23 best vitamin C serums 2023 for serious glow and radiance, according to our beauty editors
The best vitamin C serums are the backbone of any good skincare routine. Stat. Vitamin C is an incredibly potent ingredient that can not only aid in skin brightening but minimise inflammation, dryness, the appearance of dark spots caused by sun damage, hyperpigmentation and fine lines. Oh, and it has antioxidant properties that make it effective for fighting the effects of pollution and other environmental aggressors that your delicate skin has to face every single day.
Basically: there’s very good reason why vitamin C is among the most searched-for skincare ingredients of all time – and while you can get your fill of vitamin C through skincare products like moisturisers and toners, dermatology experts agree that vitamin C serums reign supreme as the most effective.
Of course, there are several types of vitamin C – from tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbyl to ascorbyl glucoside – and many vitamin C face serums also contain a mix of other helpful ingredients such as vitamin E, glycerin, aloe vera, hyaluronic acid and retinol. It can be a tad confusing. But fret not: below is everything you need to know, plus an edit of tried and tested vitamin C serums by the likes of La Roche-Posay, Drunk Elephant, L'Oreal and The Inkey List. Brighter skin, incoming.
Can I use vitamin C serum every day? | Who should not use vitamin C serum? | Which vitamin C serum is best? | Our full reviews.
Best vitamin C serums at a glance:
- Best vitamin C serum overall: Medik8 C-Tetra Serum, £39, Medik8
- Best vitamin C serum (runner-up): Violet-C Brightening Serum, WAS £86 NOW £68.80, Tatcha
- Best for dark spots: Biossance Squalane and Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum, £50, Cult Beauty
- Best for brightening: Murad Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum, £82, LookFantastic
- Best with lactic acid: Dr. Dennis Gross Vitamin C + Lactic 15% Vitamin C Firm & Bright Serum, £88, Space NK
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And no, it's not as gimmicky as it sounds.
Can I use vitamin C serum everyday?
Yes, you can. In fact, it's advised. When you use vitamin C products on a daily basis, you can expect to see a brightening of your skin texture and a reduction in acne scars. Skin looks glowy, dark circles appear reduced and your complexion will be protected from pollution. Just make sure you select the best formulation for your skin type (more on that below).
As for where the vitamin C serums fit into your existing skincare regime? You'll want to apply it after cleansing to clean and dry skin, in the morning and at night (or just in the morning, depending on the form of vitamin C and potency you choose). Follow your vitamin C serum with your favourite moisturiser and face sunscreen or SPF during the day, and a night cream in the evening. This will seal the serum and hydrate your complexion further.
Who should not use vitamin C serum?
There are a few skin types which might wish to steer clear. Case in point: those with rosacea. Using a vitamin C serum may cause unwanted irritation and breakouts.
Which vitamin C serum is the best?
Though - in theory - most people can introduce a vitamin C serum for face to their routine, there are a few things to consider when it comes to shopping for them.
Vitamin C is available in a number of concentrations, from 5% through to 30%, and it depends on your skin type as to the potency you should go for. Generally speaking, we'd recommend products that contain between 10-15% potency as being the most universal.
Vitamin C is highly effective in its pure form, but it's notoriously unstable due to the fact that it can reduce in effectiveness with exposure to oxygen, light, water and high pH. This makes it hard to formulate. With that in mind, while it is a hero ingredient, its properties are difficult to stabilise — so if you can, opt for something a little more expensive and something housed in a darker bottle (they'll block light so it doesn’t oxidize and keep your product working well for longer).
Consider your skin type, too. If you have oily skin, look for "ascorbic acid" on the label. If you have dry skin, look for vitamin C serums which also include moisturising ingredients like (everyone's favourite) hyaluronic acid. If you have acne-prone skin, salicylic acid is tough on blemishes. Make a beeline for the La Roche Posay Pure Vitamin C Serum.
Scroll down for our full edit of the very best vitamin C serums to brighten your skin…
The answer to your skincare prayers.
After more skincare content? Head this way for the best moisturiser for dry skin, best moisturiser for combination skin and the best moisturiser for oily skin. We've also got the best face masks, best eye cream, anti-ageing creams, night creams, gradual tanner, sun cream, hyaluronic acid serums, best cleansers and the best moisturisers and lotions.
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Best vitamin C serum overall (our top pick)
Medik8 C-Tetra Serum, £39, Medik8
Why we love it: This potent vitamin C serum has a formulation that's designed to penetrate your skin deeply to minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while also shielding it against pollution and other environmental aggressors. Plus, it's cruelty-free, vegan-friendly and free from artificial fragrances.
If you're looking for more power, check our Medik8's C-Tetra Luxe, with double the concentration of vitamin C for supercharged results.
- Courtesy of brand
Best vitamin C serum (runner-up)
Violet-C Brightening Serum, WAS £86 NOW £68.80, Tatcha
Why we love it: Suitable for all skin types, this silky smooth vitamin C serum from Meghan Markle-approved skincare brand Tatcha is a dream to apply. Promising brighter skin and a more youthful glow, it has been formulated with two (!) types of pure vitamin C stabilised by Japanese beautyberry. One is a fast-acting vitamin C derivative which absorbs quickly to fight premature aging and support surface cell turnover to plump the skin, and the other, a long-lasting vitamin C derivative which helps minimise attack from free radicals. Alongside these good-for-skin ingredients, it contains 10% mild fruit AHAs from apple, grapefruit, orange, lemon, lime, hawthorn, and jujube which work together to resurface uneven, dull and dry skin, and Japanese Angelica Root which helps reduce the appearance of dark spots, discolouration, and post-acne scars. We applied one-two pumps to cleansed skin in the morning, followed by moisturiser and spf.
**Right now, you can shop everything on the Tatcha site with 20% off in the rare Friends & Family Tatcha sale. Simply use the code FRIEND23 at checkout. **
Best vitamin C serum with squalane
Biossance Squalane and Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum, £50, Cult Beauty
Why we love it: This 10% vitamin C solution is made to brighten and fade dark spots on your skin. It also features squalane derived from sugarcane to help hydrate your skin and deliver the benefits of vitamin C without drying it out. Perfect for improving uneven skin tones.
Enjoy savings when you shop for the best vitamin C serums with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Best vitamin C serum for gentle exfoliation
Murad Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum, £82, LookFantastic
Why we love it: This powerhouse of a vitamin C serum contains glycolic acid, which boosts cell turnover and banishes the skin of dead skin cells. This results in the ultimate glow – alongside reduced pore appearance and all-round brighter skin served up by the vitamin C itself.
Save when you shop for the best vitamin C serums with these LookFantastic discount codes.
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Best vitamin C serum with lactic acid
Dr. Dennis Gross Vitamin C + Lactic 15% Vitamin C Firm & Bright Serum, £88, Space NK
Why we love it: This powerful gel vitamin C serum can be applied daily, containing both vitamin C and collagen amino acids to support skin repair and collagen production. Perfect for age-damaged or dull skin, it has been formulated in conjunction with acclaimed dermatologist Dr Dennis Gross to strengthen skin’s natural defences against the elements. You should use it on the face and neck, one daily.
Save when you shop for the best vitamin C serums with these Space NK discount codes.
Best vitamin C serum with niacinamide
Why we love it: With a potent mix of vitamin C, niacinamide and salicylic acid, this non-oily and non-sticky serum is perfect for reducing the appearance of dark spots. It's suitable for all skin types and skin tones too.
Save when you shop for the best vitamin C serums with these Boots discount codes.
Best hydrating vitamin C serum
L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Clinical 12% Pure Vitamin C Serum, £29.99, LookFantastic
Why we love it: Infused with salicylic acid, vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, this effective, antioxidant-rich serum provides great hydration and protection. One of the best options out there if your goal is to plump your skin and brighten its appearance all at once.
Save when you shop for the best vitamin C serums with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best Vitamin C serum for daily use
Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Day Serum, £67, Boots
Why we love it: Looking for an effective vitamin C serum that's free of essential oils, silicones and fragrances? No need to look any further, because this vitamin C serum is great for everyday use. It features a wide range of antioxidants and fruit enzymes, including chronocycline and vitamin E to dissolve dead skin cells while also soothing and hydrating your skin. Yes, it's that good…
Save when you shop for the best vitamin C serums with these Boots discount codes.
Best vitamin C serum for acne-prone skin
Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum, £22, Space NK
Why we love it: Firming and hydrating your complexion has never been easier. Made with L-ascorbic acid, a bioactive fruit blend and sodium ascorbyl phosphate, this potent product is suitable for almost all skin types, including sensitive, dry and acne-prone skin.
Save when you shop for the best vitamin C serums with these Space NK discount codes.
Best vitamin C serum for sensitive skin
La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C 10 Serum 30ml, £45, LookFantastic
Why we love it: Best used once in the morning – over your face and neck – this pure vitamin C serum has a lightweight, non-greasy texture. It can be used on all skin types, even sensitive skin, and it helps correct signs of ageing while evening skin tone, brightening complexion and softening the skin. Alongside vitamin C, it contains hyaluronic acid which effectively hydrates and plumps the skin, as well as salicylic avid (for exfoliation) and thermal spa water (which contains an exceptional mineral diversity to help restore skin’s barrier, soothe sensitivity and fend off pro-ageing free radical attacks).
Save when you shop for the best vitamin C serums with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best vitamin C serum for taming your T-zone
Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum, £70, Cult Beauty
Why we love it: An absolute dream to apply, Sunday Riley's C.E.O Rapid Flash Brightening Serum is super-charged with vitamin C to target signs of ageing, dullness, dehydration, fine lines and hyperpigmentation. We also found it to reduce the size of pores over time, so if large pores around your T-zone is something you struggle with, this could be the vitamin C serum for you.
Save when you shop for the best vitamin C serums with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Best vitamin C serum for pigmentation
C15 Super Booster, WAS £52 NOW £44.20, Paula's Choice
Why we love it: Formulated with the main aim of diminishing the appearance of dark spots and discolouration in mind, this potent C15 Super Booster diminishes visible signs of ageing for smoother, brighter, and firmer-feeling skin. It contains a blend of 15% stabilised vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid) at a pH of 3.0, plus potent antioxidants including vitamin E and ferulic acid – and not forgetting the skin-smoothing peptides.
Best vitamin C serum under £10
Q+A Vitamin C Brightening Facial Serum 30ml, £9, Sephora
Why we love it: The potent vitamin C in this serum works to brighten and even skin tone, boost collagen production and minimise signs of ageing, and volcanic ash encapsulates the vitamin C to make for a highly stable serum with long-lasting benefits. You'll also benefit from hyaluronic acid which hydrates the skin and improves its ability to retain moisture.
Get your hands on the best vitamin C serums at a lower price using these Sephora discount codes.
Best lightweight vitamin C serum
Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Antioxidant Vitamin C Serum for Normal/Dry Skin 30ml, £165, LookFantastic
Why we love it: Delivering an impressively high concentration of its active ingredients to your skin, it includes a 15% L-ascorbic acid content and has a high pH (which, in comparison to its low-pH counterparts, means it can deliver vitamin C through the top layer of your skin without causing redness and irritation). It's water soluble, feels lightweight under application and sits nicely under foundation or concealer. What's more, vitamin C has been paired with vitamin E and ferulic acid which work to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Save when you shop for the best vitamin C serums with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best vitamin C serum for minimising pores
Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum, £70, Cult Beauty
Why we love it: An absolute dream to apply, Sunday Riley's C.E.O Rapid Flash Brightening Serum is super-charged with vitamin C to target signs of ageing, dullness, dehydration, fine lines and hyperpigmentation. We also found it to reduce the size of pores over time, so if large pores around your T-zone is something you struggle with, this could be the vitamin C serum for you.
Save when you shop for the best vitamin C serums with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Best brightening vitamin C serum
SUPERDOSE™ C C- Suite Rapid Action Power Brightener, £100, Beauty Pie
Why we love it: Suitable for all skin types, this Rapid Action Power Brightener vitamin C serum has been formulated in Switzerland to target dull, uneven or UV-damaged skin. It uses actives Ferulic Acid and Tranexamic Acid in high concentrations (which does give the serum a potent smell – but fret not), and it can be used under moisturiser or face sun cream. One of the best beauty products you can buy, period.
Save when you shop for the best vitamin C serums with these Beauty Pie discount codes.
Best vitamin C serum with retinol
Kate Somerville Retinol+ Vita C Power Serum 30ml, £94, Sephora
Why we love it: Uniquely formulated to stabilise the powerhouse ingredients that are Vitamin C and Retinol, Kate Somerville's Power Serum aims to visibly brighten, firm and tone the skin – while also reducing the appearance of fine lines and ageing. It's silky and weightless in texture, and gives your skin a “power nap” refresh.
Side note: this product contains retinol which, since it's so effective, should only be used in one product on any given day. Apply on alternate evenings and no more than four times per week.
Get your hands on the best vitamin C serums at a lower price using these Sephora discount codes.
Best antioxidant-rich vitamin C serum
Alpha-H Vitamin C Serum with 10% Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, £49.99, Cult Beauty
Why we love it: Looking for a way to deal with skin dullness and hyperpigmentation? Say no more. This lightweight vitamin C serum contains 10% ethyl ascorbic acid, which helps even out your skin tone while also strengthening and protecting it against free radical damage. It even contains helpful, soothing ingredients such as liquorice extract, tazman pepper and grape seed oil.
Enjoy savings when you shop for the best vitamin C serums with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Best vitamin C serum for from Amazon
TruSkin Vitamin C Serum for Face, WAS £21.97 NOW £19.99, Amazon
Why we love it: One of the more affordable vitamin C serums in this edit but one with a plethora of five-star reviews, the TruSkin vitamin C serum for face blends Hyaluronic Acid with Vitamin E, Witch Hazel and Jojoba Oil to promote your skin's response to signs of ageing like brightness, wrinkles and dark spots.
Save when you shop for the best vitamin C serums with these Amazon discount codes.
Best vitamin C serum with hyaluronic acid
CeraVe Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid, WAS £35.99 NOW £34.97, Amazon
Why we love it: Though the CeraVe vitamin C serum is only usually available on the US CeraVe website, we've tracked it down on Amazon UK – and fans are flocking to get their hands on it. Claiming to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots when used regularly over time, it's formulated with 10% pure Vitamin C L-absorbic acid. It also contains three essential ceramides to help restore your skin barrier, plus vitamin B5 to improve hydration and hyaluronic acid – which is basically a big glass of water for your face. We also rate the fact that it comes in protective packaging to prevent oxidisation.
Save when you shop for the best vitamin C serums with these Amazon promo codes.
Best vitamin C serum with a water-based formula
Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%, £12.70, The Ordinary
Why we love it: A vitamin C serum with a gentle, lightweight water-based formula? Where do we sign up? Packed with advanced antioxidant properties, it uses a less direct form of vitamin C derivative that's water-soluble and leaves you with a more radiant complexion.
Best affordable vitamin C serum
Simple Booster Serum 10% Vitamin C+E+F 30 ML, WAS £8 NOW £5.33, Boots
Why we love it: Brightening and firming, Simple's Vitamin C serum (which stands as their first foray into the world of facial serums) is proven to achieve instant visible results through a total of 10% active ingredients. Think: increased brightness, a reduction of fine lines and protection against environmental aggressors. This serum also contains nourishing Vitamin E and Vitamin F to moisturise, protect and strengthen skin.
You can save more when you shop for the best vitamin C serums with these Boots discount codes.
Best vegan vitamin C serum
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Dullness Vitamin C Serum, WAS £21 NOW £14.70, Skin City
Why we love it: Formulated with 15% pure vitamin C, this hugely popular vegan vitamin C serum works to boost radiance and protect your complexion from external aggressors. It contains vitamin E to hydrate the skin and it has a cruelty-free formula to boot.
