Best vitamin C serums for 2024
We sat down with skincare legend Ole Henriksen as he dived into all the juicy details on how to get “brighter and bouncier skin”.
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We’re all searching for that holy grail product that can give you the glowy skin of your dreams, no Instagram filter necessary.
Vitamin C is one of a handful of skin ingredients clinically shown to transform skin. Consistent use of the right product, which will vary depending on your skin type, can leave you with a more even skin tone, bouncier skin and glowing appearance.
Ole Henriksen, founder of the much-loved beauty brand of the same name, has been using vitamin C in his skincare range for over 40 years.
“Vitamin C is one of the most research-backed ingredients that can be topically applied to your skin,” he told news.com.au.
In fact, it’s why he created the brand in the first place – to share the “life-changing benefits” of vitamin C.
Vitamin C can “provide antioxidant protection, brighten uneven skin tone, visibly diminish fines lines, wrinkles, and dark spots, and improve skin’s elasticity”, Ole said.
Dr Ginni Mansberg, GP and founder of Australian brand Evidence Skincare couldn’t agree more.
“Vitamin C is a bit of a blockbuster ingredient when it comes to preventing and treating skin ageing,” Dr Mansberg told news.com.au.
In other words – if you’re on the hunt for one simple product to add to your skin routine that’ll work overtime to totally refresh your face, a vitamin C serum is the way to go.
How we choose products
With hundreds of vitamin C serums available, it’s impossible to test every product out there. Our content is based on a range of different types of research – the team’s first-hand experience with products, hours of research, scouring through pages of consumer reviews or information, and advice from experts we trust.
OUR TOP PICKS
In this article
- Who should use a vitamin c serum?
- How long does it take vitamin c serum to work?
- Can you use vitamin c serum everyday?
BEST VITAMIN C SERUMS: EDITOR’S PICKS
Medik8 Super C Ferulic, $140, THE ICONIC
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve repurchased this vitamin C serum – it has to be one of my most bought beauty items. While it’s certainly not cheap, the Medik8 Super C Ferulic performs just as well as vitamin C serums twice the price, making it excellent value for money in my opinion.
It’s transformed my skin, making it brighter and more even – it’s honestly like a brightening facial in a bottle.
This is Medik8’s highest strength vitamin C serum and uses a form of vitamin C called ethylated ascorbic acid, which is known for being not only high strength, but exceptionally stable.
Getting a serum with a stable form of vitamin C is crucial to seeing changes in your skin as if the formulation isn’t stable, it won’t work. If you’re a beginner to vitamin C, I recommend working your way up to this serum by starting on one of Mediki8’s lower strength vitamin C serums like C-Tetra or Pure C15.
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum, $99, Sephora
What You Need To Know
This is Ole Henriksen’s hero product, with countless glowing (pun intended) reviews across Google and social media.
“Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum combines vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and PHAs to deliver powerful results. While hyaluronic acid keeps skin hydrated and bouncy, PHAs help loosen and lift dry, dead skin cells, allowing the 15 per cent vitamin C to really get to work,” Ole says of the serum.
“In just a few weeks, you’ll see significantly brighter, bouncier skin.”
The Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum has racked up almost 4000 five-star ratings on Google Reviews, with happy shoppers noting it gives them “glass skin” and is “a staple of my morning routine”.
“It’s lightweight, glides onto your skin, and absorbs beautifully, leaving almost a silky finish with no tackiness,” one customer wrote in their review.
Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate, from $132, Kiehl’s
What You Need To Know
This unique vitamin C serum from Kiehl’s is formulated with pure vitamin C – also known as L-Ascorbic Acid, plus a bunch of hyaluronic acid to simplify your morning skincare routine.
Simply apply this serum every AM and prepare to be amazed by how radiant, glowy and plump your skin will look.
The formulation is also really special as it’s a water-free concentrate, meaning it goes on sort of like a cream, rather than a runny, liquid serum.
It’s one of Kiehl’s best selling products, with an average rating of 4.5 out of five on their website. From over 1700 five-star ratings, happy customers have said it’s “very effective”, making their skin look both “amazing” and “radiant”.
Go-To Much Brighter Skin, $59, Go-To Skincare
What You Need To Know
The Go-To Much Brighter Skin is formulated with vitamin C of course, niacinamide, kakadu plum, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, glycerin and more to keep your skin looking bright, tight and hydrated.
We love that this silky orange serum comes in a pretty pink pump bottle. Not only does it look cute but it also means that no oxygen can get in the way and disrupt the formulation of the serum – which is something that can potentially happen with glass dropper style bottles.
It’s racked up well over 1800 five-star ratings on the Go-To Skincare website, with countless happy customers calling it “brilliant” and a “crucial part” of their skincare routine. Another person said “there was noticeable lightening of the pigmentation within two weeks” of use.
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum, $242, Myer
Tried and Tested by Senior Ecommerce Manager Edwina Carr Barraclough
“As someone who’s suffered adult acne in the past and now has the scars, or stubborn post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIHP), to prove it, I decided to see if the popular serum was as good as the hundreds of five star reviews claim.
“My first impression of the product after depositing a few drops onto my skin was, hang on, what in mascara’s name is that smell? A sniff of the bottle confirmed the strange scent did indeed belong to the serum. It can only be described as a cross between smoky barbecue chicken and nail polish. Not what I expected but strangely, it’s a welcome departure from the cloying, overpowering fragrances in other skin care. After over six months of use, my skin does look brighter and I swear a few of the more stubborn PIHP spots on my cheeks are a little less pronounced. Full review of SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum
What You Need To Know
The C E Ferulic Serum is an antioxidant-rich blend of 15 per cent vitamin C to minimise hyperpigmentation and brown spots while boosting collagen production for firmer skin; one per cent vitamin E to defend against free radical damage and reduce inflammation; and ferulic acid to enhance the efficacy of the latter two ingredients and provide anti-ageing and protective benefits.
In short, it can help brighten skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and protect your skin against damage.
The downside is the price, but Edwina says “it took six months of (near) daily use to finish the bottle, so if you can take a cost-per-use approach, the price is easier to justify”.
BEST VITAMIN C SERUM FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
La Roche-Posay Redermic Pure Vitamin C10 Serum, $71.95, Chemist Warehouse
What You Need To Know
The innovative formula from La Roche-Posay contains 10 per cent pure vitamin C, alongside salicylic acid to eliminate dead cells and Neurosensine to soothe irritation and brighten the skin. It has a light and fast-absorbing texture that won’t slow down your daily routine, and the velvety, non-greasy feel makes it easy to follow with makeup application.
Reviewers have called it “amazing”, “excellent quality”, and “mind-blowing”, with one noting” “I’ve tried all the expensive options … and actually prefer this formula. It completely dries down and leaves no tacky residue.
“After using for a few weeks I’m already seeing great results, plumper skin and diminishing fine lines!”
Youth To The People 15% vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum, $118, Sephora
What You Need To Know
Boasting over 700 five-star ratings on the Sephora website, this Youth To The People serum adds caffeine into the mix to further brighten your complexion. A lightweight, non-sticky, fragrance-free option that’s ideal for sensitive skin, it aims to reduce hyperpigmentation, depuff, and firm the skin.
One of its many fans commented: “It’s only been about two weeks since I’ve started using this and I’m blown away! My skin has never looked as glowy and smooth and overall as healthy before.
BEST AFFORDABLE VITAMIN C SERUMS
Sephora Collection Ultra Glow Serum, $32, Sephora
What You Need To Know
Besides vitamin C this serum contains soothing vitamin E, natural peptides from marine algae to help tighten skin.
The bottle is also made from 100 per cent recyclable glass and 97 per cent of its ingredients are derived from natural origin.
“My favourite serum. I use this on daily basis, before my primer and then followed by my foundation etc,” one five star review reads.
“Though subtle, you can see the natural glow it gives as compared to when you are not using it.
“It’s also perfect for days when you wanna go for a ‘no-makeup’ makeup look. This is my fifth bottle so I guess it can tell you how in love I am with this!”
The Ordinary Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F, $31.20, Myer
What You Need To Know
Containing a high-strength, oil-solubilised vitamin C derivative that can be used in higher concentration than pure L-ascorbic acid without drawbacks, it’s combined with vitamin F (fatty acids) for extra soothing, calming and strengthening effects.
It’s an especially good choice if you’ve tried vitamin C serums before to no avail, as it uses a derivative rather than the pure form.
One five-star reviewer noted: “A game changer for me. Consistency of use is key to seeing results with vitamin C and I just couldn’t do it when I was using the vitamin C Suspension 23 per cent … just too uncomfortable to use and took forever to absorb.
“This Vitamin F product proved to be a revelation: no irritation or burning sensation and is absorbed quickly and completely by my skin.
“It is more expensive than the other products in the line but the resulting glowing and smooth skin make it all worth it.”
BEST VITAMIN C SERUM FOR OILY SKIN
ESK C Serum Lite, $97, Evidence Skincare
What You Need To Know
Ideal for normal and oilier skin types, the ESK C Serum Lite contains vitamin C in its most potent form – L-Ascorbic Acid, 10 per cent – to repair and prevent the appearance of ageing, from fine lines to wrinkles and pigmentation to skin roughness.
Reviewers adore the product, with one writing: “I was very pleased that I could swap the normal C serum for C Serum Lite with less oil. It goes on oily but magically is absorbed within five or 10 minutes. It seems very moisturising and clarifying. My skin appears smoother when using it.”
BEST VITAMIN C SERUM FOR ACNE-PRONE SKIN
SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF 30ml, $242, Myer
Tried and Tested by Marina Tatas, Shopping Writer
The SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF Serum is formulated with 15 per cent l-ascorbic acid, 0.5 per cent silymarin, 0.5 per cent ferulic acid and 0.5 per cent salicylic acid. This unique combination of ingredients ensures your skin looks brighter and smoother, all while loading up your skin with plenty of antioxidants.
I’ve finished a bottle of the Silymarin CF and the iconic C E Ferulic serum. While I do love both formulas, I have to say the Silymarin CF is more suited to my skin type. I have combination skin – hello oily t-zone – and I struggle with adult acne. This vitamin C serum does a wonderful job at brightening the skin, addressing acne scarring issues, all while ensuring my face doesn’t feel super oily afterwards. I always follow up with a hydrating serum after my vitamin C in the morning, and I found the lightweight oil-free texture to act as the perfect base for the rest of my skincare routine.
BEST VITAMIN C SERUMS FOR EVERYDAY USE
The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Revealing Serum, $55, The Body Shop
Tried and Tested by Marina Tatas, Shopping Writer
The Body Shop’s vitamin C Glow Revealing Serum is unlike anything I’ve tried before. It’s packed with 10 per cent vitamin C and bakuchiol, which is known to be a naturally derived alternative to retinol. So this unique combination works hard to give you a glowy and radiant complexion.
I really love the texture of this serum – it’s super lightweight and fast absorbing, plus it layers really nicely under the rest of my skincare and makeup routine.
Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster, $74, Paula’s Choice
What You Need To Know
Containing a highly concentrated form of 15 per cent vitamin C, skin-stabilising antioxidants including vitamin E and ferulic acid, and skin-smoothing peptides, it aims to improve uneven skin tones, brighten dull complexion and ward off environmental damage.
A five-star reviewer said that if you’re patient enough to wait for the results, you’ll absolutely be rewarded: “Wonderful! Skin is brighter, former, texture is even and soft. Absolutely in my top three favourite skincare products along with retinol and sunscreen.
“I recommend you give this product some time before making a decision or writing a review. L-ascorbic acid serums take at least two months for you to get full benefits from it, until then it is quite normal to get some breakouts and irritation but stick through it! It’s worth it.”
WHO SHOULD USE A VITAMIN C SERUM?
There are vitamin C serums targeted at just about every skin concern, but according to Dr Mansberg “anyone concerned with skin ageing (fine lines, wrinkles, skin dullness), sun damage causing skin cancers or pigmentation would benefit from using vitamin C”.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE VITAMIN C SERUM TO WORK?
It can take a few weeks for your skin to process the change in your routine, so be patient.
“Epidermal turnover time is the time taken for the epidermis to replace itself. The epidermis turns over approximately every 48 days and the turnover time increases as we age,” explains Dr Mansberg.
“For this reason it will take time to see effects. Plus giving vitamin C the entire job of correcting skin brightness, fine lines and wrinkles is a huge ask.
“We suggest combining it with niacinamide, vitamin A and Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) for best effects.
“We find our customers will have better feeling skin within a week, but you will start to SEE changes in three weeks. Pigmentation takes much longer – usually months.”
CAN YOU USE VITAMIN C SERUM EVERYDAY?
Yes, you can use vitamin C serum everyday.
“There is evidence from trials in using it once daily, especially in the morning where it works to prevent sun damage. There is no evidence for using it more often than that,” said Dr Mansberg.
“As a serum, it is your thinnest product so would be applied straight after cleansing. Your SPF product should be applied last. Any other products you want to use will slot neatly between the two!”
Ole Henriksen
Ole Henriksen has been practising the art of skincare for over 40 years. Born in Denmark, his passion for skin led him across the globe, changing peoples’ complexions and touching lives as he went. He has studied skin his entire life, earning a cosmetic chemistry degree before opening his eponymous spa in Beverly Hills and launching his namesake brand. Ole believes happy skin is beautiful skin. To know him is to love him and be moved by his positive outlook and zest for life.
Dr Ginni Mansberg
Dr Ginni Mansberg has been a GP for almost 30 years, with her practice located in Sans Souci, Sydney. In 2017, Dr. Ginni co-founded Evidence Skincare (ESK) and currently serves as the Medical Director. ESK is committed to providing evidence-based cosmeceutical skincare, differentiating itself from a market often filled with unfounded claims and lacking scientific evidence.
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