The best vitamin C serums for that all-over skin glow

These vitamin c serums will brighten up your skincare routine.

best vitamin C serums

by Jade Moscrop |
Updated on

When it comes to getting gloriously glowing skin, nothing compares to the best vitamin C serums. The powerful, water-soluble ingredient is found in our skin when we're younger, but as we age, the levels naturally reduce due to things like UV damage and pollution, leading to fine lines and dullness. However, you'll be pleased to know that the best face serums can bring back the hydration to your face.

If your skin is looking uneven, less firm and a bit duller than you'd like it to, the best vitamin C serums are a great addition to your skincare routine. Just be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after use or you might end up with orange fingertips! And, don't forget to always wear SPF after using it.

Adding vitamin C into your arsenal is pretty easy, given the number of amazing products currently available. Many vitamin C treatments also include ingredients found in the best hyaluronic acid serums, too, so you'll get more than just one benefit from these products.

Closer's best vitamin C serums at a glance:

Best vitamin C serum: Naturium Vitamin C Super Serum Plus, £27 - View offer on Space NK

Best highly rated vitamin C serum: Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C Serum, £20.06 - View offer on Amazon

Best vitamin C serum on a budget: Q+A Vitamin C Brightening Serum, £9 - View offer on Holland & Barrett

Editor's choice: RoC - Multi Correxion Revive + Glow Vitamin C Daily Serum, £19.79 - View offer on Amazon

Ready to achieve glowing skin? Not only do vitamin C serums help to remove dead skin cells, reduce premature ageing and stimulate collagen production, but they also give you a brighter complexion and an all-over skin glow. So, here are some of the best vitamin C serums to introduce to your skincare routine.

SHOP: The best vitamin C serums

Best vitamin C serum

The Vitamin C Super Serum Plus from Naturium is jam-packed full of ingredients to target a full range of skin concerns. The blend of vitamin C, retinol, hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid can be used on pretty much any skin type for those looking to brighten, combat blemishes, target fine lines and instantly hydrate. It's safe to say, this serum has become an all-time favourite and skin looks brighter, firmer and more even with every use.

Customer review: "I use this everyday. I have been using it for 3 months now and my skin is more youthful, glowing, moisturized, smooth and even skin tone. It has everything you need all in one. I just purchased the jumbo size! Everyone must try this!"

Pros

  • Includes retinol, hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid
  • Suitable for all skin types

Cons

  • Hard to tell when the product has run out

Best highly rated vitamin C serum

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Rrp: £30.00

Price: £14.96
Alternative retailers
Ulta$19.60View offer
Walmart$24.90View offer

As the top-rated pick on Amazon, the Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C Serum is in high demand (no seriously, there's not many left in stock). Given that it's got a tri-peptide formula that's rich in antioxidants, we're adding this to our baskets in record time so that we see brightening, firming results.

Customer review: "I’ve been using this for a couple years, and my skin has never looked better! It’s very hydrating, and my skin looks noticeably younger and healthier than it did before I started using it. Love the orange scent too."

Pros

  • Contains tri-peptides and antioxidants
  • Free from parabens, phthalates, SLS and more

Cons

  • Low in stock

Best vitamin C serum on a budget

The Q+A Vitamin C Brightening Serum is a go-to budget vitamin C serum. At such an affordable price, who can argue? It comes as a white serum that melts into the skin the same way an oil does, and works to brighten the skin and add glow. It's completely unscented, so a great one for sensitive skin. And, it also contains hyaluronic acid and antioxidants to plump, hydrate and protect. There's also a best budget vitamin C moisturiser in their range that we can vouch for, too.

Pros

  • Formulated with hyaluronic acid and antioxidants
  • Helps to maintain collagen production

Cons

  • Does apply slightly greasy

Editor's choice

This stuff is the BOMB, seriously. The RoC Multi Correxion Revive + Glow Vitamin C Daily Serum is supercharged with a blend of vitamin C and energizing nonapeptide to make tired, dull skin look glowing and tight. Plus, within just a week or two of use, fine lines and wrinkles will start to be less noticeable. It melts into your skin, doesn't have an overpowering smell and one bottle will last you ages.

Customer review: "Decided to try ROC and not disappointed! It has a lovely scent and disappears into skin easily. Use so little it’s going to last ages!!"

Pros

  • Clinically proven results
  • Formulated with nonapeptide

Cons

  • May not be suitable for sensitive skin

Best recommended vitamin C serum

Lumene Nordic-C [Valo] Vitamin C Glow Boost Essence
Price: £45.80

Everything from Lumene feels like it's been scooped out of a magical lake in the mountains - it's gorgeous. This super-concentrated, boosting Lumene Nordic-C Vitamin C Glow Boost Essence gives you brighter-looking, hydrated skin. Featuring two types of hyaluronic acids, along with vitamin C.

Customer review: "I love this product- as someone with sensitive skin this makes my skin feel glowy and smooth without any irritation- I wear it every day under SPF moisturiser. Obviously, it's pretty expensive for vitamin C serum as you can get Vit C serums for much cheaper with similar ingredients- I have used some of these but where those dry out my skin, this product leaves my skin feeling hydrated and nourished. It also has a nice citrus-y scent, if you like that kind of thing."

Pros

  • Enriched with two types of hyaluronic acids
  • Formulated with antioxidant-rich berry extracts

Cons

  • Scent may not be for everyone

Best vitamin C serum for primer

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Price: £85.00

Leaving skin feeling smooth and refreshed, this Vitamin C Skin Boost Instant Smoother from The Body Shop will have people asking about your skin routine for sure. It also makes a great base for your primer, infusing the benefits of vitamin C at the same time. For 'dull, tired, grumpy' skin.

Customer review: "Love this product - it's brilliant for my skin as a primer and I use it every day. My skin loves it and it feels so smooth after use!"

Pros

  • Infused with camu camu berries
  • Has light-reflecting particles

Cons

  • Issues with pump for some customers

Best vitamin C serum for acne-prone skin

SKINKISSED is a brand you need to have on your radar. With thousands of five-star reviews, this SKINKISSED Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid Serum will not only hydrate skin and make it glow, it's a godsend for those with acne. It's rich in natural antioxidants, oil-free and non-comedogenic.

Customer review: "My skin is visibly smoother with a better complexion and colour. It’s glowy, firmer and very elastic; its hydration level is great and I experienced no dry patches!"

Pros

  • A non-comedogenic formula
  • Contains natural antioxidants

Cons

  • May feel tacky on the skin

Best vitamin C serum for anti-ageing

If you're looking for brighter, firmer and more radiant-looking skin - vitamin C is the ingredient for you. Ole Henriksen's Truth Serum works to hydrate, brighten and firm whilst leaving a super glowy finish. The vitamin C is stabilised with collagen and aloe juice so every use has exactly the same effects on the skin. Apply this serum daily to see results and add lots of glow.

Customer review: "I am not a huge fan of serums generally, as they leave my skin feeling dry, but I was looking for something extra for dry skin. Ole Henriksen truth serum is different. It feels silky on my skin, a small amount goes a long way, so it lasts ages. It has a lovely subtle scent

Pros

  • Formulated with collagen and antioxidants
  • Vegan-friendly and cruelty-free

Cons

  • Does contain added fragrances

Best vitamin C serum for sensitive skin

La Roche-Posay's non-greasy Pure Vitamin C10 Serum melts quickly into skin, leaving it softer, more hydrated and glowing. Vitamin C harnesses anti-wrinkle and antioxidant properties, while hyaluronic acid injects your skin with plenty of moisture. It also contains salicylic acid to gently exfoliate away dead skin, and the brand is a great choice for those with sensitive skin.

Customer review: "Definitely brightens the skin. After using it for a while I wasn't sure if it was doing much, but when I stopped using it for a few days on holiday I really noticed the difference."

Pros

  • Dermatologically recommended
  • Infused with antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid

Cons

  • May feel tacky on the skin

Best vitamin C serum for pigmentation

Created to brighten dark circles and aid with skin texture and pigmentation, PIXI's lightweight Vitaminc-C Serum leaves skin looking plump, lustrous and as if you've had your full eight hours sleep. The cruelty-free brand have formulated this serum with all the good stuff, including ferulic acid which works to reduce the effects of sun damage and correct dark spots for an evened skin tone and texture.

Customer review: "Straight away you see a difference, my skin is literally glowing after using this. I was gonna go for Paula’s choice for my vitamin C serum but I decided to give Pixi a try and they haven’t let me down, this is a new staple for my skin routine."

Pros

  • Formulated with ferulic acid
  • Vegan and cruelty-free

Cons

  • Oxidises easily

Best popular vitamin C serum

The Ordinary's skincare offering is renowned for being affordable but seriously good. The Ordinary's Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% is a brightening serum that reduces signs of ageing and evens out skin tone with ascorbyl glucoside - the MVP of vitamin C derivatives.

Customer review: "I’m new to Vitamin C and bought this off a recommendation, it’s honestly been amazing My skin is so much brighter and more even, it’s been the perfect product for introducing vitamin C to my daily skincare routine."

Pros

  • Contains ascorbyl glucoside for even tone
  • Offers defence from free radical damage

Cons

  • May be oily for some

Best premium vitamin C serum

This C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum from Sunday Riley has a hefty price tag, but hear us out. Suitable for even sensitive skin, this vitamin C serum is thicker than some others on the market and absorbs quickly. Formulated with 15% THD Ascorbate, it dramatically improves the appearance of hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone, reduces pore size and tackles visible signs of ageing. The reviews tell you all you need to know - it's a godsend.

Customer review: "This is my holy grail skincare product. Love it and cannot be without it. It’s the one product that I find really delivers results on my skin."

Pros

  • Formulated with THD ascorbate
  • Suitable for sensitive skin

Cons

  • Value for money as small amount of product for price

Best vitamin C serum for glow

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Price: £12.95
https://redirect.viglink.com?key=c84bfba7fb9057c609599595b4f5e218&prodOvrd=PCR&opt=false&u=C0xAEhVYThgRFU4eQlYPW1FLQRdaWlQaC0RJZg5bX05oRg0TBkx1FAteWEEaIVlfSkEUCxhvXBZVC1wLH3JOa1EQEw9MB0taDR1TW05ZShYHDwsNCQVSB1E%3D&x=v1&prdId=7896683883&barcode=Uw0EV1BTWQRQUggJDQc%3D

This lightweight, virtually fragrance-free serum contains 2% vitamin C, skin-softening vitamin B5, antioxidant-rich vitamin E and revitalising kakadu plum extract to give you an all-over glow. It's 100 per cent vegan and cruelty-free, and the packaging is recyclable, so it's ideal for the eco-conscious.

Pros

  • Contains vitamins and antioxidants
  • Vegan and cruelty-free

Cons

  • No reviews

To get the lowdown on vitamin C, its benefits and any need-to-know information, we reached out to Simone Thomas of Simone Thomas Wellness. We asked Simone Thomas some key questions about vitamin C, its benefits and what her favourite vitamin C product was...

FAQs

What is vitamin C?

"Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects tissues from oxidative stress. It's important for the formation of collagen, the connective tissue that supports arterial walls, skin, bones, and teeth. It also boosts our immunity and fights several diseases. It is water-soluble and quickly lost from our bodies, so a daily intake is important. Vitamin C has several biological processes, which is one of the main reasons it is important for overall health and immunity."

What are the benefits of vitamin C?

It's used to make collagen which keeps our joints, bones and skin strong.

Speeds up our healing process, as well as forming red blood cells and preventing bleeding.

Helps with absorption of folic acid and iron.

Helps counteract the effects of free radicals and destructive chemicals within the body that speed up the ageing process and cell damage.

It's great for hay fever as it is a natural antihistamine.

Helps to protect our eyes.

Fights cold and flu.

When is the best time to use a vitamin C serum?

"Apply your serum morning and night as it will work as a double benefit. In the day it will protect your skin from free radicals, where at night it helps repair any damage." As well as using it on your skin, you can also get vitamin C from supplements, like the Skin Quencher capsules from Simone Thomas Wellness. SkinQuencher delivers a powerful blend of hydrolysed marine collagen and Vitamin C, which helps to boost your immune system, promotes natural collagen production, and strengthens your hair and scalp. And of course, make sure to follow up with a layer of broad-spectrum sunscreen, with SPF 30 of 30 or higher.

What's your favourite vitamin C product?

"My favourite vitamin C product is Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% by The Ordinary. I remember the first time I used this I applied way too much and ended up with a very tingly face. The products are amazing, simple packaging but a product that delivers results."

The Ordinary remains a favourite with celebrities and beauty enthusiasts alike, with Holly Willoughby's favourite eye serum being the caffeine solution from the well-known brand. Another celebrity favourite is L'Oréal's hyaluronic acid serum, which is Love Island Mary Bedford's favourite eye serum. Both work to target dark circles and destress the undereye.

Jade Moscrop is the Commercial Content Editor for Closer, specialising in lifestyle topics. When she’s not writing about affordable homeware, beauty products and gym leggings, she can usually be found a hot girl walk, buying houseplants or listening to female-fronted rock bands.

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