can help even out skin tone, diminish hyperpigmentation, reduce the signs of aging, and help protect your skin from photodamage and environmental stressors.

Adding this skin care superstar to your regimen in the form of a powerful serum can really help you get your glow on. Apply it after your toner but before your moisturizer.

Vitamin C is powerful stuff, so be sure to follow the instructions on the label. If you’re sensitive, do a patch test before you slather it on your whole face. If you notice your serum change color over time, that means it’s oxidizing and losing its potency. But don’t stress: there’s a serum for nearly every budget and skin concern.