Vitamin C is one of the most loved ingredients in skincare, and for good reason. Known for its ability to brighten dull skin, fade dark spots, and smooth fine lines, it’s a true multitasker in the fight against ageing and environmental damage. This potent antioxidant also helps stimulate collagen production, leaving your skin looking more youthful and radiant.
While Vitamin C can be found in a variety of products, it’s most effective in serum form, where its concentrated formula can penetrate deeply and deliver visible results.
However, with so many options available—each claiming to be the best—it can be tough to decide which one is right for you.
To make things easier, we’ve rounded up the top Vitamin C serums on the market, offering something for every skin type and concern. Below we answer some common questions about Vitamin C in skincare with help from Dermal Therapist James Vivian, founder of the award-winning James Vivian clinic in Melbourne.
Best Vitamin C Serum
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is considered the gold standard for Vitamin C serums. Formulated with 15% L-ascorbic acid, it delivers potent antioxidant protection while being gentle on the skin.
The inclusion of Ferulic acid and Vitamin E enhances its stability and efficacy. With a pH-balanced formula, it’s suitable for all skin types, reducing redness and irritation. Highly endorsed by dermatologists and beauty editors, this serum promotes brighter, firmer, and more youthful-looking skin.
Best Affordable Vitamin C Serum
Advanced Clinicals, Vitamin C Serum
52ml
This serum combines Vitamin C, Ferulic Acid, and alpha hydroxy acids to brighten skin, reduce dark spots, and even out tone. Its hydrating, fast-absorbing formula may create a firmer, more radiant complexion. With 52ml of product, it offers a budget-friendly solution for revitalising dull skin and restoring a youthful glow.
The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%
The Ordinary’s Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% contains ascorbyl glucoside, a form of vitamin C. Though it’s not as potent as L-ascorbic acid, the vitamin C derivative ascorbyl glucoside is nothing to shrug at. Its water-soluble quality makes it a more stable alternative to L-ascorbic acid. The texture of the serum has a light, pleasant feel.
Best Vitamin C For Sensitive Skin
ALPHA-H Vitamin C With Grape Seed Serum
25ml
Alpha-H’s Vitamin C serum is a top choice for sensitive skin, blending ethyl ascorbic acid with soothing ingredients like liquorice extract, hyaluronic acid, and grape seed extract. This antioxidant-rich formula boosts radiance, enhances skin elasticity, and protects against oxidative damage. Hyaluronic acid locks in moisture, minimising irritation, while the lightweight, water-based serum absorbs quickly, leaving a velvety finish.
Tribe Skincare Brightening Vitamin C Serum
50ml
Perfect for sensitive skin types seeking a glow-boosting solution, the Brightening Serum from Tribe absorbs effortlessly with a lightweight, non-tacky formula and a subtle citrus scent. Vitamin C boosts radiance, reduces wrinkles, and lightens pigmentation, while Niacinamide evens skin tone and guards against sun damage.
Best For Hyperpigmentation
CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum
Formulated with 10% pure Vitamin C, this serum brightens and evens skin tone while providing antioxidant protection. It’s enriched with hydrating hyaluronic acid and ceramides to restore the skin’s natural barrier and improve texture. Gentle enough for daily use, it’s an excellent option for those seeking brighter, more youthful-looking skin without irritation.
Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum
(price at time of publish)
The Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum is an antioxidant-packed serum that brightens and smooths the appearance of the skin. Made with konjac root, ferulic acid, and hyaluronic acid, this vegan and cruelty-free serum is perfect for those looking for a more natural beauty routine.
Best Organic Vitamin C Serum
KORA Organics Noni Bright Vitamin C Serum
This certified organic serum blends Vitamin C with Noni extract, a superfruit rich in antioxidants, to brighten skin and reduce dark spots. Added ingredients like aloe vera and hyaluronic acid provide hydration and soothe the skin. Its lightweight, fast-absorbing formula helps improve radiance and even skin tone, making it ideal for daily use.
Best Korean Vitamin C Serum
Goodal Green Tangerine Vita-C Dark Spot Care Serum
40ml
Price at time of publish 22.09.24
Infused with 70% green tangerine extract, it’s rich in natural Vitamin C to brighten skin and reduce dark spots. Its gentle, non-irritating formula makes it ideal for sensitive skin, while added niacinamide boosts radiance and improves texture. Lightweight and fast-absorbing, this serum delivers noticeable results in evening skin tone and diminishing pigmentation, offering a natural glow without harsh ingredients.
Best Australian Made Vitamin C Serum
Go To Skincare Much Brighter Skin
30ml
This gentle yet effective serum from Go-To Skincare brightens and evens skin tone, targeting dullness and pigmentation. Formulated with 10% sodium ascorbyl phosphate, it provides antioxidant protection while soothing the skin with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. The lightweight texture absorbs quickly, leaving skin hydrated, radiant, and smooth.
A Guide to Vitamin C in Skincare
What is vitamin C?
Ascorbic acid or vitamin C is a powerful, acidic antioxidant that stimulates the skin to regenerate and heal itself. It fades hyperpigmentation and soothes inflammation. It also defends the skin from harmful free radicals and boosts collagen.
You’ll often see this power ingredient infused in serums, moisturisers, cleansers and even in powder form. It’s adaptable enough to be worked into different formulas and concentrations. The most effective topical form of vitamin C, though, is called L-Ascorbic acid.
What does Vitamin C do for your skin?
According to James Vivian, founder of the award-winning James Vivian clinic in Melbourne, “Vitamin C is adored for its instant brightening effects on the skin, its ability to provide antioxidant protection, and its positive lightening effects on certain types of hyperpigmentation.”
Who should use Vitamin C?
“Vitamin C is generally well tolerated by most skin types for daytime use,” says Vivian, noting that those with sensitive or breakout-prone skin may experience irritation.
“Some people may be sensitive to Vitamin C and should avoid it. Breakout-prone skin doesn’t always love Vitamin C, though there’s no specific evidence why. Often when you subtract it from a routine, clearer skin can follow.”
What to look for in a Vitamin C serum?
When searching for the perfect Vitamin C serum, Vivian recommends looking for formulations that pair Vitamin C with other antioxidant ingredients like Vitamin E, Ferulic Acid, and Resveratrol. These ingredients enhance Vitamin C’s protective properties and improve overall effectiveness.
“There are many different forms of Vitamin C used in formulations today,” he adds, “but some, like L-Ascorbic Acid, have more evidence supporting their efficacy. Ultimately, it’s about finding a strength and consistency that you and your skin loves using daily.”
Ultimately, it’s about finding a strength and consistency that you and your skin loves using daily.
James Vivian recommends the Vitamin C Serum from Viviology. Formulated with 15% L-Ascorbic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Kakadu Plum extract and Vitamin E the cruelty-free and vegan serum protects skin and promotes a bright and glowing complexion.
$59.00 at Adore Beauty
When should I use Vitamin C in my routine?
To maximise its benefits, Vivian suggests using Vitamin C serums every morning: “Apply it when exposed to free-radical damage to protect the skin and achieve a lovely, glowing complexion.”
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