The 6 Best Vitamin C Serums, According To Dermatologists

Okay, so you can’t turn back time, but a little vitamin C can sure make it look like you can. Squeezing the well-known antioxidant into your beauty routine—and not just your morning juice—has serious skin-brightening and health benefits. “A vitamin C serum helps protect your skin from sun damage, stimulates collagen production, brightens skin complexion, and prevents and repairs skin aging,” says Shari Sperling, MD, a dermatologist at Sperling Dermatology in Florham Park, New Jersey. Its shining qualities are certain, but there’s one thing that’s often unclear: Which one do you use? There are a lot of options out there, including some that are very expensive, Sperling says. To help you face all the choices, Sperling and a few other skin smarties weigh in on which vitamin C products will give you results you can, well, see. Operation Get Your Glow On: in full effect. 

Obagi Professional-C Vitamin C Serum

Why we love it: Good for sensitive skin This gets a glowing recommendation from Sterling. Think of it like beauty in a bottle. It helps fight against free radicals—the relentless atoms that lead to fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. And if your skin is prone to freakouts, the lightweight formula and low concentration of vitamin C make it a good pick for you. 

SkinMedica Vitamin C and E Complex

Why we love it: Lasts all day Any skin type can benefit from dabbing on a daily dose of this treatment. Another radiant quality: The formula also includes vitamin E, which gives it a double dose of youth-defying power, and it has a delayed effect so it doesn’t sputter out mid-day, Sperling says. 

Skinceuticals CE Ferulic

Why we love it: Your skin drinks it up “This is far and away the best product and the one I recommend most frequently,” says Ranella Hirsch, MD, a dermatologist based in Boston. It does all the heavy lifting of a typical vitamin C serum—protects you from damaging UVA/UVB rays, and is full of antioxidants. But the best part? Once absorbed, you’re golden—it can’t be washed or rubbed off, which means you can use it in conjunction with sunscreen. (If you want your skin to look forever young. 

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster

Why we love it: Prevents wrinkles—and gets rid of lines you already have It smells good, is super hydrating, and feels completely weightless, but one of the best perks of this product, says Anne Chapas, MD, owner and founder of Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York City: “It helps promote collagen production.” That means any little lines that are bumming you out will fade, and others will be kept at bay. 

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare C + Collagen Perfect Skin Set and Refresh Mist

Why we love it: Gives you an instant glow “The blend of vitamin C, antioxidants, and amino acids help to revive a dull complexion—it’s like an amazing quick-fix vitamin C boost for your skin,” Chapas says. It can even penetrate through makeup, so you can spritz it on whenever your face needs a revive. 

Clinique Fresh Pressed Daily Booster with Pure Vitamin C

Why we love it: Easy addition to your routine Feel like your skincare regimen has too many steps? You can add a few drops of this to your moisturizer and slather it on all at the same time, Chapas says, so it’s easy to incorporate into what you’re already doing without adding any extra time.