Vitamin C Skincare Picks That Smooth, Brighten, and Protect

The 7 Best Vitamin C Serums We Tested and Recommend for Glowing Skin

With so many serums on the market, it can be hard to know what each product does and decide if it deserves a spot in your skincare routine.

If you want to invest in just one product, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Diane Madfes recommends a vitamin C serum.

One of the main benefits of vitamin C is protecting the skin from environmental factors like UV rays and pollutants, which can damage the skin through free radicals.

It’s a powerful antioxidant that can lead to a smooth, clear, even-toned complexion with regular use.

“They stimulate collagen production, reduce dark spots, and protect against sun damage,” Madeface told Birdie. “They’re also very effective for treating fine lines, melasma, and rosacea.”

We tested dozens of vitamin C serums in our lab and at home for six weeks as part of our daily skincare routine, evaluating each product on ease of use, absorption, skin texture, radiance, firmness, and overall appearance.

Finally, we asked two nationally certified dermatologists, Dr. Jessie Cheung and Dr. We consulted with Jennifer Herrmann to pick out the seven best products for glowing skin.

Best Overall: L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intense Vitamin C Face Serum

We love that this product is available at the drugstore, relatively affordable, and highly effective. Over time, we noticed a significant improvement in the radiance of our complexion.

After six weeks, our skin looked brighter and smoother. The firmness of our skin was also noticeably improved.

The texture of the product is neither liquid nor oily. It feels more like a light paste. This may not sound particularly appealing, but it spreads easily and absorbs quickly into the skin.

We also love the squeeze tube, which makes it easy to dispense the right amount of liquid.

The only downside: Unlike other vitamin C serums, which leave skin instantly glowing due to their oily or shine-inducing formulas, this product doesn’t. However, considering the long-term effectiveness, this isn’t a major downside.

Who’s it for?

This product is a great all-rounder for those who need a little more oomph. However, it’s best suited for those who are patient, as results take some time.

Best Treatment: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

As big fans of vitamin C serums, we knew a good formula when we tried it. Sometimes the most hyped products don’t live up to expectations, but this one certainly did.

The lightweight, fast-absorbing formula doesn’t feel sticky or dry on the skin. It’s easy to use and incorporate into your daily skincare routine, and it delivers impressive results.

Using SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, we noticed a noticeable improvement in skin texture and a reduction in fine lines. After six weeks of use, our skin felt softer and smoother.

However, we’re not convinced that this product brightened our complexion any more than other, cheaper products we’ve used.

We undoubtedly loved this serum, but it’s worth noting that while it’s fragrance-free, it doesn’t have a particularly appealing scent. However, since the scent doesn’t cling to the skin, it didn’t bother us.

Who’s it for?

This SkinCeuticals serum is a great choice for those who are concerned about fine lines and photoaging. Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) and ferulic acid enhance the formula’s protective properties against environmental damage caused by free radicals.

Best Budget: Yes Grapefruit Daily Brightening Serum

This serum proves that you don’t have to spend a ton of money on skincare to make a positive difference in your skin.

The formula contains antioxidant-rich grapefruit and vitamin C along with polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) to gently exfoliate dead skin cells.

We loved this serum. It absorbed quickly and hydrated the skin. We also noticed that our skin looked radiant after each use.

We were happy to see that this serum was effective in brightening our complexion and smoothing our skin texture over time.

After just a few days, we noticed a noticeable improvement in the appearance of our skin. At the end of the test period, our skin felt softer, firmer, and our skin tone was more even.

Who is it for?

If you’re looking for an affordable vitamin C serum, the Yes To Grapefruit Daily Brightening Serum is your new favorite.

Best for Beginners: Sephora Collection Super Radiance Serum with Vitamin C + E

If you’re using a vitamin C serum for the first time, it’s best to start with one that has a simple formula, is easy to apply, and doesn’t contain harsh ingredients that could cause irritation.

We love this one for beginners because the formula is so easy to use—it absorbs quickly, feels comfortable on the skin, and blends well with makeup and other skincare products.

It contains vitamins C and E as well as marine peptides, which are known for their firming benefits.

We found application with the pipette to be very intuitive, and the formula absorbed quickly into our skin without leaving any sticky or greasy residue.

After just a week or two, we noticed a noticeable difference in the radiance of our skin,

noticing that our complexion looked more radiant even without using a serum. Overall, it’s helping us achieve brighter, healthier, and younger-looking skin.

While there are no specific claims about firming effects, we’d expect this product to achieve a slightly stronger firming effect, especially considering the marine peptides it contains.

Still, it’s a great product overall.

Who’s it for?

This product is ideal if you’re using vitamin C for the first time and are concerned that your skin might be a little irritated during the adjustment period.

It doesn’t contain any additional active ingredients, so you can start a new treatment regimen with ease.

Best for Sensitive Skin: TruSkin Vitamin C Face Serum

If you have sensitive skin, you know how important it is to have a gentle yet effective product. That’s exactly what we value. Many of our Birdie readers are thrilled.

This product is perfect for sensitive and acne-prone skin. Although it only dries in about 30 seconds – a little longer than other products – it’s hydrating and non-greasy.

We even found that our skin felt moisturized even without using moisturizer.

Another plus: it didn’t clog our pores.

We were very happy with the results of our testing phase. Acne spots were visibly lighter, and our complexion became radiant.

Who is it for? Since it’s effective, non-irritating, suitable for all skin types, and contains no harsh acids, we think it’s a great choice for people with sensitive skin.

Best for Acne-Prone Skin: CeraVe Skin Renewal Vitamin C Serum

Anyone with acne-prone skin knows that trying new skincare products can often lead to breakouts and irritation. We found that this product really helped improve the overall appearance of oily skin.

The formula contains L-ascorbic acid (the purest form of vitamin C) for powerful antioxidant protection and hyaluronic acid for extra moisture.

While we had some trouble opening the dispenser in the packaging the first time we used it, the product was easy to use after that.

We were also pleased to see that with regular use, our skin looked more radiant and the fine lines around our mouth were smoother.

Who is it for?

This is a great option for acne-prone skin. We appreciated the lightweight texture of this serum, which didn’t make our already oily skin feel greasy.

After only a few weeks of use, we noticed a noticeable reduction in our acne spots.

Best for Firming Skin: Klur Brilliant Light Multi-Correction Repair Serum

Rather than a harsh formula with potentially irritating acids, Klur Brilliant Light Multi-Correction Repair Serum is a gentle product that visibly improves skin texture and tone.

We were thrilled with how well this product firmed our skin.

Additionally, we noticed a significant improvement in our skin structure; our face looked and felt smoother and softer after a six-week trial.

While we didn’t notice a huge difference in skin radiance, the improvement in skin texture and tone was so noticeable that we had no reason to worry.

Who is it for?

We recommend this vitamin C serum for all skin types, tones, and age groups, and it’s a top choice for anyone looking to firm and smooth skin.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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