OLEHENRIKSEN Banana Bright 15% Vitamin C Serum is our fave for brightening because it leaves the skin with a glow right after application and it helps to improve the skin’s radiance over time with consistent use. This is a great option if you have acne-prone skin. We appreciated that the serum had a lightweight texture that didn’t feel greasy on our already oily skin, and we noticed that after a few weeks of using it, our post-acne marks were visibly reduced. If you have sensitive skin, then you know how important it is to find products that are gentle but effective. This one is just that, and we loved it. Not to mention, tons of our Byrdie readers adore it, too. The product was really comfortable on sensitive and acne-prone skin. While it took about 30 seconds to dry, which is slightly longer than some other options, it dried down to a moisturizing and non-greasy finish. We even noted that we could get away without applying a moisturizer on top of it and our skin still felt hydrated. Another bonus? It didn’t clog our pores. Pinnell, S. R., Yang, H., Omar, M., Riviere, N. M., DeBuys, H. V., Walker, L. C., …& Levine, M. (2001). Topical L‐ascorbic acid: percutaneous absorption studies. Dermatologic surgery, 27(2), 137-142.

You want to see if the active ingredients in the product can theoretically work (top left), and if the active ingredients have been tested to actually work on skin, such as in clinical trials (bottom left).

Fresh Pressed 7 Day System

This silky formula contains sugarcane-derived squalane–a vegan version of squalane (with an ‘e’), a moisturizing molecule that’s naturally produced in our bodies. Squalane is a highly effective hydrator, making this product great for anyone with a drier skin type. 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. Who makes it: Drunk Elephant is a highly popular brand from the United States, known for its strong social media presence and high-quality products, as well as using highly concentrated active ingredients for maximum results. That’s a rundown of all the common ascorbic acid product categories I could think of – please let me know if I’ve missed any!

Clinique keeps the vitamin C fresh and potent by keeping it isolated. Press the button to activate the vitamin C powder in an emulsion serum. This ensures maximum efficiency and a powerful product that will perfect your skin. Some users report that they noticed a reduction in acne scarring within one week. However, some others have noted mild reddening or dryness due to excessive use. Best Brightening Vitamin C Serums Also if you decide not to listen to me and do it anyway, it’s probably cheaper to buy a jar of ascorbic acid supplement powder and a mortar and pestle.You also want to see if the specific formula of a product could theoretically work (top right) and if the formula’s been actually tested on skin in clinical trials (bottom right). And it does still eventually break down, it’s still not entirely stabilised. The brand says it’s fine for 6 months after opening, while the patent suggests it can stay stable for a year. Heber GK et al., An immunohistological study of anhydrous topical ascorbic acid compositions on ex vivo human skin, J Cosmet Dermatol 2006, 5, 150-156. DOI: 10.1111/j.1473-2165.2006.00242.x DE did something shady with C-Firma, specifically, masking the ongoing oxidation of L-AA (unavoidable) with the addition of Pumpkin Ferment, which is an orange-looking ingredient itself. This made it impossible to tell whether the L-AA went oxidized. So making the user mix it upon use is a good move.