The Best Vitamin C Products For Glowing Skin
Last Updated 21 June 2023, 11:30
"Vitamin C exerts an antioxidant effect on the skin when applied topically by neutralising free radicals generated by environmental aggressors, such as ultraviolet radiation and city pollution," explains London-based dermatologist, Dr Justine Kluk. "Further benefits of vitamin C include a reduction in collagen breakdown and regulation of pigmentation, leading to tighter, firmer skin and a brighter, more even skin tone."
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Contrary to popular belief, it pays to apply vitamin C in the daytime, as it’s a brilliant antioxidant. "As such, it makes good sense to take advantage of these benefits in the morning in order to boost the defence barrier provided by our sunscreens," explains Dr Kluk. "That said, oxidative damage doesn’t only occur during the day, and repair processes may also take place at night, so there is certainly no harm in using a vitamin C serum as part of your evening skincare routine too if desired."
But all that knowledge doesn't do us much good if we aren't sure of the best way to harness vitamin C's powers. Historically, the ingredient has been notoriously tricky to stabilise in topical products. It loses stability and potency when in contact with air, light, and water (the basis of most skincare products) — which makes it difficult to work into a product. The good news? Scientists and cosmetic chemists have been working to overcome these obstacles for years, and the latest vitamin C-based skincare is some of the best to market yet, including cold-pressing techniques which eschew typical heat methods used to extract ingredients and result in better stabilisation; powder and pearl encapsulation, also geared to help extend stability; time-released products; and concentrated formulas that shoot up into 30% potency.
Though there are several types of vitamin C found in product ingredient lists (including magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and ascorbyl palmitate to name a few), L-ascorbic acid trumps them all, according to a consultant dermatologist and author of The Skincare Bible: Your No-Nonsense Guide To Great Skin, Dr Anjali Mahto.
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With so much innovation hitting shelves, the future of your skin is looking very bright. Here are nine of the best vitamin C serums out there right now.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by us. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, we may earn a commission.
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Nip + Fab Vitamin C Fix Concentrate 15%, £24.95 £18.45
Nip + Fab have really amped things up, taking their bestselling vitamin C serum from 3% of the good stuff to a whopping 15%.
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Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum, £70
There’s a reason why this has cult status — and it isn’t just because it looks good in a #shelfie. 15% pure L-ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid and 1% vitamin E act like a shield against everything the environment flings at your face on a daily basis, while fruit extracts exfoliate dead, dull skin cells, contributing to an overall brighter, fresher complexion. At first, the finish is ever so slightly tacky, but it absorbs in next to no time and sits comfortably under moisturiser and makeup.
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Murad Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum, £82
Murad has paired stabilised vitamin C with glycolic acid, which quickly resurfaces and removes dead skin cells. This not only helps the skin look more radiant and glowy, but also helps the vitamin C penetrate more effectively.
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Sand & Sky Australian Glow Berries Dreamy Glow Drops, £38.95
3-O-Ethyl ascorbic acid vitamin C is enriched with Kakadu plum (which helps boost collagen) and hyaluronic acid complex (to hydrate skin and leave it looking plump and dewy), whilst jojoba, almond and olive oils lock all these active ingredients deep into the skin.
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The Ordinary 100% L-Ascorbic Acid Powder, £5.70
The Ordinary knows it’s no mean feat to stabilise vitamin C, which can break down and become useless when it comes into contact with air and water. The best way around it? Formulate a powder. Mix a pinch in with your daily serum or moisturiser (apart from products containing niacinamide, as this particular ingredient could affect vitamin C’s potency) and apply directly onto clean, dry skin. We noticed a difference in brightness and reduced dark spots in just a few weeks.
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Strivectin Super-C Retinol Brighten & Correct Vitamin C Serum, £62
A dynamic duo of vitamin C (best for brightening and protecting) and retinol (which unclogs and evens out both skin texture and tone) makes this serum a game-changer. Over time, skin appears smooth and glowing.
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Clinique Fresh Pressed™ 7-Day System With Pure Vitamin C, £20.80
Clinique’s booster, which can be mixed in with moisturiser or applied alone, harnesses pure vitamin C at 10% and works at lightning speed to dissipate hyperpigmentation left behind by acne and sun damage — something we can vouch for. It absorbs in seconds with no sticky residue and the airtight bottle means the formula remains potent until the very last drop.
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Lixirskin Vitamin C Paste, £35
With L-ascorbic acid, the more effective acid form of vitamin C, Lixirskin’s speedy, rinse-off vitamin C paste works its magic on the skin in just 15 minutes. It cuts through oxidised sebum (which can lead to blackheads) and prevents environmental aggressors, such as pollution particles, from embedding themselves in your pores. The result is brighter, firmer skin over time.
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SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum, £165 £119.99
This serum might be pricy, but there’s a reason why dermatologists always recommend it as part of a daily skincare routine. With antioxidant vitamins C and E, it unleashes a double-pronged attack on free radicals like pollution and UV, mopping them up before they can cause any damage, which is characterised by fine lines, dullness and pigmentation. It’s hydrating enough to be used alone and makes slack skin bouncy thanks to its collagen-boosting properties.
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Garden of Wisdom Vitamin C Serum 23% + Ferulic Acid, £10
Don’t let the humble price tag fool you. Just like The Ordinary and The Inkey List, Garden of Wisdom serves up straight-talking, results-driven skincare, and this vitamin C serum (which boasts 23% pure L-ascorbic acid plus an extra dose of antioxidant ferulic acid) is one of the most effective products in the range, especially when it comes to keeping pigmentation at bay. It’s silky, not greasy, and the airless pump keeps the formula powerful.
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Sunday Riley's C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum, £70
Dark spots and fine lines don’t stand a chance against a daily slathering of this stuff. The formula boasts 15% THD ascorbate, an oil-soluble vitamin C derivative, which converts to L-ascorbic acid as soon as it touches the skin. The benefit? It’s much more stable than other forms of vitamin C, which can be prone to oxidising, becoming essentially defunct.
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Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate, £62 £55.80
We love how this serum leaves our skin bright, clear and plump and it’s all thanks to a dream team of hydrating hyaluronic acid and, of course, vitamin C. Three pumps on cleansed, toned skin every morning is ample.
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The Hero Project Vit C-30 Ultra Brightening Serum, £39
Forget what you’ve heard about dropper bottles and vitamin C — this serum packs a punch thanks to the 30% ethylated L-ascorbic acid, a stable form of the wonder ingredient. It has the ability to improve both skin tone and texture by fading dark spots and ironing away fine lines. Smooth two to three drops over cleansed skin or into your moisturiser for protection against the environment.
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