Ingredients And Skin Concern
Jaliman says its a good idea to keep your eyes open for a simple product without too many ingredients, but also recommends looking for products that match your skins needs.
Here are a few all-star ingredients to look out for:
- Vitamin E and ferulic acid. Remember these our golden trio. These help keep vitamin C stable and make it much more effective.
- Hyaluronic acid. A superstar hydrator for all skin types. Its also got anti-aging benefits of its own and can help improve skin elasticity.
- Squalane. Another amazing hydrator thats great for dry skin.
But we also have bad news. Some ingredients can actually cause skin irritation or making vitamin C less effective, so you should avoid using them together. If you see serums with these ingredients, proceed with caution:
How To Choose A Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C is one of those antioxidants thats especially compelling because it has so much potential to deliver complexion-enhancing results. There are many factors to consider when looking for the best vitamin C serum. Choosing the right one can be tricky, says Pritzker. Beyond the efficacy of the , its important to find a formula that works with your skin.
Sunday Riley Ceo 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum
For an extra powerful formula, take a look at this beauty. This serum quickly absorbs into the skin to deliver fast-acting results. Think brighter, hydrated and refined skin in an instant.
It couldnt be easier to add a dose of vitamin C into your skin care routine. For more top skin care tips, take a look at the best fruit-based beauty products you need to try.
Written by Rebecca Jenkinson
Rebecca is a content writer with over three years experience and a keen interest in cosmetics. Cosmetify allows her to combine her blogging skills with her passion for beauty.
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Sunday Riley Ceo C+e Antioxidant Protect + Repair Moisturizer
A heavenly choice for women with sensitive skin, this vitamin C moisturizer features 5% oxygen-stable, oil-soluble THD ascorbate. The blend is gentle enough for everyday use and strong enough to make a serious dent in fine lines and dry, dull skin.
Infuse your skin with hydration while creating a strong barrier against free radicals. Lime pearl extract protects and repairs for an improved complexion. Youthful and radiant skin will be yours with daily use of this rejuvenating vitamin C blend that is available at .
Can I Use Lemon Juice Instead Of Vitamin C Serum
While vitamin C is a potent antioxidant and can help lighten pigmentation, it is also an acid that can burn the skin, she warns. She doesnt recommend using straight lemon juice on your skin. Instead, opt for a vitamin C serum with a known concentration of vitamin C. It will provide safer, more consistent results.
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Potential Side Effects And Risks
Although irritation is unlikely, you should always do a patch test before full application. This is the only way to determine how your skin will react to the serum.
If your skin is especially sensitive, avoid products with L-ascorbic acid. Products with magnesium ascorbyl phosphate may be less likely to cause irritation.
Serum stability is affected by two things: product formulation and packaging.
The following vitamin C derivatives are designed to retain potency for longer:
- L-ascorbic acid
- ascorbyl palmitate
- magnesium ascorbyl phosphate
You should also ensure that the product has a water-free formulation. And the bottle should be opaque and airtight.
Popular vitamin C serums include:
It Promotes Collagen Production
Collagen is a naturally occurring protein that depletes over time. Lower levels of collagen can lead to fine lines and wrinkles.
Vitamin C is well known for through the process of collagen synthesis. In fact, collagen synthesis cant happen without vitamin C.
This is because vitamin C is the essential cofactor for the two enzymes required for collagen synthesis:
- prolyl hydroxylase, which stabilizes the collagen molecule
- lysyl hydroxylase, which provides structural strength
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Dermadoctor Kakadu C 20% Vitamin C Serum With Ferulic Acid & Vitamin E
An extremely powerful antidote to free radical damage, discoloration, and dull skin texture, this petite powerhouse is one of our favorite vitamin C serums on the market. The infusion of ferulic acid provides salient antioxidant and anti-ageing benefits to your skin. This serum powerfully targets fine lines, loss of firmness, and wrinkles while preventing future free radical and photodamage effects. Its available at Dermstore.
The Best Vitamin C Serum For Face
The Best Vitamin C Serum for Face is fantastic and effective antioxidant. One step in your skincare routine has massive power in promoting younger-looking skin.
We know that DNA damage caused by free radicals is the number one skin aging, and Vitamin C works to counteract the effects. In addition, we know collagen production helps support healthy, youthful-looking skin.
Benefits of Best Vitamin C Serum for Face
How to use The Best Vitamin C Serums?
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Matter Of Fact Ascorbic Acid 20 Brightening Serum
Matter of Facts vitamin C serum is a game changer, says Dr. Garner. This serum is an astonishing six times more stable than other leading products in the category, he says. This means that it is not only highly effective as demonstrated by clinical studies, but it will also remain that way for longer than other products on the market. But it comes at a price, and the serums cost may be a deterrent for some. However, the long shelf life means you wont be wasting it if you cant use it by the expiration date.
Pros:
What Didnt Make The Cut And Why
While some of the below vitamin C serums may do the job, we found a few downfalls that rendered them not making the cut:
- LOréal Revitalift Derm Intensives Vitamin C Serum: Though a fan-favorite, this serum had impractical packaging and made my skin too oily.
- Murad Dark Circle Corrector: While the brands other vitamin C serum had a dreamy texture, this one stung a bit on my face.
- Tru Alchemy Glow Serum: This one was good and effective at brightening the skin, but it wasnt as bright as others we tested. However, we still recommend its formulation for just about any skin type.
- Youth to the People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum: While we recommend this formula because it includes caffeine which helps to eliminate dark spots it was a bit too clumpy on my skin.
Check out New York Post Shopping for more content. Some of these serums were sent by brands for consideration for our readers.
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What Can Vitamin C Do For Your Skin
In skin-care products, vitamin C does a few really helpful things, SELF explained previously. First, vitamin C can actually inhibit the production of melanin, the pigment in skin, which makes it a crucial ingredient for managing hyperpigmentation and generally evening out skin tone.
Second, vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, which means it can help neutralize free radicals. These are unstable atoms that form as a result of exposure to environmental stressors like U.V. rays and pollution. Over time, free radicals can cause oxidative stress, which can harm skin and cause premature signs of aging. Using sunscreen daily along with a potent antioxidant like vitamin C is the best way to protect yourself from damage due to free radicals.
How To Choose The Best Vitamin C Serum For You
Whats the best way to apply my vitamin C serum?
Apply the serum to your face and neck after cleansing, but before moisturising, to allow the product to penetrate the skin. As vitamin C contains a mild acid, you might experience a tingling or mild stinging sensation when applying your serum.
The discomfort should be mild and temporary to avoid more painful stinging, apply a thin layer every other day at first until your skin becomes used to the product. Go especially easy on sensitive skin. Its wise to start with a lower concentration at first and avoid applying vitamin C on broken skin.
Vitamin C can feel a little gritty or sticky on the skin at first, but this stickiness should disappear once the product is absorbed. If your skincare regime also includes retinol, its best to not use these at the same time as they can each cause mild irritation apply your vitamin C in the morning and your retinol at night.
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What are the benefits of vitamin C and what do the different concentrations do?
Vitamin C at any concentration will help to freshen up, plump and repair skin. Higher concentrations of vitamin C boost the products brightening and pigment-reducing effects so if you especially want to target dark spots and discolouration, youll want to work up to a stronger serum containing a higher percentage of the active ingredient. Always note our advice above about skin sensitivity when using higher concentrations of vitamin C, though.
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Irritation: Stings When Applied
Vitamin C products have caused me to have a slight tingling effect when applied, but this one had quite a bite to it and stung more than other products Ive tried. It wasnt unbearable and dissipated pretty quickly , but the first few minutes were, at times, pretty uncomfortable. I noticed this sensation heightened when my skin felt drier.
The Ordinary warns of a strong tingling sensation for the first one to two weeks of use on the product page, but even after three weeks, it still stung as it did the first time. If you have sensitive skin, I would be cautious with this product, and only apply a small amount at a time.
Clinique Fresh Pressed Daily Booster With Pure Vitamin C 10%
One of the original favorites in the vitamin C skincare arena, this product is tried and true awesome. We love the punchy and user-friendly packaging. Clinique markets it as a daily supplement for the skin. With a high concentration of vitamin C, this product will protect you from free radicals and environmental irritants. Invigorate your skin and create a hydrated and radiant complexion with daily use of the boost! Pick it up from Nordstrom!
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The Packaging: Glass Bottle Protects From Oxidation
TruSkins Vitamin C Serum is packaged in a dark brown glass bottle with a sealed dropper lid, which keeps the product protected from oxidizing sunlight. Even so, its still important to keep the bottle out of direct sunlight and heat and be sure to make sure the dropper lid is tightly closed after each use.
Perricone Md Vitamin C Ester Serum
This multitasking vitamin C serum works wonders for rejuvenating, clarifying, and brightening skin tone. Wrinkles, sunspots, and pigmentation wont stand a chance against this super concentrated formula. Tocotrienols hydrate and revive dry skin. We love this vitamin C product because it fights free radicals while gently improving complexion and texture. Its available at Nordstrom.
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Boots No7 Radiance+ 15% Vitamin C Serum: The Best On The High Street
Price: £20 | Buy now from Boots
If your pocket doesnt quite run to the SkinCeuticals serum above, Boots No7 has a very serviceable budget version bringing together a good concentration of vitamin C with sodium hyaluronate to boost moisture in the skin. The serum has a lightweight texture thats absorbed quickly into the skin. The concentration of vitamin C in the product means that theres a very slight stickiness on application, which passes quickly with the application of a moisturiser. We liked the very light orangey fragrance and the budget-friendly price.
Key specs Bottle size: 25ml Vitamin C concentration: 15% Vitamin C type: Ascorbic acid
Price: £23 | Buy now from Look Fantastic
Designed to reveal glowing skin in just one week, Cliniques vitamin C system combines an exfoliating powder cleanser with a brightening serum for really radiant results. The cleanser comes in individual sachets to keep the active ingredients fresh until opened. Mix it with water to create a refreshing paste and massage into the face using circular motions to slough off dull outer layers. Follow with the Daily Booster to wake up and freshen your newly revealed skin with regular use, skin texture and brightness will be noticeably improved.
Key specs Bottle size: 10ml Vitamin C concentration: 10% Vitamin C type: Ascorbic acid
Best Overall: Skinceuticals C E Ferulic
This antioxidant cocktail of 15% pure vitamin C , 1% vitamin E , and 0.5% ferulic acid, will not only help with brightening complexion, but also protect skin against environmental damage caused by free radicals, unstable molecules generated from sources including UVA/UVB rays, ozone pollution, and diesel engine exhaust. It is also paraben-free and ideal for all skin types, including normal, dry, and sensitive. While the price tag may be a bit startling, keep in mind that a little bit goes a long way, and you only need to use a few drops a day.
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The Best Budget Vitamin C Serum: Cerave Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum $2499
- Pros: Dermatologist-approved skincare brand, has a fresh scent, brightens problem areas and hydrates the skin
- Cons: Impractical packaging
Oh, CeraVe, how I love you so. Ive been using the brands cleanser for years and wasnt surprised at the slightest when its Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum was one of the ones to come up on top.
Notably, its fresh scent just makes you want to use it every day and it effectively brightened and nourished my skin. For $25, you cant go wrong.
- Pros: Amazing at brightening the skin, has a pump dispenser, great for waking your skin up in the morning, has a pump protector for no spills
- Cons: None to speak of
When I first came across Farmacys Very Cherry Bright Serum, I knew I was going to like it. A serum that includes vitamin C and sweet cherries? Sounds like facial heaven.
As someone with dry skin, this is the best for this skin type because it includes ascorbic acid, acerola cherry and other derivatives of vitamin C that nourished my skin to the T. Though its not the only serum in this edit that works well on dry skin, its a thirst-quenching one I kept resorting back to.
- Pros: Akin to a moisturizer, fresh scent, made my entire skin glow
- Cons: None to speak of
There are many great vitamin C serums in this roundup but Garniers formulation was too good, I just kept thinking about it.
I Dew Care Bright Side Up Brightening Vitamin C Serum
This $25 vitamin C serum earns rave reviews from Amazon shoppers. Love, love, LOVE this product! It smells great and has done wonders for my combination skin, writes verified Amazon reviewer Lily McCarthy. A little goes a long way when using it, so the product lasts a long time! In addition to vitamin C, this serum contains grapefruit extract for a healthy glow, as well as niacinamide, which evens skin tone and improves brightness. Whats more, panthenol and vitamin E add moisture to the mix. The main con? Some users feel the serum is too thick to apply easily.
Pros:
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What Is A Vitamin C Serum Exactly And Whats In It
A vitamin C serum is a skin-care product packed with vitamin C. It has the consistency of a liquid or gel, and is applied topically to the skin. Youll find these serums wherever you normally purchase skin-care products at department stores, beauty stores, and some drug stores, too. On the packaging, youll likely see words touting skin benefits like firming, brightening, and collagen boosting. Tapping into those benefits is the main reason to add a vitamin C serum to your skin-care routine.
The benefit of vitamin C is its an antioxidant, so it helps prevent the forming of free radicals, which go on to break down collagen and elastin, Saedi says. The result, she says, is glowing, youthful skin.
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Loreal Revitalift 10% Pure Vitamin C Concentrate
RAVE REVIEWS
This 10% vitamin C concentrate sinks deeply into skin to reduce wrinkles and boost overall radiance, making it a great base underneath makeup. Free of fragrances, parabens, dyes, and mineral oil, the sensitive skin-friendly formula will only cost you about $30. The air-tight tube also helps preserve the product.
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Sunday Riley Ceo Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil
This multitasking face oil contains skin-calming turmeric , ginger root to even out discoloration, and a stable form of vitamin C to smooth fine lines. Its standout quality? The gorgeous texture absorbs quickly without the stickiness of many serums. Just be sure to apply as your last step, as thinner products wont be able to penetrate through an oil.
19. Clinique Fresh Pressed Daily Booster with Pure Vitamin C
Add a few drops of this fragrance-free vitamin C serum to your moisturizer and slather it on all at the same time, Dr. Chapas says, so its easy to incorporate into your skincare regimen. No need to worry about feeling dry, as it contains hydrating glycerin, dimethicone, and squalane. Thanks to its addition of salicylic acid, those with acne-prone skin will love this option.
