Swindell W et al. (2021). Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (THDC) degrades rapidly under oxidative stress but can be stabilized by acetyl zingerone to enhance collagen production and antioxidant effects. Al-Niaimi F, Chiang NYZ. Topical Vitamin C and the Skin: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017;10(7):14-17. L-Ascorbic Acid: Lower doses work… slowly. Higher doses can be irritating. 15% is ideal. It’s enough to prevent wrinkles without the irritation. Considering that it’s effective, non-irritating, suitable for all skin types, and doesn’t contain harsh acids, we think it’s a great choice for anyone with sensitive skin. As Palm explains, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate is readily absorbed through the skin’s lipid bilayer. “Therefore, it requires a lower percentage of active vitamin C to be biologically available and productive,” she says.

According to Dr. Herrmann, you should apply vitamin C serum either daily or every other day, depending on your routine and the result you want. If you already alternate several other actives, you might apply it every other day; if you’re looking to dramatically fade hyperpigmentation, you may want to use it daily.

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While the percentage isn’t indicated, it’s quite low, making this the best serum to buy if you have sensitive skin or aren’t sure if your skin will tolerate it. Revive your complexion with this fully vegan, high-performance blend featuring vitamin C (sodium ascorbyl phosphate, a water-soluble form), vitamin E, hyaluronic acid and anti-inflammatory MSM (methylsulfonylmethane). It promises to brighten, reduce hyperpigmentation and promote elasticity to revitalize tired-looking skin. In particular, its five-star reviewers (there are more than 90,000 of them) rave about its ability to reduce dark spots and redness, decrease breakouts and minimize pore size. You just need three to five drops of this serum applied after cleansing, and it works well with or without makeup. Another standout feature for the brand: Reviewers say this company’s customer service is unparalleled. Since free radicals are formed by exposure to unavoidable things like UV rays and pollution, using an antioxidant serum daily gives your skin another layer of defense. There’s no shortage of antioxidants to choose from, but, unlike the vitamin Cs and green teas of the world, ferulic acid flies somewhat under that radar. Still, it’s a great option, a highly potent antioxidant, and, according to King, it pairs nicely with many other popular antioxidants (specifically vitamin C and E) . Regular use can leave your skin brighter, smoother, and more radiant.

When shopping for a vitamin C serum, it’s important to look for a product made of a potent, stable type of vitamin C. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to be particularly careful when it comes to choosing a vitamin C serum. Vitamin C is a versatile skin care ingredient that may improve your skin’s appearance. Whether it’s worth it really to depends on your skin care needs and overall budget. How often should I use vitamin C serum? The Ordinary serum is fragrance-free and stored in a dark glass bottle for easy application and longer shelf life. Some users say the serum doesn’t layer well with other products. It tends to pill, especially during cold months. It also takes a while to absorb into the skin, which may be frustrating if you’re in a rush. It’s made in Australia and is vegan and cruelty-free. The Alpha-H serum contains ethyl ascorbic acid. Supporting it are liquorice extract, hyaluronic acid and grape seed extract. This antioxidant blend boosts skin radiance, increases elasticity and protects the skin from oxidative damage.

How to Use a Vitamin C Serum

As you age, your skin produces less collagen,” Dr. Piliang explains. This leads to wrinkles, sags and bags, so protecting and replacing collagen can protect your skin from signs of aging. 3. Works hand-in-hand with sunscreen Keen MA, Hassan I. Vitamin E in dermatology. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2016;7(4):311-315. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.185494 We didn’t feel that this formula made our face look or feel greasy, rather, it provided the necessary hydration and a bit of glow. Over time, we noticed a real improvement in the radiance and texture of our skin. The one thing we think is missing? It didn’t do much in terms of firming the skin, but if improving radiance and skin texture is your goal, we don’t think you’ll be disappointed with this product. We adored this serum. It sunk into our skin with ease while leaving it feeling moisturized, and we also noted that after each application, our skin looked radiant. We were also thrilled with how well this serum worked to brighten our complexions and smooth our skin textures over time. We noticed a visible improvement in texture in just a few days, and at the end of the testing period, our skin felt soft and slightly more firm, and our skin tone looked more even. It also contains an extremely potent variety of vitamin C called THD ascorbate: “A truly pH neutral and highly-absorbed form of vitamin C, tetrahexyldecyl (THD) ascorbate has superior absorption through skin and better bioavailability,” says Dr. Palm, adding that it’s extremely well tolerated and has been shown in clinical studies to decrease inflammation, roughness, and redness of the skin in addition to its skin brightening qualities.

While the serum claims to help with skin plumpness thanks to the inclusion of hyaluronic acid, we didn’t notice a visible improvement in this area. But given how brightening this serum is, we highly recommend it if you’re dealing with dull skin. In one study, 73% of participants saw an improvement in their hyperpigmentation while using topical vitamin C, though the effects seem to be temporary. Once you stop applying the ingredient, the effects will start to fade. 5. Reduces dark under-eye circles

What to Look For in a Vitamin C Serum

Goodbye dull, dry skin, hello glow. This vitamin C Booster Serum brightens with 10% active ingredients. It fights age spots and boosts skin firmness – without irritating even sensitive skin Our skin is under constant assault from outside enemies like air pollution and sun exposure, along with standard aging. These things can all rob our skin of its luster by creating free radicals, unstable molecules that steal electrons from your cells and cause damage. We noticed a real improvement in the texture of our skin when we used SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, as well as a reduction in the appearance of fine lines. After six weeks of using it, our skin looked and felt softer and smoother. However, we weren’t convinced that contributed to the glowiness of our complexions significantly more than other, more affordable options we’ve used. There’s no denying that we adore this serum, but it’s worth noting that while it doesn’t contain fragrance, it doesn’t have a particularly appealing smell. However, the scent doesn’t linger on the skin, so it’s not a dealbreaker for us. Salicylic Acid: known to help resurface the skin and remove dead skin cells to visibly reduce the appearance of pores and smooth skins texture. When you’re trying to protect your skin from the sun, you want all the protection you can get — and vitamin C gives you a little bit extra.