Best for Building a Strong Skin Barrier
SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF with Ferulic Acid
Pros
- Fan favorite with a cult following
- Dermatologist recommended
- Ferulic acid boosts effectiveness
Cons
- High price point
Key Specs
- Type of vitamin C: L-ascorbic acid
- Concentration: 10%
- Additional ingredients: Phloretin (2%), ferulic acid (0.5%)
- Size: 1 oz
The main difference is that this formula contains 5 percent less vitamin C than the original CE Ferulic. Instead, it swaps in phloretin, another powerful antioxidant derived from plants (apples and pears, in this case).
Of the five vitamin C serums I tried, this one had, by far, the most positive impact on my skin. I noticed increased luminosity and firmness, but the real shock was how much it improved my skin’s actual health. I was diagnosed with perioral dermatitis (POD) about three years ago. A prescription cream has kept flare-ups in check, but nothing has really helped heal it until I used this serum. The redness and flaking around my nose began to retreat immediately. After using this serum daily for about a month, my POD looks and feels better than it has in years.
Best for Dark Spots
Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Clearing Serum
Pros
- Additional ingredients specifically target dark spots
- Suitable for all skin types; safe for sensitive skin
- Free from sulfates, parabens, fragrances
Cons
- Concentration of vitamin C not disclosed
- Tall, thin bottle is inconveniently shaped
Key Specs
- Types of vitamin C: Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (MAP), ascorbyl glucoside
- Concentration: Not disclosed
- Additional ingredients: UP302 (Clinique’s proprietary brightening molecule), niacinamide, salicylic acid, glucosamine
- Size: 1 oz (also available in 1.7 oz and 2.5 oz)
Vitamin C is scientifically proven to reduce dark spots. Here, Clinique has paired it with several other ingredients to reduce dark spots, creating an effective combination product.
The company doesn’t disclose the amount of vitamin C its formula contains, but the derivatives it uses — magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (MAP) and ascorbyl glucoside — are both less irritating than pure L-ascorbic acid. They’re also considered particularly effective in promoting collagen production. Unlike L-ascorbic acid, MAP and ascorbyl glucoside are water-soluble, so you don’t have to worry about reduced effectiveness if you apply the product right after washing your face.
Our tester, Everyday Health editor Nicole Bonaccorso, found this serum gave her a generally brighter complexion after just one week and left her skin feeling hydrated. She noted the product did not yield dramatic, quick results in terms of dark spots, but she appreciated that it felt gentle and liked it enough to continue using it long term.
Bonaccorso also enjoyed the feel of the serum, which she described as “more of a thin lotion, creamier than a serum. It isn’t sticky, but rather smooth and silky, and it absorbs well. It feels like you’re just adding an extra moisturizer, so it’s unintimidating,” she says.
Best for Acne-Prone Skin
Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum
Pros
- Ferulic acid boosts effectiveness
- Pleasant scent
- Feels good on skin
- Good introductory serum
- Specifically formulated to treat acne and acne blemishes
Cons
- Results are slow and subtle
- Effects on fine lines and wrinkles are mild
Key Specs
- Type of vitamin C: Sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP)
- Concentration: Equivalent to 15–20% L-ascorbic acid
- Additional ingredients: Vitamin E, ferulic acid, hyaluronic acid, chamomile, konjac root
- Size: 1 oz
“I really liked mostly everything about this product,” says Bonaccorso, who tested this serum. “My skin felt good wearing this. It looked brighter, and the product feels good going on. It feels silky between the fingertips while applying, and I like that it has a faint scent. I like how it wears as well.”
Vitamin C serums can sometimes smell pretty bad and feel sticky, which can discourage people from using them. If you’re concerned about a nice-feeling application, this is a great formula to try. Also, the scent is not artificial. It comes straight from the real botanicals included in this serum. “We do not use synthetic fragrances in our line, however, this serum does contain konjac root, chamomile, and clary sage extracts which do impart a faint aroma,” Mad Hippie reports on its website.
Results with this one may be slow and subtle, but that’s often the case with skin care products.
Best for Sensitive Skin
Typology L32 Radiance Serum 11% Vitamin C + Silk Tree Extract
Pros
- Relatively mild concentration is gentle for sensitive skin
- Silk tree extract helps brighten skin
- 99% naturally derived
- Scent-free
Cons
- Only one additional active ingredient
- May dry out skin
Key Specs
- Type of vitamin C: Sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP)
- Concentration: 11%
- Additional ingredients: Silk tree extract
- Size: 1 oz
Typology is a brand designed for minimalists. Everything about its products, from the sparse ingredients list to the sleek packaging and the bottle’s sans serif typeface, has a “less is more” feel to it.
Our tester, Ashley Rowe, appreciated that the product was truly odorless, as many supposedly “unscented” products can still smell pretty strong. “I have some dark spots and dark circles, and while I did not notice a change in those areas, I did notice an overall evening of my skin tone,” Rowe says.
To be fair, Rowe tested the product for two weeks, and most vitamin C serums, even those with higher concentrations, typically take at least four weeks to have a noticeable effect. Rowe did notice that if she used a light moisturizer, her skin felt pretty dry by the end of the day. She suggests using a heavier cream on top of this serum. “It is lightweight and smooth and absorbed into my skin within one to two minutes,” she says.
Best Drugstore Brand
e.l.f. Skin Bright Icon Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Serum
Pros
- Ferulic acid enhances effects
- Affordably priced
- Effective
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Slightly sticky
- Not suitable for oily skin
Key Specs
- Types of vitamin C: 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid
- Concentration: 15%
- Additional ingredients: Ferulic acid, vitamin E
- Size: 1 oz
Although it uses a different, less potent form of vitamin C, this serum’s basic breakdown (15 percent vitamin C, 0.5 percent ferulic acid, and 1 percent vitamin E) is comparable to some of the more expensive items out there. If you’re looking for an affordable dupe, we suggest this one.
Our tester, Everyday Health editor Katie Tuttle, described this serum as “thin and oily, and it absorbs quickly. I got positive results from using it consistently; my skin seemed brighter and more hydrated.” While her one-week trial wasn’t enough to see an impact on her dark spots, it did brighten her skin significantly, and she liked the product enough to continue using it.
Best Low Concentration
Innisfree Green Tea Enzyme Vitamin C Brightening Serum
Pros
- Gentle on the skin
- Quick results
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Effective for very smooth skin
Cons
- Vitamin C concentration may be lower than others
Key Specs
- Types of vitamin C: 3-0-ethyl ascorbic acid, ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate
- Concentration: Not disclosed
- Additional ingredients: Green tea enzyme, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ferulic acid, vitamin E
- Size: 1 oz
If you’re sensitive to vitamin C and looking for a serum that functions similarly in terms of brightening — and also gives you extremely smooth skin — we recommend giving this one a try. Like most Korean beauty products, the formula is also designed to keep your skin healthy: It includes niacinamide to help strengthen your moisture barrier and soothe skin that may be irritated by exfoliation due to other ingredients.
“The product absorbs well and has a texture that is somewhere between an oil and a gel. It took a little bit longer to absorb, but with a little patience, it played nicely with my moisturizer, sunscreen, and makeup regimen,” Tuttle says. “My skin felt smooth and hydrated; I was pleasantly surprised that I noticed a difference within a week.”
Best High Concentration
TruSkin Vitamin C Serum
Pros
- Effective at brightening
- Unscented
- Lightweight feel on skin
Cons
- May cause irritation due to high concentration of vitamin C
Key Specs
- Type of vitamin C: Sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP)
- Concentration: 20%
- Additional ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, aloe
- Size: 1 oz
During my testing, I also tried a 22 percent concentration vitamin C serum as well, and, just as the research posits, my skin became irritated, with rough, red patches across my cheeks. TruSkin’s vitamin C serum, with just a slightly lower concentration, didn’t irritate my skin at all. It went on so smooth and clean, it felt like nothing at all, and offered visible brightening results in just weeks.
One caveat: While this is the highest concentration vitamin C serum on this list, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the most effective. I found that the SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF with Ferulic Acid yielded more noticeable results (albeit at 10 times the price), which goes to show that much of a serum’s efficacy depends on its individual formulation and blend of ingredients. In particular, whether the formula contains ferulic acid or not is going to play a big factor, making it hard to make cut-and-dry comparisons between concentrations.
This is not to say TruSkin’s formula lacks effectiveness; it contains hyaluronic acid to help hydrate and vitamin E and aloe to help soothe and protect skin. If you’re looking for a high-concentration serum that delivers dramatic results, TruSkin doesn’t disappoint.
Best for Redness
The Inkey List 15% Vitamin C + EGF Serum
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Affordably priced
- Effective
- EGF peptide boosts elasticity
- Unscented
Cons
- Thin consistency can feel runny
- May cause irritation
Key Specs
- Type of vitamin C: Ascorbyl glucoside
- Concentration: 15%
- Additional ingredients: 1% Epitensive (epidermal growth factor)
- Size: 1 oz
Similar to e.l.f.’s vitamin C serum, The Inkey List offers a reliable, well-loved, and effective vitamin C serum at a highly affordable price. During testing, Everyday Health writer Mary Sauer found The Inkey List’s formula was particularly good at evening out redness, leaving her skin looking brighter overall. She didn’t like how runny the serum was, but “on the plus side, it absorbed very quickly. It is a little oily, but that feel went away after it was fully absorbed,” she says of the application experience.
Best for Firm Skin
Youth to the People 15% Vitamin C + Caffeine Energy Serum
Pros
- Full of natural plant extracts
- 3 vitamin C derivatives provide well-rounded efficacy
- Caffeine helps reduce puffiness
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- May not layer well under makeup
Key Specs
- Types of vitamin C: 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (THD ascorbate), magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (MAP)
- Concentration: 15%
- Additional ingredients: Caffeine, passion fruit extract, dragon fruit extract, squalane
- Size: 1 oz
The ingredients list may sound more like a snack than a serum, with dragon fruit, passion fruit, and caffeine derived from yerba mate and guayusa, but Youth to the People’s formula is highly effective.
Dragon fruit, passionfruit, and squalane join forces with three vitamin C derivatives to create a powerhouse force of antioxidants. While vitamin C helps firm skin by stimulating collagen production, it is the plant-sourced caffeine that takes the lead in tightening skin and reducing puffiness.
“I lost 40-plus pounds rapidly and have been trying to get some of the skin in my face to tighten. Since starting this, I am starting to see some difference in my jaw area. I also feel like this serum wakes up my skin, and it looks brighter after use,” Sauer says. She also enjoyed the application of this formula, which felt “very, very light and enjoyable.” Sauer also felt that the product would last a long time, as “a little bit goes a very long way.”
If you’re looking for a serum that does double duty with both brightening and firming properties, this is an excellent choice. “It was one of my favorite products I’ve tried recently. I really noticed a difference in looseness, skin tone, and puffiness in the morning,” Sauer says.
Best Cream
Laneige Radian-C Cream
Pros
- Gentle
- Pleasant scent
- Highly moisturizing
- Luxurious-feeling application
Cons
- Low concentration may yield mild results
Key Specs
- Type of vitamin C: 3-0-ethyl ascorbic acid
- Concentration: 8.5%
- Additional ingredients: Madecassoside (derived from Centella asiatica, also known as gotu kola), vitamin E
- Size: 1 oz
This may be a list of vitamin C serums, but if you prefer a cream, we’ve got you covered: Laneige, a high-quality and well-loved Korean skin care company, delivers vitamin C with fantastic brightening, luxurious hydration, and an outstanding application experience in cream form. With a serum, you need to cover your application with a cream anyway; Laneige saves you the extra step.
“The scent, the bottle, the fact that it comes with a little orange applicator, the texture, the way it felt on my skin — I kind of loved everything about it,” says Everyday Health editorial director Simone Scully, who tested this product. “I’m a huge fan of Laneige products generally, but this one in particular is great.”
Scully particularly raved about the application feel of the cream. “It dissolves so well you forget it is there,” she says. Her three-week trial left her skin feeling softer and brighter. In a world where vitamin C can be sticky and stinky, the creamy texture and delicious citrusy scent of this cream earn it points for both application and results.
Best for Dry Skin
NourishMax Vitamin C + B + E + Ferulic Serum
Pros
- Ferulic acid boosts effectiveness
- Goes on smooth; not sticky or tacky
- Works on fine lines, discoloration
- Very hydrating
- Cruelty-free
- Highly effective
Cons
- Mildly unpleasant scent
- Slightly oily feel
Key Specs
- Type of vitamin C: L-ascorbic acid
- Concentration: 15%
- Additional ingredients: Vitamin E, ferulic acid, niacinamide (vitamin B), hyaluronic acid
- Size: 1 oz
With a 15 percent concentration of pure vitamin C boosted by ferulic acid, it’s no wonder Bonaccorso found this product highly effective as well as highly moisturizing. “I think this brightens, hydrates, and addresses fine lines. It feels nourishing to the skin,” she says. “My skin looked brighter and more hydrated, and perhaps a bit smoother where my fine lines are around my eyes.”
Why Trust Everyday Health
Mary Dennis
Author
Mary Dennis is a Singaporean American health and science writer based in New York. Her work has been published in the Beijinger, Nautilus, South China Morning Post, Motherly, and Verywell Mind.
Her interest in covering mental health increased after the pandemic revealed our society's increasing need for care and information about how to manage our emotional health. She is passionate about maternal mental health issues in particular, and is the founder of Postpartum Brain, a website designed to educate and encourage people to learn more about perinatal mental health issues.
Mary has a masters degree in science journalism from Columbia University.
Jacquelyn Dosal, MD
Medical Reviewer
Jacquelyn Dosal, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing at The Dermatology House in Park City, Utah. Her areas of expertise include acne, rosacea, integrative treatments of inflammatory skin diseases, as well as laser treatment of the skin and injectables.
Dr. Dosal writes cosmetic questions for the certifying exams for the American Board of Dermatology. She is also the deputy editor for the American Academy of Dermatology's podcast, Dialogues in Dermatology.
Daniel Oakley
Fact-Checker
Daniel Oakley is a journalist, editor, and fact-checker. He has written, edited, taught, and produced media for Dow Jones, S&P Global, IHS Markit, Third Coast Studios Magazine, and 826 National.
Oakley's path has always been a health-and-wellness-focused one. A competitive triathlete and racing fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, he also spends summer weekends as an ISA-certified surf instructor and Red Cross professional water rescuer with Laru Beya Collective in Rockaway Beach, which helps kids master and delight in their own backyard — the ocean. It has taught Oakley that “optimizing body and mind” flourishes precisely at the wellspring of community.
Nicole Bonaccorso
Editor
Nicole Bonaccorso is a writer and editor with more than 12 years of journalism experience. She has been writing for Everyday Health since 2025, and has also been published on NBCNews.com, Treehugger, Verywell, Mashable, and Upworthy, among other publications.
Nicole was also a senior editor at Weather.com for more than 11 years, covering everything from weather and climate change to health, science, and travel.
In addition to writing, Nicole has also found a passion in helping new parents reach their breastfeeding goals and is working towards becoming a certified breastfeeding specialist.
In her free time, Nicole enjoys hiking, camping, cooking, reading, and spending time outdoors with her two young sons, husband, and dog.
Ashley Rowe
Tester
Ashley is a health and education writer who has covered fitness, mental health, nutrition, parenting, and education topics in her writing.
She is also an educator who brings over 15 years experience teaching in early childhood education. She has written early childhood education blogs and newsletters, and developed curriculums based on the Nature Explore project. She has also helped develop nutritional guides for families and education centers in Southern California and spearheaded the implementation of physical fitness programs for children.
Ashley received her bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from the University of La Verne, where she focused on elementary education, educational policy, and curriculum design. Her work in education has led to multiple certifications, including Nature Explore Specialist for the Outdoor Classroom Project, NESTA Children’s Nutrition Specialist, and is an active member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Before joining Everyday Health, she wrote for Verywell Mind, Verywell Health, Parents, and Verywell Family. As a mother of three young boys, Ashley splits her time between her career and her family.
Katie Tuttle
Tester
Katie Tuttle is an editor and writer specializing in food, nutrition, and product testing. Her work has appeared in EatingWell, Food & Wine, The Spruce Eats, and Real Simple. She has written about meal kits, kitchen tools, fitness, and wellness, and has tested and reviewed a wide range of products, with a particular focus on meal delivery services and their impact on nutrition and convenience.
Beyond food, Katie has covered fitness and wellness topics, drawing from her own experience as a powerlifter and an occasional runner. She’s always interested in how products and services can make healthy living more accessible and practical.
When she’s not researching or writing, Katie is usually surrounded by houseplants or spending time with a foster dog. She firmly believes there’s no such thing as too many books or too much coffee.
Mary Sauer
Tester
Mary Sauer is a freelance health and parenting writer whose work often covers mental health (especially maternal mental health), grief, and caregiving. Her work has been published by the Washington Post, Verywell Mind, Parents, Vice's Tonic, and ARC Poetry Magazine. She's also the managing editor of the upcoming Salt Tooth Press and an MFA student at University of Missouri, Kansas City.
Sauer is a mom of four and lives in Kansas City, Missouri. She enjoys hiking, trying new coffee shops, and shopping at used bookstores. At home, she spends her precious free time reading, rewatching Fleabag, and gardening.
Simone Scully
Tester
Simone Scully is the editorial director for service commerce and marketplace content at Everyday Health. She has nearly 15 years of experience as a professional health and science journalist, covering topics such as the psychological impacts of living with chronic conditions, nationwide gaps in menopause healthcare, grief, neonatal loss, and the latest wellness trends over her career. Her byline has been published by over 35 publications, including Healthline, Well+Good, InStyle, Psych Central, Romper, Narratively, Nautilus magazine, and more.
Before joining Everyday Health, Simone was an editorial director of health and parenting commerce and service content at Dotdash Meredith. She oversaw a team of editors and writers that published content across nine different sites, including the Verywells, Parents, Health, and Shape. Prior to this, she also worked as an editor at The Weather Channel's Weather.com, Upworthy, theSkimm, and Business Insider. A project Simone oversaw at Weather.com on the health and environmental impacts of global water shortages won several awards in 2020, including the CMA award for Best Series of Articles, an IAC award, and an Eppy award, among others.
Simone received a master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism, where she focused on science and health long-form reporting and photojournalism. Her master's thesis explored the treatment of prolonged grief disorder following a miscarriage or the loss of a child. She was also awarded the John Horgan Award for Critical Science and Health Journalism at graduation.
Born in Minnesota, Simone lived 14 years in France until she graduated high school, then three years in London to get her bachelor's degree at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She currently lives in the Hudson Valley of New York with her husband, son, dog, and cats. When she's not working, you can find her writing fiction or plays, hiking in national parks, or tending to her garden and indoor plants.