The Do-It-All-Ingredient: Our Must-Have Vitamin C Serums

It’s no secret that we’re BIG proponents of vitamin C. And for good reason; there’s few skin care ingredients that are as studied, proven and effective when it comes to promoting healthier acting (and looking) skin. Far from a one-trick pony (in fact, it actually might be faster to talk about what it doesn’t do), a well-formulated vitamin C serum helps fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation, helps skin appear brighter and overall more radiant-looking, helps firm and promote the production of collagen and elastin, prevents damage from sun exposure and free radicals, and even makes your sunscreen more effective. In short, we’re never without one in our product rotation. So, in honor of National Vitamin C Day, we’re rounding up some of our favorites.

1. 

   SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

   The O.G. and perennial bestseller, no list of vitamin C serums would be complete without this often duplicated but never replicated superstar. Containing 15% pure L-ascorbic acid, vitamin E and ferulic acid, you could call this antioxidant powerhouse the one that started it all. It has all the typical benefits of vitamin C—neutralizes free radicals, enhances collagen production and brightens complexion—plus, its super-concentrated formula makes it effective for up to 72 hours.

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2. 

   OAM by Ciara 20% Vitamin C Brightening Serum

   It’s not often we’re blown away by a new product line, but the bar has officially been raised; in fact, we had trouble picking just one product to feature from this vitamin C-based line. The newbie on our list—though newbie in name only, since the CEO is an MIT chemical engineer — this clinically-formulated lightweight, liquid serum instantly absorbs to target skin dullness, uneven texture and dark spots. Our skin looks smoother and has a definite glow.

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3. 

   BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner

   This award-winning lightweight gel serum is formulated with 20% pure vitamin C, three patents and is shelf-stable with no color change or loss of effectiveness (no small feat with a vitamin C serum). It immediately and over time promotes smoother, more radiant skin with smaller-looking pores, and helps reduce the look of dark spots and discoloration while also boosting collagen production. Basically, magic in a bottle.

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4. 

   SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF

   We would be remiss without including this multitasking antioxidant serum. If  you lean more on the oily to combination skin types, this one hits all the marks when it comes to preventing and reducing dark spots. Formulated with two percent phloretin, 10 percent pure vitamin C and 0.5 percent ferulic acid, it refines the look of discoloration and pigmentation while boosting your skin’s defenses against premature aging. The best part? Like its C E Ferulic sister, once absorbed into your skin, this serum remains active for up to 72 hours.

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5. 

   Obagi Clinical Vitamin C Eye Brightener

   Prone to dark circles (honestly, who isn’t)? Get your hands on this eye brightener. While technically not a serum, this made our list because it’s everything we need in an eye product. Powered by vitamin C and their Kinetin+ Complex, a blend of plant growth factors, it not only helps the look of tired eyes, it also helps improve the appearance of crepiness and crow’s feet, while providing essential hydration. Plus, it has soft focus technology that creates optical diffusion to help blur the look of fine lines and shadows for even more radiant-looking eyes. Basically, it’s like tapping eight+ hours of sleep directly onto the eye area.

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6. 

   Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15 Vitamin C Brightening Serum

   This brightening face serum from the cult-favorite brand features THD ascorbate, which is an extremely stable, oil-soluble form of vitamin C. But its beauty benefits don’t stop there. It also has glycolic acid, which supports natural cell turnover to help boost your glow even more.

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7. Revision Skincare® C+ Correcting Complex 30%

   If you prefer your vitamin C serum to multitask, this power-packed formula is for you. In addition to the star ingredient in the form of highly stable 30% THD ascorbate, it also contains prebiotics to support skin’s microbiome and MelaPATH™ Technology, a patent-pending blend of supercharged antioxidants for an extra dose of protection against skin stressors.

8. 

   Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster

   Already have a favorite serum and don’t feel the need to add another to your routine? Not a problem. Boosters are designed to add active ingredients to and enhance the benefits of your favorite serum. What we love about this booster is that along with vitamin C, it also has ferulic acid, peptides and vitamin E to up the level of protection your skin gets against free radical damage.

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9. 

   Dermalogica BioLumin-C Serum

   We love anything that helps our skin use its powers for good. Case in point: this blend of vitamin C and peptides that work with your skin’s own defenses to help brighten and firm. But it’s that inclusion of lactic acid, japonica flower extract and chia seed oil, that takes this high-performance serum over the top to deeply moisturize, accelerate cell turnover, neutralize skin after oxidation and defend against environmental aggressors.

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