Best vitamin C serum for face
While the best vitamin C serum for your face will depend on your individual needs, there are a few things to look for in a top-notch vitamin C serum. For maximum results, you’ll want to look for a concentration of between 10 and 20%, and it’s a good idea to look for a serum with L-ascorbic acid, which is an antioxidant and high-quality form of vitamin C. Price point doesn’t always reflect quality, so look opt for the vitamin C serum that works best for your budget.
When is the best time to apply vitaminC serums?
Dr. Chang says vitamin C can be used once or twice daily, but she recommends twice daily for maximum benefits. “If used in serum or essence forms, it should be applied after cleansing and before your thicker moisturizers and creams,” she explains. Worried you might break out? While this is always a possibility, Dr. Chang said even those with sensitive skin tend to benefit from vitamin C. “It’s great for all skin types, including extra sensitive skin, as it protects against environmental pollutants and other potential irritants,” she explains. But before applying any new skincare product to your full face, Dr. Chang recommends using a test spot to the forearm or neck to make sure you are not sensitive to one or more of its ingredients: “Allergic reactions or irritation can present with redness, swelling, blisters, itching, burning, and/or heat in the area of application.” So, how long does it take for vitamin C serums to work? According to Dr. Salar Parvini, chief science officer at the holistic health club and co-founder of Saffron & Sage skincare line, you’ll most likely see and feel results immediately in the form of tighter, firmer skin. “Over the longer term, you’ll see less splotches and discolorations on your skin (more even skin tone) as well as less wrinkles and fine lines,” Dr. Parvini added. “That takes one to thee skin cycles (a skin cycle is 28 days). Vitamin C is a necessary compound to make good, healthy new collagen.”
12 best vitamin C face serums:
DERMADoctor Kakadu 20% Vitamin C Serum ticks all the boxes for those with sensitive skin. It’s hypoallergenic, dye and fragrance free and noncomedogenic—meaning it won’t clog your pores. It also boasts 20% vitamin C, so it will get the job done. ($95.00, dermadoctor.com)
Lightspeed Hydra Glow C Serum by Free Agent Skincare offers clinical strength vitamin C hydrating treatment serum formulated with BV-OSC Vitamin C that helps boost collagen levels. ($72.00, freeagentskincare.com)
Tatcha Violet-C BrighteningSerum has 20% vitamin C and 10% AHAs for skin improvement. ($88.00, tatcha.com)
Bright Side Vitamin C Serum by Free + True is formulated with two forms of vitamin C—niacinamide, and botanical ingredient synergies—with the aim of targeting uneven skin tone, sunspots, acne scars, and discoloration. ($72, Free + True)
Epionce’s Intense Defense Serumis an anti-aging serum that derives its vitamin content through botanical (and not synthetic) sources of vitamins A, B, C, D and E for healthier-looking skin. ($144.00, Epionce.com)
Nourish Hydrating & Firming Serumis a multipurpose vitamin and mineral serum that contains a high concentration of pure hyaluronic acid, plus is high in vitamins B3, B5, & C. This combo should help rebuild healthy collagen, prevent wrinkles, even out skin tone and treat dark spots. ($88.00, saffronandsageskin.com).
Odacité Private Collection An Autumn On The World is a concentrate of the latest advancement in vitaminC, meaning the formulation is more stabilized and will give you more consistent results. It also contains skin-loving ingredients, including acai, passion fruit, wild carrot and more. ($165.00, odacite.com)
Best drugstore vitaminc serums
What’s the best vitamin C serum with ascorbic acid?
No7 Youthful Vitamin C FreshRadiance contains 5% pure vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid, which acts as an antioxidant in the body, helping protect cells form free radicals. ($24.99, us.no7beauty.com)
Pure C from Steiger Skin Care is a brightening and hydrating Vitamin C serum with stabilized L-Ascorbic Acid and vitamins A and E, which according to double Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Jacob Steiger, help “to achieve improved skin texture and tone, resulting in healthier-looking skin.” ($130.00, drsteiger.com) Next up, how to do your eyebrows.
