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Vitamin C is a robust antioxidant that repairs broken cells, neutralizes free radicals, promotes collagen manufacturing and lightens darkish spots whereas enhancing pores and skin elasticity, indicators of photoaging from solar injury and barrier operate. Whereas we get vitamin C naturally by vegetables and fruit, it’s additionally some of the synthetically produced components in skincare—ask even probably the most staunch magnificence minimalist and so they’ve most likely used a moisturizer, eye cream or serum infused with vitamin C.
Vitamin C is an extremely efficient ingredient, which is why we write about it continuously—the different sorts, find out how to make it work higher, what to pair it with, buzzy new formulation and extra. It’s additionally why there are such a lot of vitamin C merchandise out there. The most well-liked class for vitamin C skincare is, palms down, serums. Synonymous with a better focus of energetic components, serums could be a superb vessel for vitamin C—in the best formulation.
Curious to see if I may discover top-rated, dermatologist-recommended vitamin C serums on Amazon (whereas I additionally ordered decidedly un-fun objects like bathroom paper and child wipes), I did some digging. To my shock, I simply found 20 vitamin C serums Beauty has lined prior to now. From medical-grade merchandise well worth the small funding to dermatologists’ favorites underneath $20, listed below are our picks for the very best vitamin C serums you should purchase on Amazon.
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Beginning off with an underneath $25 serum that mixes a potent mix of sodium ascorbyl phosphate, L-ascorbic acid, a bioactive fruit mix, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. Reviewers say it’s “youth in a bottle” and can enhance the look of effective traces and wrinkles in simply 4 weeks.
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Vitamin C, ceramides and niacinamide are a robust trio on this inexpensive serum that delivers a “healthy glow.” Collectively this serum’s components enhance brilliance, even out tone, clean tough texture and replenish the pores and skin’s barrier.
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Ascorbic acid, generally known as vitamin C, is a robust antioxidant that helps defend the pores and skin. It additionally has brightening properties to even out pores and skin tone, in line with dermatologists. Maelove’s serum boasts a powerful record of pores and skin advantages together with enhancing radiance, boosting collagen, fading darkish spots and lowering the looks of traces and wrinkles. With the addition of hyaluronic acid and a singular botanical mix, it additionally provides pores and skin an added dose of hydration.
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Whereas a famous person for fading discoloration and brightening complexions, vitamin C has a status for inflicting irritation to delicate pores and skin sorts. La Roche-Posay’s 10% Pure Vitamin C serum is completely different, says Davie, FL dermatologist Marianna Blyumin-Karasik, MD. “One element that can reduce some irritation in problematic skin types is to offset vitamin C irritation by adding hydrating ingredients to product the formulation, such as humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which this serum contains. It is one of my favorites to recommend to patients.”
Birmingham, AL dermatologist Corey L. Hartman agrees, calling the serum “suitable for even the most sensitive skin.”
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One other derm-recommended serum for delicate pores and skin comes from TruSkin, a client favourite with greater than 100,000 constructive critiques on Amazon. New York dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD recommends as a result of, “TruSkin Vitamin C contains hyaluronic acid that improves hydration, and also uses anti-inflammatory vitamin E to improve skin moisture and offset skin irritation.”
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Vitamin C and lactic acid merge on this superior serum to exfoliate and promote cell turnover whereas brightening and smoothing pores and skin. The result’s a visual younger-looking glow. If a daytime vitamin C serum is simply too intense, attempt Dermalogica’s Biolumin-C Evening Restore Serum, an progressive serum with ultra-stable vitamin C and a pro-vitamin D that takes the time period “beauty sleep” to an entire new degree.
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This under-$20 serum provides plant-derived peptide epidermal progress elements to fifteen p.c vitamin C, making pores and skin not solely brighter and extra even-toned, however visibly plumper. Our editor known as it a “great option for mature skin.”
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New York plastic surgeon B. Aviva Preminger, MD counts this medical-grade components as her private favourite. “It really helps to brighten and achieve a more even skin tone and youthful appearance.”
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One other terrific and derm-recommended vitamin C possibility comes from CeraVe. New York dermatologist Robert Finney, MD explains, “[You] get the powerful antioxidant vitamin C that can help protect against sun damage, dark marks and fine lines, and it also contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides to improve the skin barrier.”
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The 2024 Beauty award-winner for Greatest Vitamin C Serum is Alastin’s C-Radical Protection Antioxidant Serum. “What makes this product great for sensitive skin is that the vitamin C is encapsulated, which makes it more stable and less irritating. In addition, vitamin C is combined with 15 different antioxidants and peptides that make a powerful combination,” New York dermatologist Marina Peredo, MD explains. That mixture helps encourage collagen and elastin manufacturing, lend brightening advantages and protection towards damaging free radicals.
Award Picture: C-Radical Protection Antioxidant Serum
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“This serum features a unique blend of antioxidants, including 15 percent L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), pumpkin ferment extract and pomegranate enzyme, which work synergistically to brighten and firm the skin. Despite its powerful formula, it’s formulated without essential oils, silicones and fragrance,” says Miami dermatologist Anna Chacon, MD.
Award Picture: C-Firma Recent Day Serum
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New York dermatologist Erin Gilbert, MD calls this decide a “great choice” due to a components of 15 p.c vitamin C, vitamin E and polyphenols that provides “potent protection” from environmental aggressors. Plus, glycerin and hyaluronic acid preserve pores and skin hydrated.
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BeautyStat has been hailed as a “holy grail” skin-care model by trendsetter, viral sensation, mannequin and new mother Hailey Bieber. Dermatologists reward it too. “This 20 percent vitamin C serum is less likely to irritate sensitive skin,” says New York dermatologist Rosemarie Ingleton MD. “The vitamin C it contains is encapsulated and also combined with soothing green tea and squalene as buffers.”
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Actress and writer Mindy Kaling considers this antioxidant serum splurge-worthy, and Nanuet, NY dermatologist Heidi Waldorf, MD recommends it too. “These ampoules contain vitamin C with proteoglycans to support the dermis and hyaluronic acid for hydration and skin barrier support,” Dr. Waldorf explains.
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38-year-old mannequin and cookbook writer Chrissy Teigen and 63-year-old actress Julianna Moore each love this therapeutic serum. (Proper off the bat if it’s a match pores and skin throughout generations, it should be particular.) ADVANCE+ vitamin C, nutritional vitamins A and E and olive leaf extract deal with zits, rosacea and irritation and reduce the looks of untimely ageing.
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Ferulic acid is an antioxidant confirmed to assist stabilize components like vitamin C so it stays potent and lasts longer. SeoulCeuticals Day Glow Serum, a serum with over 15,000 five-star rankings, has each in its components after which some—hyaluronic acid, to assist pores and skin maintain on to hydration and vitamin E, an antioxidant that repairs hyperpigmentation. One reviewer even known as the Okay-beauty serum “nearly identical in texture and performance” to costlier formulations.
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“This serum uses a nonirritating version of vitamin C—ethyl ascorbic acid—and combines it with glycerin to attract moisture and prevent skin drying,” says Dr. Nazarian. A tri-peptide mix and licorice root extract enhance the serum even additional to construct elasticity and defend pores and skin from free radical injury.
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SkinMedica is widely known (and really helpful repeatedly) by dermatologists for its dedication to investing within the components to make formulation, after which rigorously testing these formulation to make sure every actually works. The model’s Vitamin C + E Advanced progressively delivers excessive ranges of nutritional vitamins C and E to the pores and skin to supply antioxidant safety all day lengthy, in line with the model, leading to extra youthful-looking pores and skin. Greenwich, CT dermatologist Lynne Haven, MD beforehand informed us, “My patients find it very effective and well-tolerated.”
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This clinical-level serum encompasses a potent 25 p.c of stabilized vitamin C, the gold customary in brightening and treating cussed discoloration. Glutathione is available in to maintain any irritation at bay whereas additionally amping up antioxidant safety and ingredient stability, per the model. Advantages embrace brightening boring pores and skin, fading darkish spots, firming pores and skin, enhancing elasticity and boosting collagen ranges.
