Our Top 10 Picks for the Best Vitamin C Serums

17 Jul 2019

I started at Adore Beauty in the warehouse over 2 years ago and am now part of the marketing team here at Adore HQ. My holy grail skincare product is knowledge - sounds cheesy but honestly, the better you know your skin type, concerns, and what ingredients work for you, the better the results you’ll see. Skincare is a journey, babes. It’s all about finding what works for you. That and SPF. Seriously, slap that stuff on every day.

Vitamin C has been a key ingredient in your wellness since childhood. But as you’ve grown, it’s become paramount to ensure this vitamin is front and centre in both your diet and your skincare routine. Vitamin C is a versatile ingredient that gives skin an essential boost of youthfulness and radiance. It does this by supporting natural collagen and elastin within the skin while brightening and evening skin tone on the surface. We’ve compiled our top picks to help you find the best way to get your daily dose of Vitamin C. Check them out below!

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum - 30ml

$218.00

4.5 of 443 reviews

When you look at the ingredients of this brightening, line-smoothing powerhouse, it’s easy to see why SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum has amassed a serious cult following. Vitamins C and Vitamin E, potent free-radical fighters, protect skin from environmental damage while stimulating collagen production. Thus, these antioxidant vitamins minimise damage from sun exposure and help your skin reclaim a plump, youthful look.

Brighten, nourish, and restore a youthful finish to your complexion with this antioxidant-rich brightening serum from SkinCeuticals. Rich in anti-aging essentials, CE Ferulic Serum will have you looking more radiant in no time.

Going beyond Vitamin C & E, this well-loved serum is fortified with Ferulic Acid, a brightening acid that acts as an antioxidant booster. Ferulic Acid supercharges the vitamins in the formula to produce incredible anti-aging results. Perfect for all skin types, SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum smooths lines, unifies skin tone, and leaves your complexion glowing with consistent use.

SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF

$218.00

4.6 of 72 reviews

Looking to brighten and refine without clogging pores? SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF is the perfect choice for oily or combination skin that needs a brightening boost. Specifically formulated for oily/combination skin types, this potent antioxidant serum provides all the benefits of a traditional Vitamin C serum: brightening, firming, collagen-boosting. Yet you never have to fear a fresh crop of blemishes coming out to play and worsening the situation.

Perfect oily combination skin while fighting the signs of aging with SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF. This non-comedogenic formula fights free radicals and refreshes aging skin without causing breakouts, making it a perfect treatment for adult acne.

This lightweight, quick-absorbing serum helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles while protecting the skin from environmental damage, stimulating collagen production, and evening skin tone. The result is a blemish-free glow you’ll be proud to rock for years to come. Clear age spots, acne scars, and other signs of aging all in one easy step with SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF.

Aspect Extreme C 20

$135.00

4.4 of 174 reviews

If you’re looking for the ultimate in anti-aging, look no further than Aspect Extreme C 20. This painstakingly formulated anti-aging treatment is a total overhaul for dull, aging skin. The multitasking product restores smoothness, even tone, and a youthful boost of volume with daily use. Aspect goes the extra mile with its intensive treatment serum, providing a beautiful, botanically based formula that’s built to revive skin comfortably—no stinging or burning—due to the stability of the brand’s Vitamin C.

Plump and firm for a flawless finish with Aspect Extreme C, a potent anti-ager that gives skin an instant reboot. Lines are smoothed, hydration is restored, and skin appears plump and youthful with this supercharged Vitamin C serum.

The Vitamin C in Aspect Extreme C 20 is a stable Vitamin C, packed in an airtight container to minimise any breakdown or degradation of the product. This extreme care ensures you’re getting the highest-potency product with every pump. Formulated with Syn-Ake, or Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, this youth-boosting treatment fills and smooths lines while Vitamin C brightens, plumps, and protects for a truly unbeatable anti-aging must-have.

Pixi Vitamin-C Serum

$46.00

4.4 of 18 reviews

Diving into the world of serums and treatments can be daunting. But Pixi makes it easy with its accessible, effective options, and Vitamin C Serum is no exception. The perfect choice for those in their 20s and 30s who’re looking to get a head start on anti-aging, Pixi’s Vitamin C Serum is both gentle and effective. Better yet, these high-quality results are available at a price even a uni student can manage to scrape together

Break out of a dull-skin slump without breaking the bank: reach for Pixi’s gorgeous and affordable Vitamin C Serum. This botanically based formula is the perfect starter Vitamin C for those looking to nip the signs of aging in the bud.

This botanically based serum boasts an impressive ingredients list. Ferulic Acid is added to boost the brightening and anti-aging benefits of Vitamin C while adding antioxidant qualities of its own. A great choice for those who work in cities or areas where air quality is poor, this lightweight serum is loaded with antioxidant benefits to stop environmental aggressors in their tracks. Skin is left youthful, glowing, and better able to resist the signs of aging. Nip your skincare woes in the bud early with Pixi Vitamin-C Serum.

Medik8 C-Tetra Lipid Vitamin C Antioxidant Serum

Medik8 C-Tetra Lipid Vitamin C Antioxidant Serum 30ml

$78.20

4.3 of 157 reviews

Medik8 has reformulated its cult favourite C-Tetra Serum, and we’re seriously amazed by this skincare glow-up! Medik8’s new C-Tetra Lipid Vitamin C Antioxidant Serum is back and better than ever with 100% stable Vitamin C, ensuring the integrity of your product can truly be felt and seen all the way to the last drop. A great choice for those concerned about ethical ingredients, this high-potency Vitamin C is 100% cruelty-free and vegan. It’s a serum you can feel good about—and not just because of the gorgeous results!

Soothe and protect dull, aging skin in one easy step with Medik8 C-Tetra Lipid Vitamin C Antioxidant Serum. This unique anti-ager utilises 100% stable Vitamin C and essential fatty acids to keep sensitive or reactive skin bright, youthful, and hydrated.

A collagen-boosting, firming formula, Medik8 C-Tetra Lipid Vitamin C Antioxidant Serum 30ml leaves skin softened, nourished, and calmed. Nourishing Jojoba Seed Oil makes this product a great choice for tackling the visible signs of aging in drier skin head-on. Refresh and brighten thirsty skin with Medik8 C-Tetra Lipid Vitamin C Antioxidant Serum.

EmerginC Vitamin C Serum 20%

$119.00

4.8 of 39 reviews

EmerginC’s commitment to providing the best in Vitamin C serums is clear in this unique formula. This potent antioxidant serum utilises 3 types of Vitamin C to ensure a comprehensive level of treatment. EmerginC Vitamin C Serum 20% is a standout product that you can trust to provide your skin with serious firming, brightening, and antioxidant properties. But if you’re worried about the effects of using high-potency Vitamin C on your skin, you can rest easy. This intensive formula is fortified with soothing ingredients to minimise irritation that can occur in more sensitive skin types.

Break out the serious treatment with EmerginC Vitamin C Serum 20%. This high-potency serum jumpstarts your complexion with an instant dose of radiance and anti-aging protection you’re sure to love.

Vitamin E and Vitamin F provide nourishment and cushion skin against the potentially harsh effects of highly active Vitamin C. At the same time, E and F also boost the antioxidant properties of the serum, refreshing and renewing the complexion without stinging or burning. Perfect for all skin types, EmerginC Vitamin C Serum 20% gives you three great reasons to try it!

The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%

$21.90

4.5 of 252 reviews

The perfect choice for the more sensitive faces out there, The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% is a highly active, but gentler, form of Vitamin C. This revolutionary ingredient is a pro at brightening, toning, and firming skin without causing the irritation that can come along with more intensive formulations.

Treat skin gently while reversing environmental damage with The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%. Perfect for those with sensitivity to Vitamin C, this gentler form provides a boost of brightening and protection without the irritation that can come from more potent Vitamin C formulas. Now everyone can brighten and perfect without frustration.

The Ascorbyl Glucoside used in this anti-aging booster from The Ordinary is a water-soluble form of Vitamin C. Because L-ascorbic acid, or pure Vitamin C, isn’t soluble in water, The Ordinary elected to use this gentler form to provide brightening and anti-aging for those with more reactive skin. Perfect for all skin types from dry to oily, this lightweight serum sinks in quickly and goes straight to work. The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% provides brightening, minimises fine lines and wrinkles, and improves skin overall for an instant boost without the burn.

The Ordinary Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F

$24.90

4.5 of 138 reviews

Looking for potent treatment at a budget-friendly price? You’re all set for a serious youth-boosting glow with The Ordinary Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F. This oil-based formula allows The Ordinary to utilise the highest potency Vitamin C, infusing skin with antioxidant protection, boosting collagen production, and warding off the signs of aging in one simple step.

Get the ultimate bang for your buck with this impressively effective Vitamin C formula from The Ordinary. Rich in high-potency Vitamin C in an oil base, this treatment serum has you all set for a serious boost of youthful radiance at a price you won’t believe.

The Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate in this formula, is an oil-soluble derivative of Vitamin C that can be used in higher concentrations without the common drawbacks of more potent formulas, such as irritation and inflammation. This solution is also fortified with Vitamin F, or essential fatty acids, to nourish and protect skin’s natural barrier. This creates a comfortable but effective route to the youthful complexion you’re looking for. Perfect for all skin types, The Ordinary Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F helps you get your glow on gently.

What is the Difference between The Ordinary's Vitamin C Products?

Murad Environmental Shield Rapid Age Spot Correcting Serum

Murad Environmental Shield Rapid Age Spot Correcting Serum 30ml

$115.00

4.3 of 36 reviews

Go for the glow with this clinically proven dark-spot correcting serum from Murad. A multifaceted skin brightener and pigment reducer, Murad Environmental Shield Rapid Age Spot Correcting Serum is rich in brightening and refining ingredients to help you achieve an even, smooth complexion. A unique trio of Niacinamide, Hexylresorcinol, and Plankton Extract addresses uneven skin tone, pigmentation, and other signs of aging. Vitamin C, Oligopeptides, and subtle light-reflecting pearls support the skin’s natural collagen, boost antioxidant protection, and impart a radiant glow to the skin.

Fight serious pigmentation with a seriously effective treatment: Murad Environmental Shield Rapid Age Spot Correcting Serum. Refine and renew uneven texture and kick pigment to the curb with this clinically proven skin-clearing solution from Murad.

Best for those looking to actively fade discolouration, this precisely formulated serum will help reduce uneven pigmentation and lift stubborn dark spots on even the most mature skin, making it an ideal choice for any skin type or age. Reclaim a smooth, youthful complexion with Murad Environmental Shield Rapid Age Spot Correcting Serum 30ml.

Alpha-H Vitamin C

Alpha-H Vitamin C 25ml

$59.46 $69.95

4.3 of 156 reviews

Alpha-H Vitamin C blends high-tech, scientific skincare with tried-and-true botanical skin boosters. A highly active but gentle serum, this unique brightening treatment utilises a stable form of Vitamin C. Ethyl Ascorbic Acid boosts collagen production, visibly plumps and firms the skin, and provides top-notch antioxidant protection for a youthful, radiant complexion.

Alpha H blends the natural magic of botanicals with highly effective scientific solutions in its Vitamin C serum. You’re sure to see an instant increase in youthfulness and radiance with this antioxidant serum formulated to refresh and refine complexions. Grape Seed Extract and Hyaluronic Acid boost antioxidant properties while flooding the skin with moisture. Thus, this serum is a great option for dry or dehydrated skin that needs a Vitamin C fix without experiencing dryness or irritation. The anti-inflammatory properties found in Grape Seed Extract also help soothe skin, creating a gentle way to get a gorgeous glow. Perfect for all ages, Alpha-H Vitamin C 25ml gets you on your way to a long-lasting, stunning complexion.

So, let's recap our Top 10 Picks for the Best Vitamin C Serums

Brand and product inclusions are at the sole discretion of Adore Beauty’s highly trained Customer Service team. We do not seek or accept payment from brands or individuals listed in our guides.