The perfect drugstore vitamin C serums show that you just don’t must shell out all of your money to attain brighter, smoother, and extra even-toned pores and skin. From light-as-air, fast-absorbing gels to richer, deeply hydrating formulation, these concentrated serums might help fade darkish spots, refine texture, and shield towards environmental stressors. And sure, they are often as efficient because the expensive stuff, particularly when used constantly. “Drugstore choices supply nice worth for addressing issues like dullness, uneven tone, and early indicators of getting old, notably when paired with diligent sunscreen use,” says Alexandra Bowles, DO, a board-certified dermatologist in Cincinnati. Some even mix vitamin C with hydrating or soothing components like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, or peptides, so your pores and skin seems shiny and plump with out ever feeling stripped, thirsty, or irritated.
Our High Drugstore Vitamin C Serums
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
Forward, we’ve rounded up the highest editor- and dermatologist-approved picks that really work. Hold studying to find the serums price placing in your radar—and your shelf.
Finest Total: e.l.f. Pores and skin Brilliant Icon Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Serum
Why we like it: When SkinCeuticals’ patent for C E Ferulic lastly expired in April 2025 (after 20 years), many manufacturers seized the second to recreate its highly effective antioxidant mix— a process that isn’t so simple as copying the ingredient record. (Vitamin C 101: It must be stabilized to remain efficient, or, in different phrases, it must be chemically modified to be extra immune to degradation from air, mild, and warmth.)
E.l.f’s Brilliant Icon Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Serum will get it proper with 15% 3-O-Ethyl ascorbic acid (EAA), a extremely secure spinoff of vitamin C, in addition to opaque packaging and a pump cap to stop oxidation, so it stays efficient for longer. (A telltale signal of a serum gone dangerous is an orange-brown hue.) Paired with 1% vitamin E and 0.5% ferulic acid for additional stabilization, the system helps brighten, fade darkish spots, and clean uneven tone—all in a light-weight, non-greasy texture that appears like nothing on the pores and skin.
“This drugstore vitamin C serum was modeled after a dermatologist’s favourite system that’s about 9 instances costlier now that their patent is up. I’ve used that SkinCeuticals system for years, however I’ve to say e.l.f’s system comes actually shut. I like that it has a pump cap. Different vitamin C serums can flip orange as a result of oxidation after a number of weeks, however I’ve been utilizing this one for months and it’s nonetheless as shiny as ever due to the way in which the cap locks, conserving air out. There may be an immediate brightening impact as soon as it glides on, and after months of utilizing it, I can say it matches as much as the costlier model at conserving darkish spots at bay.” —Jessica Merciless, editor in chief
- Key components: 15% 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid, 1% vitamin E, 0.5% ferulic acid
- Finest for: all pores and skin sorts, particularly oily
- Perfume-free: sure
- Measurement: 30 ml
Finest for Dry Pores and skin: Prequel Lucent-C Vitamin C Serum
Prequel
Lucent-C Vitamin C Serum
Why we like it: Prequel’s Lucent-C Vitamin C Serum makes use of a mix of vitamin C with ferulic acid. In line with New York Metropolis-based board-certified dermatologist Patricia Wexler, MD, the antioxidant helps maintain vitamin C secure, but additionally offers additional safety towards free-radical harm. The system additionally consists of niacinamide and inulin, a prebiotic that helps the pores and skin microbiome, to reinforce firmness, even out pores and skin tone, clean pores and skin texture, and lock in moisture. Plus, there’s ergothioneine (EGT), an amino acid that costs the vitamin C and will increase the efficiency within the system, so that you get its full brightening results. That is a load of actives, so this serum will not be the perfect for sensitive-skinned of us. If you wish to give it a whirl, we advocate giving it a patch take a look at on the again of your hand earlier than making use of it to the face.
Tester suggestions from commerce editor Sarah Han
“If Prequel hasn’t already been in your radar, it is undoubtedly an inexpensive skin-care model to observe. I actually have, and once I realized I did not have an everyday vitamin C serum, I instantly grew to become interested in Prequel’s system. For context, I haven’t got delicate pores and skin and I’ve not often had reactions to vitamin C as a complete, so I do not essentially draw back from increased doses, like this one’s 15%. After I rinse my face with water, pat in a hydrating toner, I am going in with a number of pumps of this serum, and my complexion seems immediately brighter and extra awake. I additionally like how watery this system is as a result of it layers so effectively with my different morning merchandise and does not trigger pilling. Nonetheless, it does make me look a tad shiny at first, which is to say the system takes longer to utterly dry down, and won’t be the perfect match for notably oily of us.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Key components: 15% L-ascorbic acid, niacinamide, inulin, ergotheanine
- Finest for: dry pores and skin, mixture pores and skin
- Perfume-free: sure
- Measurement: 30 ml
Finest for Wonderful Traces: Neutrogena Collagen Financial institution Vitamin C Serum
Neutrogena
Collagen Financial institution Vitamin C Serum
Why we like it: The Neutrogena Collagen Financial institution Vitamin C Serum is a favourite amongst editors and dermatologists, and for good purpose. “Whereas vitamin C has been round ceaselessly, Neutrogena put an exfoliator on this system, so the vitamin C penetrates higher,” Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Hamden, Connecticut, advised Attract. That includes the ulta-gentle 2% PHA (polyhydroxy acid), it exfoliates and hydrates concurrently for smoother-looking pores and skin. Plus, Neutrogena’s patented micro-peptide know-how, which permits the peptides to penetrate extra simply into the pores and skin and higher, boosts collagen and elastin manufacturing. The result’s a system that brightens, smooths, and plumps mature pores and skin unexpectedly.
“As an enormous Neutrogena fan, I used to be excited to get my fingers on this vitamin C serum. It has a super-easy to make use of dropper, however the system is what actually shines via. It is very skinny and light-weight, so it spreads in seconds. After I apply it, my pores and skin feels barely cheesy, so I normally give it a number of seconds to soak up earlier than I am going in with my moisturizer. As somebody with oily pores and skin, I admire that this serum does not make me look too shiny. However my pores and skin undoubtedly seems extra awake—and that is at all times a plus very first thing within the morning.”—Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
- Key components: 15% L-ascorbic acid, 2% PHA, peptides
- Finest for: all pores and skin sorts, particularly mature pores and skin
- Perfume-free: sure
- Measurement: 0.5 oz.
Finest for Delicate Pores and skin: La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C12 Serum
La Roche-Posay
Pure Vitamin C12 Serum
Why we like it: Dr. Bowles calls La Roche-Posay’s Pure Vitamin C12 Serum a standout as a result of “it makes use of a pure type of vitamin C at a significant focus and is paired with soothing components that assist cut back irritation, which is particularly useful for delicate pores and skin.” In line with derms, most vitamin C serums fall within the 10% to fifteen% focus vary—and this one lands proper in a candy spot of 12%. The system can also be boosted with salicylic acid to refine the looks of pores, neurosensine (a sort of peptide) to calm pores and skin, and hydrating staples like glycerin and hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture. As with all La Roche-Posay merchandise, it’s additionally made with the model’s antioxidant-rich thermal spring water to assuage irritation and defend pores and skin from environmental stressors.
- Key components: 12% L-absorbic acid, salicylic acid, neurosensine, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, thermal spring water
- Finest for: all pores and skin sorts, particularly delicate pores and skin
- Perfume-free: sure
- Measurement: 1 oz.
Finest for Zits-Susceptible Pores and skin: CeraVe Vitamin C Serum
Why we like it: In line with Dr. Bowles, acne-prone pores and skin can profit from vitamin C serums—so long as they’re non-comedogenic and paired with soothing or barrier-supportive components like niacinamide or hyaluronic acid. CeraVe’s Vitamin C Serum suits the invoice, pairing vitamin C with ceramides and hyaluronic acid to assist even tone whereas concurrently hydrating. That ceramide increase is particularly useful for acne-prone pores and skin, which will be extra susceptible to a compromised barrier and infrequently has decrease ranges of linoleic acid—a key part of ceramides—resulting in clogged pores and elevated sensitivity, New York–primarily based board-certified dermatologist Kseniya Kobets, MD, advised Attract. With a modest 10% focus of vitamin C, this serum is simple for delicate, breakout-prone pores and skin to tolerate, whereas vitamin B5 helps calm redness and irritation for smoother, extra even-looking pores and skin.
- Key components: 10% L-ascorbic acid, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5
- Finest for: all pores and skin sorts
- Perfume-free: sure
- Measurement: 1 oz.
Finest Excessive-Focus: The Bizarre Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA
The Bizarre
Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA
Why we like it: For anybody in search of a severe brightening increase who’s snug with a stronger system, Dr. Bowles recommends The Bizarre Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%. As a result of the vitamin C is in a powder type suspended inside an oil-like base, it releases step by step into the pores and skin, making a excessive focus simpler to tolerate—that’s additionally why the serum could really feel slightly grainy at first. The water-free system makes it extra secure on the shelf, conserving the vitamin C potent till you open and use it. And, whereas it has a barely oily texture at first, it absorbs rapidly, leaving pores and skin clean and glowing.
You probably have extra delicate pores and skin, you possibly can dilute this serum with a cream to assist the pores and skin construct tolerance over time, making it a flexible possibility for each delicate and fewer reactive pores and skin sorts.
- Key components: 23% L-ascorbic acid, hyaluronic acid
- Finest for: all pores and skin sorts, in addition to tremendous delicate
- Perfume-free: sure
- Measurement: 30 ml
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
What do you have to take into account when purchasing for a drugstore vitamin C serum?
First, think about the type of vitamin C. “Pure L-ascorbic acid is highly effective however will be unstable and worsening at increased doses, whereas derivatives like magnesium ascorbyl phosphate or ascorbyl glucoside are usually gentler,” Dr. Bowles says. Step two is packaging. “Vitamin C can degrade when uncovered to mild and air, so an opaque, hermetic container is good.” It’s additionally useful when a vitamin C serum consists of supportive components like hyaluronic acid or antioxidants like vitamin E, to stabilize the system and cut back potential irritation. “Lastly, take into consideration your pores and skin sort—some formulation are higher suited to dry or delicate pores and skin when mixed with hydrating brokers, whereas others could also be extra applicable for oilier pores and skin.”
Are there any downsides to drugstore vitamin C serums?
“The most important variations between drugstore vitamin C serums and higher-end choices usually come all the way down to formulation sophistication and ingredient synergy,” says Dr. Bowles. Costlier serums could use patented blends, extra secure or superior derivatives of vitamin C, and extra antioxidants or peptides that improve long-term advantages for getting old or firming, she explains. Some “may incorporate supply applied sciences that enhance absorption with much less irritation.” Drugstore serums, however, are likely to deal with well-studied, simple components (akin to L-ascorbic acid) that won’t have these extra layers of know-how or complementary actives, she notes.
Meet the consultants
- Alexandra Bowles, DO, is a board-certified dermatologist in Cincinnati.
- Kseniya Kobets, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in New York.
- Mona Gohara, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Hamden, Connecticut.
- Patricia Wexler, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in New York Metropolis.
How we take a look at and assessment merchandise
When Attract assessments a product, our editors have a look at it from each angle in an effort to finest serve you. We assessment components, scrutinize model claims, and, when essential, look at peer-reviewed scientific and medical research. Along with testing every product that is included in every assessment, we depend on consultants who form their fields, together with dermatology, beauty chemistry, and drugs, to assist us vet the components and formulation.
For our record of the perfect drugstore vitamin C serums, we thought of every product’s efficiency throughout 5 main classes: product components and efficacy, packaging, perfume, texture, and product put on. Each product was decided to have excelled in every class by our editorial crew, which consists of in-house writers and editors in addition to contributors—together with particular consideration from dermatologists. To study extra info on our reporting and testing processes, learn our full opinions course of and methodology web page.
Our employees and testers
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In spite of everything, can we actually say a skin-care product is the “finest” for folks over 50 if the one testers we’ve solicited opinions from of us who’ve but to hit 30? Can we actually deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned money if it’s by no means been examined on curls? We’re proud that our employees spans a variety of ages, pores and skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which implies that we’re in a position to pretty assess any magnificence product that comes into the wonder closet.
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