8 Best Dermatologist Recommended Vitamin C Serums of 2024

Vitamin C serum is a serum containing vitamin C that you can apply on your skin. This vitamin is vital for skin growth and repair. It helps with collagen production too.

Make up can cover blemishes but the best vitamin C serums can resolve what you’re trying to cover up in the first place! All it takes is a few drops once a day to lighten blemishes, hyper pigmentation, acne scars, the start of wrinkles, dull skin, etc.

Vitamin C serum has a wide array of benefits, and most of them are what we have been hoping for our skin. Even skin tone, blur fine lines, remove acne spots, and achieve a natural glow. Among all other skincare ingredients and products marketed these days, Vitamin C is simply the queen of them all. No wonder so many dermatologists and beauty experts rave about incorporating vitamin C into your regime.

According to the Indian Dermatology Online Journal, clinical studies have shown that the topical use of vitamin C increases collagen production in both young and aged human skin.
 
“Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that fights fine lines by stimulating collagen, brightens your complexion by blocking excess pigment creation, and protects your skin from damaging free radicals and other environmental stressors that can cause premature skin aging,” says Michelle Henry, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan.

With this, we are excited to share with you our top picks of Vitamin C serums.

1. Eva Naturals Skin Clearing Serum Vitamin C+, 30ml: Best Vitamin C Serum for Hyperpigmentation

Eva Naturals Skin Clearing Serum Vitamin C+



Ratings: 4.3 out of 5 - more than 50,000 global ratings.

Key ingredients: 2% Retinol, 3.5% Niacinamide, 5% Hyaluronic Acid, 2% Salicylic Acid, 10% MSM, 20% Vitamin C.

Eva Naturals is a boutique cosmetics company known for its Vitamin C Plus Skin Clearing Serum. This serum is Amazon’s best-selling formula in the facial oil category, with over 16,000 glowing 5-star reviews from customers who have seen impressive results. The serum contains a blend of vitamin C, turmeric, vitamin E, and ferulic acid. It’s designed to combat acne, soothe troubled skin, and reduce blemishes. However, if you have highly sensitive skin prone to acne breakouts, you might experience slight burning sensations in the under-eye region that improve over time. Keep in mind that individual experiences may vary, so it’s essential to patch-test any new product before incorporating it into your skincare routine.

This stuff is so amazing, after just a couple of weeks of use I saw such a difference (and I'm 60 years old!)...honestly, I keep touching my face..it's so smooth and soft and moisturized!

2. LilyAna Naturals Vitamin C Serum, 30ml

LilyAna Naturals Vitamin C Serum


Ratings: 4.3 out of 5 - more than 12,000 global ratings

Key ingredients: 20% vitamin C and 5% hyaluronic acid.

The Derm Review
  • High Potency Vitamin C: This serum contains 20% vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C helps brighten the skin, fade dark spots, and improve overall skin clarity. It also encourages collagen production, enhancing skin elasticity and texture.
  • Lilyana Naturals Vitamin C Serum is formulated with 
  • Visible Changes: Users can expect visible improvements in skin tone, evening out pigmentation, and reducing fine lines. The serum’s anti-aging properties contribute to a clearer, more radiant complexion.
This stuff is amazing!!! Rarely do you find something that does everything it claims but this did it. Brightening skin tone? Check. Improve texture? Check. Fade scars and hyperpigmentation? Check and check! And it's natural on top of all that. I've been using it since April 18, 2017 and I still have a really good amount left and I apply this day and night. LilyAna Naturals was very quick to respond when I had a question about the order of applying this with my skin care regimen. Will order my next bottle soon!

3. Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Serum and Brightening Skin Corrector: Best Vitamin C for Oily Skin


Ratings: 4.3 out of 5 - more than 11,000 global ratings.

"Because the formula is extremely light and contains just 11 clean ingredients (no parabens, silicones, or artificial fragrances), it won’t sting or burn upon application," says Gilbert MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Gilbert Dermatology.

Best vitamin c serum I have used so far, have tried several VC product, including la roche-posay(10%VC also very nice feeling in the face), skinceutical cef serum (15% don’t like it, very sticky and made me broke out) , kiehls VC CONCENTRATE(12.5%, not watery, silicon technology for stability, feeling heavy in summer time, but efficient and gentle for my skin). I think this one has the best usages feeling,watery, fresh, suitable for every season.

4. TruSkin Vitamin C Face Serum – Anti Aging Facial Serum with Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E & More: Best Rated Vitamin C Serum on Amazon



Buy on Amazon

Key ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid

When it comes to vitamin C serum, this “Amazon Choice” product is an all-time favorite, with more than 140,000 of glowing reviews. It's also one of the most wallet-friendly vitamin C serums you can get, but it’s just as effective, says Shainhouse MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles. It's a vegan-friendly formula that's s loaded with glycolic acid, a alpha hydroxy acid that gently exfoliates the skin to help brighten and reduce hyperpigmentation over time.

5. La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Serum with Hyaluronic Acid & Salicylic Acid



Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 - more than 13,000 global ratings.

Because of its potency, using vitamin C can sometimes be irritating for problematic or sensitive skin. Luckily, Florida dermatologist Marianna Blyumin-Karasik, MD recommends 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum because it has “hydrating ingredients… such as humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid.” She adds, “It is one of my favorites to recommend to patients.”

La Roche-Posay, a skin care company that also makes top-rated retinol serums, has a serum with a blend of 10% vitamin C and salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is an exfoliating ingredient that's especially helpful for acne-prone and oily skin. The product also contains glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which help maintain skin hydration. If you are battling both midlife acne and dry skin simultaneously, this may be the perfect fit for you.

6. CeraVe Renewing Vitamin C Serum


Amazon Ratings: 4.4 out of 5 - more than 40,000 global ratings.

Key Ingredients: 10% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), hyaluronic acid, ceramides.

Toral Vaidya, MD, dermatology resident at Weill Cornell Medicine
CeraVe's Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum is formulated with 10% vitamin C. It also contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5, which help restore and protect the skin barrier. It’s fragrance-free and noncomedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores, so it may be ideal for those with sensitive skin or who are new to using a vitamin C serum.

7. GOODAL Green Tangerine Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum 1.01 fl oz.


Ratings: 4.4 out of 5 - more than 3,000 global ratings.

The Derm Review
  • Organic Green Tangerine Extract: The serum’s star ingredient, organic green tangerine extract, boasts 10 times more vitamin C than lemons. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that combats environmental stressors, evens out skin tone, and increases radiance. Additionally, it influences collagen and elastin synthesis, reversing aging-related changes.
  • Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): At 4% concentration, niacinamide is a skincare powerhouse. It repairs the skin barrier, improves moisture, reduces inflammation, and addresses issues like hyperpigmentation, acne, and wrinkles.
  • Arbutin: This ingredient inhibits tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for melanin synthesis. By doing so, arbutin helps reduce abnormal pigmentation associated with aging and UV exposure.
  • Essential Oils: While the serum contains fragrant essential oils (such as bergamot, lavender, and lemon peel), these may be a concern for sensitive skin. Some users have reported breakouts and clogged pores.

8. Serumtologie Vitamin C Serum


Ratings: 4.2 out of 5 - more than 4,000 global ratings.

Shainhouse MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles, says this is "one of the best vitamin C serums available," and Amazon reviewers agree: Thousands of users give the product five stars, with some touting it as the best product they’ve ever used.

This professional grade, bioactive 22% vitamin c skin serum (sodium ascorbyl phosphate) ensures that your skin soaks up all of the benefits of real Vitamin C.

This vitamin C serum, by Serumtologie, is rated one of the top among dermatologists - I did HOURS of research since there are actually Thousands of them out there, and Doctors rated: Stability, Percentage of vitamin C, PH levels, Oxidation, Water base or oil, Skin types, Colorants (don't get an orange one), Derivatives, Vitamin C Form, Packaging, price, etc. and it is simply Awesome. I don't have money to throw away so I let Dermatologists do the scientific part for me - take my word for it I do TONS of research, I've got the time!

Vitamin C Serums FAQs

1. What Are The Side Effects of Vitamin C Serum?

Vitamin C serums are generally safe for all skin types, however hyper-sensitive skin types might experience side-effects such as..
- Slight Irritation
- Itching
- Tingling Sensation
- Redness

2. Can I Use Vitamin Serum Everyday?

Vitamin C should be used everyday for best results. These serums are most effective when your skin is properly exfoliated.

3. When should you use a vitamin C serum?

"I generally recommend applying vitamin C at least once daily in the morning. Depending on skin type and other actives used in your routine, vitamin C can also be applied twice daily," says Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Alexis Granite.

4. Are there any skincare ingredients you shouldn't use at the same time as vitamin C?

"Vitamin C is an acid (L-ascorbic acid) and can be quite unstable in formulations, so should not be mixed with AHAs and BHAs such as glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids which can alter skin pH and reduce vitamin C efficacy," says Granite.

A myth that's often circulated is that vitamin C and retinol don't play nice. However, Dr Granite explains that this doesn't have to be the case:

"Retinol may be used with vitamin C, but I tend to recommend not to apply them together, so applying vitamin C in the morning and retinol in the evening to reduce the risk of dryness and irritation."

5. Can you use vitamin C on all skin types?

"Very sensitive skin types may have experienced irritation with vitamin C, but generally this is an active that is well tolerated. Look for L-ascorbic acid at concentrations of 15-20% for optimal efficacy. If you do have sensitive or dry skin it is best to start with vitamin C several times weekly and increase as tolerated," says Dr Granite.

Related Posts:

Best Vitamin C Serums for Brighter Skin

Best Vitamin C Serums in Hong Kong

10 Best Cosmeceutical Ingredients of 2024

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