The Best Vitamin C Serums for Brighter, Healthier Skin

However, this is not a beginner serum. It’s powerful, and by the time I started using it, I had already been using other vitamin C serums for a year. It also has a distinct smell that isn’t exactly pleasant. Someone on Reddit said hotdogs, and while I don’t think it’s all that noticeable, it’s not exactly a relaxing, aromatic spa experience. Still, the smell disappears fast, and the results are worth it.

The dropper bottle is smaller than others on this list, but the price reflects that. And vitamin C serum oxidizes (aka goes bad) way quicker than other products like moisturizers so it’s best to buy a small amount and order more frequently. When I use this daily, I go through it in about two months, which is COSRX’s recommended time frame. If you’ve already worked your way through lower-strength serums and want to graduate to something stronger, this is one of the best ways to do it without spending a small fortune.

Best High-Strength Vitamin C Serum: NIOD Ethylated L-Ascorbic Acid 30% Network (ELAN)

NIOD—a high-end brand made by the same parent company as budget skin care line The Ordinary—takes a very scientific approach to skin care. This ELAN serum uses ethylated ascorbic acid, which is a more stable and less irritating form of vitamin C compared to traditional L-ascorbic acid. And it’s dosed pretty high—30 percent, making it one of the most concentrated serums you can buy. But because it is ethylated, it won’t have the same harsh effects as a pure l-ascorbic acid serum would have at this concentration.

What I like about this serum is that it doesn’t try to do too much by mixing in a bunch of other ingredients. NIOD recommends avoiding use with retinols (so if you’re going to use both in the evening, alternate days), but otherwise, it’s pretty easy to layer with the rest of your skin care products without worrying you’re overdoing it on ceramides or hyaluronic acid. I also like the texture: It feels richer and easier to absorb than other formulas.

Best Low-Strength Vitamin C Serum: CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum

If you’re new to vitamin C or just want something gentle and unfussy, CeraVe’s formula is about as solid as it gets. It contains 10% L-ascorbic acid plus hyaluronic acid for hydration and ceramides to support your skin barrier. It’s fragrance-free, allergy-tested, and developed with dermatologists, which makes it feel like a product you can trust even if your skin tends to react badly to anything new. And it’s so hydrating that when I apply it, my skin has a serious glow to it.

This is the serum I recommend to friends who are vitamin C curious but want something easy in their routine. It has a lightweight, lotion-like texture that disappears into skin without any stickiness. It’s also one I’d come back to when my skin is irritated and I need something soothing and effective. Bonus: it works well with the brand’s Vitamin C Eye Repair Cream (which has an even lower dose for the thin skin around the eyes) which I like for tackling the puffiness I always wake up with.

Best Vitamin C Serum for Dry Skin: Indie Lee Daily Vitamin Infusion Serum

If your skin leans dry and you don’t want to add another step to your routine, this serum hybrid is a great blend to get both brightening and hydration. Instead of using pure L-ascorbic acid, it gets its vitamin C content from botanical sources like rosehip and avocado oils. That makes it less effective (and not as researched backed), but also less irritating. It’s packed with squalane oil to hydrate, plus ceramides to help repair your skin barrier.

I reach for this when I want that dewy, glowy look without having to pile on multiple products. It’s definitely on the oilier side, so if you’re wearing it during the day, you’ll want to give it time to absorb before applying sunscreen or moisturizer (and heads up: it can pill under heavier SPF formulas). I wouldn’t use this if your main goal is to fade dark spots or acne scars quickly, but it’s excellent for hydration, subtle brightening, and giving your face a healthy-looking glow.

Best Vitamin C Serum for All Skin Types: Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid

If you’re done any research about vitamin C, you’ve probably come across SkinCeuticals—an $180 formula that is the point of debate between derms and skin care content creators. Timeless doesn’t have a ton of name recognition, but this serum rivals that cult-favorite at a fraction of the price. It uses the same power trio of ingredients (L-ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and ferulic acid) in a formula that feels light and disappears fast. The texture is thin—almost runny—so it’s easy to spread and layers nicely under other products. It’s suitable for all skin types, but if you’re sensitive, you may want to go with the 10% formula instead of the more potent 20%.

Since it’s made with pure l-ascorbic acid, Timeless recommends keeping it in the fridge and using it consistently once opened. That said, the brand reformulated the packaging a while back, and it now comes in an opaque pump bottle that helps block out light and air—both essential for keeping vitamin C effective.

Best Splurge Vitamin C Serum: Sunday Riley CEO 15% Vitamin C Serum

This creamy serum feels like one of the nicest to use: It’s similar to a light moisturizer, which feels a lot more luxurious and a lot less sticky. Sunday Riley’s formula uses tetrahexyldecyl (THD) ascorbate, a fat-soluble derivative of vitamin C that many dermatologists swear by because it’s more stable (aka it will last a lot longer on your shelf) and better tolerated by sensitive skin. This serum also includes glycolic acid which gently exfoliates, apparently enhancing the effects of the vitamin C.