How Vitamin C Serums Work and How to Choose the Right One for You
How Vitamin C Serums Work
Vitamin C serums contain antioxidants that can protect the skin from environmental damage, says David Petrillo, a Nevada-based beauty chemist. They can also promote a brighter complexion by stimulating collagen production and reducing the appearance of fine lines and dark spots. When added to a morning regimen, they can boost the effectiveness and strength of other products, such as sunscreen and retinol serums. Generally, vitamin C is safe for all skin types and is known to help with skin conditions such as acne and rosacea.
Picking the Right Vitamin C Serum Potency
Vitamin C has many benefits, but it can also irritate sensitive skin since it’s an unstable antioxidant. Adrienne O’Connell, DO, Medical Director and President of Laguna Beach Aesthetics, suggests starting with a lower potency if you have sensitive skin. Petrillo also recommends this for people with melanated skin or who want to gauge how their skin will react to a vitamin C serum. Performing a patch test is a good way to determine a product’s compatibility with your skin.
What Healthcare Providers Want You to Know
- Best practices: Mamina Turegano, MD, FAAD, recommends using vitamin C serums in the morning, including a thin layer to your neck and décolletage. Geeta Yadav, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology, adds that using it in the morning will best protect your skin during the day since you’re most exposed to free radicals. Turegano reminds us that if you use retinol serums, it’s best to use those at night and not in the morning when applying your vitamin C serum.
- Stable vitamin C form: Turegano recommends purchasing serums with either L-ascorbic acid or tetrahexyldecyl (THD) ascorbate, which is more stable and penetrates the skin deeper. She adds that if you have sensitive skin or you’re prone to hyperpigmentation, you should look for lower percentages of L-ascorbic acid (under 15%) or stick to THD ascorbate.
- Antioxidant boosters: Petrillo says it’s important to pair vitamin C with other antioxidants to boost its stability. Yadav suggests looking for vitamin E and ferulic acid. When combined, vitamin E strengthens the efficacy of vitamin C, and ferulic acid is incredibly potent and effective at stabilizing vitamin C.
- Natural extracts: Petrillo says that natural extracts like aloe vera or green tea extract can soothe and calm the skin. Natural ingredients that benefit the skin are good to look for. Petrillo warns that it’s best to avoid artificial fragrances, essential oils, colors, or high alcohol content when looking for a good vitamin C serum.
When to See a Healthcare Professional
Petrillo advises that if you live with skin conditions, you should consult a dermatologist to ensure you use the correct amount or formulation of vitamin C. It’s also important to note that some skin conditions, like eczema, can flare up after using vitamin C.
Reviews
- Klur Brilliant Light Repair Serum: Our pick for the best vegan vitamin C serum. This cruelty-free serum is a great option for those who prioritize clean beauty. We love that this product emphasizes skin protection through its impressive ingredient list. Yadav reminds us that vitamin C protects the skin against free radical damage from UV rays. Squalene assists its defensive properties, while aloe heals and restores. Rosehip and vitamin E serve as antioxidant boosters, which Petrillo says strengthens vitamin C’s benefits. The serum also includes vitamin B5, hyaluronic acid, and jojoba oil, which hydrate the skin. The amber glass bottle protects the formula from UV lights and maintains its potency.
Key Specs
- Benefits: Brightening, smoothing
- Skin type: All skin types
- Dosage: Not listed
- Size: 1.0 fl oz
Why We Recommend It
We think this option has a lot of value, but we don’t believe the value matches the price point. We wish it were a little more affordable.
How We Tested Vitamin C Serums
After consulting experts and dermatologists regarding what to look for in vitamin C serums, we tested 34 products over six weeks to find the best ones for healthier skin. We prioritized options that were easy to use and provided visible, measurable results. We selected our top picks based on the following criteria:
- Ease of use: To determine how easy each product was to use, we analyzed the packaging’s casing and dropper, looking for sturdiness, functionality, and whether the dropper distributed the product as intended. We also looked for seamless application and even distribution in the consistency.
- Absorption: We timed how long the vitamin C serum took to absorb into our skin using a timer. The ideal time that would have garnered top marks was 30 seconds and under, with the best being under 15 seconds. We applied our moisturizers and sunscreens afterward to ensure everything layered nicely.
- Texture: When the six-week test concluded, we compared our skin’s texture before and after. Ideally, it felt softer and smoother at the end of the testing period.
- Brightening: We looked for a visible difference in the brightness of our skin. Radiant, brighter, noticeable glowing skin was rated favorably.
- Firming: We gauged how much tighter our skin felt after using the vitamin C serum. We also noted whether it reduced the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and made our skin feel more taut and firm.
- Value: Finally, we compared the above to the price point to see if the value matched the financial cost of the product.
Our Experts
We consulted the following experts during the research and writing of this article:
- Adrienne O’Connell, DO, Medical Director and President of Laguna Beach Aesthetics
- David Petrillo, a certified beauty chemist in Nevada and CEO of the Perfect Image skincare line
- Mamina Turegano, MD, FAAD, a triple board-certified dermatologist, internist, and dermatopathologist
- Geeta Yadav, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology
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