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Keep that sunkissed glow year-round with vitamin C serums that fight free radicals, soften wrinkles, and brighten your complexion naturally.
For a potent skincare product that truly packs a punch, look no further than the beauty industry’s holy grail: vitamin C serum. That’s right, the powerful antioxidant found in your morning cup of freshly squeezed orange juice is also widely touted for its anti-aging properties, from smoothing fine lines to brightening the skin’s complexion. But are vitamin C serums really that effective?
When it comes to the benefits of vitamin C, it would probably be easier to list out what it’s not good for. (In other words, there’s not a lot.) Vitamin C is a vital nutrient the body needs for the repair and maintenance of blood vessels, tissues, bones, and teeth, among others.
The antioxidant helps to protect the body’s cells against the effects of free radicals. Vitamin C is proven to help stimulate collagen production, the skin-nourishing savior that fights off fine lines and hydrates the skin.
Studies show that it helps to reduce melanin formation — lightening dark spots — and protect against sun damage. And it may also help treat melasma and rosacea flare-ups, skin conditions that cause dark spotting and redness to the skin, respectively.
Due to the fact that the body cannot produce it, vitamin C must be obtained through foods, such as berries, tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, spinach, and citrus fruits — or via oral supplements. And, when applied topically, vitamin C can be just as beneficial to the skin.
Studies show that topical vitamin C has a range of benefits, “from antiaging and antipigmentary to photoprotective,” according to a 2017 study published in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology.
“Vitamin C has a wide range of protective and anti-aging effects for the skin,” Annie Chiu, MD, founder and board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at The Derm Institute, told SELF. “Serums typically offer the highest concentrations of active vitamin C,” she continued. “And [they] tend to have better skin penetration compared to other vitamin C products, like creams and cleansers.” For maximum effectiveness, dermatologists recommend using serums that have a vitamin C concentration level of between 10 and 20 percent.
Vitamin C serums
Give your skin a little TLC with these clean beauty vitamin C serums.
Youth to the People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum
With a goal of being 100 percent biodegradable, this California-based clean skincare brand formulates its products using superfood ingredients that are optimal for skin health. For a vitamin C-packed serum, shop the 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum. Good for alleviating dark spots, puffiness, and wrinkles, the serum is suitable for most skin types, including normal, dry, oily, and combination skin. Vegan and cruelty-free, ingredients include yerba mate, guayusa, passion fruit, and dragon fruit.
Herbivore Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum
Natural and cruelty-free skincare that feels as good as it smells, Herbivore formulates its products without the use of synthetic ingredients, including dyes, fragrances, and parabens. The company uses sustainable packaging, including glass and paper, as well as recycled and recyclable plastic when necessary. For a potent skin brightening serum, shop the brand’s Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum, which features turmeric and arbutin, a bearberry plant extract that helps to target dark spots and minimize the look of pores.
Biossance Squalane + Vitamin Dark Spot Serum and Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil
For vegan and clean skincare that’s great for all skin types, shop Biossance. The California-based brand’s Squalene + Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum features a vitamin C complex of ten percent and white shiitake mushroom to help fade dark spots. Then visibly brighten, firm, and hydrate with this bestselling vitamin C face oil that blends gentle rose oil with potent vitamin C.
Ranavat Brightening Saffron Serum
Target dull skin and pesky acne and blemishes with Ranavat’s Brightening Saffron Serum. In addition to saffron, the lightweight serum features turmeric and licorice root to help soothe inflammation and reduce hyperpigmentation, respectively. Vegan, cruelty-free, and housed in recyclable packaging, it just may be your new fave beauty essential.
True Botanicals Vitamin C Booster
Certified vegan and cruelty-free, this San Francisco-based skincare company prioritizes sustainable and organic ingredients that are free from 6,500 toxic chemicals that are “known to harm human and environmental health.” Good for all skin types, the brand’s Vitamin C Booster is a powder that can be added to a water-based serum or moisturizer for added skin nourishment.
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Brightening Treatment Serum
This potent, visibly brightening serum reduces the appearance of dark spots using five forms of vitamin C, along with guava, and tranexamic and ferulic acids, resulting in glowing, even-toned skin. The encapsulated time-release vitamin C combines with guava and tranexamic acid to target dark spots and prevent new ones. Clinical results from a four-week study of 29 participants showed 100 percent found it gentle enough for daily use, 96 percent noticed brighter, more radiant skin and improved overall skin tone and texture, and 89 percent saw a reduction in post-acne marks.
Summer Fridays CC Me Vitamin C + Niacinamide Serum
This rich serum combines vitamin C and niacinamide to visibly brighten, improve skin tone and texture, and reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Suitable for normal, dry, combination, and oily skin, it addresses concerns such as dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven texture. Additionally, it features squalane to enhance hydration. In a four-week study with 32 participants aged 25 to 55, 97 percent reported their skin looked brighter and less dull, and 94 percent noted their skin appeared more even-toned, smoother, and more supple.
Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Dark Spot Serum Vitamin C Alternative
This brightening serum targets dark spots from sun, acne, or pregnancy, promoting an even skin tone and glow. Suitable for all skin types, it addresses dark spots, dullness, and uneven texture. Key ingredients include Patented Vine Sap Viniferine to reduce dark spots, olive squalane for hydration, and a biomimetic emulsifier to enhance brightening. Clinical studies show a 63 percent reduction in dark spots after one bottle, with 81 percent improvement on darker skin tones. After seven days, dark spots were 25 percent brighter, and Viniferine proved 62 times more effective than vitamin C.
The Ordinary
The Ordinary’s Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% is a lightweight, water-based serum celebrated for its brightening prowess. Featuring a highly stable form of vitamin C, this formulation targets dark spots and fine lines, making it a versatile choice for normal, dry, combination, and oily skin types. Its star ingredient, ascorbyl glucoside, is a water-soluble derivative of vitamin C that delivers enhanced radiance without irritation.
Free from sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and over a dozen other controversial ingredients, this vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free serum aligns with clean beauty principles. Designed for effortless layering, it offers a gentle yet effective solution for those seeking a more luminous complexion. And at under $15, it’s an absolute essential.
For more clean beauty essentials, click here for the Ethos guide to carbon-neutral skincare.
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