We’re all searching for that holy grail product that can give you the glowy skin of your dreams, no Instagram filter necessary.
Vitamin C is one of a handful of skin ingredients clinically shown to transform skin. Consistent use of the right product (which will vary depending on your skin type) will leave you with a more even skin tone, bouncier skin and glowing appearance.
RELATED: We Try: Anti-ageing facial creams for every stage of life
“Vitamin C is a bit of a blockbuster ingredient when it comes to preventing and treating skin ageing,” says Dr Ginni Mansberg, GP and founder of Australian brand Evidence Skincare.
“Firstly, vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, mopping up harmful free radicals that can damage the skin. There is evidence that vitamin C and reduces pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles. It also brightens and evens out skin tone while protecting and repairing your skin from UV ray damage. Vitamin C also helps promote and produce collagen and elastin.”
In other words – if you’re on the hunt for one simple product to add to your skin routine that’ll work overtime to totally refresh your visage, a vitamin C serum is the way to go.
BEST VITAMIN C SERUM
Not sure where to start? We’ve narrowed down your search with this list of the best vitamin C serums money can buy, from budget picks to high-end splurges.
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BEST VITAMIN C SERUMS: EDITOR’S PICKS
Go-To Skincare Much Brighter Skin, $59
A vitamin C serum that beauty entrepreneur Zoe Foster Blake swears by for her “glowy” skin, this product is packed with all the antioxidants your skin could ever need.
It’s formulated with vitamin C of course, niacinamide, kakadu plum, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, glycerin and more to keep your skin looking bright, tight and hydrated.
We love that this silky orange serum comes in a pretty pink pump bottle. Not only does it look cute but it also means that no oxygen can get in the way and disrupt the formulation of the serum – which is something that can potentially happen with glass dropper style bottles.
It’s racked up well over 1,300 five-star ratings on the Go-To Skincare website, with countless happy customers calling it “brilliant” and a “crucial part” of their skincare routine. Another person said “there was noticeable lightening of the pigmentation within 2 weeks.”
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright vitamin C Serum, THE ICONIC, $98
This is Ole Henriksen’s hero product, with countless glowing (pun intended) reviews across Google and social media. On TikTok it’s regularly featured on #skintok, with users showing off the impressive results of the hardworking serum.
Five star reviews from happy shoppers say it gives them “glass skin” and is “a staple of my morning routine”.
“It’s lightweight, glides onto your skin, and absorbs beautifully, leaving almost a silky finish with no tackiness,” one customer wrote in their review.
Combining three “Ole Glow” icons – 15 per cent vitamin C, chemically exfoliating Polyhydroxy Acids, and colour correcting banana powder-inspired pigments – this serum instantly brightens and helps to defend skin against pollution. Added hyaluronic acid plumps skin with moisture, so your skin feels fresh, bouncy and youthful.
La Roche-Posay Redermic Pure Vitamin C10 Serum, Adore Beauty, $71.95
Boasting a very impressive 4.6 out of five stars rating from over a whopping 5,576 reviews, this La Roche-Posay serum has well and truly earned its spot at the top of this list. The innovative formula contains 10 per cent pure vitamin C, alongside salicylic acid to eliminate dead cells and Neurosensine to soothe irritation and brighten the skin. It has a light and fast-absorbing texture that won’t slow down your daily routine, and the velvety, non-greasy feel makes it easy to follow with makeup application.
Reviewers have called it “amazing”, “excellent quality”, and “mind-blowing”, with one noting “I’ve tried all the expensive options … and actually prefer this formula. It completely dries down and leaves no tacky residue. After using for a few weeks I’m already seeing great results, plumper skin and diminishing fine lines!”
Advanced Clinicals vitamin C Anti Aging Serum, iHerb, $10
The most affordable option on this list, this product has a whopping 20,000 five star reviews on iHerb where it is their best-selling vitamin C serum.
As well as vitamin C this serum contains ferulic acid to help even skin tone, antioxidant rich K3 Vita C and aloe vera to smooth skin.
“I have been using this product for over three months, I can’t imagine my face without it,” one shopper wrote in a five star review.
“I tried this product with little expectation, considering its price as a vitamin C serum as compared to the other brands,” another five star review reads. “But I am surprised that it worked, not immediately, but gradually.”
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum, Adore Beauty, $236
This is THE cult favourite vitamin C serum that the internet won’t stop raving about, and if you haven’t yet made its acquaintance, allow us to introduce you. The C E Ferulic Serum is an antioxidant-rich blend of 15 per cent vitamin C to minimise hyperpigmentation and brown spots while boosting collagen production for firmer skin; one per cent vitamin E to defend against free radical damage and reduce inflammation; and ferulic acid to enhance the efficacy of the latter two ingredients and provide unparalleled anti-ageing and protective benefits. In short, it can brighten skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, protect your skin against damage and provide an overall radiant, youthful glow.
It obviously doesn’t come cheap, but we can assure you it’s worth the hefty spend – just read what Best Of Editor, Edwina, thought of the serum, after trialling it for five months to address the stubborn post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIHP) left from her adult acne.
BEST VITAMIN C SERUM FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
Tribe Skincare Brightening vitamin C Serum, Healthy Life, $68
Tribe Skincare is an Australian-made beauty brand that specialises in products for sensitive skin. Everything in their range is pregnancy-safe and vegan friendly, including their vitamin C serum.
Their vitamin C also contains niacinamide to help even skin and protect against damage as well as being chock-full of skin-loving antioxidants.
“I’m not usually one to leave reviews but this product deserves it. I bought this as a spur of the moment purchase one day and I have not regretted it. I have extremely sensitive skin and have broken out into rashes in the past with other vitamin C products,” one five star review reads.
“Within the first few days of trying this product my skin started to brighten, a month in and pigmentation started to fade.”
Youth To The People 15% vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum, Sephora, $110
Averaging close to five out of five stars from over 650 reviews, this Youth To The People serum adds caffeine into the mix to further brighten your complexion. A lightweight, non-sticky, fragrance-free option that’s ideal for sensitive skin, it aims to reduce hyperpigmentation, depuff, and firm the skin.
One of its many fans commented, “It’s only been about 2 weeks since I’ve started using this and I’m blown away! My skin has never looked as glowy and smooth and overall as healthy before.
Alya Skin vitamin C Supercharged Serum, Oz Hair & Beauty, $39.99
Another option on the more affordable side of things, this vegan serum harnesses the power of vitamin-C-rich Australian native ingredients and hyaluronic acid to create smooth and supple skin with greater elasticity and dewiness. It also fights against damage caused by environmental stressors and increases cell turnover for youthful skin at any age.
A reviewer left five stars, saying it “feels great on the skin and smells nice” and that their “skin feels bright”.
BEST AFFORDABLE VITAMIN C SERUMS
Sephora Collection Ultra Glow Serum, Sephora, $32
This is a great affordable option from Sephora’s in house brand. Besides vitamin C this serum contains soothing vitamin E, natural peptides from marine algae to help tighten skin.
The bottle is also made from 100 per cent recyclable glass and 97 per cent of its ingredients are derived from natural origin.
“My favourite serum. I use this on daily basis, before my primer and then followed by my foundation etc,” one five star review reads.
“Though subtle, you can see the natural glow it gives as compared to when you are not using it.
“It’s also perfect for days when you wanna go for a ‘no-makeup’ makeup look. This is my fifth bottle so I guess it can tell you how in love I am with this!”
SkinHit Brightening Serum with vitamin C and Peptides, Beauty Bay, $12
This serum may have an incredibly low price tag, but the dozens of positive reviews prove that it’s worthy of your attention. The vegan and cruelty-free combination boosts radiance with the addition of luminous peptides, while also evening out skin tone, and reducing the appearance of pigmentation.
One of the many reviewers who left a five-star review commented, “Only used for two days now but already makes me more confident in the quality of my skin. Definitely makes your skin look healthier and have a more natural glow and shine to it! I add to my moisturiser and it makes my skin feel even softer”.
Artnaturals vitamin C Brightening Serum, iHerb, $15.47 (down from $17.19)
This vitamin C serum comes in at just under $10 – but that’s not the best part. The Artnaturals vitamin C Brightening Serum has racked up over 10,000 five-star reviews on iHerb with countless happy customers describing it as being “perfect”, “excellent” and “gentle enough to use everyday”.
The unique formulation is designed to brighten dull skin, but it also promises to enhance hydration, soothe and moisturise your skin.
The Ordinary Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F, Myer, $31.20
Renowned for their no-frills approach to top-quality skincare at very affordable prices, The Ordinary are a natural inclusion in this list with their vitamin C serum (sorry, I’m not typing out that full name again). Containing a high-strength, oil-solubilised vitamin C derivative that can be used in higher concentration than pure L-ascorbic acid without drawbacks, it’s combined with vitamin F (fatty acids) for extra soothing, calming and strengthening effects. It’s an especially good choice if you’ve tried vitamin C serums before to no avail, as the alternative makeup that uses a derivative rather than the pure form of the ingredient may respond better to your skin type, as one five-star reviewer noted: “A game changer for me. Consistency of use is key to seeing results with vitamin C and I just couldn’t do it when I was using the vitamin C Suspension 23% … just too uncomfortable to use and took forever to absorb. This Vitamin F product proved to be a revelation: no irritation or burning sensation and is absorbed quickly and completely by my skin. It is more expensive than the other products in the line but the resulting glowing and smooth skin make it all worth it”.
BEST VITAMIN C SERUM FOR OILY SKIN
ESK C Serum Lite, Evidence Skincare, $90
Since vitamin C requires an oil base to be stable, this serum uses a finer oil base that won’t worsen the condition of oily skin or those in humid environments. Ideal for normal and oilier skin types, the ESK C Serum Lite contains vitamin C in its most potent form – L-Ascorbic Acid, 10 per cent – to repair and prevent the appearance of ageing, from fine lines to wrinkles and pigmentation to skin roughness.
Reviewers adore the product, with one writing, “I was very pleased that I could swap the normal C serum for C Serum Lite with less oil. It goes on oily but magically is absorbed within five or 10 minutes. It seems very moisturising and clarifying. My skin appears smoother when using it”.
I’ve also begun to incorporate this serum into my morning skin routine, and while it’s only been a few weeks, I’ve noticed increased smoothness and a more even tone across my cheeks especially – so I’m keen to keep using it to experience the full benefits.
BEST VITAMIN C SERUM FOR ACNE-PRONE SKIN
SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF 30ml, Adore Beauty, $236
A vitamin C serum that’s directly targeted to those with oily and combination skin types and adult acne? The SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF Serum is formulated with 15 per cent l-ascorbic acid, 0.5 per cent silymarin, 0.5 per cent ferulic acid and 0.5 per cent salicylic acid. This unique combination of ingredients ensures your skin looks brighter and smoother, all while loading up your skin with plenty of antioxidants.
I’ve finished a bottle of the Silymarin CF and the iconic C E Ferulic serum. While I do love both formulas, I have to say the Silymarin CF is more suited to my skin type. I have combination skin – hello oily t-zone – and I struggle with adult acne. This vitamin C serum does a wonderful job at brightening the skin, addressing acne scarring issues, all while ensuring my face doesn’t feel super oily afterwards. I always follow up with a hydrating serum after my vitamin C in the morning, and I found the lightweight oil-free texture to act as the perfect base for the rest of my skincare routine.
BEST VEGAN VITAMIN C SERUM
KORA Organics Noni Bright vitamin C Serum, Adore Beauty, $89
From model Miranda Kerr’s very own skincare brand, KORA Organics, comes this highly rated vitamin C serum. Ideal for all skin types, it contains a smart blend of botanical actives – think Kakadu plum, red pepper, olive leaf and more – to protect your skin from external damage, as well as a balanced concentration of vitamin C in the form of stable and skin-friendly 12 per cent Ascorbyl Glucoside that will deliver results without irritation.
A reviewer called it a “stunning vitamin C serum”, writing “it seems so lovely, has a lovely texture and doesn’t pill like others I’ve used. It absorbs very quickly and isn’t sticky at all. Love this serum and how much brighter my skin is after only a few days. Definitely recommend for combination skin types too as it isn’t oily”.
Biologi Bk vitamin C Face & Eye Serum, THE ICONIC, $88
While this is designed to first be used as an eye serum it also works great as an all-over face vitamin C treatment. Made from vitamin C-rich kakadu plum, this serum is also Australian made.
“Love it – the best eye cream I’ve used. Love that it’s multipurpose and I use for pigmentation elsewhere on my face,” one five star review reads.
BEST VITAMIN C SERUM FOR DARK SPOTS
Skinstitut 10% vitamin C Super Serum 30ml, THE ICONIC, $69
This vitamin C serum is one of three “power serums” released by Skinstitut last year as part of their rebrand. Each of the serums are approved by the Skinstitut Medical Advisory Council, a panel of leading Aussie doctors and dermatologists.
This serum contains a stable of powerful ingredients including 10 per cent stabilised vitamin C (Ascorbyl Glucoside), ferulic acid plus kakadu plum and licorice root extracts to give you brighter skin all while combating free radical damage and dullness.
Viviology vitamin C Serum 30ml, Adore Beauty, $55
This serum gets rave reviews for being a high quality product that’s great value for money. Its ingredients are seriously hardworking, with 15 per cent L-Ascorbic Acid vitamin C and ferulic acid plus algae, kakadu plum, finger lime extract and lemon myrtle water extracts.
“This is an amazingly priced formulation in a pump bottle. It has really brightened and evened out some red patches on my face,” one five star review reads.
Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster, Paula’s Choice, $72
Designed to dramatically brighten uneven skin while improving the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, the Super Booster from Paula’s Choice is another great pick with hundreds of glowing reviews. Containing a highly concentrated form of 15 per cent vitamin C, skin-stabilising antioxidants including vitamin E and ferulic acid, and skin-smoothing peptides, it aims to improve uneven skin tones, brighten dull complexion and ward off environmental damage.
A five-star reviewer said that if you’re patient enough to wait for the results, you’ll absolutely be rewarded: “Wonderful! Skin is brighter, former, texture is even and soft. Absolutely in my top three favourite skincare products along with retinol and sunscreen. I recommend you give this product some time before making a decision or writing a review. L-ascorbic acid serums take at least two months for you to get full benefits from it, until then it is quite normal to get some breakouts and irritation but stick through it! It’s worth it”.
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Biossance Squalane + vitamin C Dark Spot Serum, Sephora, $99
A targeted treatment to add brightness and address pigmentation, this Biossance serum features a unique white shiitake mushroom extract blended with a vitamin C derivative to help you achieve “quicker, more powerful, longer-lasting results”. It won’t just make your dark spots disappear quickly – it’ll stop new ones from forming, too.
A reviewer sung its praises highly, commenting, “Holy grail serum! I have been using this serum for about 3 weeks and noticed such an improvement! My dark spots are lighting and my skin is brighter. It has also improved my acne”.
BEST VITAMIN C SERUM FOR DRY SKIN
Elizabeth Arden vitamin C Ceramide Capsules Radiance Renewal Serum 30 Piece, THE ICONIC, $85
If you’re one of those people who are constantly unsure if they’re using the right amount of serum then this is the product for you. Elizabeth Arden’s vitamin C comes in 30 single use biodegradable capsules meaning you’ll always dispense the right amount of product. Each capsule contains high potency vitamin C to brighten skin as well as ceramides to stop moisture loss.
MCoBeauty Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid & vitamin C Face Serum, MCoBeauty, $35
This affordable serum has got everything you need for bright and hydrated skin. Ingredients include hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C rich kakadu plum as well as hibiscus extract for your best skin yet.
“A great serum, a little goes a long way with this stuff,” one five star review reads. “My skin feels so good after applying. It soaks in really nicely and makes my skin feel smooth and soft.”
Pro-Collagen Vitamin Serum, JS Health, $74.99
In case you missed it, JS Health don’t just sell supplements, they also create efficacious skincare. One of their most popular products is the Pro-Collagen Vitamin Serum.
The lightweight formulation is packed with all the ingredients you need to brighten and hydrate your skin. Vitamin C is used to fix uneven skin tone, while hyaluronic acid is included to hydrate and plump your complexion.
The Pro-Collagen Vitamin Serum is vegan, Australian made and suitable for all skin types.
WHO SHOULD USE A VITAMIN C SERUM?
There are vitamin C serums targeted at just about every skin concern, but according to Dr Ginni, “anyone concerned with skin ageing (fine lines, wrinkles, skin dullness), sun damage causing skin cancers or pigmentation would benefit from using vitamin C”.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE VITAMIN C SERUM TO WORK?
It can take a few weeks for your skin to process the change in your routine, so be patient.
“Epidermal turnover time is the time taken for the epidermis to replace itself. The epidermis turns over approximately every 48 days and the turnover time increases as we age,” explains Dr Ginni.
“For this reason it will take time to see effects. Plus giving vitamin C the entire job of correcting skin brightness, fine lines and wrinkles is a huge ask. We suggest combining it with niacinamide, vitamin A and Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) for best effects. We find our customers will have better FEELING skin within a week, but you will start to SEE changes in three weeks. Pigmentation takes much longer – usually months.”
CAN YOU USE VITAMIN C SERUM EVERYDAY?
Yes, you can use vitamin C serum everyday. “There is evidence from trials in using it once daily, especially in the morning where it works to prevent sun damage. There is no evidence for using it more often than that,” says Dr Ginni.
“As a serum, it is your thinnest product so would be applied straight after cleansing. Your SPF product should be applied last. Any other products you want to use will slot neatly between the two!”
While you’re here, check out our guide to the best anti-ageing facial creams for every stage of life. Plus, we found the best hyaluronic acids from affordable to high-end.
Then, don’t miss thenews.com.au Coupons page for all the best discounts on top brands including Sephora and Adore Beauty.
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