10 Best Vitamin C Serums of 2024 That Will Transform Your Skin, According to Dermatologists

September 3, 2024 isla

Vitamin C serums are among those products that perform the best, and are truly essential for the skin care line. They are antioxidant and help in making of collagen, fading ofSeleccione dark spots, fighting against effects of free radicals in pollution and making the face glowing naturally. The dermatologists were asked to suggest their ‘go to’ vitamin C serums that would be tried out in 2024.

Below, you’ll find 12 best vitamin C serums of 2024 according to dermatologists and they range from the affordable to luxury and they are used to treat dark spots, boost collagen and skin radiance.

Table of Contents

Our Top Pick Best Vitamin C Serums of 2024

Best Overall: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic with 15% pure vitamin C

Key Ingredients:0.15% L-ascorbic acid, 0.15% tocopherol, 0.15 % ferulic acid
Best For: All skin types are but specific attention should be paid to its application for mature skin containing fine lines and wrinkles.
Why we recommend: Before the client can be given this offer, he or she should purchase SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, also known as the gold standard vitamin C serum. Specifically, a clinical study revealed that it reduces the fine lines and wrinkles and improves skin tone, firmness of the skin .The brightness of skin is raised by 41% in 12 weeks of using the cream.
“This 15% L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) with added antioxidant vitamins E and ferulic acid affords stability to these vitamins and the resulting vitamin C antioxidant benefit, and is the formula for hyperpigmentation and wrinkles that I use.”
This is an oil based silicone free serum that is non greasy but is semi- oily in texture customarily it does not make skin greasy thereafter.. Vitamin C breaks down when exposed to light or air so SkinCeuticals’ sleek packaging maintains its efficacy – up to 72 hours after opening the bottle. It can be applied safely on all skin types without causing any skin reactions such as rashes.

Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum

Key Ingredients: Of this making, 10% pure ascorbic acid, hyaluronic acid
Best For: Sensitive skin, hyper pigmentation.
Why we recommend:One of the best Vitamin C serum that is recommended by the dermatologist costs less than $40 and this is from La Roche-Posay. It is a mild formula with synthesized elements and contains only 10 percent of real vitamin C and hyaluronic acid.
‘Many vitamin C serums are sensitizing, but this one offers a lower concentration with hyaluronic acid that hydrates without causing dryness or tingling’. “It’s mild for the skin and yet it provides an antioxidant protection that those with sensitive skin can use.”
In a clinical test, the oil free serum removed hard wearing melanin stains and even skin tone in 4 weeks. It guards fresh vitamin c free from synthetic fragrance or parabens for the convenience of a bottle.

Best for Sensitive Skin: iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance Plus

Key Ingredients: 14% L-ascorbic acid, olive leaf extract, vitamins D & E
Best For: Skin redness, skin irritation, dermatitis, rosacea
Why we recommend:Designed for sensitive skin, this serum contains 14% of vitamin C and contains plant extracts that help soothe the skin. Olive leaf extract, willow bark, vitamin D and E decrease inflammation and encourage the growth of epidermal tissue.
“This is my first choice because those with skin issues such as eczema or rosacea will benefit from it,” explains Dr. Park. “The ability to mix vitamin C with anti-inflammatory botanicals makes the skin glow without inflammation and the sensation of burning.”
Finally, in another clinical study, all the participants reported enhanced skin tolerance in 2 weeks of using the product. The serum is effective in alleviating everything from sun damage to inflammation from cosmetic treatments. It can be used twice in a day for the general population without any harm.

Best Spot Treatment: Peach & Lily Transparent-C Pro

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C at 20%, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid clusters, witch hazel extract
Best For: Melasma and hyperpigmentation
Why we recommend: Peach & Lily TransparenCY-Pro Serum has super fine 20% vitamin C effective on severe hyperpigmentation areas like dark spots, post-acne scars and melasma. With the help of witch hazel extract for skin soothing effect, vitamin E for collagen protection; fragmentation technology for optimum hydration it gently exfoliates dull skin without irritation or dryness. usually apply it every day, either on the entire face or on problem areas when my skin requires some extra care and attention.

Best for Enlarged Pores: Sunday Riley CEO 15% Vitamin C Serum

Key Ingredients: 15% tetrahexyldecyl (THD) ascorbate, glycolic and Kojic acids, Vit C/E
Best For: Reducing the pore size, correcting the skin’s unevenness
Why we recommend: Sunday Riley’s CEO serum has a new generation of oil-soluble vitamin C, which richly sinks into the skin and minimizes pores while targeting dark spots and dullness. ‘When used together with glycolic and Kojic acid the 15% THD ascorbate works to effectively unblock clogged pores while diminishing skin darkening and without the inflammation that is typical of L-ascorbic vitamin C for sensitive skins’, says Dr. Joyce Park, a board certified dermatologist. Clinical research showed that it reduces the pore size and helps to even the skin tone, prevent breakouts, improve skin texture, and lock moisture without causing dryness or flakiness. It feels very hydrating but not greasy at all and I appreciate that it has quite a concentrated formula – a little goes a long way!

Best for Mature Skin: BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner

Key Ingredients: 20% pure vitamin C (ethyl ascorbic acid), peptides, niacinamide
Best For: Fine lines, skin that resembles crepe paper, and skin laxity
Why we recommend: When we grow older, just any vitamin C serum is not going to cut it; you need one that has stability in its ingredients that penetrates the skin’s layers without causing inflammation. BeautyStat Universal C employs an incredibly refined form of vitamin C that is far less acidic than ascorbic acid but delivers the same firming benefits. Along with collagen-protecting peptides and tone-evening niacinamide, this formula gets rid of wrinkles and crepey skin, while not causing redness or dryness. Continued use twice a day for 12 weeks, improvement in skin texture, toner, smoothness and radiance was confirmed 100% based on clinical trials.

Best for Pigmentation: Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum

Key Ingredients: 20% vitamin C, 10% AHAs, vitamin E, Japanese beautyberry
Best For: Hyperpigmentation, skin discoloration, skin texture irregularities
Why we recommend: Tatcha Violet-C Serum tackles uneven skin tone with two heavy hitting ingredients: stable vitamin C and fruit acids in its natural form. “The formulation of 20% active vitamin C with lactic and glycolic AHAs results in chemical exfoliation to help increase cell turnover and eradicate pigmentation without causing inflammation,” adds Dr. Shirazi. Japanese beautyberry, vitamin E, and hadasei-3® help to enhance texture, luminosity, and hydration.From this clinical study, the participants had noted significant changes which included; blotchiness, spot, skin finish, and luminosity after four weeks. The serum itself is non-oily that does not leave the skin feeling oily and dirty after applying it and has no bad odor.

Best for Oily Skin: SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, 15 % pure L-ascorbic acid, 0. It also contains 5% of the concentration of salicylic acid, milk thistle and lipo hydroxy acid.
Best For: Acne, pimples, black and white personnel, shining face
Why we recommend: Silymarin CF from SkinCeuticals is dermatologists’ pick for skin that has spots. For clarity, it blends salicylic acid and lipo hydroxy acid, with fifteen percent pure vitamin c, giving skin an even tone.. “This is a powerful antioxidant which combats free radicals from pollution, adding to this the benefits of vitamin E in boosting the skin’s elasticity and texture,” Dr. Park noted. This is not a heavy, oil-control product that leaves your skin feeling tight and dry, either. Based on clinical studies that lasted for 8 weeks using the product twice daily, 96% of the users reported the following; reduction in oil production, pore size, breakouts and post acne marks.

Best for Anti-Aging: The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%

Key Ingredients: 12% ascorbyl glucoside (vitamin C), vitamin E, B5
Best For: Very thin hardly noticeable lines/wrinkles, papery skin, collagen synthesis
Why we recommend: For the amazing yet quite reasonable vitamin C serum then you cannot go wrong with The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution. And formulated as such within the product, it has non-acid form of vitamin C which are gentler to the skin than ascorbic acid, vitamin E for nourishing the skin and provitamin B5 for skin replenishment.
I agree with Dr. Park’s point that: “This is a great daily serum for targeting signs of aging without irritation.” It explains that the 12% of vitamin C is enough to give collagen boost as well as to target the free radicals, to make the skin look less crepey.
Other investigations showed that ascorbyl glucoside was found to be more bioavailable as compared to regular ascorbic acid form. This means that it is easier for the body to absorb and the outcome is almost evident. The sheer lightweight formula is rapidly absorbed without leaving a slippery, oily or tacky surface on the skin.

Best for Dry Skin: Isdin Isdinceutics Flavo-C Ultraglican Ampoules

Key Ingredients: 30% pure vitamin C (3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid), ultra glycans
Best For: Drying, scalp flaking, and reduced skin flexibility
Why we recommend: Flavo-C Ampoules by Isdin are, in fact, vitamin C boosters for the skin in the form of shots. This powerful serum is formulated with 30% ultra-stable vitamin C, moisturizing ultra glycans and skin-smoothing allantoin.
Flavo-C Ultraglican is a brightening and hydrating serum-in-ampoule designed to help protect against oxidative stress and to deeply hydrate skin for a natural, radiant glow.

Benefits of Using a Vitamin C Serum

Listed below are some of the benefits that dermatologists have noted:

Fades Dark Spots & Hyperpigmentation

Everyone knows that to achieve gentle exfoliation, brightening of your skin tone and removal of dark spots or pigmentations like melasma, using a serum with vitamin C is very effective. Speaking from personal experience, some of the effects of Vitamin C include its effect in inhibiting the production of melanin, the pigment known to be responsible for issues of pigmentation and dark spots as according to Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, a board-certified dermatologist. Hence, vitamin C bleaches the skin by stopping the production of melanin and also helps peel off dead skin.

Builds Collagen

This is true since skin appears full making it healthy because of collagen present in our body.The human aging process leads to reduction in collagen content in our body and at age of twenty we lose as one percent of collagen and in adulthood collagen levels are reduced to just about fifty percent. Earlier the honorable Dr. Shirazi has also shed on the fact that Vitamin C has some related role in the formation of collagen though it is not a cardinal part of it. He mentioned that ‘cofactors are substances that help in the formation of collagen’. Some of the skin properties which are regulated by collagen include skin elasticity: the more collagen the skin has the fewer fine lines and wrinkles.

Brightens & Evens Skin Tone

It also works wonders for persons with skin problems, especially those seeking to correct skin tone inconsistencies. It inhibits the formation of melanin and helps shed the skin cells that are dead on the surface. Daily application of the vitamin C serum will give your skin a glasslike, youthful, and radiant finish.

Neutralizes Free Radicals

Pollution and UV radiation produce free radicals that affect skin cells in negative ways, including the formation of fine lines, dark spots, inflammation, and signs of aging. “It reduces inflammation and fights the skin damaging particles called ‘free radicals’, according to Dr. Joyce Park, a board certified dermatologist. This helps to protect your skin.

Reduces Inflammation and Irritation

This product also has Vitamin C which is anti- inflammation to help in healing of redness and inflammation. If your skin type is sensitive, problematic, acne prone, eczema or rosacea skin will notice that the skin is not as irritable when using Vitamin C serum.

Boosts Sunscreen Efficacy

Now, here is an added bonus when you are using vitamin C serum and applying SPF. It further points out that Vitamin C improves the efficiency of sunscreen and helps prevent cell damage from UV radiation, according to Dr. Shirazi. Use serum first, wait for about ten minutes and then proceed to put on the sunscreen.

What to Look for in a Vitamin C Serum

Since there are dozens of vitamin C serums in the market, wondering how to choose the right one?.

When picking the serums, identify those with extra skin replenishing ingredients including; Vitamin E, ferulic acid and hyaluronic acid as suggested by Dr. Park. It also helps in preventing the degradation of active vitamin C so as to increase the shelf-life of the compound which is safe for human use.
You’ll also want to pay attention to the type of vitamin C:You will also need to consider whether you are getting the natural kind of vitamin c or some form of enhanced form of the vitamin.
The choice is L-ascorbic acid which is regarded as the best yet it may lead to skin sensitivity in some people. The beauty enthusiast, especially the one with sensitive skin should consider to use 10-15% rarely.
Ascorbyl glucoside is less reactive in comparison with ascorbic acid yet it is more stable. Recommended to those people who have skin dryness or sensitive skin kind.
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate:This is the oil-soluble type that is capable of penetrating deeply into the dermis. If you have oily or acne prone skin you should try and look for this bottle.
Specifically, the decision on a serum should be made in such a way that clear bottles or packages for such a serum should not be used. As pointed out by Dr. Shirazi, vitamins and nutrients are sensitive to light and oxygen meaning that the gel capsule has to be opaque.

How to Use Vitamin C Serums

Here are some tips applicable regarding the proper application of your serum in order to maximize benefits from vitamin C.

Direct it on the skin’s surface that has been washed and left to dry. You should not wash your face and then apply the serum immediately; it is imperative that your face has to be dry first before applying the serum.
It has to be taken in the morning. Regarding make up, sunscreen also has an interaction effect with Vitamin C and thus when using it, apply it in the morning after efficiently applying your Vitamin C serum.
Then it should be taken at least 3 times per week.Taking vitamin C every day can produce irritation, and this is most likely due to its first use. Build up tolerance slowly.
Be careful with the packaging.Prefer items that come in dark glass bottles or tubes and ensure to use the products within 3-6 months of opening.
Don’t apply other products immediately.Allow your serum to work for roughly 2-3 minutes before applying other forms of lotion or makeup.
Store it properly.To preserve vitamin C integrity, store your serum in a cool, dark area such as the refrigerator when not in use.