Vitamin C is the all-round good guy of vitamins. Found in citrus fruits, its antioxidant, it repairs tissues, it plays a crucial role in the function of the immune system and now, vitamin C skincare can be found everywhere. But what does it do, and how does it work?
Vitamin C skincare (whether it is a cream or serum) is designed to banish dead skin cells from the surface of your face, leaving you with a brighter, smoother complexion.
Sloughing dead skin cells away is believed to speed up collagen production. This is because vitamin C serums are acidic, so when they come into contact with the skin, the skin goes into “healing mode” which accelerates your rate of collagen and elastin production.
One of the biggest benefits of topical application of vitamin is the reduction of scars, brown spots and hyperpigmentation. In addition to this, more general vitamin c benefits for the skin include a brighter, plumper complexion.
WHO readers get 10% off this BodyBlendz vitamin C recovery serum for a limited time with the code: VITAMINC
How To Use Vitamin C Serum
If the serum is destined for your face, your best bet is to apply your vitamin C serum and let it dry for at least 60 seconds before you use your regular moisturiser.
Applying it during the evening can help combat the contact your skin has had with free radicals and oxidants during the day, and applying it before you head off to work in the morning will act as added protection from free radicals.
If you haven’t used a vitamin C serum before, you should slowly introduce it into your routine. Start by using 3-5 drops every other day before building up to daily use. Same goes if you plan to use it on your body.
Shop the best Vitamin C serums below
Olay Luminous Niacinamide + Vitamin C Super Serum
Price: $59.99
Why We Love It: Olay’s Luminous Niacinamide + Vitamin C Super Serum contains a powerful combination of top-quality Niacinamide (to prevent hyperpigmentation or melasma from spreading), Vitamin C (to fade dark spots), Pro- Vit B5 (to soothe and moisturise) and Vitamin E (to protect against free radical damage).
In terms of a Vitamin C serum for your face, this product is unique as it can deep dive into the top 10 layers of your skin to create real, compliment-inducing results.
Brought to you by Olay
TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C Serum
Price: $30.98
Why We Love It: TruSkin Naturals is another cruelty-free skin care company (we can never have too many of them!)
Some of the delicious ingredients you can expect to find in your bottle of TruSkin Vitamin C Serum are organic aloe vera leaf, witch hazel, organic jojoba oil and vitamin E. TruSkin states that this serum is a powerful one, so be wary if you’re new to using the ingredient.
Reviews: One happy customer said –
“I am so obsessed with this product. I use it daily. Either add a drop to my moisturizer in the morning and night. Also add a drop directly to my face as I put on foundation. Gives perfect dewy look. I have recommended it to so many people and gone through so many bottles. My husband used it to help with acne scars and his skin cleared up very fast.”
Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Acid
Price: $228
Why We Love It: We know – that price is high! Adore Beauty does offer After Pay if you’re certain that this is the one for you. The upside is, the reviews of this serum are overwhelmingly positive, so it seems to have done the trick for the majority of customers.
Reviews: “I have sunspots which some consider as aging spot or hyperpigmentation. When I turned 30 the sunspot become more visible especially after having my first baby. When I was 34 I lasered them away and about a year later they came right back. I have continued to research and apply Vitamin C, brightener treatments and more with zero results.
I was hesitant due to the price, but decided to invest in myself since I’ve heard wonders about this product. Ok, so I purchased this on Friday, used it that night and on Monday night I noticed a significant different on one spot that has been haunting me for years. I’ve been in shock, still am and it’s only been 5 days. Oh, and my skin looks healthy, dewy and smoother. UNBELIEVABLE RESULTS!”
Medik8 C-Tetra Lipid Vitamin C Antioxidant Serum
Price: $78.20
Why We Love It: Experts in anti-aging skin care, Medik8 is 100% cruelty free, uses recycled paper in all its packaging and 40% recycled glass in all its serum bottles.
Medik8 only stock their products at professional clinics and spas and Adore Beauty. Their new and approved (read: stronger) Tetra-C formula is suitable for all skin types, and works to stimulate collagen and elastin production while boosting skin with antioxidants to prevent and repair free radical damage.
The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost Instant Smoother
Price: $35
Why We Love It: The Body Shop has been around since 1976, and their involvement with fair trade industry, commitment to cruelty-free beauty and passion for skin care has made them a beloved brand worldwide. Their Vitamin C Booster is made with Community Fair Trade Brazil nut oil for extra hydration.
Sunday Riley C.E.O Serum & Oil
Price: C.E.O 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum $121.00 and C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Oil $114
Why We Love It: Now officially B-Corp certified (meeting the highest standard of environmental and social standards) you can feel even better about shopping Sunday Riley’s vitamin C range.
Looking for a double dose of the vitamin? Combine the brand’s cold-pressed vitamin C oil with their coveted C.E.O serum.
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
Price: $9.80
Why We Love It: The Ordinary is an award-winning skin care and hair care company that we just can’t get enough of thanks to its effective formulas and affordable price tags.
In regards to this serum, The Ordinary state that: “A very strong tingling but non-irritating sensation is expected during the first 1-2 weeks of use until the skin’s tolerance to such high exposure is elevated. If the sensation is too strong to tolerate, the formula can be mixed on each application with other creams or serums of your preference.”
Reviews: The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% has 878 Google reviews and has earned an average of 4/5 stars. One satisfied customer said –
“I have been using this product every night for 3 weeks and my redness is noticeably reduced already! I wasn’t sure if it was just hopeful thinking, so I asked my husband who said, and I quote, “I thought you were just getting really good at the natural foundation thing”.
BodyBlendz Recovery Face Serum
Price: $21.99
Why We Love It: This powerful serum doubles down to hydrate and assist recovery. Consisting of L22 blend (a patented, noncomedogenic lipid complex, carefully engineered to deliver the skin surface lipid profile of a healthy 22 year old, a.k.a the dream), vitamin C, argan oil and Rosemary extract prepare for quick healing, improved elasticity and maximum hydration.
Go-To Much Brighter Skin Vitamin C Serum
Price: $59
Why We Love It: Cult skincare brand Go-To, started by Zoe Foster-Blake, has finally launched their own vitamin C formula and the name perfectly sums up the results you should expect, dubbing the serum ‘Much Brighter Skin’.
Formulated with 10% sodium ascorbyl phosphate, (a highly stable, anti-microbial, non-irritating form of Vitamin C), niacinamide and kakadu plum, this wildly elegant serum provides antioxidant protection, improves skin radiance, and evens skin tone.
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