Your guide to the 13 best vitamin C serums for your face, glow guaranteed

The first time I realised the potential of vitamin C was after a particularly gruelling winter, when my skin looked tired no matter how many layers of moisturiser I applied. I introduced a vitamin C serum, and within a few weeks, my face seemed more awake. It turns out, this hardworking antioxidant not only helps shield your skin from everyday stressors (think pollution and UV rays) but it also supports an even complexion and firmer texture by encouraging collagen and elastin.

Today, vitamin C is my default recommendation for anyone aiming to address dullness and discolouration. While adding it to your routine needn’t be complicated, it pays to understand a few basics before you jump in. Below, find clear answers to common questions, followed by an editor-curated list of standout vitamin C serums for every skin type.

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Many skincare enthusiasts regard vitamin C as a go-to for dull or fatigued-looking skin. It can brighten and smooth, making it particularly useful for softening the appearance of dark spots and helping your complexion look more even. Researchers also point to its role in neutralising free radicals – a must if you live or work in a busy city.

Its effectiveness is matched by its fragility. Many serums can lose potency if exposed to light or air, which is why proper packaging and storage matter. I’ve seen my fair share of products change colour or scent (with more than one bottle of serum turning a suspicious brown before I managed to finish it) which are both clear signs that their active ingredients are breaking down – i.e the product has oxidised. In summary? Paying attention to opaque packaging and storage instructions can make all the difference.

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In my experience, a concentrated serum applied on clean, dry skin (morning and night if your skin can handle it) can make a real impact. Layer it under sunscreen during the day to boost your defence against UV rays. If you have sensitive skin, I recommend starting slowly, perhaps a few days a week, until you find the right balance.

Vitamin C and Retinol
While retinol is a wonder for refining texture and reducing fine lines, layering it immediately after vitamin C can be intense for sensitive skin. I prefer vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night – it’s a balanced schedule that allows both to perform.

Vitamin C and Niacinamide
This duo addresses multiple concerns, including redness and enlarged pores. If you’re prone to sensitivity, you might introduce them one at a time or use them at different points in your routine.

Vitamin C and Additional Antioxidants
Many brands add vitamin E or fruit extracts to improve stability and efficacy. These extra antioxidant sources support vitamin C’s effects, resulting in a broader shield against environmental stress.

Choosing the right serum is about balance. For those new to vitamin C, a lower concentration can be a gentle introduction, while more experienced users might opt for higher percentages. The form of vitamin C matters too: while L-ascorbic acid is renowned for its potency, other derivatives offer a gentler experience without sacrificing benefits. For reference, beginners do well with five to ten per cent or gentler derivatives; experienced users can step up to 15–20 per cent L-ascorbic acid if skin tolerates it. Over time, you’ll learn which formulation best suits your skin’s unique needs.

What you need to know: A fragrance-free vitamin C serum built around 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid for brightening, tone-evening and collagen support. The base is lightweight and layers well, while a trio of mushroom extracts tremella, reishi and albatrellus plus hyaluronic acid help hydrate and calm, making it suitable for daily use and any skin type (sensitive sorts like myself included).

Why we love it: After trying several serums, this one stands out for its consistent performance. It brightens while remaining gentle enough for daily use, and its versatile formula has made it a staple in my own skincare rotation. If gentle yet plump are how you'd describe your perfect serum, then Susanne Kaufmann is for you.

What you need to know: A stable ascorbyl glucoside serum set in Bader’s TFC8 system, with supporting players that actually earn their keep. Ergothioneine and niacinamide back the brightening brief, while ceramides and humectants keep the finish comfortable. Texture is silk-light and built to disappear under SPF.

Why we love it: For a luxury serum, the experience is refreshingly low-key. No citrusy scent, no tingling, no over-promising. Just a steady, visible refinement in tone and texture over time (especially visible by week four). If you’re going to invest, this is one of the few that feels worth using to the very last drop.

What you need to know: This is vitamin C in derivative form (ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, oil-soluble and stable) formulated at 20 per cent in a blend of essential fatty acids (Vitamin F). It’s not the zing of raw L-ascorbic acid, but it’s far easier to tolerate and sits nicely on skin that balks at high-dose C.

Why we love it: I’ve been using this when my skin feels tight, dry and texture-weary. The oil-body slip gives a soft-focus finish, and over time I noticed tone smoothing without the “burn.” For the money it’s almost ludicrous value, but a stern reminder: as with all vitamin C, SPF still matters.

What you need to know: Lumene's offering is a gentle introduction to vitamin C, thanks to ascorbyl glucoside (rather than raw L‑ascorbic acid), blended with Arctic cloudberry extract and three molecular weights of hyaluronic acid. The texture is almost essence‑light, meaning it melts into the skin in seconds.

Why we love it: I reached for this when I wanted a wake-up serum that didn’t trigger my sensitised cheeks. For the price, it hits that beginner-friendly sweet spot: useful plus tolerable.

What you need to know: A gentle trio of vitamin C forms at a modest five per cent concentration, paired with zinc and Kakadu plum extract for antioxidant and tone-evening support. Designed to help you ease into active skincare rather than rattle the system.

Why we love it: I tested this when my skin was already on edge from travel. It didn’t cause the flare of redness that vitamin C serums usually trigger in my rosacea-prone zones. Instead, it left me with a gentle yet (very) welcomed glow. Sensitive skin demands subtle wins, and this one gave them.

What you need to know: A true L-ascorbic-acid formula at eight per cent (rare at this mild-dose level) combined with panthenol, oat extract and other soothing botanicals. The texture is lightweight and hydrating rather than matte or aggressive. According to the brand, it’s brightening and anti-ageing while also claiming calming support for dry skin.

Why we love it: In autumn and winter when my cheeks start behaving like the the Sahara (hello central heating), this my strategic brightening step rather than a “power” assault on the skin. It helps combat those dry patches while revealing a smoother tone and providing soft-finish under makeup. For dry skin that still wants meaningful vitamin C serum benefits, this hits the sweet spot.

What you need to know: A vitamin C serum built around a stable derivative (oil-soluble) blended with hydrating and skin-barrier supporting ingredients like squalane and hyaluronic acid. Designed to deliver brightness and even tone without triggering irritation or freak-outs in acne-prone skin. It also incorporates subtle light-reflecting pigments, so the glow you get isn’t just “lit from within."

Why we love it: A colleague with combination/oily skin praised it for fading some of her post-breakout marks without triggering new blemishes, and within weeks she noticed fewer active bumps, a smoother texture and less redness creeping through. If you’re navigating acne-prone skin and still want vitamin C (yes, you can), this is one of the smarter picks.

What you need to know: Formulated with around 15–16 per cent pure L-ascorbic acid, this serum also includes anti-glycation actives (neohesperidin dihydrochalcone), plus hyaluronic acid and a streamlined ingredient list. In addition, it's fragrance-free, alcohol-free and housed in dark-glass packaging for stability

Why we love it: For mature skin, this is less about dramatic reversal and more about making the smart upgrade. The minimalist formula and high-dose vitamin C give it credibility in an anti-ageing category crowded with hype, and it visibly improves radiance, firms texture and tidies tone with minimal fuss. If you’re looking for a vitamin C serum that meets you where your skin actually is (rather than promising the impossible) this is the kind of measured choice that earns an editor’s nod.

What you need to know: A 15 per cent vitamin C blend supported by plant-derived caffeine from yerba mate and guayusa, plus squalane and dragon-fruit extract. Designed to brighten, smooth tone and reduce morning puffiness without feeling heavy.

Why we love it: In the sea of “glow” serums that promise everything but doesn't always deliver, this one provides measurable tone refinement and clarity. Texture remains comfortable on normal to combination skin, and the caffeine note wakes your skin up in subtle ways. Who needs proper beauty sleep when you have this in your beauty arsenal?

What you need to know: Ideal for those accustomed to lower concentrations, this formula has a high 20 per cent dose of vitamin C paired with peptides, designed to even out tone and refine skin’s overall look.

Why we love it: When you’re ready to move into high-potency performance, this Vitamin C serum holds its own. The texture is slightly richer than lightweight serums, but it absorbs cleanly and gives visibly smoother skin and clearer tone after a month. It’s not for the timid, but if you’ve been playing it safe with vitamin C and want something that delivers, this is the move.

What you need to know: This serum brings together a brightening formulation with vitamin C, niacinamide, cloudberry juice and peach‑extract antioxidants. Made for tone‑evening, hydration and a glazed‑finish glow.

Why we love it: When targeting hyperpigmentation, whether sunspots or post‑blemish marks, it’s not enough for a serum to just “brighten”; it must refine texture and support the skin barrier too. And Ole Henriksen's formulation does it all. The presence of niacinamide helps reduce visible pigment accumulation while the vitamin C derivative supports antioxidant defence. Texture is lightweight gel‑serum, suitable for layering, and the “glazed” finish makes visible signs of uneven tone look less pronounced.

What you need to know: Developed with dermatologists, this formula contains ten per cent pure L-ascorbic acid alongside three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid and soothing panthenol. Its protective tube packaging reduces oxidation and ensures potency.

Why we love it: Among ultra-premium vitamin C serums with extravagant claims, this one stands out for its clinical clarity and barrier-first logic. The mid-range vitamin C dose gives meaningful brightening and tone-evening, while the ceramides and hyaluronic acid make true sense for routine skin care, not your one-off resurfacing mission.

What you need to know: A lightweight Korean formulation anchored by 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid, supported by niacinamide and Sea Buckthorn extract. Free from fragrance and essential oils, it employs fewer than 20 ingredients to deliver brightening without excess for sensitive or combination skin.

Why we love it: Unlike many Korean serums that dwell on cute packaging, buzzy ingredient or brightening hype, this one delivers measurable tone refinement with minimal drama. The finish is lightweight, non-sticky and comfortable when worn under make-up or alone. For readers chasing that K-beauty credibility (i.e effective brightening in a formula built for layering) this under-the-radar potion is our top-rated pick.