Vitamin C Is Basically a Shortcut to Glowing Skin—And This New Serum Is the Best I've Ever Tried

Ask any dermatologist or skincare expert and they will tell you that the secret to glowing skin is by using one of the best serums on the market. Most notably, one of the best vitamin C serums. If you didn't know, vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can help brighten your complexion, and every beauty editor I know uses one of these serums in their skincare routine. "Vitamin C can help with improving skin radiance, fading pigmentation and improving texture such as fine lines," Dr Alexis Granite, CeraVe consultant dermatologist, tells me.

So, you can imagine my disappoint when I tried out a vitamin C serum for the first time last year and my skin reacted badly. Yep, these products don't always sit well with sensitive skin types, and after using one for a few weeks, I was left with an irritated complexion and some angry-looking spots. However, I didn't let that stop me, and I spent the next few months testing out other popular vitamin C serums to find one that worked for me. I had no such luck.

I was ready to call it a day on vitamin C and look for one of the best moisturisers for glowing skin instead when a very exciting email landed in my inbox. Yep, CeraVe was launching a vitamin C serum. If you didn't know, CeraVe is one of my favourite affordable skincare brands, as all of the products have been developed with dermatologists and they never irritate my sensitive skin. After reading the press release, I learnt that even the new vitamin C serum was suitable for sensitive skin, so I jumped at the chance to give the product a go. I've been using it for over six months now and thought it was time to share my honest thoughts. Keep on scrolling for my full review...

CeraVe Vitamin C Serum Review

The Formula

I want to talk about the formula first, as this is the most important thing when it comes to an effective vitamin C serum. CeraVe's serum contains 10% pure vitamin C, which is slightly lower than a lot of other serums on the market, but still remains very effective. "The formulation contains a high potency 10% L-ascorbic acid alongside CeraVe's signature triple ceramide blend as well as hyaluronic acid and panthenol (vitamin B5) to help support hydration and tolerability," explains Dr Granite.

The product itself comes in the form of a lightweight gel which sinks into the skin in seconds, and it seems that Dr Granite is also a fan. "I love the CeraVe Vitamin C Serum as I find the texture very easy to layer with other skincare products such as moisturiser and sunscreen."

So, is the formula suitable for all skin types? "Most people can tolerate this gentle formula," says Dr Granite. "However, those with very sensitive skin or rosacea may want to start using the product every other day and then build up tolerance from there."

The Packaging

Believe it or not, packaging is very important when it comes to vitamin C serums. This active ingredient can be sensitive to air and light, so you want a vitamin C serum that comes in an airtight container. Luckily for me, CeraVe's product comes in protective, airtight packaging to help maintain its performance. The brand does say that the colour can change over time, but this wont effect the efficacy. However, they do recommend using the product within six months of opening.

What I love about the packaging is that it's super-slim, making it easy to travel with when I'm on the go. It's also really easy to apply, and I just squeeze out a small amount after cleansing and apply this straight to my skin before moisturiser and SPF.

The Verdict

My skin looks a lot brighter and smoother after using the CeraVe Vitamin C Serum.

So, how did I get on with this serum? I can't believe I am saying this, but I have finally found a vitamin C serum that works for me. From the very first day that I started using this product, I have experienced no irritation whatsoever. Instead, my skin is glowing like never before. Yes, the packaging might not look as luxurious as other vitamin C serums on the market, but the formula speaks for itself.

The serum retails at £29, and although this is slightly more than I'd like to spend on my skincare, it is more affordable than most of the luxury vitamin C products out there. Plus, in my opinion it does an even better job.

It's worth nothing that there are stronger vitamin C serums on the market that may give you more noticable results over time, but if you have sensitive skin, I highly recommend giving this CeraVe option a go first and seeing how you get on. This has given me a noticeable glow and has become a staple in my skincare routine this winter.

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Opening image: @monikh