If you’ve dipped your toe into the vast world of skincare, you already know what an overwhelming place it can be. There seems to be a new must-have, buzz-worthy product for us 40+ gals every other day. We’re told we need to add retinol, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides, glycol acid, and a host of other products to our anti-aging routines to reverse fine lines and wrinkles.
There is a place for all these ingredients in your skincare routine, but dermatologists agree that a properly formulated vitamin C serum is incredibly beneficial to your skin. There are a ton of serums out there, all claiming they are the best, so how do you know what to choose? I’ve gone on a quest to find out for myself! I’ve taken on the task of researching the facts behind what makes vitamin C such a sought-after skincare ingredient, and I’m excited to share with you what I’ve learned. Here are the ABCs of Vitamin C serums and our top 5 picks to incorporate into your routine.
Best Vitamin C Serums
Dr. Brenner 20% Pure L-Ascorbic Acid
This serum is a tried and true dermatology favorite. It uses the same exact ingredients that fan favorite SkinCeuticals uses, it just adds in a 20% pure L-ascorbic acid to make it all the more effective. With a blend of hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, this is a product that helps with things like collagen production, scarring, and fine lines. A lot of brands will try to pass off a sodium phosphate blend as a true vitamin C product, but you don’t have to worry about that here!
Mae Love: Glow Maker Vitamin C Serum
As excited as we are to implement another helpful product into our routine, we also want that instant-glow feeling! This Glow Maker serum is here to deliver. With ingredients like L-ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and ferulic acid, you can look forward to comprehensive protection against signs of aging and free-radical damage.
Paula’s Choice: C15 Super Booster
If you’ve used Paula’s Choice before, you know why they have such a huge following. But this time, they’ve reinvented their classic vitamin C with a fast-acting formula that’s clinically shown to impact skin in as few as 15 short minutes. This means improved firmness, a more even skin tone, and less visible discoloration just shortly after use. Just add a few drops to your face, blend it down to your neck, and finish off with your favorite moisturizer!
Timeless Skin Care: Vitamin C and E Ferulic Acid Serum
When you want glowy, radiant skin, but you don’t want to supersede your skincare budget, Timeless Skin Care provides amazing results for a fraction of the cost. This serum supplies a stable form of vitamin C by promoting healthy cell turnover which aids in things like hyperpigmentation and collagen.
Glo Skin Beauty: Hydra-Bright Vitamin C Drops
If you’re like me and you spend a good amount of time working in front of blue light, these vitamin C drops are essential. While it’s a great product to use for instant luminosity, it also helps shield the skid from pollution, blue light, and free-radicals. These are things that you may not realize are harmful at the time, but they play a huge role in premature-aging and hyperpigmentation.
Ogee: Vitamin C THDA 20% Elixir
When I hear the word “elixir,” I automatically think of some magic potion that cures all—and that’s kind of what this product from Ogee is like. This powerful, plant-based vitamin C concentrate helps visibly improve things like complexion, fine lines and wrinkles, and collagen. You won’t be disappointed with this product when you begin to notice plumper, firmer, and more even skin.
YSE Beauty: Morning Cocktail
YSE Beauty has found the perfect mixture of ingredients for that much-needed early morning pick-me-up. Using key ingredients like three forms of stabilized vitamin C, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid, this morning cocktail does exactly what it was intended to do—brightens skin tone, improves skin texture, and reduces dark spots. No matter if you have oily skin, dry skin, or combination skin, It’s the perfect product for everyone.
Benefits of Vitamin C
According to dermatologists, it’s a powerful antioxidant. That means it can neutralize free radicals in the skin. Free radicals are things that you’re exposed to every day like the sun, pollution, blue light, even stress. All these things damage collagen. Vitamin C serums reduce fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagen. It also brightens your complexion by blocking excess pigment creation, protects against sun damage, and reduces dark spots.
In the same way that consuming antioxidant-rich foods helps your body fight off free radicals internally, antioxidants do the same for your skin. While drinking freshly squeezed orange juice or lemonade is healthy, it’s not going to get enough vitamin C out to your face. So, we need to apply it topically. Dermatologists also recommend that the best time to apply vitamin C serums are first thing in the morning. Apply after you have a freshly cleaned face, and before the rest of your skincare and moisturizers.
Types of Vitamin C
There are a dizzying number of different forms of vitamin C on skincare labels. According to independent studies, however, L Ascorbic Acid or Ascorbic Acid are the most effective type of vitamin C for the skin. As we get older, the amount of that rich antioxidant reduces in our skin, and the goal is to supplement it through serums. Other common ingredients are modified versions of Ascorbic Acid so that they can maintain a shelf-life. That isn’t to say they’re bad, they’re just less effective.
What You Need To Know
In order to keep Ascorbic Acid chemically stable (and therefore, effective), these are the things you need to look for: An 8-20% concentration; low pH (between 2.5-3.5) to penetrate the skin; helper antioxidants like vitamin E and Ferulic Acid; dark container to keep the light out; and an airless pump to keep air out and prevent oxidation.
How Often To Use Vitamin C Serum
When you’re sorting through your skincare routine, different products have different requirements. Some say apply once weekly, some say apply three times daily—it can be confusing to keep up with. As far as vitamin C serum goes, this is a product that’s safe to use anywhere from 1-2 times a day. A lot of women favor applying this serum in the morning since it helps with things like puffiness and discoloration, but it’s all up to preference. It’s a super easy product to implement into your routines!
Is Vitamin C Safe To Use During Pregnancy?
When things like retinol, certain sunscreens, and specific essential oils can be harmful to use during pregnancy, it’s important to know what’s safe to use and what’s not when it comes to skincare. Rest assured, though, vitamin C serum is considered safe to use during pregnancy! If you want to be more mindful about the ingredients in your vitamin C serum I’ve got a few pregnancy-safe antioxidant serums for you to try!
Éminence: Citrust & Kale C + E Serum
This is a notably effective brand that’s perfect for pregnant women to use. It’s a lightweight serum that utilizes botanically-derived ferulic acid to help improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and skin complexion. Its key ingredients consist of things like stabilized vitamin C and E, citrus fruit oils, leafy greens, and hyaluronic acid from grass extracts. All natural, all perfectly safe to use.
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic with 15% L-Ascorbic Acid
This product is considered the gold standard when it comes to vitamin C serums safe for pregnant women—just ask Vogue! SkinCeuticals formula is paraben-free, silicone-free, and alcohol-free, so you can have the comfort of knowing you’re using a product that’s both safe for your skin and your baby. It’s a potent antioxidant serum that works to reduce signs of aging, reduce free radical damage, and improve overall discoloration.
Rescue Vitamin C + Squalane Serum
This oil-based formula helps to brighten skin tone for a glowing complexion, replenish moisture levels for a soft, even base, and balance the appearance of uneven skin tone and dark spots. Loaded with potent antioxidants, this pregnancy-safe serum is an award-winning option for a reason.
Do you have a favorite vitamin C serum? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!
Curious about retinol? Check out my recommendations for the top 10 retinol products for women over 40 that actually work here.
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As a 55 year old with oily skin, I use SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF – on of the ingredients is Salicylic Acid- the CE Ferulic is to oily for me at this time but I have used it before and liked it. Thank you for the informative research on Vitamin C serums
My pleasure to do the research, LeAnna! And thanks for your feedback on an alternative SkinCeuticals for oily skin!
Dr. Youn Vitamin C Serum (with Vitamin E) is my favorite.
I’m actually a big fan of Dr. Youn, but have not tried his C serum. Good to know! Thanks, Jane!