WWD: The Best Vitamin C Serums for Radiant, Even Skin, According to Dermatologists

These multi-functional serums can brighten skin, diminish dark spots, and smooth fine lines.

ByMARY HONKUS

If TikTok first piqued your interest in skin care, chances are you’ve watched numerous videos telling you that vitamin C is a nonnegotiable in your routine. #VitaminCSerum has accumulated over 79 million views on the app, but after scrolling through hundreds of TikTok beauty products, you may still be wondering what the best vitamin C serums are. Before we dive into that (we have plenty of top-tier face serums for you to choose from), it’s important to know what the ingredient does and how it can benefit your skin.

“Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant that the body cannot produce itself,” explains Dr. Ryan Turner, an NYC-based board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of TRNR Skin. “Even if you incorporate high levels of it into your diet through vitamin C-rich foods or supplements, topical application of vitamin C is more effective for the skin.” Due to its antioxidant properties, vitamin C enhances skin in a multitude of ways when applied topically. “Aside from improving the appearance of wrinkles, pores, and fine lines, it can also improve pigmentation and sun damage,” reveals Dr. Rachel Nazarian, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist. (But that only scratches the surface on what vitamin C can do. More on those additional advantages later.)

Now you can’t just squeeze an orange on your face and expect wrinkles to disappear. There are specific types of vitamin C that are compatible with skin, and none of them act exactly the same. When looking for the best vitamin C serum, you may notice L-ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbyl phosphate in ingredient lists. These two are the most common forms of the antioxidant. “L-Ascorbic acid is the purest form of vitamin C, while sodium ascorbyl phosphate is a salt form of vitamin C that needs to be converted to Ascorbic acid in order to have an effect,” says Dr. Marisa Garshick, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at Cornell. “The latter is more stable, so it is less likely to lose potency and can be more easily incorporated into skincare products.” Dr. Nazarian adds that Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (also known as THD ascorbate) has become increasingly popular because of its stability and gentle nature.

According to Dr. Brooke Jeffy, board-certified dermatologist and founder of BTWN, everyone can incorporate a vitamin C serum into their regimen, regardless of their skin type and concerns. However, she says that those who deal with “dark spots related to melasma and sun damage or pigment changes related to acne” can experience extended benefits.

Vitamin C serums come in a vast range of textures, prices, and potencies, and some face serums are specially formulated to target particular skin woes, like dullness or hyperpigmentation. Formulations with higher potencies (around 15-20%) may be irritating to those with sensitive skin. If you fall into that boat,  Dr. Kelly Reid, a board-certified dermatologist at West Lake Dermatology in Austin, TX recommends sticking with lower percentages (just like you would with retinol products) or seeking out serums made with sodium ascorbyl, one of the gentler forms of the antioxidant. 

After sifting through customer reviews and bestsellers, consulting our experts, and testing an array of serums for ourselves, we created a comprehensive list of the 13 best vitamin C serums. The products featured below are suitable for a myriad of skin types, and can enhance radiance, diminish discoloration, and even out skin tones so you can feel confident about your complexion.

Top Vitamin C Serums