The 15 Best Vitamin C Serums for Brighter, Firmer Skin

The one ingredient that everyone could benefit from adding to their skincare regimen? According to experts, it's vitamin C, which is known as the ultimate multitasker because it treats existing damage (i.e., dark spots and dullness), while protecting your skin against environmental pollutants that can accelerate aging. You can find this powerful ingredient in many different types of skincare products (masks, moisturizers, etc.), but here we’re focusing on the best vitamin C serums to supercharge your beauty routine, including the best overall pick, Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum and the fan favorite Sunday Riley C.E.O 15% Vitamin C Serum.

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Dr. Robyn Gmyrek is a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City who has received national recognition for her contributions to cosmetic dermatology, including Castle and Connolly America’s Top Doctors, New York Magazine’s 2013-2020 Best Doctors, and inclusion in the 2013-2020 lists of Super Doctors. Before joining UnionDerm Dr. Gmyrek was on the faculty of Columbia University Medical Center, where she was Division Chief of Cosmetic Dermatology and founded Columbia University’s Cosmetic Skin and Laser Center. At Columbia, Dr. Gmyrek was also the Director of the Resident Cosmetic Clinic, instructing the resident physicians in cosmetic procedures, and was in charge of the Fourth Year Medical Student Electives in Dermatology.

To make our list, we polled editors to share their favorite vitamin C serums. They highlighted the benefits (and downsides) of each product found on this list. We also tapped a board-certified dermatologist for her top recommendations. After gathering all of the options, we checked each vitamin C serum against specific criteria, including their ingredients, texture and wearability underneath our other skincare products and makeup. From budget-friendly picks to more luxurious finds, here are the 15 best vitamin C serums.

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• Concentration: The target concentration of ascorbic acid you’ll most often find in products is between five and 20 percent. You may have heard that 10 percent is “the golden number,” but that’s just a guestimate since it’s the average of that 5 to 20 percent range you see on the market. More doesn't always mean better, especially if it causes irritation. So rather than focus solely on the percentage of vitamin C in a product, pay closer attention to the way it's formulated because that will also affect how it’s used in your routine.
• Formulation: You can find ascorbic acid in three different formats: water-based serums, powders and anhydrous suspensions, all of which have their pros and cons. The main pros of a water-based serum is that it's the OG, and the most tested with clinical studies. However, they have the shortest shelf-life of the three. Powders are the most stable, but they can be messy, and anhydrous suspensions offer more stability than a water-based serum, but can have inconsistent formulas (some have a gritty texture, which should be avoided). Regardless of the percentage or format you choose, remember that consistency is key. Vitamin C should be used every morning, after cleansing and before any moisturizer or sunscreen.