If you have sensitive skin, start with a low concentration of L-ascorbic acid, just to be on the safe side. How to choose a vitamin C serum You’re probably already familiar with vitamin C, whether that’s through the food you ingest or using it as a weapon to fight off a cold. However, the antioxidant can also have some great benefits for your skin when applied topically. It is particularly beneficial for people struggling with hyperpigmentation and a dull complexion. Skin that has started showing signs of sun damage will also drink up the effects of a vitamin C serum. Is it safe to use? Why We Love It: Founded by cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson, this serum contains vitamin C in its purest form, with a unique patented formula of stable 20% pure vitamin C and stable epigallocatechin gallate, which is a skin-aiding ingredient found in green tea. The two ingredients work well together to prevent signs of aging, alongside squalane for moisture and tartaric acid, which helps the skin absorb product more easily. Dr. Shereene Idriss is a fan of the formula, too, because “it is a patented version of stabilized 20% L Ascorbic Acid (or vitamin C) that does not oxidize,” though she recommends approaching it with caution because of the high concentration. Active ingredients:Hyaluronic acid, retinol, vitamin C | Additional benefits:Hydrating, wrinkle-reducing | Consistency:Gel | Cruelty-free: No

Vitamin C is great for your body, but when you consume it (like through food, drinks and supplements), your skin mostly misses out. The best way to reap the dermatological benefits of vitamin C is by applying skin care products that contain it. Dr. Saedi suggests avoiding more potentially irritating vitamin C serums, so starting with one like Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C might be less likely to cause a reaction than most other effective products; it contains a high level of pure vitamin C, but she points out that it’s a more hydrating form with a lower percentage of ascorbic acid. Because its formula is only made of 11 ingredients, there's less of a chance for an irritating ingredient to trigger a reaction. Vitamin C serums are one of those products you need to get 100% right – or you’re throwing your money down the toilet and won’t see the results you want. So what makes a good vitamin C serum? Vitamin C should not be exposed to light because light makes the actives unstable. Air and heat exposure also degrades vitamin C.After 5 years of research and more than 200 formulas tested L’Oreal Paris introduces the game-changing Revitalift Clinical 12% Pure Vitamin C Serum. Formulated with the purest form of Vitamin C, the one recommended by Dermatologists, at an ultra-stable, high concentration, and boosted with Salicylic Acid and Vitamin E for maximum efficacy. This exclusive combination of dermatological actives has been selected to correct and protect against the signs of early ageing with clinically proven results: Grimes PE, Green BA, Wildnauer RH, Edison BL. The use of polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) in photoaged skin. Cutis. 2004;73(2 Suppl):3-13. glycolic acid, a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), can work well for hyperpigmentation but can sometimes be irritating to sensitive skin

L-Ascorbic Acid: To get the most value from your vitamin C serum, Dr. Cheung suggests looking for this type of vitamin C, the most potent and active version. That being said, it is often pricey and comes with the highest likelihood of irritation. Other less intense versions include sodium ascorbyl phosphate and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate. Skinceuticals C E Ferulic is a great option with L-ascorbic acid as is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum. Dr. Corey L. Hartman, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama Since there are benefits to applying the serum in the morning and at night, we recommend thinking about when you can maximize benefits the most based on your daily activities. If you spend a lot of time in the sun, you may want to opt for a nightly application to both heal and prevent sun damage (but make sure you’re wearing a good sunscreen, too). Draelos ZD, Diaz I, Namkoong J, Wu J, Boyd T. Efficacy Evaluation of a Topical Hyaluronic Acid Serum in Facial Photoaging. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2021;11(4):1385-1394. doi:10.1007/s13555-021-00566-0 Not only do vitamin C serums help brighten your complexion, but they also help reduce dryness and inflammation while also countering and softening the appearance of fine lines, dark spots and hyperpigmentation caused by sun damage. Plus, vitamin C is an incredibly potent and antioxidant-rich ingredient, which makes it particularly effective in shielding your skin from environmental aggressors such as pollution.

We noticed a real improvement in the texture of our skin when we used SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, as well as a reduction in the appearance of fine lines. After six weeks of using it, our skin looked and felt softer and smoother. However, we weren’t convinced that contributed to the glowiness of our complexions significantly more than other, more affordable options we’ve used. There’s no denying that we adore this serum, but it’s worth noting that while it doesn’t contain fragrance, it doesn’t have a particularly appealing smell. However, the scent doesn’t linger on the skin, so it’s not a dealbreaker for us. Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She has tested several vitamin C, including several on this list. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry as well as fashion business marketing. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty. While vitamin E may be most well-known for its moisturizing properties, it's foremost an antioxidant that guards and strengthens a weakened skin barrier, which seals essential water and electrolytes in and protects the skin against dehydration and external stressors. Vitamin E also plays an important role in relieving conditions like flakiness, peeling, roughness, and itchiness, and also lends a helping hand in improving the appearance of acne scars. Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C is mainly incorporated into our skincare routines because of its antioxidant properties. “It helps to mop up and neutralise free radicals caused by environmental factors and UV damage, helping to delay the ageing process,” explains Dr Ana Mansouri, aesthetic doctor and SkinCeuticals brand expert.