Prepare Yourself—These Vitamin C Creams Are So Good You Can Skip the Serum

For a brightening boost and extra rich hydration, you'll want to reach for Sunday Riley's velvety formula. A quick note, however, is that this moisturizer does contain a citrus essential oil that is known to be photosensitive. This means that if worn during the day, it could potentially cause dark spots if you don't wear sunscreen or have extra sensitive skin. It's still a great brightening moisturizer, just remember to exercise caution.

Containing both vitamin C and E, this gentle everyday moisturizer delivers radiant skin with an extra side of potent antioxidants. The formula is also (kindly) non-comedogenic, so it's a winner for the acne-prone folks out there, too.

The addition of soothing cactus extract to this formula is an absolute dream. Go on, live your rich-girl fantasy and slather this radiance-boosting cream on all day, every day.

We all know by now what a powerhouse ingredient retinol is. Mix it with vitamin C and you have the perfect cocktail for vibrant and youthful skin.

You aren't truly getting your glow on unless you've tried this moisturizer, plain and simple. Renée Rouleau is simply a wizard and created this luxe cream that's rich in barrier-repairing lipids. Dullness is usually caused by a weak barrier so combining these lipids with vitamin C boosts and repairs skin like no other.

Alpyn Beauty's creamy moisturizer is hands-down one of the best vitamin C moisturizers out there. It includes other wild-crafted actives like aloe and wild chokecherry to brighten and tighten with a simple swipe of your fingers.

You thought this brand's eye-tightening formula was good? Wait until you try its Potent-C Bright Plump Moisturizer. Much like another formula we know and love (Psst, SkinCeuticals' C E Ferulic ($166), it features vitamin C and ferulic acid along with vitamin E to minimize fine lines.

The vitamin C, E, and peptides in this lightweight formula will pretty much guarantee brighter, baby smooth skin.

This cream features not one, not two, but three different sources of vitamin C for pure, unfiltered radiance.

The best vitamin C moisturizers have other highly complementary ingredients that steep your skin in hydration. This formula happens to include olive squalane, kakau plum, and licorice root to help in that department. 

A few more benefits of using a vitamin C–infused moisturizer include the elimination of free radical damage and dark spots. Yes, we love a good serum, but this formula from Dr. Dennis Gross is the ultimate way to skip. 

For a long-lasting, vitamin C–rich cream, try RoC's magical moisturizer. It provides deep hydration and an overall glow for up to 24 hours.

If you want to moisturize like an effortlessly cool French person, try Paris-based brand Typology's vitamin C– and lemon water–infused cream.

To have fully invigorated skin in the A.M. (sans serum), try Ren's daily glow gel featuring vitamin C, magnesium, and tara pod extract to help even out your skin tone.

This cream features the brand's Aqua Bomb DNA along with other star ingredients like Lady's Mantle, an herb traditionally used by herbalists as a potent anti-inflammatory.

Everybody loves TruSkin's vitamin C serum, and we can tell you the moisturizer is about to be the next obsession. In addition to vitamin C, it has green tea aloe vera, and jojoba oil to deliver some seriously rich hydration.

Yeah, it's possible to snatch one of the best vitamin C moisturizers around at a budget price. This one from the Inkey List makes the cut for the addition of niacinamide and vitamin E for oil control and reduced redness. Basically, it's a must if you have acne-prone skin.

Fresh Beauty's formulas never disappoint. This lightweight, glow-inducing moisturizer is no different. It's truly a daily multi-vitamin for your skin with vitamin C, E, and B5.