The 12 Best Vitamin C Serums, According To A Dermatologist

Active ingredients: 15% L-ascorbic acid, 1% alpha-tocopherol, ferulic acid | Additional benefits: Improves appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, reduces free radical damage | Consistency: Serum | Cruelty-free: No

What you’ll love:

• Combats photoaging
• Stimulates collagen
• Evens skin tone

Keep in mind:

• Unpleasant smell to some
• Expensive

A gold standard in the industry for many years and a favorite of Chicago-based dermatologist Dr. Pritzker, SkinCeuticals’ serum evens pigmentation and fights environmental aging using high concentrations of a trio of antioxidants: vitamin C (15% pure L-ascorbic acid), vitamin E (1% alpha tocopherol) and ferulic acid. They work in conjunction to minimize dark spots, fight future UVA/UVB damage, alleviate inflammation and neutralize free radicals. The result? The word “youthful” will replace “tired” and “blotchy” when describing your skin.

What our editors say: “I’ve tried various vitamin C serums in the past and always come back to this one,” says Sung. “It’s great for brightening and evening out my skin tone—and really just making it look healthier overall. It also layers well with skincare and makeup.”

Active ingredients: 10% vitamin c, hyaluronic acid | Additional benefits: Hydrating, wrinkle-reducing | Consistency: Gel | Cruelty-free: No

What you’ll love:

• Low cost
• Typically well-tolerated
• Primer-like finish

Keep in mind:

• Lower concentration of vitamin C

This fragrance-free formulation features 10% pure vitamin C in conjunction with hydrating hyaluronic acid. Together, they work to reduce wrinkles, even skin tone and make dark spots and pores less noticeable. While some serums leave behind a greasy feel, this one has a powdery finish similar to that of a primer—ideal for layering underneath skincare, SPF or makeup. The lower vitamin C concentration compared to some competitors’ formulas makes this a great option for new users and those with sensitive skin.

What the reviews say: One Amazon customer says, “I have seen amazing results: Fine lines disappear, and dark spots and pores are clearer and much smaller.” However, a few users comment that it’s a bit dry going onto their skin.

Active ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E, sodium ascorbyl phosphate | Additional benefits: Improves skin elasticity, texture smoothing | Consistency: Oil | Cruelty-free: Yes

What you’ll love:

• Affordable
• Reduces dark spots
• Works well under makeup

Keep in mind:

• Some say it can cause dryness

Revive your complexion with this fully vegan, high-performance blend featuring vitamin C (sodium ascorbyl phosphate, a water-soluble form), vitamin E, hyaluronic acid and anti-inflammatory MSM (methylsulfonylmethane). It promises to brighten, reduce hyperpigmentation and promote elasticity to revitalize tired-looking skin. Its 5-star reviewers (there are more than 90,000 of them) rave about its ability to reduce dark spots and redness, decrease breakouts and minimize pore size. For best results, apply just three to five drops of this serum on clean skin—it works well with or without makeup.

What our testers say: “As someone who had never used a vitamin C serum previous to this one, I can say that this is a great option for beginners,” says updates writer Claire Epting. “I use it beneath my eyes and on acne spots, and I’ve definitely noticed a positive change in those areas since using it. I love that it doesn’t cause any stinging or irritation on my sensitive skin.”

Active ingredients: 10% vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid | Additional benefits: Minimizes pores, hydrating, exfoliating | Consistency: Serum | Cruelty-free: No

What you’ll love:

• No sticky feel
• Contains acne-fighting ingredients
• Hydrating

Keep in mind:

• Dropper can be messy
• Formula contains fragrance

Wake up “blah” skin, achieve a more youthful-looking glow and target uneven texture with this pure 10% vitamin C serum. It also contains hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid, a known acne fighter that helps exfoliate and minimizes pores. Keep in mind that this formula is applied with a dropper, so it has the potential to get a little messy. It also contains fragrance, so it may cause irritation for those with particularly sensitive skin.

What the reviews say: “The serum goes on smooth and leaves your skin feeling soft, rather than tacky like other serums I have tried,” says one Ulta customer. “The smell isn’t overly strong, but there is a scent at application.” However, some users say the dropper is hard to use and that the serum can sometimes pill under makeup.

Active ingredients: Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, ferulic acid, konjac root | Additional benefits: Tightens skin, hydrating, calming | Consistency: Serum | Cruelty-free: Yes

What you’ll love:

• Natural formula
• Safe for sensitive skin
• Lightweight feel

Keep in mind:

• Exact percentage of vitamin C isn’t listed
• Some skin types may see better results with L-ascorbic acid

This serum from Mad Hippie is formulated with sodium ascorbyl phosphate, a form of vitamin C that’s more stable than L-ascorbic acid—and therefore, less likely to oxidize. (According to the brand, the potency is comparable to a 15% or 20% L-ascorbic acid formula.) Natural ingredients such as konjac root, chamomile and clary sage work to soothe irritated skin, while hyaluronic acid boosts your face’s moisture levels. The bottle’s wallet-friendly price also earned it the top spot on our list of the Best Drugstore Vitamin C Serums.

What the reviews say: “This serum is not just gentle and non-irritating, but it’s also quite effective,” says one Ulta customer. “I have noticed significantly fewer breakouts and a brighter, more even complexion.”

Active ingredients: 10% L-ascorbic acid, hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5 | Additional benefits: Restores skin barrier | Consistency: Gel | Cruelty-free: No

What you’ll love:

• Low cost
• Gentle enough for sensitive skin
• Boosts skin’s moisture levels

Keep in mind:

• Lower concentration of vitamin C

CeraVe is widely known for its gentle, non-irritating skincare products, and its vitamin C serum lives up to the brand’s reputation. Like CeraVe’s other moisturizers and cleansers, this serum is free of fragrances and ultra-hydrating, making it an excellent choice for sensitive skin. Hyaluronic acid and a blend of three essential ceramides boost your skin’s moisture barrier, negating the potentially drying effect of the 10% L-ascorbic acid.

What the reviews say: One Amazon customer says, “I also have very sensitive skin and didn’t have any problems with irritation. I like the texture a lot too, it’s very smooth and soft.” However, some users are less than satisfied with the bottle’s design, commenting that the cap falls off easily.