Skincare

15 best vitamin C serums, tested by beauty editors

Tried-and-true vitamin C formulas and their benefits.
15 Best Vitamin C Serums Tested By Beauty Editors
Anna Efetova

The best vitamin C serums, tried & tested by the GLAMOUR team.

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Which form of vitamin C is best for each skin type?

Type of vitamin CSuitable skin type/concern
L-ascorbic acidAccording to Dr Hall, this is the most stable type of vitamin C for all skin types.
Ferulic acidWorks best for dry skin, thanks to its hydrating properties.
PhloretinThis ingredient is "proven to reduce melanin synthesis and reduce pigmentation,” explains Dr Hall.
SilymarinAccording to Dr Mansouri, silymarin-infused formulas are great for oily and acne-prone skin.
Sodium ascorbyl phosphateThis is another form of vitamin C that works like an antioxidant and excels at brightening dull skin.

The best vitamin C serums, reviewed by GLAMOUR editors

Medik8 C-Tetra Serum

Best vitamin C serum overall

Medik8 C-Tetra Serum

  • Best for: Beginners.
  • Skin type: All skin types, particularly sensitive skin.
  • Key ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E and jojoba oil.

Why we love it: This potent vitamin C serum is one of the best skincare products you can buy, period. It has a gentle formulation that's designed to penetrate your skin deeply to minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while also shielding it against pollution and other environmental aggressors. Plus, it's cruelty-free, vegan-friendly and free from artificial fragrances. Glowy skin in a bottle. “My dry skin soaked up this gentle formula like a dream. However, do make sure to give it a good few minutes to absorb before going in with your moisturiser, because otherwise, it might result in peeling,” Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR's Beauty Commerce Writer.

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Antioxidant Vitamin C Serum for Normal/Dry Skin

Best dermatologist-approved vitamin C serum

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Antioxidant Vitamin C Serum for Normal/Dry Skin

  • Best for: Protecting against environmental aggressors and stressors.
  • Skin type: Normal, dry and sensitive skin types.
  • Key ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid.

Why we love it: Delivering an impressively high concentration of its active ingredients to your skin, it includes a 15% L-ascorbic acid content and has a high pH (which, in comparison to its low-pH counterparts, means it can deliver vitamin C through the top layer of your skin without causing redness and irritation). It's water soluble, feels lightweight upon application and sits nicely under foundation or concealer. What's more, vitamin C has been paired with vitamin E and ferulic acid, which work to reduce the appearance of dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles. "My dry skin instantly loved this hydrating formula, it gave me a glass skin look and helped even out my complexion. About the only downside was that it felt slightly tingly upon first application, but this definitely got better within a week.” – Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR's Beauty Commerce Writer.

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La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum

Best vitamin C serum for sensitive skin

La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C 10 Serum

  • Best for: Refining and balancing out skin tone.
  • Skin type: All skin types, particularly sensitive skin.
  • Key ingredients: Pure vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid and thermal water.

Why we love it: Best used once in the morning – over your face and neck – this pure vitamin C serum has a lightweight, non-greasy texture. It can be used on all skin types, even sensitive skin, and it helps correct signs of ageing while evening skin tone, brightening complexion and softening the skin. Alongside vitamin C, it contains hyaluronic acid which effectively hydrates and plumps the skin, as well as salicylic avid (for exfoliation) and thermal spa water (which contains an exceptional mineral diversity to help restore skin’s barrier, soothe sensitivity and fend off pro-ageing free radical damage). And while this product is not fragrance-free, La Roche-Posay is always a favourite among board-certified dermatologists for a reason.

Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster

Best vitamin C serum for pigmentation

Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster

  • Best for: Brightening and youth-boosting.
  • Skin type: All skin types.
  • Key ingredients: L-ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, vitamin E and ferulic acid.

Why we love it: Formulated with the main aim of diminishing the appearance of dark spots and discolouration in mind, this potent C15 Super Booster face serum diminishes visible signs of ageing for smoother, brighter, and firmer-feeling skin. It contains a blend of 15% stabilised vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid) at a pH of 3.0, plus potent antioxidants including vitamin E and ferulic acid – and not forgetting the skin-smoothing peptides. “Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster is a hefty investment at £52, so you'd expect it to perform miracles, and while it definitely banished any dull tones and reduced a lot of hyperpigmentation, the results aren't instant - they took a good few weeks - so that's something to bear in mind,” says Georgia Trodd, GLAMOUR's Senior Commerce Writer.

Medik8 C-Tetra Luxe

Best vitamin C serum for dark spots

Medik8 C-Tetra Luxe

  • Best for: Brightening and reducing dark spots.
  • Skin type: All skin types, particularly mature skin.
  • Key ingredients: Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, squalane, maracuja oil, red ginseng and vitamin E.

Why we love it: This trending skin-brightening treatment contains twice the amount of vitamin C as the original Medik8 C-Tetra formula. It has a gentle, deeply nourishing consistency that gives your skin the radiance it deserves while also reducing the appearance of fine lines and hyperpigmentation. “Its gentle yet effective formula is perfect for rocasea-prone sensitive skin. Over the course of four weeks, it visibly brightened my complexion and gave my skin the most beautiful glow” – Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR's Beauty Commerce Writer.

Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum

Best brightening vitamin C serum

Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum

  • Best for: Youth-boosting.
  • Skin type: All skin types, particularly mature skin.
  • Key ingredients: Squalane, glycolic acid and jojoba esters.

Why we love it: An absolute dream to apply, Sunday Riley's C.E.O Rapid Flash Brightening Serum is super-charged with vitamin C to target signs of ageing, dullness, dehydration, fine lines and hyperpigmentation. It's also formulated reduce the size of pores over time, so if large pores around your T-zone is something you struggle with, this could be the vitamin C serum for you. "It has a refreshing citrus-y scent, a thick; creamy consistency which feels hydrating on application. Over time, I've definitely noticed a change in the brightness of my complexion and plan on continuing using it for the foreseeable," – Sophie Cockett, GLAMOUR's Senior European Commerce Editor.

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