The 12 Best Drugstore Vitamin C Serums to Shop in 2024
Vitamin C is helpful for all pores and skin sorts, however is especially useful in decreasing darkish spots and treating indicators of getting old. And in accordance to specialists, some of the efficacious methods to reap its advantages is in serum type. “In a serum format, the molecular construction is in its smallest type, making it simpler to permeate the pores and skin barrier and be most bioavailable in our pores and skin cells,” board-certified dermatologist Ava Shamban explains. Serums additionally typically comprise stronger percentages of energetic components than different merchandise like moisturizers or masks, making them barely stronger.
Which of one of the best drugstore vitamin C serums are worthy of your routine? After consulting with specialists on what qualities to search for in a serum, we studied retailer choices, sifted by way of buyer critiques, bookmarked viral magnificence hits, and thought of our personal testing insights to pull collectively this checklist of high selects from CeraVe, the Ordinary, and extra manufacturers. Keep scrolling to discover your subsequent skincare favourite.
Related: The Best Face Serums of All Time
“/>Skip to Content materialEvery product on this web page was chosen by a Harper’s BAZAAR editor. We could earn fee on a few of the objects you select to purchase.Filippo Fortis/Launchmetrics HighlightBest TotalLa Roche-Posay Vitamin C SerumProsFeatures a wealthy, silky textureIncludes salicylic acid to assist tackle pimples and pores and skin textureConsContains refined perfumeFeaturing a potent 10 % vitamin C (often known as ascorbic acid), La Roche-Posay’s multitasking serum boosts radiance, reduces darkish spots, and softens tremendous strains on the similar time. Further setting its formulation aside from different vitamin C serums on the drugstore is the addition of pore-clearing salicylic acid, soothing neurosensine, and hydration-boosting glycerin, which lend to its versatility.One glad buyer writes: “I’ve tried a number of vitamin C serums, and this one is by far one of the best. It doesn’t trigger redness/irritation like many of the others I’ve tried and works nice as a base underneath make-up. Will proceed to use this so long as it’s made.” —JennaBest ViralTruSkin Vitamin C Facial SerumNow 20% OffCredit: AmazonProsFast-absorbingConsMay be too intense for delicate skinLooking for a brightening serum you may order on Amazon? This viral choose has over 16,000 five-star critiques from consumers there and can also be accessible at your native drugstore. The serum is powered by sodium ascorbyl phosphate, which is much less potent than L-ascorbic acid and could also be a gentler possibility when you have reactive pores and skin. It additionally incorporates plumping hyaluronic acid, nourishing vitamin E, and witch hazel to reduce the looks of pores. One glad buyer writes: “This is my second bottle of this serum. This goes on easy and feels nice. I’ve very delicate pores and skin, and this by no means had a problem with reactions. My face seems to be brighter and appears nice.” —magdalenaExpert ChooseThe Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%ProsA little goes a great distance.Non-stickyShamban offers the Ordinary’s Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% her stamp of approval, noting that whereas its components is extra streamlined and doesn’t have any “bells and whistles,” it’s a strong possibility for brightening and defending your pores and skin. It helps improve pores and skin radiance with ascorbyl glucoside, a extra secure and water-soluble type of vitamin C. One glad buyer writes: “I put this on mornings and nights, and my face seems to be a lot extra more healthy and glowy! It does dry down and isn’t left feeling sticky in any respect or making my face look extra oily. If something, my pores and skin seems to be much less oily truthfully. Absolutely adore it.” —DessAdvertisement – Continue Reading BelowBest for Sensitive SkinVanicream Vitamin C SerumExecsNoncomedogenicConsSome reviewers say it capsules underneath make-up.People with delicate pores and skin don’t have to write off vitamin C. There are various serums formulated to brighten pores and skin with out irritation, together with this drugstore favourite. The fragrance-free favourite incorporates 5 % tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, a mild spinoff of vitamin C that helps guard towards redness and itching. It’s additionally properly infused with hydrating ceramides that assist the pores and skin barrier. And for the reason that serum is packaged in an airless pump, it received’t oxidize and lose efficacy. One glad buyer writes: “I’ve been utilizing this nearly per week, and I like the way it moisturizes and doesn’t depart a sticky residue. Skin feels clear after utility. Will undoubtedly purchase it once more and can strive different Vanicream merchandise. The pump on the tube is genius!! It makes it a lot simpler to entry the right quantity wanted, due to this fact no waste. A small quantity goes a great distance.” —Picture goodBest for Dry SkinCeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C SerumProsFragrance-freeHydratingConsMay be too intensive for delicate skinHere’s a serum choose from CeraVe that targets dryness and darkish spots on the similar time. Its light-weight, gel-like consistency incorporates 10 % L-ascorbic acid to easy tremendous strains and scale back discoloration, with the model’s signature ceramides mix that helps the pores and skin barrier. And because it’s packaged in a skinny, opaque tube with a pointed nozzle, the serum is barely much less messy to apply than some others that include droppers.Immediately after I apply it, my pores and skin feels extra hydrated and smoother. I’ve delicate pores and skin, and I’ve by no means skilled a response after utilizing this product. And whereas it does have a slight chemical scent, it’s not overpowering or disagreeable.One glad buyer writes: “This product is wonderful!!! I take advantage of it on daily basis in my morning skincare routine, and I’ve actually seen a distinction in my pores and skin being extra hydrated. This is a good serum to incorporate into any skincare routine!” —delaneyc43Best for Oily SkinL’Oréal Paris Revitalift 12% Vitamin C + E + Salicylic SerumNow 13% OffCredit: Amazon.comProsNongreasyGreat for acne-prone skinConsContains refined fragranceIdeal for shiny pores and skin sorts, this potent noncomedogenic drugstore favourite makes use of exfoliating salicylic acid to even pores and skin texture. Its components’s 12 % L-ascorbic acid gives highly effective skin-brightening advantages.One glad buyer writes: “I’ve a mature pores and skin, and this serum is nice! My pores and skin texture and darkish spot have improved quite a bit.” —Amparo BAdvertisement – Continue Reading BelowBest for Mature SkinRoC Multi-Correction Revive + Glow Daily SerumExecsNoncomedogenicProvides immediate glowConsIncludes perfumeVitamin C isn’t only a skincare MVP for decreasing darkish spots and boosting your glow. It’s additionally a potent antioxidant that helps defend towards free-radical harm with the flexibility to stimulate collagen manufacturing, minimizing indicators of getting old. RoC’s Multi-Correction Revive + Glow Daily Serum is an ideal instance of vitamin C’s multitasking energy. Featuring the star ingredient and a singular peptide mix, this product reduces tremendous strains and wrinkles whereas enhancing luminosity. One glad buyer writes: “I used to be on the lookout for a product to assist scale back my ‘solar spots’ on my face. WOW! I like this serum! It diminished the colour and measurement of the spots on my face immensely. Yes, you have to give it a couple of weeks to begin to see the distinction, however properly definitely worth the wait!” —JulesBest for Dark SpotsVichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Serum Brightening Skin CorrectorProsPackaging helps stop oxidation and contaminationFragrance-freeThis fragrance-free serum goals to reduce tremendous strains and even out pores and skin tone in 10 days flat. Its pointed applicator tip makes it easy to goal particular areas of the face that want particular consideration, and the serum is 15 % ascorbic acid for added efficiency. Because it comes out in little drops, the packaging additionally helps you keep away from over-applying. One glad buyer writes: “The LiftActiv Vitamin C Serum shines as a high contender in the market, particularly for these with delicate pores and skin. Its mild but efficient components makes it a standout alternative, providing the advantages of Vitamin C with out irritation. Highly advisable for anybody looking for a dependable, skin-friendly enhance of radiance.” —SJP1966Best for Combination SkinOlay Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Brightening SerumExecsGreat for shiny skinConsContains refined perfumeThis peptide-packed possibility from Olay gives a strong brightening impact, and performs properly with nearly each pores and skin sort, together with mixture. Its light-weight, nongreasy components leaves behind a matte end that layers properly underneath make-up. One glad buyer writes: “This serum leaves your face feeling refreshed and easy. It’s nice underneath the Olay vitamin C moisturizer as properly. Glides easy and doesn’t depart a greasy really feel.” —heather_oh_58f79Advertisement – Continue Reading BelowBest for DullnessCocokind Vitamin C Glow SerumProsHydratingRecyclable glass bottleConsSome reviewers discover its components sticky.Apply two drops of this gel-like serum each day to remove pores and skin dullness and even out its general tone. Along with ascorbyl glucoside (a secure type of vitamin C), the serum contains sodium hyaluronate (or hyaluronic acid) to plump tremendous strains, sea grape caviar extract to stability moisture ranges, and skin-evening azelaic acid. One glad buyer writes: “This product has fully modified the feel of my pores and skin. It is a should have in my each day routine. My pores and skin is glowy and the feel has smoothed and balanced.” —Olivia B.Best High FocusTimemuch less Skin Care 20% Vitamin C Ferulic Acid SerumNow 26% OffCredit: AmazonProsFragrance-freeConsSome reviewers say it has an disagreeable scent.This highly effective drugstore serum is infused with 20 % L-ascorbic acid, plus, vitamin E, and ferulic acid, to tackle hyperpigmentation, scale back dullness, and easy pores and skin texture. If 20 % vitamin C appears too intense in your pores and skin, take into account the model’s much less concentrated 10 % components. One glad buyer writes: “This is a good vitamin C. It is straightforward to apply and absorbs shortly. I’ve undoubtedly seen a distinction in my pores and skin. Great bottle design. Keeps the vitamin C secure.” —MaggieBest for GlowHonest Vitamin C Radiance SerumProsHydratingProvides immediate glowConsSome reviewers declare the packaging and pump design might use enchancment.Thanks to light-reflecting pearl pigments, this Honest Beauty serum gives pores and skin with an immediate illuminating glow. Of course, vitamin C and diglucosyl gallic acid work to brighten and even its tone, too. And for the reason that serum can also be infused with hyaluronic acid, pores and skin seems to be bouncier and extra plump to boot.One glad buyer writes: “I like the shimmer that’s in this vitamin C. It goes on easy. I used this after utilizing the facial wash, and I comply with with the hydrogel and my pores and skin is left moisturized and glowing all day.” —AuDMommyAdvertisement – Continue Reading BelowMeet the specialistsDr. Marisa Garshick is a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in New York City. Dr. Ava Shamban is a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in Beverly Hills.What are the skincare advantages of vitamin C?According to Shamban, vitamin C helps struggle off free-radical harm brought on by the setting, air pollution, and different chemical aggressors. “Free-radical harm causes the breakdown of collagen and elastin in our pores and skin,” she explains. “It can also be a significant contributor to an entire host of pores and skin points, together with boring pores and skin tone, uneven pores and skin, pigmentation points, tremendous strains, and wrinkles, in addition to laxity and sagging pores and skin.” When utilized topically, vitamin C helps neutralize free radicals. What must you search for in a vitamin C serum?Ingredient sort and focusGarshick recommends selecting an L-ascorbic acid focus between 10 and 20 % to keep away from irritation. Concentrations greater than 20 % don’t supply a higher profit. People with significantly delicate pores and skin might want to take into account a gentler type of vitamin C (sodium ascorbyl phosphate is an instance) or a product with an L-ascorbic acid focus between 8 to 10 %. Shamban says ethyl ascorbic is one other much less irritating spinoff of vitamin C. “That mentioned, in basic, most individuals simply beginning can begin between 10 to 20 % L-ascorbic and see how it’s tolerated, because the pores and skin could react in a different way to completely different formulations, whatever the focus, primarily based on different components and the kind of product,” she says. PackagingGarshick notes that vitamin C is taken into account a extremely unstable ingredient, particularly so in its purest type, L-ascorbic acid. Airtight and opaque packaging helps stop oxidation brought on by gentle and air, which may make the ingredient much less efficient. Your pores and skin typeLook for vitamin C serums that cater to your pores and skin sort with extra components. As an instance: For dry pores and skin, Shamban recommends testing a serum infused with hyaluronic acid. Sensitive pores and skin sorts might want to take into account formulation which might be made with soothing components like ceramides and calendula. A product that’s blended with AHAs could also be useful for folks with acne-prone pores and skin or clogged pores, she says.Advertisement – Continue Reading BelowWhen must you apply a vitamin C serum?The finest time to apply a vitamin C serum is in the morning after you cleanse and earlier than you moisturize, Garshick says. Shop extra of our favourite serumsWhy belief Harper’s Bazaar?For greater than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent vogue and sweetness useful resource for girls at all ages. We cowl what’s new and what’s subsequent in magnificence by working with the world’s main authorities in dermatology, cosmetic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and perfume. Every story we publish has been totally researched and vetted by our crew of magnificence editors and trade specialists.Advertisement – Continue Reading BelowAdvertisement – Continue Reading BelowAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below
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