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Vitamin C, aka ascorbic acid, is a master multitasker. It plays a clutch role in supporting brain and heart health, boosting collagen production, and guarding against UV-induced oxidative damage (for healthy, glowy skin!). Vitamin C also supports your immune system by protecting and boosting the activity of certain immune cells.
It’s an essential nutrient, meaning our bodies can’t produce it, so we need to get it from food and/or supplements. And yes, you can get the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of vitamin C from fruits and veggies.
Oranges, bell peppers, broccoli, spinach, kiwi, and berries are all kick-ass sources of vitamin C, but taking a supplement can help if your diet’s looking a little beige or if you need more as a result of a health condition.
We’ve rounded up our favorite high quality supps for your convenience!
12 best vitamin C supplements
- Best overall: Thorne Vitamin C with Flavonoids
- Best plant-based: Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw Vitamin C
- Best for all-around immune support: New Chapter Fermented Activated C Complex
- Best non-acidic: Country Life Buffered Vitamin C
- Best absorbable: Pure Encapsulations Liposomal Vitamin C Liquid
- Best liposomal: Trilogia Daily Immunity Terpenes+ Liposomal Vitamin C
- Best organic spray: MyKind Organics Vitamin C Spray
- Best powder: Pure Synergy Pure Radiance C Powder
- Best value: Doctor’s Best Vitamin C Powder with Quali-C
- Best tested: NOW Buffered C-Complex Powder
- Best gummy: Mary Ruth’s Vitamin C Gummies
- Best food-based: MegaFood C Defense Gummies
The supplement industry is no stranger to contamination, so our main goal was to seek out ultra-reputable companies whose products are tested for purity and potency and whose facilities meet, at minimum, the FDA’s Good Manufacturing Practices.
Also, because everyone’s preferences are a little different, we included a variety of supplement forms:
- Capsules and tablets. These are among the more convenient ways to take vitamin C, with many containing extra ingredients to boost absorption.
- Liposomal and liquid. While they’re a bit pricier, liposomal and other liquid vitamin Cs are great options if you hate swallowing pills or need a highly absorbable form.
- Powder. This type can be easily mixed with water or juice. It’s great if you don’t like swallowing pills or if you want to spread out your vitamin C intake throughout the day. Plus, it’s generally super affordable!
- Gummies. If you really need some added incentive to take those supplements, why not go for a gummy? Just remember: Although they’re tasty, they’re not candy. Stick to the recommended dose.
We preferred brands that prioritize sustainable sourcing and non-GMO and organic ingredients as well.
Lastly, we factored in customer ratings. Health-conscious folks are often passionate about their supplements, so we knew we’d find some good consensus feedback to consider when putting our list together.
Pricing guide
Vitamin C supplements run the gamut in terms of price, so we broke them down into the price-per-serving ranges below ($ to $$$). Keep in mind that milligrams per serving can vary among products and that a higher-potency product will often have a higher price.
Liquid liposomal vitamin C products are often more expensive, too, due in part to their superior bioavailability (meaning they’re easier for your body to absorb).
- $ = under $0.20 per serving
- $$ = $0.20–$0.40 per serving
- $$$ = over $0.40 per serving
Here’s a closer look at what makes these supplements so great.
1. Best overall vitamin C supplement
Thorne Vitamin C with Flavonoids
Thorne offers some of the highest-quality supplements around — doctors love them, and they’re tested for potency, purity, and quality multiple times during manufacturing.
Each capsule provides 500 milligrams of vitamin C plus 75 milligrams of citrus bioflavonoids to mimic the way vitamin C is found in nature, which may help optimize the positive effects of vitamin C and improve absorption.
Price: $
2. Best plant-based vitamin C supplement
Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw Vitamin C
Garden of Life products are known for their sustainably sourced, non-GMO (and often organic), plant-based ingredients, and this supplement is no exception.
Each 2-capsule serving provides 500 milligrams of vitamin C, 23 organic fruits and veggies for additional antioxidants, and probiotics and enzymes to support digestion. Plus, it’s free of funky binders and fillers!
Reviewers have noticed improvements to their digestive health and fewer colds than usual. We call that a win-win!
Price: $$$
3. Best vitamin C supplement for all-around immune support
New Chapter Fermented Activated C Complex
This is a great supplement for all-around immune support. Each capsule contains 250 milligrams of fermented vitamin C, which may be a bit easier to absorb than traditional forms.
Since New Chapter is all about high quality, plant-based nutrition, this supplement also contains elderberry, ginger, turmeric, astragalus, maca root, and chamomile. All those plants support immunity and help curb the negative effects of stress — which is great, since stress itself can mess with immune function!
Price: $$
4. Best non-acidic vitamin C supplement
Country Life Buffered Vitamin C
This higher-dose option has 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C per capsule. Unlike most other supplements here, this one is “buffered” — that is, combined with calcium carbonate and magnesium oxide to help neutralize the acidity of vitamin C and allow for higher doses without upsetting your stomach.
One reviewer points out that even while taking 2,000 milligrams per day, she’s not experiencing GI symptoms like she did with other vitamin C supplements.
One potential con: Some reviewers say these tablets are a bit large. So if you have trouble swallowing pills, pass on this one.
Price: $