15 Best Vitamin C Serums, Tested and Reviewed for 2023

Ask any dermatologist which vitamin-C serum they both recommend to patients and personally use, and I guarantee you they’ll say it’s this one from SkinCeuticals. The serum is absolutely iconic, and contains L-ascorbic acid (one of the most stable, well-studied forms of vitamin C) and vitamin E and ferulic acid, which boosts the efficacy of the vitamin C. And very cool fact: The formula stays active for 72 hours after you dab it on, even after washing your face.

Now in my testing experience, C E Ferulic isn't the best option if your skin is oily and/or acne-prone, but don't worry because Skinceuticals has a slightly different vitamin C called Silymarin CF that's specifically formulated to help curb breakouts and give your skin a glow too.

• Fragrance-free? Yes
• Skin types: Dry, combo
• Usage: Morning

THE REVIEW: "This is hands down the best vitamin C serum I've used, and I've tried a range of different brands from The Ordinary to Drunk Elephant," writes a tester. "CE Ferulic is the only product that has made a difference in my hyperpigmentation and dark spots. The texture goes on smoothly and is absorbed by my skin quickly, making it easy to integrate into my routine."

Another cult-favorite formula, this vitamin C serum with 20 percent l-ascorbic acid and antioxidant-rich green tea extract is a must for brightening, smoothing, and firming skin. Plus, it’s free from skin irritants (like synthetic fragrances or dyes, drying alcohols, and essential oils). I personally like to smooth it over clean skin each morning (the gel-like texture layers perfectly under SPF and makeup products) as the first step in your skincare routine.

• Fragrance-free? Yes
• Skin types: Dry, combo, oily, acne-prone
• Usage: Morning and/or evening

THE REVIEW: “I have tried so many vitamin C serums over the years and none compare to BeautyStat,” says a tester. “I have some discoloration as well as melasma and this has made a world of a difference. It’s easy to apply and isn’t sticky or uncomfortable—plus, it layers well with my other skincare.”

I kept seeing rave reviews of this vitamin C, so I decided to test it out and let me just say wow, I'm so glad I did. The ultra gentle—yet effective!—formula is now a regular in my skincare lineup. It’s filled with vitamin C, turmeric, kojic acid, and fruit enzymes to fade dark spots, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from old breakouts. And unlike many vitamin C serums that be too intense for certain skin types and tones, this one is formulated to be used by all, which is something you rarely see in the skin world.

• Fragrance-free? Yes
• Skin types: Dry, sensitive, combo, oily, acne-prone
• Usage: Morning or night

THE REVIEW: “This serum is amazing,” writes one tester. “My skin is so glowy after using it and I have dry skin that tends to get dull. I am able to wear it in the day time with SPF and have no issues with burning on my sensitive skin.”

PCA Skin’s C&E Advanced is one of my favorite vitamin C serums, says licensed esthetician Candice Miele. “It has a creamy texture that’s hydrating but dries down to a matte finish, and the 20 percent l-ascorbic acid is fantastic for brightening dark spots and evening out your skin tone.” In my testing experience, the formula layers beautifully under SPF and makeup and really helps improve discoloration since it's combined with other brightening ingredients like hexylresorcinol and protective antioxidants like vitamin E and silymarin.

• Fragrance-free? Yes
• Skin types: Oily, combo
• Usage: Morning and/or evening
  

THE REVIEW: “Right away I was very pleased with how this felt on my skin, it's not sticky or tacky and it leaves a matte finish after application that feels tightening in a really good way," reads one review. "It absorbs fully into the skin, which gives me confidence that it is getting to work. I feel as though I am already noticing a reduction in redness and discoloration, as well as the fading of a scar I have long wanted gone."

If you’re dealing with sensitive skin or chronic redness, this ultra-gentle vitamin C serum is about to be your new go-to, thanks to its added vitamin E, colloidal oatmeal, and feverfew extract. Together these ingredient help soothe skin and reduce inflammation while providing a brightening effect. Use it every other morning on clean, dry skin if your skin is ultra sensitive.

• Fragrance-free? Yes
• Skin types: Dry, combo, sensitive
• Usage: Morning

THE REVIEW: “My skin has not liked other vitamin C products I have used in the past,” a tester writes, adding that “this one is great for my sensitive skin. I have seen a difference on my dark spots on my chin.”

This is a high-potency serum that visibly brightens, hydrates, and plumps skin, says Miele. The hardworking combo of vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and peptides stimulate collagen, hydrate skin, and smooth the look of fine lines for a supremely dewy glow.

• Fragrance-free? No
• Skin types: Dry, combo
• Usage: Morning and/or evening

THE REVIEW: “I started to use this product two years ago and I have seen great results in my skin," writes one tester. "I use it day and night and it's helped me a lot with hydration and wrinkles."

This powerful serum combines vitamin C with glycolic acid (a potent AHA that helps boost cell turnover and get rid of dead skin cells) to make your dark spots lighter, your pores smaller, and your skin surface smoother and more even. It's one of the few vitamin C serums I've tested that successfully lightens dark spots *and* makes the rough, bumpy texture on my cheeks and chin less noticable.

• Fragrance-free? No
• Skin types: Dry, oily, combo, acne-prone
• Usage: Morning or night

THE REVIEW: “This product by Murad is the best stuff I ever used on my face," reads a review. "It smells so good but more importantly it really works. I’ve had several people tell me my face looks brighter. 5 stars for an amazing product."

You don’t need to spend a ton of money or hit up some fancy med spa to find a vitamin C serum that gives good results. This option from drugstore skincare brand CeraVe is accessible, oil-free, and contains 10 percent l-ascorbic acid to brighten your skin tone, says dermatologist Elyse Love, MD. And because it’s made with barrier-boosting ceramides and hydrating hyaluronic acid, it’s a safe choice for sensitive skin types too.

• Fragrance-free? Yes
• Skin types: Dry, oily, combo, sensitive
• Usage: Morning and/or evening

THE REVIEW: “This vitamin C serum is one of those products that I can honestly say makes a difference with my skin,” one tester writes. “My skin looks brighter and better and my dark spots and sun spots are less noticeable too.”

If you’re into green skincare, this vitamin C serum is for you. First, the formula is made without questionable ingredients (like parabens, silicones, or synthetic dyes and fragrances). Second, it contains an all-natural superfruit complex that's made with kakadu plum, one of nature’s richest sources of vitamin C, says Miele.

• Fragrance-free? No
• Skin types: Dry, oil, combo
• Usage: Morning or night

THE REVIEW: “I really like Kora Organics products, especially this serum,” reads one review. “I put it on after toner and before my moisturizer. It smells great, although the scent doesn’t last long. After I smooth it all over my face, I’ll dab a bit more on my dark spots. It really helps to keep my aging skin look youthful and glowing.”

If your skin is too sensitive for a retinol face cream or serum but you still want the tightening and smoothing benefits, try this firming vitamin C serum from Dr. Dennis Gross. It uses 15 percent vitamin C to help repair and rebuild collagen—a protein that is naturally found in skin and is responsible for skin firmness and plumpness—plus lactic acid to nix dead skin cells and smooth the surface your skin.

• Fragrance-free? Yes
• Skin types: Dry, combo, oily, acne-prone
• Usage: Morning or night

THE REVIEW: “I love this vitamin C serum,” writes one reviewer. “It’s really helped to brighten my skin and has made it more firm too. The packaging is so pretty too. The quality is the best!!”

This vitamin C serum is def on the pricey side, but the formula is truly as effective and science-backed as they come. “The gentle, oil-free formula combines a stable form of vitamin C (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate) with vitamin E and 17 additional antioxidants to decrease redness and discoloration,” says Dr. Love, who adds, “The formula is suitable for sensitive and rosacea-prone skin unlike other vitamin C's on the market.” I love using this under water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 50 on days that I'm exercising outside and it's been incredibly helpful at protecting my skin from environmental damage.

• Fragrance-free? Yes
• Skin types: Dry, oily, combo, sensitive, acne-prone
• Usage: Morning and night

THE REVIEW: “The serum is worth every penny, IMO. It’s never once irritated my skin and I’ve noticed a clear difference in my dark spots and overall skin tone after using it for a month,” writes a tester.

At just $15, this is the least expensive vitamin C serum on the list—but it’s by no means the least potent. The formula combines 15 percent ascorbyl glucoside (a stable form of vitamin C) with plant-based epidermal growth factors to fade dark spots and marks and minimize lines and rough texture.

• Fragrance-free? Yes
• Skin types: Dry, combo, oily
• Usage: Morning

THE REVIEW: “I have been using this for a few months now and I really like how it’s brightened my face. Plus, it’s very affordable and the tube lasts awhile.”

These single-use capsules aren’t just clutch for weekends away. The squishy shell protects the vitamin C that’s inside from light and air to keep it super potent (light and air oxidize vitamin C and reduce its efficacy, which is why any vitamin C in a jar is usually ineffective after a few uses). Just twist off the top and squeeze the serum onto your skin.

• Fragrance-free? Yes
• Skin types: Dry, oily, combo, acne-prone
• Usage: Morning or night

THE REVIEW: “I really like how the perfect little amount of product is in each capsule,” writes one reviewer. “I have used other brands of vitamin C in the past which were a bit harsh, but this formula is great.”

You don’t have to switch up your existing skincare routine just to incorporate some vitamin C. Mix a few drops of this vitamin C booster serum into your daily face moisturizer or SPF (in my testing experience, it blends perfectly with cream-based formulas) to give your skin some added protection against UV damage and pollution.

• Fragrance-free? Yes
• Skin types: Dry, combo, oily
• Usage: Morning and/or night

THE REVIEW: “This is so easy to use and mix with my other skincare products,” writes a tester. “It has no added fragrance and doesn’t irritate my skin either.”

Before you splurge on a pricey peel or a laser treatment (like Fraxel or Clear and Brilliant) to get rid of your dark spots, give this brightening vitamin C serum a try. It quickly fades surface discoloration and dark spots while providing your skin with much needed antioxidant protection against free radical damage,” says Blancato. “It’s a product that I can count on to do exactly what its supposed to do: give your skin an even-toned glow and protect it from future damage.”

• Fragrance-free? Yes
• Skin types: Dry, combo, oily, acne-prone
• Usage: Morning or night

THE REVIEW: “This is truly one of the best vitamin C serums I've tried,” writes a tester. “It has made my skin look clearer and feel firmer—my dark spots are nearly gone!”