The best vitamin C serums that will give you glowing results

While we may never find the fountain of youth, a good vitamin C serum can certainly have you looking younger and feeling fresher. For many, it’s a much-needed part of your beauty routine. Our editors have put together a shoppable list of serums that promise to give you brighter, tighter skin, as well as improve the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots and acne.

Whether you prefer water or oil-based formulas — or have combination or oily skin — there is something in this roundup for everyone. Plus, our list has a range of prices that will fit just about any budget.

Read more: Shop editor-approved eye creams for wrinkles

Shop the best vitamin C facial serums

Best serum for sensitive skin

La Roche-Posay 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum

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$44.99 at La Roche-Posay

Best serum for wrinkles

RoC Skincare Multi Correxion Revive And Glow Daily Serum

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$32.99 at RoC Skincare

Best for environment damage

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic with 15% L-Ascorbic Acid

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$182 at SkinCeuticals

Best for vitamin C boost

Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster

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$55 at Paula’s Choice

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Best serum for sensitive skin

La Roche-Posay 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum

$44.99

$44.99 at La Roche-Posay

Pros & Cons

• Good for sensitive skin

• Not sticky

• Keeps skin hydrated

• Not fragrance-free

• Only 10% vitamin C

If you have sensitive skin, but still want a dewy, brighter look, La Roche-Posay’s vitamin C serum could be the best vitamin C serum for you. It combines 10% pure vitamin C, salicylic acid and neurosensine, which fits all skin types. This combination of ingredients is specifically formulated to give you results, without irritating the skin, making it suitable for sensitive skin.. It’s been allergy-tested and the salicylic acid makes it good for those prone to acne. 

The fragrant serum will leave skin feeling tighter and looking more radiant, as well as making skin softer and more hydrated. You’re likely to see fewer wrinkles and a more even skin tone and texture with consistent use. An eight-week consumer test reported that 87% of consumers said it didn’t leave their skin sticky.

Best serum for wrinkles

RoC Skincare Multi Correxion Revive And Glow Daily Serum

$32.99

$32.99 at RoC Skincare

Pros & Cons

• Instantly brighter, tighter skin

• Lightweight

• Reduces wrinkles after four weeks

• Doesn’t include SPF

• Need additional moisturizer

RoC’s vitamin C serum is proven to reduce wrinkles as well as brighten, tighten and even out your skin tone better than the #1 luxury brand. In just a week, 94% of users in a clinical study reported better elasticity and brighter skin. After four weeks, 100% reported fewer wrinkles and brighter and tighter skin. It’s also been dermatologist tested so you can trust the results.

The serum is lightweight, so you can use it on your face and neck every morning and night. It’s suggested that you add on a moisturizer and SPF to get more hydration and better protect your skin. It also has a lower concentration of vitamin C, making it better suited for sensitive skin.

Best for environment damage

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic with 15% L-Ascorbic Acid

$182

$182 at SkinCeuticals

Pros & Cons

• Corrects environmental damage

• Great for all skin types

• Long-lasting

• High price

• Can oxidize quickly if not stored properly

SkinCeutical’s vitamin C serum may have the highest price on our list, but we can guarantee you’ll get your money’s worth. Its patented formula not only brightens your skin and reduces fine lines and wrinkles, but it also corrects environmental damage. The serum can reduce combined oxidative damage generated by UVA/UVB rays, ozone pollution and diesel engine exhaust by up to 41%.

It is also paraben-free and good for all skin types, though it has a slightly higher concentration of pure vitamin C at 15%. Plus, once applied and absorbed, the vitamin C keeps working for at least 72 hours. The serum is basically everything you need in one small bottle that can travel in your carry-on. However, be sure to store it properly (at room temperature and away from direct sunlight), as some reviewers have said it oxidizes quickly.

Best for vitamin C boost

Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster

$55

$55 at Paula’s Choice

Pros & Cons

• Lightweight

• Concentrated boost of vitamin C

• Absorbs quickly

• Not for sensitive skin

• Can stain

Paula’s Choice vitamin C serum has a higher, concentrated boost of 15% pure vitamin C which will pack more punch. You’ll get more radiant skin with an assortment of skin-stabilizing ingredients, such as vitamin e and ferulic acid that will also smooth out your skin tone. In just four weeks of using it once daily, you should see an improvement in dullness and discoloration.

It’s a featherlight water-based serum that will absorb quickly into the skin and can be used on its own or added to your skincare routine with another moisturizer. However, not all skin types can take the higher boost of vitamin C, so it might not be good for more sensitive skin. Also, be careful to avoid dropping it on your clothing as it can stain.

Best for instant brightening

Sunday Riley CEO 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum

$85

$85 at Sunday Riley

Pros & Cons

• Works quickly

• Reduces dark spots

• Reduces pores

• Not fragrance-free

• Higher price point

This fast-acting vitamin C serum from Sunday Riley will make your skin look brighter as soon as you start using it. It uses an ultra-powerful form of vitamin C called THD ascorbate. This absorbs quickly into the skin with visible benefits such as reducing fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots and dullness. You’ll start looking younger faster and it even reduces the appearance of pores.

It has a hydrating antioxidant formula that is sulfate-free, paraben-free, gluten-free, phthalate-free, and vegetarian. It also has a light citrus smell for a bit of zest in the morning. This serum is oil-based and recommended for use in the morning and at night.

Best budget serum

The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%

$7.80

$7.80 at The Ordinary

Pros & Cons

• Low price

• High vitamin C dose

• Water-free formula

• Grainy texture

• Takes longer to absorb

If you are looking for something on a budget and don’t like water-based serums, then you’ll want to try out this vitamin C serum by The Ordinary. The lowest-priced serum on our list, it combines direct vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to brighten and balance uneven skin tone. It also has the highest dose of vitamin C on our list with 23%.

It is a water-free formula that is good for all skin types, though it can irritate more sensitive skin. There is a slightly grainy texture due to the vitamin C powder, so you may take a bit longer to feel fully absorbed into the skin. You can also dilute it in a cream base to help your skin build tolerance.

Best serum for moisture

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Vitamin-C Day Serum

$78

$78 at Sephora

Pros & Cons

• Improves fine lines

• Protects against UV-generated free radicals

• Maintains moisture levels

• Can absorb too quickly

• You have to mix it before use

Drunk Elephant’s serum has a higher dose of vitamin C at 15%, along with L-ascorbic acid, which improves fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. It also contains ferulic acid, which protects against UV-generated free radicals, and vitamin e, which maintains moisture levels and soothes irritation.

This formula is good for all skin types and lightweight. It better protects your skin when used under sunscreen during the day. You do have to mix it before your first use to maximize the potency and keep it fresh but it also absorbs super quick.

Things to remember while shopping for vitamin C serums

While a vitamin C serum is recommended for pretty much everyone to help brighten skin and its anti-aging benefits, it can be hard to choose just the right one. Here are a few pointers to consider while you shop.

• Concentration: The recommended concentration for vitamin C is between 10% and 20% for most skin types. However, if you have sensitive skin, it’s better to start with a lower concentration and work up, since it could irritate your skin. 

• Packaging: Vitamin c is notoriously unstable and becomes ineffective after exposure to sunlight, heat, oxygen and water. An opaque bottle is better than clear, and you’ll want to keep it in a cool, dry and dark place so it lasts longer.

• Hydration: While a good portion of vitamin C serums come with extra hydration, some don’t. If you have more mature skin - which needs more moisture - or dry skin, you’ll want to check those levels.

Our verdict

While all of the serums on our list are great and sure to improve your skin, here are our top two picks.

• RoC Skincare Multi Correxion Revive And Glow Daily Serum: This serum packs in a lot of benefits without breaking the bank. Plus, with clinical study results like that, you’re sure to see the benefits in your skin.

• SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic with 15% L-Ascorbic Acid: While it is the highest-priced serum on the list, what you get in return makes it well-worth the cost. Additionally, it is the longest-lasting serum on the list, meaning you can use less per application and it should last longer if stored correctly.

Prices updated on 09/27/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.