15 Vitamin C Serums You Need For Guaranteed Glowy Skin This Winter
Along with retinol and sunscreen, vitamin C is one of the three most important ingredients you'll hear dermatologists preach sermons about. Not just an essential supplement to boost your immune system as we transition into winter, a vitamin C serum can help protect your skin from external aggressors, boost brightness and luminosity, and support collagen production.
Here, we've broken down everything you need to know about the powerful antioxidant and why vitamin C should be a key part of your routine if it's not already. Plus, keep scrolling to discover the best ELLE approved vitamin C serums on the market right now from our notoriously hard-to-please beauty editors.
What does a vitamin C serum do?
'Vitamin C is a staple for so many skin concerns,' explains facialist Abigail James. 'It's an antioxidant, which means it can protect against free radical damage – which is caused by things including pollution, the sun, smoking and stress. It's an amazing skin brightener, too, and it can give you a glow as well as helping to reduce the appearance of pigmentation.'
But that's not all: vitamin C is also a magic wrinkle fighting ingredient thanks to the fact that it boosts the body's production of collagen (levels of which deplete as we age) and helps to firm the skin.
'If you don't have vitamin C in your routine, you're not looking after your collagen,' explains skincare expert Dr Sam Bunting. 'Collagen is one of the most important molecules in our body because it represents a third of our total body protein and it's the most abundant protein in our dermis, which is the thicker layer of our skin,' she says. 'It turns out that vitamin C is essential for healthy collagen assembly, making it a great way to keep skin looking youthful, vibrant and healthy.'
Finally, it works to reduce inflammation and improve your complexion. Or as dermatologist Dr Joanna Gach puts it, 'vitamin C peels the superficial layers of the epidermis, giving a fresher and brighter look to the skin as well as strengthening the collagen fibres.'
What should you look for in your vitamin C serum?
'How effective it's really going to be is all about how it's formulated,' says James. 'Vitamin C is unstable and will rapidly degenerate when exposed to oxygen, so you might have a product that claims to have a high percentage, however if the packaging design is a dropper or pot – which allows the solution to be exposed to the air regularly – then it's going to gradually get more and more ineffective.'
The key is to look for the type of vitamin C being used. 'L-ascorbic acid or ascorbic acid is more stable than others and will maintain its strength longer.'
When should vitamin C be applied?
The great thing about vitamin C is that it can be used both morning and night. However, we would recommend that you use it in the morning after cleansing and before applying SPF. That way skin will really reap the most rewards as you'll benefit from the antioxidant properties, and it'll boost the efficacy of the sunscreen you're wearing, too.
Which ingredients work well with vitamin C?
As you probably know, there are certain ingredients that thrive in each other's company and others that can throw a carefully curated routine off balance.
When it comes to vitamin C, this antioxidant works well with a multitude of other ingredients. Hyaluronic acid, ferulic acid, vitamin E and azelaic acid are a match made in heaven for this active ingredient, but you'll need to proceed with caution if you are using retinol and vitamin C in tandem (it doesn't mean it's off limits: simply use vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night).
How We Test Vitamin C Serums
We've tested the best vitamin C serums on various skin types to ensure there's a formula to suit every need, budget and preference. We've also tested a number of different vitamin C serums recommended by dermatologists for more sensitive-prone skin as well as a wide spectrum of bottles running the gamut of affordable and no frills to luxurious and shiny, and we always ensure we use the product for a number of weeks in the recommended dosage.
Keep reading to discover the best vitamin C serums for 2024...
CeraVe Skin Renewing 10 Pure Vitamin C Serum
First came the skin barrier-boosting cleansers, then the irritation-free retinol, now cult US import CeraVe has answered our skincare woes once again with a shiny-new vitamin C serum. As to what sets it apart? Naturally, it's the complex of ingredients: 10% vitamin C in its most potent form, L ascorbic acid, along with ceramides and hydrating hyaluronic acid, to ensure both brightening and skin nourishing results.
15% Vitamin C And EGF Serum
It's safe to say that a lot of vitamin C serums sit at the more expensive end of the spectrum, but The Inkey List is a brand we can rely on for affordability and effectiveness, and this serum is no exception.
Formulated with a highly stable form of vitamin C, it promises a potent hit of antioxidants, while the EGF (epidermal growth factor) promotes collagen production – all for £15.
ReVive Skincare Brightening Vitamin C Serum
There is cutting-edge tech and science in spades, including the brand's signature Bio-Renewal Peptide, but if you're a sucker for an uber luxe product that looks the part on your shelfie and a sensorial experience to go with it, this vitamin C is a pure joy to use.
Suprême C Serum
Trust legendary MUA Westman Atelier to create a vitamin C serum that is simultaneously packed with innovation (a gel-meets-oil formula touted as the most potent form of vitamin C) and one that sits perfectly under your make-up, adding instant radiance and luminosity to tired-looking complexions.
£210.00 at net-a-porter.com.uk
Environmental Shield Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum
Combining the anti-ageing and antioxidant properties of vitamin C with the exfoliating properties of glycolic acid for maximum absorption, there's no denying that this Murad serum works quickly.
As well as having an immediate improvement in skin texture, the lightweight formula leaves skin hydrated without any sticky residue, making it easy to incorporate into a morning skincare regime.
Vitamin C Complex Serum
If you haven't heard of Naturium then it's time to get acquainted. An affordable brand with excellent formulations, this vitamin C serum seriously rivals similar products that cost double – sometimes triple – the price.
Using a potent vitamin C complex – made up of l-ascorbic acid, a bioactive fruit blend and sodium ascorbyl phosphate – it promises brighter, more radiant looking, healthier skin over time. It's vegan and cruelty-free, and best of all, it costs a little over £20.
Flawless Vitamin C NAD+ Serum
Powered by some of the buzziest ingredients in the beauty industry right now, from ferulic acid to ectoin and NAD+, this hardworking formula from everyone's favourite skin expert, Dr Sam Bunting, makes light work of brightening up tired-looking complexions. It's also lightweight, sits nicely under make-up and helps defend against pollution and blue light.
The Good C Vitamin C Serum
You'd be hard pressed to find a beauty editor that doesn't worship at the altar of this cult vitamin C serum by Dr Barbara Sturm. Not only is it a joy to use (lightweight and hydrating), it's loaded with ingredients to help support collagen production, fend against external aggressors and add a boost of moisture too.
Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate 12.5% Vitamin C
A powerful formulation that's suitable for sensitive skin types, this Kiehl's serum is formulated with a 12.5% blend of l-ascorbic acid and ascorbyl glucoside (two of the most stable forms of vitamin C). It helps plump and hydrate skin without causing unwanted flare-ups, and a little goes a long way.
Plus, we like that it layers well underneath other products, including moisturiser and foundation, without pilling.
Pure Vitamin C10 Serum
You can always rely on La Roche-Posay to formulate effective products suitable for even the most sensitive skin, and that's why we love its Pure Vitamin C10 serum.
Lightweight and non-sticky in texture, it's packed with pure vitamin C alongside hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid to help brighten and restore dull, pigmented skin.
Dream Vitamin C + Niacinamide Serum
Bubble is the new kid on the block and it's already making waves on social media. Its kind-to-skin formulations, fun packaging and excellent price point make it appealing in various ways.
We love that this lightweight serum combines vitamin C with niacinamide to help even out skin tone, reduce scarring and dark spots whilst providing skin with antioxidant protection. It also uses plant-derived ceramides to help protect the skin barrier and improve overall skin health.
10% Waterless Vitamin C Serum
This clever, oil-free vitamin C serum helps reduce the appearance of both dark spots and hyperpigmentation. It's formulated with 10% l-ascorbic acid and uses waterless technology which not only helps keeps it stable, but helps maximise its efficacy, too.
It absorbs into skin quickly and easily, and it won't ever feel tacky or sticky, either. Plus, staying true to Farmacy's ethos, this serum uses upcycled tangerine peel and sugar beet for its antioxidant-rich benefits.
Dynamic Resurfacing Super-C Serum
If you’re suffering from dull, uneven skin after the last long, cold winter, then this is the product for you. The ultra-concentrated formula is rich in skin-brightening actives (such as red clover extract, mullein extract and a Swiss Alpine blend) which, together with a highly stable vitamin C derivative, will leave skin looking dewy, radiant and ready for summer.
C15 Super Booster Vitamin C Brightening Serum
Whether applied directly or mixed into your daily moisturiser, we're big fans of the adaptability of this serum. It's formulated with a 15% stabilised concentration of vitamin C, alongside ferulic acid and peptides that work to smooth and brighten the skin.
Think of this serum as a pep-up shot that'll leave skin feeling firmer and looking brighter.
Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum
Ole Henriksen's Banana Bright serum combines vitamin C, exfoliating acids and banana powder-inspired pigments to instantly brighten and plump the skin, while hydrating with hyaluronic acid — a notorious moisture magnet.
This serum packs a real punch, and we love the citrus scent it has. It'll work to add instant glow, and over time skin will look brighter.
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