Cleansing and moisturizing might be the backbone of any good skincare routine—but a great one begins with the application of a vitamin C serum. The ultra-popular antioxidant protects skin from UV damage, stimulates collagen production, and lifts away dark spots, revealing glowy, bright skin. Vitamin C derivatives in skincare can be notoriously finicky, and not just any ordinary serum will deliver the kind of results you’re after. The 13 serums ahead are the best of the best, with formulas beloved my dermatologists, skincare experts, and beauty editors alike. Ahead, pick your new favorite vitamin C serum to apply each and every morning.
When we polled our panel of dermatologists for the Anti-Aging Awards, SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic consistently came up as one of the must-haves for firmer, more radiant skin. The combo of vitamins and ferulic acid instantly gives skin back its glow.
Thousands of positive Amazon reviews all come to one conclusion: this is the best vitamin C serum you can get with two-day delivery and for less than $20 bucks.
L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 10% Pure Vitamin C Concentrate eradicates dullness with a potent dose of with vitamin C. (The airtight tube and waterless formula ensures that this finicky ingredient stays stable.)
This isn’t exactly a serum but not quite a cream. The unique fragrance-free formula feels like a plush gel with tiny granules of encapsulated L-Ascorbic acid that instantly absorb right into skin. Paired with EGCG (the active in green tea), squalane, and exfoliating tartaric acid, this genius formula will deliver brighter, smoother skin faster than most other vitamin c products out there.
This vitamin c serum is housed in squishy capsules that deliver the perfect dose of the skin-brightening ingredient. Just pop open the capsule and press it onto your skin.
This serum absorbs quickly and has a citrusy scent, unlike a lot of other potent vitamin c serums. We love layering it before makeup in the morning.
This vitamin-packed serum also contains cermaides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin b5 to keep your skin hydrated, plump, and healthy in addition to boosting your natural glow.
Use this once a day for a week and tell us your skin doesn’t look fresh and plump like you just got a facial.
Vitamin c is supported by 10% AHA fruit acids to help gently exfoliate in this natural serum, boosting the skin-glowing results.
Be sure to pat this vitamin c serum around your eyes and mouth to visibly soften fine lines and crow’s feet.
This serum has the best possible blend of ingredients to deliver your glowiest skin ever. Pure pineapple juice— a natural source of vitamin C— is combined with exfoliating AHAs and bromelain enzymes to retexturize dull and spotty skin. It’s non-irritating, though, thanks to the chamomile and skin-plumping hyaluronic acid.
Mix two drops of this concentrated vitamin c booster in your favorite skincare products, then go about your routine as usual.
This elixir is potent—so a little goes a long way. Pat this on in the morning when you’re ready for serious, derm-level skin-smoothing results from your own bathroom counter.