We tried the 13 best vitamin C Serums to brighten skin and minimise hyperpigmentation
VITAMIN C is a must-have ingredient to include in your beauty routine, helping to create brighter, firmer, healthier skin.
And if you’re wondering which vitamin C serum to buy, read on, as we’ve put some of the best serums on the market to the test.
You can find vitamin C in pretty much every type of skincare product nowadays, but the most effective way to reap the benefits of this active ingredient is using a serum; they’re usually the most potent method of delivery, can be used daily, and stay on your face all day.
Plus, all skin types can use one, provided they pick the right formula and use it properly.
Vitamin C comes in several different forms. Ascorbic acid, or L-ascorbic acid, is the most researched and most effective form of the ingredient, but it’s notoriously unstable (more on that later), so the formula needs to be considered.
Other types to look out for on the back of the bottle include (and prepare for some long words here) ascorbyl glucoside, ascorbyl palmitate, and sodium ascorbyl phosphate.
One downside to vitamin C, however, is that it’s naturally a very unstable ingredient, oxidising when it comes into contact with fresh air and sunlight, and losing its potency.
For this reason, it’s best to pick a product that’s been formulated with this in mind, ideally in packaging that’s opaque and with a pump bottle, and to use it regularly rather than ‘saving it for best’.
Like most active ingredients, it also has the potential to irritate sensitive skin if used incorrectly or at too high a strength. If you’ve never used it before, we recommend introducing it gradually into your routine.
To see which vitamin C serum is worth your money, we put the most popular ones to the test.
When testing, we used these serums in the morning (unless the instructions specified otherwise), after cleansing and before applying moisturiser and SPF, and we kept the rest of our skincare routine the same to see how the serum worked.
Best Vitamin C Serums At a Glance:
- Best for sensitive skin: The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%
- Best budget option: Revolution x Sali Hughes Must-C Anytime Daily Serum
- Best for oily skin: SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF Vitamin C Salicylic Acid Antioxidant Serum
- Best for dry skin: Medik8 C-Tetra Luxe
- Best for an instant effect: Murad Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum
Medik8 C-Tetra Luxe
- Medik8 C-Tetra Luxe Lipid Vitamin C Enhanced Radiance Serum, £59 at Medik8 – buy here
Pros: Nourishing oil formula, gives an instant glow, layers well with other skincare
Cons: Consistency might not suit oily skin, not cheap
Rating: 4/5
This is the more advanced of Medik8’s two vitamin C serums, with a fairly high percentage of a low-irritation form of vitamin C (14%).
It has a thin oil texture that sinks in quickly, and we found it layered well with our other skincare products (we could even skip our moisturiser afterwards).
This makes it especially good for dry skin, although those with oily complexions may find this a little too rich.
It’s this oil consistency that gives skin an instant glow, while tests show that skin radiance, hyperpigmentation and fine lines are improved after just seven days.
Although expensive, we found that a little goes a long way, and you only need to use the recommended six drops each time.
Size: 30ml Vitamin C percentage: 14% Contains fragrance?: Yes
Revolution x Sali Hughes Must-C Anytime Daily Serum
- Revolution x Sali Hughes Must-C Anytime Daily Serum, £15 from LookFantastic – buy here
Pros: Combines lots of skincare ingredients in one serum, well tolerated by sensitive skin, good price, immediate effect on the skin, opaque bottle
Cons: Doesn’t use the most potent form of vitamin C
Rating: 5/5
Part of Revolution’s collaboration with beauty journalist and expert Sali Hughes, this is a real “one and done” serum.
It not only contains a decent 15% of ascorbyl glucoside, but also includes a skin-loving cocktail of niacinamide, ferulic acid, glycerin and hyaluronic acid, and can be used morning and night.
If you’re looking for a lower-priced vitamin C serum, they don’t get much better than this. It glides onto the skin and leaves it looking and feeling better in every way: smoother, plumper, more hydrated and more radiant.
If we had one tiny gripe, it’s that it pilled ever so slightly with our favourite SPF – but we can live with this for the results it gives.
One last random detail: the pump on this bottle is great, dispensing a large quantity of product is a very satisfying motion (no spluttering or spitting). Two pumps are plenty to cover your entire face and neck.
Size: 30ml Vitamin C percentage: 15% Contains fragrance?: Yes
READ MORE:
The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%
- The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%, £12.70 from LookFantastic – buy here
Pros: Good for sensitive skin or vitamin C beginners, lightweight texture, good price
Cons: Confusing name, no extra active ingredients
Rating: 4/5
This is one of several vitamin C serums from The Ordinary, and the one most suited to those with sensitive skin or new to using the antioxidant ingredient.
Its slightly confusing product name refers to its key ingredient, ascorbyl glucoside, a less potent form of vitamin C than L-ascorbic acid. This means that although the results may not be quite as dramatic, it’s less likely to irritate.
This clear liquid is very lightweight and sinks in immediately, but it leaves skin feeling a bit tacky, so most will still apply a moisturiser afterwards.
It does leave skin with a slight glow – albeit very subtle – and it layers well with other products.
We think its biggest selling point is that it’s very gentle, meaning it will even suit those with sensitive skin.
Size: 30ml Vitamin C percentage: 12% Contains fragrance?: No
Garnier SkinActive Vitamin C Brightening Night Serum
- Garnier SkinActive Vitamin C Brightening Night Serum,
£13.99£7.32 from Amazon – buy here
Pros: Hydrating, good price, Leaping Bunny approved, bottle made from 25% recycled glass
Cons: Means you can’t use a retinol or AHA product in the evening
Rating: 3/5
Vitamin C is typically used in the mornings but if you’re serious about tackling dark spots and dullness, you can give your skin an extra vitamin hit and use this nighttime serum too, which contains Garnier’s highest percentage of the skin-brightening ingredient.
It feels nicely hydrating on the skin thanks to the addition of hyaluronic acid and you may even find you can skip moisturiser afterwards. It does make skin look a little brighter in the mornings, too.
Its main disadvantage, however, is that it may not fit easily into people’s skincare routine; a lot of people would prefer to use vitamin C in the mornings, and then use a retinol or exfoliating acid-based product in the evenings. But if this works for you, it’s a good value option.
Size: 30ml Vitamin C percentage: 10% Contains fragrance?: Yes
SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF
- SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF Vitamin C Salicylic Acid Antioxidant Serum, £165 from LookFantastic – buy here
Pros: Reduces oil production and breakouts, lightweight and non-greasy, non-drying, feels great on the skin
Cons: Very expensive, not for all skin types
Rating: 5/5
When talking about SkinCeuticals’ vitamin C serums, one called C E Ferulic is probably the most well-known, but we prefer this one for its super-smart formula.
Aimed at oily or blemish-prone skin, this combines a high percentage of 15% L-ascorbic acid, ferulic acid (another antioxidant) and salicylic acid to help clear pores and reduce the oxidation of sebum, which can lead to blackheads and spots.
The formula feels elegant on the skin, potent yet non-drying, and you can just tell that it’s doing your skin some real good.
Of course, the downside is the high price tag, but if we could afford to use this all the time, we would.
Size: 30ml Vitamin C percentage: 15% Contains fragrance?: No
L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Clinical Pure 12% Vitamin C Serum
- L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Clinical Pure 12% Vitamin C Serum,
£29.99£14.99 from Amazon – buy here
Pros: Contains the most potent form of vitamin C, gives an instant skin-blurring effect, opaque bottle
Cons: Strong fragrance, may not be suitable for very sensitive skin
Rating: 4/5
A real powerhouse serum, this contains L-ascorbic acid at a decent percentage plus salicylic acid and vitamin E to tackle not only pigmentation and dullness but also visible pores and fine lines. (Note that although the salicylic acid will help to refine pores, it’s low down in the ingredients list so it won’t have much of an effect on spots.)
It feels really lovely on the skin – soft and silky but not greasy – and the skin instantly looks a little brighter, smoother and more youthful.
If you like the sound of the SkinCeuticals serum above but can’t stretch to the price tag, this one is worth trying.
Size: 30ml Vitamin C percentage: 12% Contains fragrance?: Yes
The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Revealing Serum
- Vitamin C Glow Revealing Serum, £30 from The Body Shop – buy here
Pros: Very nourishing, immediate visible glow, uses natural ingredients, bottle is easy to recycle
Cons: Strongly scented, quite oily texture
Rating: 3/5
As you’d probably expect from The Body Shop, this serum is made up of a high percentage (92%) of ingredients from natural origin, including 10% vitamin C and bakuchiol, a plant-based ingredient that has similar skin-rejuvenating effects as retinol.
In testing this had a very nourishing, almost oil-like texture, making it a great option for dry skin, although oily skin types may find it a bit too heavy.
Nonetheless, it layers well under other skincare and the glow it gives to skin is immediate and obvious.
It has a strong citrusy smell and perfume is quite high up in the ingredients list, which has the potential to be irritating for sensitive skin.
Size: 30ml Vitamin C percentage: 10% Contains fragrance?: Yes
La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum
- La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum, £36 from Boots – buy here
Pros: Quickly absorbed, contains other active ingredients, suitable for sensitive skin
Cons: A bit messy to get out of the bottle, translucent bottle, may transfer onto bedding
Rating: 4/5
La Roche-Posay skincare is always a safe bet for those with sensitive skin, and this serum is no exception.
It contains a medium-strength level of vitamin C along with hydrating hyaluronic acid and a little salicylic acid to refine skin texture.
It has an unusual texture: we found it to be quite thick and gloopy at first, with a tendency to spill over the edge of the bottle top, but it then sank very quickly into the skin, leaving it feeling smooth and slightly tacky.
This one does not give an immediate brightening effect, however.
Although not a particularly bright colour in the bottle, one of our testers did remark that this serum left faint orange marks on their pillow when they used it at night, so we’d recommend keeping this to morning use, or waiting until it has completely absorbed before getting into bed.
Size: 30ml Vitamin C percentage: 10% Contains fragrance?: Yes
Vichy Liftactiv Vitamin C Serum
- Vichy Liftactive Vitamin C Serum,
£41.50£31.12 from Boots – buy here
Pros: Simple ingredients list, fragrance-free, also tackles fine lines
Cons: Smaller bottle than most, hard to control how much comes out, leaves skin feeling a bit tacky
Rating: 3/5
We liked the ingredients list of this Vichy serum, with just 11 in there and nothing unnecessary like fragrance or silicones. It has a hefty percentage of vitamin C, plus skin barrier-strengthening vitamin E.
We found that it soaked into the skin immediately and layered well with other products, but did leave a slight tacky feeling behind.
Unlike all the others, which have either a pump or dropper dispenser, this has a detachable rubber nozzle that you squeeze (a bit like milking a cow), which we assume is designed to minimise oxygen getting in.
This makes the bottle easy to take apart to recycle, but because the formula’s so watery, it does tend to overspill. This, combined with the fact that there’s less in this bottle than most serums, means we got through it rather quickly.
Size: 20ml Vitamin C percentage: 15% Contains fragrance?: No
The Inkey List 15% Vitamin C And EGF Serum
- The Inkey List 15% Vitamin C & EGF Serum, £11.99
£15.99from Sephora – buy here
Pros: Good price, opaque bottle, helpful information on the packaging, additional skin benefits
Cons: Not the most potent form of vitamin C, could be more moisturising
Rating: 4/5
This is a great value, stable vitamin C formula that gets bonus points for its packaging and the addition of skin-plumping peptide EGF (epidermal growth factor).
Like The Ordinary, The Inkey List’s products are usually focused on one (or in this case, two) key active ingredients, but Inkey makes it a little easier to understand with tons of information on the box on exactly what it does, how to use it and what else it works well with.
Size: 30ml Vitamin C percentage: 15% Contains fragrance?: No
Murad Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum
- Murad Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum, £82 from Space NK – buy here
Pros: Duo of skin-brightening ingredients, instant effect, opaque packaging
Cons: Expensive, not one for very sensitive skin
Rating: 4/5
This vitamin C serum delivers a skin-brightening duo of glycolic acid and a vitamin C complex through two separate chambers to keep the ingredients as fresh as possible.
We had more recommendations for this one than any other, and though we were initially a little apprehensive at how this potent combination would fare with our sometimes-sensitive skin, it glided on without even a hint of a tingle.
We thought that our skin looked less dull and generally healthier after one use, with the faintest hint of a shimmer thanks to mica in the ingredients list.
Murad puts a big focus on its clinical trials and unretouched before-and-after results, with tests showing that 91% saw brighter, smoother skin after two weeks, which we trust.
Size: 30ml Vitamin C percentage: Undisclosed Contains fragrance?: No
Simple 10% Vitamins C+E+F Booster Serum
- Simple 10% Vitamins C+E+F Booster Serum,
£7.95£5.33 from Amazon – buy here
Pros: Great price, feels nourishing, free from alcohol and artificial colours and perfumes, suitable for sensitive skin, opaque bottle
Cons: Low vitamin C percentage, Not a potent type of vitamin C, not much immediate glow
Rating: 3/5
This combines 2% of a vitamin C derivative with skin-conditioning vitamin E and barrier-boosting vitamin F and can be used on its own or mixed into your daily moisturiser.
This was the only vitamin C serum we tested that’s an opaque white colour rather than translucent, and this reflects how comforting it feels on the skin; it’s almost as thick as a moisturiser.
It didn’t give us an instant glow, and we doubt that just a 2% concentration of vitamin C would do much to tackle stubborn hyperpigmentation, but we liked how nourished and healthy this made skin feel.
It’s a great price, too.
Size: 30ml Vitamin C percentage: 2% Contains fragrance?: No
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Super-C Serum
- Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Super-C Serum, £95 from LookFantastic – buy here
Pros: Luxurious on the skin, uses a stable form of vitamin C, also includes skin-brightening enzymes
Cons: Expensive, Elemis doesn’t disclose vitamin C percentage
Rating: 4/5
Elemis products are all about bringing the spa into your own home, and this serum does feel like a real treat – it’s hydrating, smoothing and plumping, with a light fragrance.
It feels more luxurious than many we tested here, which may explain the higher price.
We’d call it a great all-around serum that can be used morning and evening – it sinks in well but still leaves a smoother, softer sensation on the skin.
It’s a lovely serum, but if we had this amount to spend we’d probably opt for one of the doctor-led brands like SkinCeuticals or Medik8 instead.
Size: 30ml Vitamin C percentage: Undisclosed Contains fragrance?: Yes
What does vitamin C do?
Vitamin C has several benefits, which is what makes it such a popular ingredient with skincare experts.
It’s an antioxidant, meaning that it helps to neutralise free radicals and repair damage caused by environmental aggressors such as pollution and UV rays. It has even been shown to optimise the effects of SPF.
Vitamin C can also help to minimise the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots by blocking the formation of melanin.
It can also help boost collagen production, fade under-eye circles and generally give skin a glow. No wonder it’s such a popular ingredient
How to use a vitamin C serum
Instructions may differ from product to product, but typically vitamin C serums should be applied to the skin as the step between cleansing and applying moisturiser and/or SPF.
Apply enough product to cover your face and neck, and gently massage in until it’s absorbed.
Again, check the instructions on the packaging, but it’s generally advised to use vitamin C in the morning, and then other actives such as retinol and exfoliating acids in the evening.
This is because vitamin C helps to protect the skin from UV rays and other aggressors it encounters during the day, and it may also help your SPF to work more effectively.
Vitamin C does have the potential to irritate if used in too high percentages too quickly, so if you’re new to the ingredient, start with a low percentage (like Garnier’s or La Roche-Posay’s) and introduce it gradually into your routine.
Can you use vitamin C with retinol?
“Vitamin C and retinoids aren’t usually used together as this can cause irritation to the skin,” explains consultant dermatologist Dr Shaaira Nasir.
Aesthetic doctor Sophie Shotter agrees that the two active ingredients should be used separately, also explaining that they decrease each other’s efficiency. We recommend using your vitamin C serum in the morning and your retinol in the evening.
There are, however, lots of great skincare ingredients that vitamin C can be combined with, including hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, AHAs and salicylic acid. Be wary of using too many active ingredients at once, though, which can irritate you.
Where to buy a vitamin C serum in the UK
Years ago, vitamin C serums may have been quite a niche product, but now they’re widely available to buy in high street stores and online, with something for every budget.
If you’re looking to shop online and save a little money while doing so, keep an eye on the best Black Friday deals coming up at beauty retailers such as Space NK, Boots and LookFantastic.
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