If you ask us (which you kind of did?), vitamin C is an essential skincare ingredient. We love this potent antioxidant for its ability to brighten the skin, reduce inflammation, correct pigmentation, promote healthy collagen production, and protect our skin from free radical damage. What can’t it do?
Why is vitamin C so important?
Before we list our favourite products, we want to make sure you understand why vitamin C is such an important skincare ingredient. As we said, vitamin C is an antioxidant that offers free radical protection. Free radicals—the production of which can be accelerated by UV exposure, pollution, poor diet, smoking, and alcohol—wreak havoc on our cells and lead to accelerated aging both intrinsically (internally) and extrinsically (externally). The resulting damage includes things like fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation. Antioxidants (like vitamin C) act as the skin’s first line of defense against these little destroyers, and can aid in repairing and preventing this damage.
The best vitamin C serums.
Now, on to the good stuff! Vitamin C is commonly found in serums because they’ve been shown to be an effective delivery vehicle that allows vitamin C to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin; but not all serums are created equal! We’re breaking down some of our favourite vitamin C serums to help you make the best choice for your skin.
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic.
You may have guessed this serum would top the list. C E Ferulic is SkinCeuticals’ #1 seller. It contains 15% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), 1% vitamin E (alpha tocopherol), and 0.5% ferulic acid. Together, these ingredients work to neutralize free radical damage, improve fine lines and wrinkles, brighten the complexion, address pigmentation, and promote collagen production.
Wonderful for: those with normal, dry, or combination skin.
SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF.
Another lovely serum from SkinCeuticals, Phloretin CF combines 2% phloretin (a pigment fighting antioxidant found in apples and the root bark of fruit trees), 10% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), and 0.5% ferulic acid. This potent antioxidant serum not only protects your skin against free radical damage but also aids in reducing unsightly pigmentation while addressing fine lines and wrinkles.
Wonderful for: normal, oily, or combination skin.
Vivier GrenzCine Serum.
Vivier’s proprietary GrenzCine Serum combines Polyamine-DAB and Vitamin C, a formulation that is unique to Vivier and the result of 30 years of clinical research. Formulated to address aging skin, this concentrated serum helps increase firmness and hydration while diminishing fine lines and wrinkles, increasing luminosity and improving skin tone, texture and elasticity.
Wonderful for: all skin types.
RejudiCare 2CRM Sal.
We love this serum for anyone struggling with acne. RejudiCare 2CRM Sal’s brilliant combination of vitamin C, salicylic acid, vitamin E, and alteromonas ferment extract work in perfect synergy to address acne and reap antioxidant benefits without drying the skin.
Wonderful for: acne-prone skin.
iS Clinical ProHealth Serum.
This serum combines time-released vitamin C with a blend of botanicals that includes vitamin E, vitamin A, olive leaf extract, zinc sulphate, arbutin, and kojic acid. Olive leaf extract works with the vitamin C to provide maximum antioxidant protection and health-promoting benefits. Zinc sulfate reduces inflammation, kojic acid prevents blemishes and vitamins E and A condition, nourish and neutralize free radicals. iS Clinical ProHealth Serum is antibacterial, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and a tyrosinase inhibitor aiding in reducing pigmentation.
Wonderful for: sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, and those suffering from rosacea.
NEW: SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF
The latest addition to the SkinCeuticals lineup of vitamin C serums, Silymarin CF is formulated precisely for oily and blemish-prone skin. With a combination of 0.5% silymarin (milk thistle extract), 15% L-ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid and 0.5% salicylic acid, this oil-free formula is demonstrated to reduce oil oxidation (which can lead to breakouts) by up to 76%, as well as reduce oiliness, refine skin texture, and visibly improve skin clarity and fine lines.
Wonderful for: oily and blemish-prone skin.
Still confused? Book a free skincare consultation.
Our Wonder Skin Therapists are here to help. If you need help finding the right vitamin C serum for you, book your free virtual consultation today.