Besides stimulating collagen production, Vitamin C is great for fighting fine lines and wrinkles and it also brightens your skin complexion. Segall AI, et al. (2008). Stability of vitamin C derivatives in topical formulations containing lipoic acid, vitamins A and E. Al-Niaimi, F et al. (2017). Topical vitamin C and the skin: Mechanisms of action and clinical applications. For those who don’t know, ‘lucent’ means to glow or give off light, like a radiant makeover for dull skin. A lightweight serum, Vitamin C and B3 help balance, replenish and soothe most skin types.

The following serums are perfect for slipping into your day or night routine for a mega skin refresher and nourishment. You’ll be surprised by what a little magic bottle can do for your face in terms of erasing lines, spots and texture. It’s no secret that when your skin feels good, you feel good. And who wouldn’t want to reap the benefits of amazing skin?To get the most out of your vitamin C serum, you should apply it daily as part of your morning skin care routine,” Palm says. “Applying vitamin C in the morning allows us to optimize its ability to reduce free radicals during the day from UV exposure.” What percentage of vitamin C is best for the face? Hyaluronic Acid: Many people see the word acid in their skincare and immediately want to ditch it. The truth is that hyaluronic acid can help skin regain moisture for an appealing smooth and plump effect. Dr. Saedi suggests avoiding more potentially irritating vitamin C serums, so starting with one like Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C might be less likely to cause a reaction than most other effective products; it contains a high level of pure vitamin C, but she points out that it’s a more hydrating form with a lower percentage of ascorbic acid. Because its formula is only made of 11 ingredients, there's less of a chance for an irritating ingredient to trigger a reaction.

Anti-aging serums: These work to boost collagen production and skin renewal. They can also help with early signs of aging. In addition to being an affordable vitamin C serum, this one also boasts sodium hyaluronate and collagen, a concoction of ingredients that will target signs of aging while simultaneously promoting moisture and smoothing your skin. It’s free of phthalates, synthetic fragrance, and mineral oil. Texture improvement serums: These help boost the texture of your skin and its overall appearance. In addition, some texture improvement serums can help shed dead skin cells to unearth glowing, even skin underneath.

Let’s take a look at the best serums for men

However, Vitamin C serum, everybody’s skincare knight in shining armour, fights off these skin nasties and protects it. 9, 10 Together with vitamin E, this serum is the perfect weapon for free radical damage, hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, and dark spots for all skin tones. It is also paraben and sulfate free. Experts recommend using a vitamin C serum as a first step. “As with most actives, I recommend using a vitamin C after cleansing but before non-active topicals,” says Pritzker. “So you should use it before you moisturize and always before SPF, which you should be using every day. We typically recommend using it in the morning.” These derivatives are used to create Vitamin C serum, and while they may not be 100% pure sources of Vitamin C, like the examples above are, they’re still capable of pretty powerful, almost mind-blowing stuff.

Palm points out that L-ascorbic acid is a water-soluble-based vitamin C form, while tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate is a lipid-soluble form of vitamin C. There are two schools of thought here, though they both come to the same conclusion: the time of day you apply vitamin C serum is important. Although the aging process is inevitable, the face wrinkles, fine lines, and dark eye circles don’t have to be. Sure, we all end up looking like a leathery walnut at some point, but good skincare practice can push this inevitability farther down the road.

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Topical vitamin C can seriously benefit your skin. According to Nazanin Saedi, MD, director of Jefferson Laser Surgery and Cosmetic Dermatology Center in Philadelphia, vitamin C is a key ingredient in many skin care products because of its reputation for reducing acne scarring, erasing fine lines, and evening out skin tone.And with a good vitamin C serum, you can improve your skin complexion, minimize hyperpigmentation, and help improve skin texture.