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Vitamin C Serums: 13 Of The Best For Your Brightest Skin Ever

Here's why vitamin C is the a powerhouse ingredient to know about

By and Lucy Partington
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As well as retinol and sunscreen, vitamin C is one of the three most important ingredients you'll hear dermatologists and skin experts talking about. Not just good to take as a supplement to boost your immune system, it's actually an incredibly powerful antioxidant that works to help protect skin in a number of ways, as well as helping to boost overall brightness and improve its health.

Here, we've broken down everything you need to know about vitamin C and why it should be a key part of your routine if it's not already. Plus, keep scrolling to discover the best ELLE approved vitamin C serums on the market right now.

What does a vitamin C serum do?

'Vitamin C is a staple for so many skin concerns,' explains facialist Abigail James. 'It's an antioxidant, which means it can protect against free radical damage – which is caused by things including pollution, the sun, smoking and stress. It's an amazing skin brightener, too, and it can give you a glow as well as helping to reduce the appearance of pigmentation.'

But that's not all: vitamin C is also a magic wrinkle fighting ingredient thanks to the fact that it boosts the body's production of collagen (levels of which deplete as we age) and helps to firm the skin.

Finally, it works to reduce inflammation and improve your complexion. Or as dermatologist Dr Joanna Gach puts it, 'vitamin C peels the superficial layers of the epidermis, giving a fresher and brighter look to the skin as well as strengthening the collagen fibres.'

What should you look for in your vitamin C serum?

'How effective it's really going to be is all about how it's formulated,' says James. 'Vitamin C is unstable and will rapidly degenerate when exposed to oxygen, so you might have a product that claims to have a high percentage, however if the packaging design is a dropper or pot – which allows the solution to be exposed to the air regularly – then it's going to gradually get more and more ineffective.'

The key is to look for the type of vitamin C being used. 'L-ascorbic acid or ascorbic acid is more stable than others and will maintain its strength longer.'

When should vitamin C be applied?

The great thing about vitamin C is that it can be used both morning and night. However, we would recommend that you use it in the morning after cleansing and before applying SPF. That way skin will really reap the most rewards as you'll benefit from the antioxidant properties, and it'll boost the efficacy of the sunscreen you're wearing, too.

Keep reading to discover the best vitamin C serums for 2024...

1
Best All-Rounder

Vitamin C Complex Serum

Vitamin C Complex Serum
1
Best All-Rounder

Vitamin C Complex Serum

£22 at Space NK

If you haven't heard of Naturium then it's time to get to know the name. An affordable brand with excellent formulations, this vitamin C serum seriously rivals similar products that cost double – sometimes triple – the price.

Using a potent vitamin C complex – made up of l-ascorbic acid, a bioactive fruit blend and sodium ascorbyl phosphate – it promises brighter, more radiant looking, healthier skin over time. It's vegan and cruelty-free, and best of all, it costs a little over £20.

2
Best Vitamin C For Reactive Skin

La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum

Pure Vitamin C10 Serum
2
Best Vitamin C For Reactive Skin

La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum

Now 20% Off

You can always rely on La Roche-Posay to formulate effective products suitable for even the most sensitive skin, and that's why we love its Pure Vitamin C10 serum.

Lightweight and non-sticky in texture, it's packed with pure vitamin C alongside hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid to help brighten and restore dull, pigmented skin.

3
Best Entry Level Vitamin C

Bubble Dream Vitamin C + Niacinamide Serum

Dream Vitamin C + Niacinamide Serum
3
Best Entry Level Vitamin C

Bubble Dream Vitamin C + Niacinamide Serum

Bubble is the new kid on the block and it's already making waves on social media. Its kind-to-skin formulations, fun packaging and excellent price point make it appealing in various ways.

We love that this lightweight serum combines vitamin C with niacinamide to help even out skin tone, reduce scarring and dark spots whilst providing skin with antioxidant protection. It also uses plant-derived ceramides to help protect the skin barrier and improve overall skin health.

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4
Best Oil Free Vitamin C

10% Waterless Vitamin C Serum

10% Waterless Vitamin C Serum
4
Best Oil Free Vitamin C

10% Waterless Vitamin C Serum

This clever, oil-free vitamin C serum helps reduce the appearance of both dark spots and hyperpigmentation. It's formulated with 10% l-ascorbic acid and uses waterless technology which not only helps keeps it stable, but helps maximise its efficacy, too.

It absorbs into skin quickly and easily, and it won't ever feel tacky or sticky, either. Plus, staying true to Farmacy's ethos, this serum uses upcycled tangerine peel and sugar beet for its antioxidant-rich benefits.

5
Best vitamin C serum

The Organic Pharmacy Stabilised Vitamin C Serum

Stabilised Vitamin C Serum
5
Best vitamin C serum

The Organic Pharmacy Stabilised Vitamin C Serum

This serum really does tick every box, helping to visibly improve skin tone while keeping your complexion looking brighter and more radiant. Over time, it'll help combat pigmentation, scarring and wrinkles and it shouldn't cause irritation or sensitivity, either.

However, the recommended dosage is a sizeable full dropper, so be warned that you might get through this 30ml bottle quicker than expected.

6
Best for sensitive skin

Kiehls Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate 12.5% Vitamin C

On Sale
Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate 12.5% Vitamin C
6
Best for sensitive skin

Kiehls Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate 12.5% Vitamin C

Now 16% Off

A powerful formulation that's suitable for sensitive skin types, this Kiehl's serum is formulated with a 12.5% blend of l-ascorbic acid and ascorbyl glucoside (two of the most stable forms of vitamin C). It helps plump and hydrate skin without causing unwanted flare-ups, and a little goes a long way.

Plus, we like that it layers well underneath other products, including moisturiser and foundation, without pilling.

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7
Best Value Vitamin C

The Inkey List 15% Vitamin C And EGF Serum

15% Vitamin C And EGF Serum
7
Best Value Vitamin C

The Inkey List 15% Vitamin C And EGF Serum

It's safe to say that a lot of vitamin C serums sit at the more expensive end of the spectrum, but The Inkey List is a brand we can rely on for affordability and effectiveness, and this serum is no exception.

Formulated with a highly stable form of vitamin C, it promises a potent hit of antioxidants, while the EGF (epidermal growth factor) promotes collagen production – all for £15.

8
Best for dull skin

Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Super-C Serum

Dynamic Resurfacing Super-C Serum
8
Best for dull skin

Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Super-C Serum

Now 15% Off

If you’re suffering from dull, uneven skin after the last long, cold winter, then this is the product for you. The ultra-concentrated formula is rich in skin-brightening actives (such as red clover extract, mullein extract and a Swiss Alpine blend) which, together with a highly stable vitamin C derivative, will leave skin looking dewy, radiant and ready for summer.

9
Best for dehydrated skin

Omorovicza Daily Vitamin C Serum

Daily Vitamin C Serum
9
Best for dehydrated skin

Omorovicza Daily Vitamin C Serum

Expensive, yes, but we love the unique, milky texture of this vitamin C serum. Formulated with a potent, stable form of the ingredient, it melts beautifully into skin, and the added hyaluronic acid ensures lasting hydration for glowy, vibrant-looking skin. Plus, we love that it's suitable for oily, acne-prone skin, too.

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10
Best For Tailored Treatments

Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster Vitamin C Brightening Serum

On Sale
C15 Super Booster  Vitamin C Brightening Serum
10
Best For Tailored Treatments

Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster Vitamin C Brightening Serum

Now 20% Off

Whether applied directly or mixed into your daily moisturiser, we're big fans of the adaptability of this serum. It's formulated with a 15% stabilised concentration of vitamin C, alongside ferulic acid and peptides that work to smooth and brighten the skin.

Think of this serum as a pep-up shot that'll leave skin feeling firmer and looking brighter.

11
Best For Improving Skin Texture

Murad Environmental Shield Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum

On Sale
Environmental Shield Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum
11
Best For Improving Skin Texture

Murad Environmental Shield Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum

Now 27% Off

Combining the anti-ageing and antioxidant properties of vitamin C with the exfoliating properties of glycolic acid for maximum absorption, there's no denying that this Murad serum works quickly.

As well as having an immediate improvement in skin texture, the lightweight formula leaves skin hydrated without any sticky residue, making it easy to incorporate into a morning skincare regime.

12
Best for oil prone skin

Aesop Lucent Facial Concentrate

Lucent Facial Concentrate
12
Best for oil prone skin

Aesop Lucent Facial Concentrate

Enriched with rose petal extracts, this concentrated vitamin C serum will leave skin replenished, hydrated and smelling great – as is the way with so many of our must-have Aesop products.

The glass pipette is a dream to dispense and apply — especially when followed by an enriching facial moisturiser — and the semi-matte finish it leaves in its wake is worth noting, and is especially good for those with oil-prone skin.

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13
Best for immediate brightness

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum

Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum
13
Best for immediate brightness

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum

Ole Henriksen's Banana Bright serum combines vitamin C, exfoliating acids and banana powder-inspired pigments to instantly brighten and plump the skin, while hydrating with hyaluronic acid — a notorious moisture magnet.

This serum packs a real punch, and we love the citrus scent it has. It'll work to add instant glow, and over time skin will look brighter.

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