I'll be the first to admit that I have too many serums. Well, I have a lot of skincare full stop, but when it comes to serums specifically, I’m like a magpie with jewels—I want them all. But hoarding serums is no good when you only have one face and just two opportunities a day to do your skincare. So, recently, I went through my stash and did a massive overhaul and there was one thing that I noticed: When it came to serums, I had multiples (opened and backups) of vitamin C serums.
I can’t tell you exactly when my apparent obsession started, but what I will say is that of all the serums that I’ve tried, it's the vitamin C serums that make the biggest difference to my skin brightness, tone and elasticity pretty immediately. But how does it work?
What is a vitamin C serum?
"Vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants. As such, it helps to mitigate against free radical damage caused by exposure to pollution and UV amongst others,” explains Justine Hextall, consultant dermatologist and medical director at Tarrant Street Clinic. "By protecting the skin, it plays an important part in skin regeneration and supports the production of collagen and elastin, which can give skin firming benefits. The other major benefit of vitamin C is its skin-brightening properties. It suppresses the production of melanin. As such, it can help to fade unwanted pigmentation.”
Which skin types do vitamin C serums work for?
I get really deep hyperpigmentation after spots, so much so that I dread the mark left after the spot more than the spot itself. By regularly using a vitamin C serum, I’ve found these marks fade so much quicker, and my skin tone is way more even-toned and textured. As Ole Henriksen, founder of his eponymous skincare brand, says, "Whether your skin type is normal, oily, combination or dry, a daily dose of vitamin C can do wonders for your skin. When added to your skincare routine, this powerhouse ingredient can provide a wide range of benefits that keep your skin looking youthful, glowing and fresh.” In fact, it's Ole's Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum that got me hooked on the ingredient in the first place.
Should anyone avoid using a vitamin C serum?
There are some skin conditions that require caution when it comes to adding this ingredient into a routine, though. "I sometimes recommend using with caution at first with sensitive rosacea-prone skin,” says Hextall. "I do use on blemish-prone skin but, again, with caution at first. For sensitive skin, I would recommend starting at a concentration of 10% and looking for those combined with moisturiser or hyaluronic acid amongst others.”
What should you look for when choosing a vitamin C serum?
When it comes to stripping your routine back to just a vitamin C serum, there are so many that combine excellent ingredients to make it a skincare all-rounder, such as hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid or ferulic acid. "There’s no doubt that a vitamin C serum is a smart choice, especially when streamlining a routine, as it’s a radiance multitasker. It’s great for all ages and is also a great pick-me-up and restorer of glow post-illness or a stressful time,” says Abi Cleeve, founder of SkinSense. However, for skin that is showing signs of ageing, she has another choice. "For its proven, cumulative results in improving the texture, fine lines and overall appearance of the skin, retinol would be an equally strong ‘one-pick’ serum for those in their late 30s and above depending on when the signs of ageing become noticeable.”
Best Vitamin C Serum's, Listed:
1. Best Exfoliating Vitamin C: Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum
2. Best Plumping Vitamin C: La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C 10 Serum
3. Best Brightening Vitamin C: Allies of Skin 20% Vitamin C Brighten + Firm Serum
4. Best Vitamin C Mix: SkinSense Reinforcing Vitamin Complex
5. Best Budget Vitamin C: The Inkey List Vitamin C Serum
Shop my pick of the best vitamin C serums:
1. Best Exfoliating Vitamin C: Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum
A skin-brightening blend of 15% vitamin C, gently exfoliating PHAs and hyaluronic acid to get skin looking glowier short-term and more even in tone and texture long-term.
Pros: Gently exfoliates while brightening.
Cons: Probably not the best for someones with sensitive skin.
2. Best Plumping Vitamin C: La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C 10 Serum
With a mixture of hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid and spring water, this serum is hydrating and gives the appearance of plumper skin while the salicylic helps to exfoliate.
Pros: Leaves skin looking plumper.
Cons: Due to the salicylic ingredient, may not be great to use in conjunction with an exfoliator regularly.
3. Best Brightening Vitamin C: Allies of Skin 20% Vitamin C Brighten + Firm Serum
With 20% vitamin C, this serum isn’t for vit C beginners. It also contains 2% citrus cell complex, an antioxidant complex that helps to brighten, firm and enhance skin elasticity over time.
Pros: Impressive ingredients list.
Cons: Not for beginners.
4. Best Vitamin C Mix: SkinSense Reinforcing Vitamin Complex
Enriched with vitamin A, B and C, this multitasker covers all bases when it comes to enhancing your complexion and encouraging skin radiance.
Pros: Includes not just Vitamin C but A and B
Cons: Slightly sticky
5. Best Budget Vitamin C: The Inkey List Vitamin C Serum
This is not for sensitive skin or vitamin C newbies. The 30% concentration of ascorbic acid is extremely high (I normally stick to 15%), so I would only reach for this if you have been using other vitamin Cs for years and you know your skin can tolerate it.
Pros: Impressively strong ingredients.
Cons: Not for people with sensitive skin.
6. Best Expensive Vitamin C: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Antioxidant Vitamin C Serum
Pricey, yes. But this is the vitamin C serum I have seen the quickest results from. The blend of 15% vitamin C, 1% vitamin E and 0.5% ferulic acid protects the skin from pollution and environmental damage as well as brightens the appearance.
Pros: Helps protect the skin while keeping it glowing.
Cons: Too expensive.
7. Best Vitamin C Drops: Rodial Vitamin C Drops
A gentler formula for skin that is more prone to irritation. Over time, it’ll help to enhance skin luminosity and fade hyperpigmentation.
Pros: Gentle formula.
Cons: Some may not prefer the pipette packaging.
8. Best Vitamin C Peptides: Minimalist Vitamin C + E + Ferulic 16%
The mix of peptides and vitamin C in this formula helps to gently improve skin tone and texture.
Pros: A lovely blend of peptides and Vitamin C.
Cons: Can spoil quickly.
9. Best Vitamin C for Sensitive Skin: Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
I’m such a fan of Sunday Riley serums and oils, and this is one I recommend a lot. It contains 15% vitamin C, which is my sweet spot of enough that you’ll feel a difference but not too much that it’ll aggravate sensitive skin.
Pros: The perfect blend of ingredients.
Cons: Can still be a tad expensive.
10. Best Hydrating Vitamin C: Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate
This serum was reformulated to include hyaluronic acid too, so along with 12.5% vitamin C, you get rehydrating benefits along with improved skin radiance.
Pros: Very hydrating.
Cons: Can get a tad oily.
11. Best Vitamin C for Dark Spots: Caudalie Vinoperfect Complexion Correcting Radiance Serum
Okay, this is technically not a vitamin C, but the Viniferine used, which is extracted from grapevine stalks, is reportedly more effective than traditional vitamin C for free radical protection. So if you haven’t found a vitamin C serum that has worked for your skin yet, this might a good option.
Pros: Great for reducing dark spots.
12. Best Vitamin C for Mature Skin: L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Clinical 12% Pure Vitamin C Serum
All skin types will get on well with this affordable, yet potent, vitamin C—but it's particularly well suited to more mature complexions thanks to the focus on minimising the appearance of pores and fine lines along with plumping and firming the skin.
Pros: Great for maturer skin.
Cons: Can be too potent for certain skin types.
13. Best Glowing Vitamin C: Lumene Glow Boost Essence
This best-selling serum boasts a unique blend of antioxidant-rich wild Arctic cloudberry and vitamin C to leave skin feeling smoother, plumper and more radiant.
Pros: Leaves a glowing complexion.
Cons: Has a slight smell.
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