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Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that repairs damaged cells, neutralizes free radicals, promotes collagen production and lightens dark spots while improving skin elasticity, signs of photoaging from sun damage and barrier function. While we get vitamin C naturally through fruits and vegetables, it’s also one of the most synthetically produced ingredients in skin care—ask even the most staunch beauty minimalist and they’ve probably used a moisturizer, eye cream or serum infused with vitamin C.
Vitamin C is an incredibly effective ingredient, which is why we write about it frequently—the different types, how to make it work better, what to pair it with, buzzy new formulas and more. It’s also why there are so many vitamin C products available. The most popular category for vitamin C skin care is, hands down, serums. Synonymous with a higher concentration of active ingredients, serums can be an excellent vessel for vitamin C—in the right formulation.
Curious to see if I could find top-rated, dermatologist-recommended vitamin C serums on Amazon (while I also ordered decidedly un-fun items like toilet paper and baby wipes), I did some digging. To my surprise, I easily discovered 20 vitamin C serums NewBeauty has covered in the past. From medical-grade products worth the small investment to dermatologists’ favorites under $20, here are our picks for the best vitamin C serums you can buy on Amazon.
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Starting off with an under $25 serum that combines a potent blend of sodium ascorbyl phosphate, L-ascorbic acid, a bioactive fruit blend, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. Reviewers say it’s “youth in a bottle” and will improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles in just four weeks.
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Vitamin C, ceramides and niacinamide are a powerful trio in this affordable serum that delivers a “healthy glow.” Together this serum’s ingredients boost brilliance, even out tone, smooth rough texture and replenish the skin’s barrier.
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Ascorbic acid, known as vitamin C, is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the skin. It also has brightening properties to even out skin tone, according to dermatologists. Maelove’s serum boasts an impressive list of skin benefits including enhancing radiance, boosting collagen, fading dark spots and decreasing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. With the addition of hyaluronic acid and a unique botanical blend, it also gives skin an added dose of hydration.
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While a superstar for fading discoloration and brightening complexions, vitamin C has a reputation for causing irritation to sensitive skin types. La Roche-Posay’s 10% Pure Vitamin C serum is different, says Davie, FL dermatologist Marianna Blyumin-Karasik, MD. “One element that can reduce some irritation in problematic skin types is to offset vitamin C irritation by adding hydrating ingredients to product the formulation, such as humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which this serum contains. It is one of my favorites to recommend to patients.”
Birmingham, AL dermatologist Corey L. Hartman agrees, calling the serum “suitable for even the most sensitive skin.”
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Another derm-recommended serum for sensitive skin comes from TruSkin, a shopper favorite with more than 100,000 positive reviews on Amazon. New York dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD recommends because, “TruSkin Vitamin C contains hyaluronic acid that improves hydration, and also uses anti-inflammatory vitamin E to improve skin moisture and offset skin irritation.”
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Vitamin C and lactic acid merge in this advanced serum to exfoliate and promote cell turnover while brightening and smoothing skin. The result is a visible younger-looking glow. If a daytime vitamin C serum is too intense, try Dermalogica’s Biolumin-C Night Restore Serum, an innovative serum with ultra-stable vitamin C and a pro-vitamin D that takes the term “beauty sleep” to a whole new level.
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This under-$20 serum adds plant-derived peptide epidermal growth factors to 15 percent vitamin C, making skin not only brighter and more even-toned, but visibly plumper. Our editor called it a “great option for mature skin.”
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New York plastic surgeon B. Aviva Preminger, MD counts this medical-grade formula as her personal favorite. “It really helps to brighten and achieve a more even skin tone and youthful appearance.”
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Another terrific and derm-recommended vitamin C option comes from CeraVe. New York dermatologist Robert Finney, MD explains, “[You] get the powerful antioxidant vitamin C that can help protect against sun damage, dark marks and fine lines, and it also contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides to improve the skin barrier.”
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The 2024 NewBeauty award-winner for Best Vitamin C Serum is Alastin’s C-Radical Defense Antioxidant Serum. “What makes this product great for sensitive skin is that the vitamin C is encapsulated, which makes it more stable and less irritating. In addition, vitamin C is combined with 15 different antioxidants and peptides that make a powerful combination,” New York dermatologist Marina Peredo, MD explains. That combination helps encourage collagen and elastin production, lend brightening benefits and defense against damaging free radicals.
Award Photo: C-Radical Defense Antioxidant Serum 11 / 20
“This serum features a unique blend of antioxidants, including 15 percent L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), pumpkin ferment extract and pomegranate enzyme, which work synergistically to brighten and firm the skin. Despite its powerful formula, it’s formulated without essential oils, silicones and fragrance,” says Miami dermatologist Anna Chacon, MD.
Award Photo: C-Firma Fresh Day Serum 12 / 20
New York dermatologist Erin Gilbert, MD calls this pick a “great choice” thanks to a formula of 15 percent vitamin C, vitamin E and polyphenols that offers “potent protection” from environmental aggressors. Plus, glycerin and hyaluronic acid keep skin hydrated.
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BeautyStat has been hailed as a “holy grail” skin-care brand by trendsetter, viral sensation, model and new mom Hailey Bieber. Dermatologists praise it too. “This 20 percent vitamin C serum is less likely to irritate sensitive skin,” says New York dermatologist Rosemarie Ingleton MD. “The vitamin C it contains is encapsulated and also combined with soothing green tea and squalene as buffers.”
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Actress and author Mindy Kaling considers this antioxidant serum splurge-worthy, and Nanuet, NY dermatologist Heidi Waldorf, MD recommends it too. “These ampoules contain vitamin C with proteoglycans to support the dermis and hyaluronic acid for hydration and skin barrier support,” Dr. Waldorf explains.
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Good news: there’s no shortage of affordable and effective vitamin C serums. Another great, non-irritating pick is the Cetaphil Healthy Radiance Antioxidant C Serum. In addition to vitamin C, it contains niacinamide and antioxidants to diminish dark spots and boost overall radiance.
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38-year-old model and cookbook author Chrissy Teigen and 63-year-old actress Julianna Moore both love this healing serum. (Right off the bat you know if it’s a fit skin across generations, it must be special.) ADVANCE+ vitamin C, vitamins A and E and olive leaf extract treat acne, rosacea and inflammation and decrease the appearance of premature aging.
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Ferulic acid is an antioxidant proven to help stabilize ingredients like vitamin C so it stays potent and lasts longer. SeoulCeuticals Day Glow Serum, a serum with over 15,000 five-star ratings, has both in its formula and then some—hyaluronic acid, to help skin hold on to hydration and vitamin E, an antioxidant that repairs hyperpigmentation. One reviewer even called the K-beauty serum “nearly identical in texture and performance” to more expensive formulations.
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“This serum uses a nonirritating version of vitamin C—ethyl ascorbic acid—and combines it with glycerin to attract moisture and prevent skin drying,” says Dr. Nazarian. A tri-peptide blend and licorice root extract boost the serum even further to build elasticity and protect skin from free radical damage.
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SkinMedica is celebrated (and recommended again and again) by dermatologists for its dedication to investing in the ingredients to make formulas, and then rigorously testing those formulas to ensure each really works. The brand’s Vitamin C + E Complex gradually delivers high levels of vitamins C and E to the skin to provide antioxidant protection all day long, according to the brand, resulting in more youthful-looking skin. Greenwich, CT dermatologist Lynne Haven, MD previously told us, “My patients find it very effective and well-tolerated.”
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This clinical-level serum features a potent 25 percent of stabilized vitamin C, the gold standard in brightening and treating stubborn discoloration. Glutathione comes in to keep any irritation at bay while also amping up antioxidant protection and ingredient stability, per the brand. Benefits include brightening dull skin, fading dark spots, firming skin, improving elasticity and boosting collagen levels.
