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Is the weather dulling your sparkle? Introducing the best vitamin C serums you can buy, expert tested Vitamin C Anti Aging
With the ability to brighten and hydrate skin, fade pigmentation and boost radiance, it’s not surprising that vitamin C serums are one of the most popular beauty trends.
Below are the best ones you can buy, as recommended by our 270-strong testing panel. Whatever your skincare concern, you’re bound to find one for you:
Also referred to as ascorbic acid, vitamin C isn’t naturally produced or stored in your body but is found in food such as lemons, oranges and red peppers. This powerful antioxidant works to protect cells from damage and keep your skin and bones healthy.
Studies have proven there are benefits to applying it topically too; it can leave skin looking visibly brighter by helping to control the overproduction of melanin and strengthening the skin's barrier.
Celebrity skincare expert Michaella Bolder explains: “Vitamin C is very selfish, as it only activates once in contact with the skin. It also doesn’t like being exposed to air or sunlight, so for that reason, capsules or dark bottles can be effective. For maximum potency, it’s best in serum form, without too many additional ingredients.”
“Vitamin C has been found to promote collagen production, plump fine lines, firm the skin tissue, brighten skin and give an overall youthful texture,” says Bolder. “As if that wasn’t enough of a reason to use it in your skincare routine, this super-effective ingredient carries powerful antioxidant properties to help ward off free radical damage, which can push our skin tissue into a premature ageing process.”
Those with scarring, hyperpigmentation or uneven skin tone should also see an improvement, leaving skin looking smoother and more hydrated.
Bolder says: “For best results, use in the morning (before your moisturiser), as this will help to protect against UV irritants and give your skin its morning radiance boost.”
An effective dose can range from 7% to 20%, depending on the condition of your skin. Those with sensitive and drier skin might want to begin with a lower percentage two to three days a week, building up to a more regular dose.
Note, vitamin C can cause a light tingling upon application. It’s also recommended you use sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection in your morning routine.
We asked 270 beauty testers to test 18 different vitamin C serums. Using each for a four-week period, they rated the scent and texture, as well as reporting on any differences in the brightness, pigmentation, radiance, smoothness and hydration of their skin.
Then we got serious in the GHI lab, using our VISIA skin analysis machine to assess improvements in skin pigmentation and red areas before and after using the product.
Natural doesn’t necessarily mean ineffective, and this gentle vegan, natural and 91% organic serum pays tribute to that. It got to work fast, with the majority of testers saying their skin looked brighter immediately.
It wasn't just a flash in the pan, either — this formula scored highest for the best long-term improvements, with a noticeable reduction in pigmentation, scarring and wrinkles after the trial period. There were also no complaints of irritation. A deserved winner, one might say.
Give thirsty skin a dose of hydration with this effective serum, containing hyaluronic acid (which holds 1,000 times its weight in water, so helps to lock in moisture) and 7.5% vitamin C.
Sinking into clean skin effortlessly, the non-greasy formula reduced our testers’ dark spots and left skin visibly glowing, with some noticing faded under-eye circles too.
Looking for a quick fix? You're not the only one. With its lightweight texture and immediate effect on the skin, testers loved how this serum pepped up dull complexions, leaving them instantly glowy, "like a lovely shiny primer".
Many noticed an improved radiance and a reduction in their pigmentation, and the serum absorbed quickly while hydrating their skin. A great product for layering underneath moisturisers or makeup, it couldn't be easier to slot into a daily skincare routine.
This may be the most expensive serum we tested, but the elegant packaging and high dose of vitamin C (15%) helps justify the price.
After the trial period, our panel were unanimous in saying skin felt firmer, with some noticing a reduction in wrinkles too. Overall, this lightweight serum delivers where it matters — improving skin tone, texture and overall radiance.
Part of Elizabeth Arden’s capsule collection, these biodegradable pods contain a luxurious dose of oil-soluble vitamin C, which is designed to hydrate skin.
With plenty to cover the face, neck and décolletage, this was the best serum on test for its hydration properties, with all agreeing the effect was instant and long-lasting. The silky formula was an ideal base for makeup application and the majority saw scarring and pigmentation fade.
With a pleasant tightening and firming effect, our testers could feel this one getting to work immediately. The creamy texture felt hydrating but never greasy – ideal for sensitive skin – but it took a little while to fully absorb.
The majority saw an instant brightening effect, which lasted impressively throughout the test. They also liked the intuitive dispenser, which gave the perfect amount of formula to cover the whole face. A luxurious option for all skin types, and beautifully packaged to boot.
We know it’s what’s inside that counts, but our panel was won over by the technical-looking pump packaging here. Part of Murad’s Vita-C range, this serum contains real gold, which has been proven to have a stabilising effect on active ingredients such as vitamin C, in turn making it more potent. Not to mention the exfoliating properties of glycolic acid in this formulation for better absorption.
Although suitable for all skin types, some testers noticed slight tingling during the first couple of applications, so if you’re new to vitamin C you might want to work your way up to the recommended twice daily dosage. The brightening effects were noticeable though, with the more seasoned vitamin C users being particularly impressed.
It's hardly a secret that fermenting food is akin to supercharging it with nutrients — the benefits of ingredients are amplified and concentrated by the process. It follows, then, that adding powerful ferments to an already concentrated vitamin C serum will only enhance its effects.
This lightweight formula, featuring brightening yeast ferment and pigmentation-targeting molasses ferment, proved our theory correct. Easy to spread and quick to absorb, it left our panel’s skin feeling smooth, radiant and plump with a long-lasting dewy glow.
Paula’s choice it may be, but if you’re after a dark spot fader and anti-ager combined, then this might also be the best choice for you. It's packed with powerful antioxidants such as ferulic acid — these help protect the skin against free radicals and keep the 15% vitamin C content stable.
Testers loved how the dropper packaging allowed them to create a custom dosage based on their skin’s needs; simply add a drop or two into your moisturiser if you don't fancy adding another step to your skincare routine. Many found it hydrating and agreed that it boosted radiance, firmed up skin and evened out their tone. For mature skin, it’s worth the money.
Typology Radiance Serum 11% Vitamin C, 76/100, £21.90 per 30ml
Aesop Lucent Facial Concentrate, 76/100, £87 per 60ml
Ole Henrikson Banana Bright Vitamin C, 75/100, £58 for 30ml
AlphaScience Tannic [CF] Acid Serum, 72/100, £66 per 30ml
Jason C-Effects Hyper-C Serum, 72/100, £23.99 per 30ml
The Inkey List 15% Vitamin C and EGF Serum, 71/100, £14.99 per 30ml
Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She’s committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy. Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms.
With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.
When she isn’t packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits. Florence’s photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites
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Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She’s committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy. Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms.
With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.
Cleansing Oil For Sensitive Skin When she isn’t packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits. Florence’s photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites