Experts Back Me Up—This Is the Single Most Effective Product for Healthy-Looking, Glowing Skin

I'll be the first to admit that I own too many vitamin C serums. Well, I have a lot of skincare full stop, but when it comes to face serums specifically, I’m like a magpie with jewels—I want them all, and vitamin C formulas are amongst the best of the best. But hoarding serums is no good when I only have one face and just two opportunities a day to do my skincare. So, recently, I went through my stash and did a massive overhaul and there was one thing that I noticed: I have long hoarded the best vitamin C serums.

I can’t tell you exactly when my apparent obsession started, but what I will say is that of all the serums that I’ve tried, it's the vitamin C serums that make the biggest difference in my skincare routine when it comes to brightness, tone and elasticity. It's for this reason that vitamin C serums are regarded to be some of the hardest working skincare products around by experts.

TyLynne Nugyen with hand on face

(Image credit: @tylynnnguyen)

What Is a Vitamin C Serum?

Vitamin c serums from tatcha, skinceuticals, medik8 and beauty pie on marble surface

(Image credit: @eleanorvousden forBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK)

"Vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants. As such, it helps to mitigate against free radical damage caused by exposure to pollution and UV amongst others,” explains Justine Hextall, consultant dermatologist and medical director at Tarrant Street Clinic. "By protecting the skin, it plays an important part in skin regeneration and supports the production of collagen and elastin, which can give skin firming benefits. The other major benefit of vitamin C is its skin-brightening properties. It suppresses the production of melanin. As such, it can help to fade unwanted pigmentation.”

To help you navigate which vitamin C serums are truly deserving of your attention and money, I've shared some of the most highly regarded formulas around, confirmed by editors and experts. Consider these the best vitamin C serums money can buy...

The Best Vitamin C Serums

  1. Best Overall: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Antioxidant Vitamin C Serum (£165)
  2. Beauty Pie Superdose Vitamin C C-Suite Rapid Action Power Brightener (£24)
  3. UKLash Vitamin C + HA Eye Serum (£20)
  4. Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum (£70)
  5. Tatcha The Brightening Serum (£86)
  6. CeraVe Skin Renewing 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum (£29)
  7. Dr Sam's Flawless Vitamin C NAD+ Serum (£62)
  8. Medik8 Vitamin C Tetra-C Serum (£39)
  9. Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum (£59)
  10. La Roche-Posay Vitamin C12 Serum (£45)
  11. Allies of Skin 20% Vitamin C Brighten + Firm Serum (£93)
  12. The Inkey List Vitamin C Serum (£12)
  13. Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate (£65)
  14. Caudalie Vinoperfect Complexion Correcting Radiance Serum (£52)
  15. L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Clinical 12% Pure Vitamin C Serum (£32)

1. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Antioxidant Vitamin C Serum

eleanor after testing skinceuticals c e ferulic serum

(Image credit: @eleanorvousden forBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK)

2. Beauty Pie Superdose Vitamin C C-Suite Rapid Action Power Brightener

3. UKLash Vitamin C + HA Eye Serum

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

5. Tatcha The Brightening Serum

6. CeraVe Skin Renewing 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum

7. Dr Sam's Flawless Vitamin C NAD+ Serum

8. Medik8 Vitamin C Tetra Serum

9. Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum

10. La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C 10 Serum

11. Allies of Skin 20% Vitamin C Brighten + Firm Serum

12. The Inkey List Vitamin C Serum

13. Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate

14. Caudalie Vinoperfect Complexion Correcting Radiance Serum

15. L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Clinical 12% Pure Vitamin C Serum 

Which Skin Types Do Vitamin C Serums Work For?

I get really deep hyperpigmentation after spots, so much so that I dread the mark left after the spot more than the spot itself. By regularly using a vitamin C serum, I’ve found these marks fade so much quicker, and my skin tone is way more even-toned and textured. As Ole Henriksen, founder of his eponymous skincare brand, says, "Whether your skin type is normal, oily, combination or dry, a daily dose of vitamin C can do wonders for your skin. When added to your skincare routine, this powerhouse ingredient can provide a wide range of benefits that keep your skin looking youthful, glowing and fresh.” In fact, it's Ole's Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum (£59) that got me hooked on the ingredient in the first place.

best vitamin c serums

(Image credit: @alllisonho)

Who Should Avoid Vitamin C Serum?

There are some skin conditions that require caution when it comes to adding this ingredient into a routine, though. "I sometimes recommend using with caution at first with sensitive and rosacea-prone skin,” says Hextall. "I do use on blemish-prone skin but, again, with caution at first. For sensitive skin, I would recommend starting at a concentration of 10% and looking for those combined with moisturiser or hyaluronic acid amongst others.”

What Should You Look for When Choosing a Vitamin C Serum?

When it comes to stripping your routine back to just a vitamin C serum, there are so many that combine excellent ingredients to make it a skincare all-rounder, such as hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid or ferulic acid. "There’s no doubt that a vitamin C serum is a smart choice, especially when streamlining a routine, as it’s a radiance multitasker. It’s great for all ages and is also a great pick-me-up and restorer of glow post-illness or a stressful time,” says Abi Cleeve, founder of SkinSense. However, for skin that is showing signs of ageing, she has another choice. "For its proven, cumulative results in improving the texture, fine lines and overall appearance of the skin, retinol would be an equally strong ‘one-pick’ serum for those in their late 30s and above depending on when the signs of ageing become noticeable.”

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Eleanor Vousden
Beauty Editor,Best Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK

Eleanor Vousden is the beauty editor for Who What Wear UK. She was previously deputy editor at Hairdressers Journal, health writer at Woman Home and junior beauty editor at Powder. She has also contributed to Wallpaper and Elle Collections.With a degree in fashion journalism from the London College of Fashion, she has 10 years of industry experience and has been highly commended at the BSME Talent Awards for her work on Powder and also contributed to the title winning Website of the Year at the PPA Awards.Eleanor’s journalistic focus is providing readers with honest and helpful beauty content. She has interviewed celebrity makeup artists, hairstylists and dermatologists throughout her career, as well as celebrities such as Hailey Bieber, Sarah Jessica Parker and Scarlett Johansson.

With contributions from