What vitamin C serum does to the skin

Vitamin C serum has many incredible benefits for the skin: it evens skin tone, combats hyperpigmentation, reduces wrinkles, and it’s a powerful antioxidant, meaning it helps protect skin against free radical damage.

Moreover, it promotes collagen production and increases the elasticity and smoothness of the skin.

Vitamin C serum is anti-aging, it gives necessary daily protection from free radicals, and it brightens the skin, giving it a youthful glow.

Vitamin C is the most abundant antioxidant in the skin and plays an important role in its health. [1] However, your skin is constantly exposed to a number of factors, which in turn result in oxidative stress (free radicals) – harsh weather, pollution, sun exposure, smoking, alcohol, sugar, etc.  This, combined with natural aging, causes depletion of vitamin C levels in your epidermis. 

For this reason, it’s important to enrich your diet with vitamin C as much as possible. Topical products with vitamin C may provide additional support to your skin.

If used consistently, vitamin C serum will give you a smoother, healthier, and more radiant complexion.

However, you should have in mind that after contact with light, heat, and air, vitamin C eventually oxidizes and loses its potency (this usually takes about three months after opening the bottle) [2] Some sources say that vitamin E (tocopherol) will help stabilize the formula, so you should look for these ingredients in the ingredient list. [3]

What to look for in a vitamin C serum ingredient list?

• Vitamin C form: The most popular form of the vitamin is L-ascorbic acid, the most biologically active and well studied. It’s water-soluble and very unstable – aside from product stability, this also results in a harder time penetrating the more fatty skin. For cosmetic products, you can enhance vitamin C stability and the ability to penetrate by lowering the pH of the product to below 3.5 with ferulic acid. [4] However, the skin is made up of both lipid and watery layers, so some resources state that the perfect vitamin C product has a balance of both fat-soluble and water-soluble ingredients for the best absorption. You need to use both types of vitamin C to effectively penetrate the skin and to address both depleted collagen and free radicals. Look for keywords like L-ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbyl phosphate (which are both water-soluble), as well as ascorbyl palmitate and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (which are lipid-soluble), on the ingredients list. [5]
• Vitamin C concentration: 10-20 percent is the sweet spot. [6] However, if you have sensitive skin, you may find that higher concentrations may be irritating, so stick to the lower end of the spectrum, around 5 percent. [7]
• Vitamin C amount: it should be on the top of the ingredient list (ideally one of the 5 first ingredients).[8]
• Other ingredients: tocopherol (vitamin E), glutathione, and ferulic acid are beneficial to vitamin C. Vitamin E and Glutathione stabilizes vitamin C for maximum skin protection, while ferulic acid helps lower the pH level of vitamin C to below 3.5 percent so your skin can easily absorb it. [9]
• Packaging: Vitamin C is vulnerable to light, sun, and air exposure. Use only vitamin C packaged in opaque tubes, air-restrictive bottles, or airless pumps that help keep their ingredients stable once the product has been opened and used. [10]

How to use vitamin C serum

Apply 1 to 3 drops of serum to clean face in the morning and evening, avoiding eye area. (If you use toner, it should go before serum). Follow with moisturizer.

If a vitamin C serum contains Retinol, then use the serum only before bed, as retinol makes the skin more sensitive to UV rays.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I get a commission if you decide to purchase anything through my links, at no cost to you. Read my disclaimer for more information.

6 Powerful & Cruelty-Free Vitamin C Serums

1. KORA Organics Noni Bright Vitamin C Serum

Contains Vitamin C Superfruit Complex, Sodium Hyaluronate, Olive Leaf Extract, and Red Pepper to make your skin smoother, firmer, and more hydrated. This Complex evens skin tone by reducing the appearance of pigmentation & dark spots; and high in antioxidants, polyphenols & bioflavonoids.

The Vitamin C Superfruit Complex contains Certified Organic Kakadu Plum, Acerola Cherry, Orange & Lemon Peel, Noni, and 12% stabilized Ascorbyl Glucoside for a powerful blend that delivers results. Ascorbyl Glucoside is a water-soluble derivative and the most stable form of Vitamin C. 

• Vitamin C form: Ascorbyl Glucoside, Acerola Cherry, Kakadu Plum, Lemon Peel, Orange Peel, Noni Fruit, Ascorbic Acid
• Vitamin C concentration: 12%. Ascorbyl Glucoside is the second ingredient after Aloe Vera. Aloe Vera is known to improve the absorption of both vitamins C and E. [11]
• Ingredients that help with vitamin C potency: tocopherol (vitamin E)
• Other powerful ingredients: Sodium Hyaluronate is the water-soluble sodium salt form of Hyaluronic Acid. A powerful humectant that attracts and retains moisture to help plump the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The smaller molecular structure means it can penetrate deeper into the dermis than conventional Hyaluronic Acid. It also aids in reinforcing the skin’s barrier and improves elasticity so the skin is firmer.

BUY IT ON KORA ORGANICS $68.00

 

2. Pura D’Or 20% Vitamin C Serum

Professional Strength 20% Vitamin C Serum was developed with a concentrated base of Retinol and pure vegan Hyaluronic Acid. This serum increases the appearance of skin elasticity and firmness and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Infused with plant-based, organic ingredients.

Retinol helps reduce the appearance of age spots and discoloration with continued use.

Hyaluronic Acid helps soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by drawing moisture to the skin’s surface.

• Vitamin C form: Ascorbic Acid
• Vitamin C concentration: 20%. Ascorbic Acid is the second ingredient after water
• Ingredients that help with vitamin C potency: tocopherol (vitamin E) and Ferulic Acid. Aloe Vera forms the base of the serum
• Other powerful ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid and Retinol (Vitamin A)

BUY IT ON PURA D’OR $14.99

(Monthly subscription for $12.74 each month)

 

3. Sunday Riley CEO 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum

The formula specifically targets the five signs of aging: sensitivity, dehydration, dullness, uneven skin tone, and wrinkles, in order to promote a brighter, youthful complexion.

Vitamin C reduces the appearance of dark spots, combats hyperpigmentation, balances skin tone, a Phytosterols Complex to soothe sensitive skin and Saccharide Isomerate Extract improves the look of pores.

• Vitamin C form: Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
• Vitamin C concentration: 15%. Vitamin C here is the second ingredient after water
• Ingredients that help with vitamin C potency: tocopherol (vitamin E)

BUY IT ON SKINSTORE $85.00

 

4. DERMAdoctor Kakadu C 20% Vitamin C Serum with Ferulic Acid and Vitamin E

This serum provides a concentrate of 20% stabilized vitamin C enriched with Kakadu plum, ferulic acid, and vitamin E.

Kakadu plum contains on average 55 times the vitamin C of Florida oranges.

This formula is dermatologist tested and approved, allergy tested, hypoallergenic, non-irritating, non-drying, non-comedogenic, free of fragrance, dyes, parabens, and gluten.

• Vitamin C form: 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Kakadu Fruit Extract
• Vitamin C concentration: 20%. 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is the second ingredient after water
• Ingredients that help with vitamin C potency: tocopherol (vitamin E) and Ferulic Acid

BUY IT ON SKINSTORE $95.00

 

5. IMAGE Skincare VITAL C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum

A serum for all skin types that softens the appearance of fine lines and fights environmental damage. Hyaluronic acid helps to lock in hydration and supports the look of plump, bouncy skin. This formula includes multiple forms of stable vitamin C to brighten and fight the visible signs of dullness and aging to create a healthy, youthful glow. It includes both water-soluble and lipid-soluble vitamin C.

• Vitamin C form: Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid. 
• Vitamin C concentration: unknown. Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate is 12th in the ingredient list, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate is 14th. Ascorbyl Palmitate and Ascorbic Acid are near the end. 
• Ingredients that help with vitamin C potency: Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol. Aloe Vera forms the base of the serum, and it is known to improve the absorption of both vitamins C and E. [12]
• Other powerful ingredients: Sodium Hyaluronate

BUY IT ON SKINSTORE $72.00

 

6. SKIN&LAB – Vitamin C Brightening Serum (Korean)

Vitamin C serum with hyaluronic acid and 15 vitamin blends to boost skin radiance.

• Vitamin C form: 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
• Vitamin C concentration: unknown. Vitamin C here is the 8th in the ingredient list
• Ingredients that help with vitamin C potency: Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Glutathione
• Other powerful ingredients: Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Biotin, Folic Acid, Riboflavin, Bioflavonoids,  Retinol

BUY IT ON YESSTYLE $23.84