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Anyone interested in skincare (slowly raises hand) has no doubt heard about the benefits of vitamin C serums. A powerful antioxidant, vitamin C essentially works by neutralizing free radicals from the environment, assisting in the repair of damaged cells, improving collagen production, skin elasticity, signs of photoaging (like pigmentation), and barrier function.1 Vitamin C is a naturally-occurring antioxidant, but interestingly humans lack the enzyme needed for its synthesis which is why we rely on food, and in this instance topical products, to experience the benefits.2
Serums are generally thinner and more concentrated as far as skincare products go, which is why it makes a great vehicle for vitamin C. But we get the price can sometimes be off-putting (it is a very popular active ingredient, after all), so we’ve taken the liberty of compiling some drugstore vitamin C serum favorites that deliver all the glowy skin goodness minus the price tag.
Keep scrolling to shop the best and brightest drugstore vitamin C serums on the market.
Best Overall: Versed Stroke of Brilliance Brightening Serum
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Revolve
Who else recommends it? MSN and Glamour both picked Versed Stroke of Brilliance Brightening Serum.
What do buyers say? 200+ Walmart reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
With just 0.5% vitamin C (sodium ascorbyl phosphate), this gentle serum is a great option for all skin types, but especially for those with sensitive skin or those who find vitamin C irritating. As per Appel’s suggestion, it also comes boosted with niacinamide to assist with calming and soothing the skin, plus sodium hyaluronate and licorice root.5 We’re also big fans of the light, bouncy texture (plus, the smell isn’t too offensive).
Benefits: Boosting radiance, firming, strengthening | Skin Type: Oily, combination | Dosage: 2 to 3 drops daily | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Budget: Lumene Valo Light Glow Boost
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Courtesy of Lumene
This glow-giving serum uses ascorbyl glucoside, a water-soluble form of vitamin C that’s thought to be gentler and more stable than its pure form, so it’s a nice option if you’re new to antioxidants.6 Bonus points for hyaluronic acid and cloudberry extract to assist with hydration and the bouncy, fresh-skin feeling.
Benefits: Firming, boosting radiance | Skin Type: Mature skin | Dosage: A few drops | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Dry Skin: TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C Serum
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This top-rated serum contains a bunch of stellar ingredients like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, jojoba, and vitamin E to cover all bases in one easy product. Because of the inclusion of hydrators, it’s an excellent pick for drier complexions or those looking to restore the skin’s youthful glow.
Benefits: Boosting radiance, firming, plumping | Skin Type: Dry | Dosage: A few drops (can be used morning and night) | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
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Best for Oily Skin: Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum
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Amazon
This serum is designed to balance, refine, and clarify blemish-prone or oily skin. Alongside vitamin C, there’s also clary sage, grapefruit, ferulic acid, hyaluronic acid, and chamomile (not to mention, a herbaceous scent). Try patting a few drops onto clean skin after cleansing and before moisturizing in the morning.
Benefits: Contains botanical extracts, boosts radiance, refines | Skin Type: Oily | Dosage: A few drops every morning | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
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Best for Mature Skin: L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Vitamin C Face Serum
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Courtesy of CVS
L’Oreal’s Vitamin C serum was co-created with dermatologists to deliver the best possible results in a short timeframe. The formula contains 10% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), an active concentration that’s thought to be beneficial when it comes to visible change. Because L-ascorbic acid is known to be unstable, it’s also stored in an air-tight metal tube to protect its efficacy (so keep an eye out for any color changes).7 The creamy consistency is a nice change to watery serums, especially if you have dry, lined, or mature skin.
Benefits: Firms, boosts radiance, fragrance-free | Skin Type: Dry, mature | Dosage: A pea-sized amount | Size: 1.92 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Sensitive Skin: CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum
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Formulated with 10% L-ascorbic acid, hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, and ceramides, this wallet-friendly serum is a great buy for dry, sensitive skin, or anyone who wants the benefits of vitamin C but finds many formulations irritating. It’s fragrance-free and allergy tested, and with ongoing use can illuminate the skin.
Benefits: Contains vitamin B5 and ceramides to soothe, allergy tested | Skin Type: Dry, dehydrated, or sensitive | Dosage: Small pea-sized amount | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for First Time Users: THE ORDINARY Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%
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Courtesy of The Ordinary
The Ordinary is arguably one of the best drugstore brands going around, so it would be rude of us to not include the Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%. The water-soluble form of vitamin C is less intense than L-ascorbic acid, so you can experience subtle-but-noticeable benefits with a lower risk of irritation. The sweet price point is a nice touch, too.
Benefits: Boosts radiance, firms | Skin Type: All skin types | Dosage: A few drops | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Avene A-Oxitive Antioxidant Defense Serum
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Avene
If you are reactive, sensitive, or simply enjoy the virtues of French pharmacy beauty, Avene’s A-Oxidative Defense Serum is for you. The creamy formula contains ascorbyl glucoside again and is suspended in the brand’s signature thermal spring water (alongside hyaluronic acid and vitamin E). There’s also a soft, creamy texture that gives it a comforting feeling on the skin.
Benefits: Boosts radiance, nourishes, plumps | Skin Type: Dry, sensitive | Dosage: 1 to 2 pumps | Size: 1 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Face and Body: Biologi BF Restore Face & Body Serum
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Biologi
If you’re chasing a one-and-done serum that can be used on uneven skin across the face and body, this is it. Appel loves it for its “concentrated dose of vitamin C and fruit enzymes” and recommends it for anyone looking to promote even skin tone, hydration, and a strong barrier.
Benefits: Can be used all over the body | Skin Type: All skin types, even sensitive | Dosage: 1 to 2 pumps | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Pigmentation: Biologi BD Luminosity Face Serum
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Biologi
Appel swears by innovative Australian brand Biologi and its single-ingredient formulations. Luminosity is made using pure Davidson Plum, a rich source of vitamin C (alongside other antioxidant properties). With ongoing use, Appel believes it can restore even skin tone and increase radiance.
Benefits: Boosts radiance, restores luminosity | Skin Type: All skin types | Dosage: 1 to 2 pumps | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Serum
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Vitamin C for acne-prone skin can be tricky, but La-Roche Posay has come to the table with this multi-purpose serum that claims to boost radiance and clarify the skin simultaneously. Enriched with 10% L-ascorbic acid, salicylic acid, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid, the bouncy texture sinks in quickly and claims to assist with even and refined skin. And if you’re wondering, the brand explains that the inclusion of salicylic acid is to increase absorption and is formulated in a way so that the L-ascorbic acid allegedly remains intact.
Benefits: Refines, boosts radiance, and clarifies | Skin Type: Oily and congested | Dosage: 3 to 4 drops daily | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Acne Scars: Rosen Skincare Bright Citrus Serum
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Looking for something potent to fade pesky acne scars and dark spots? This lightweight serum is rich in powerful tyrosinase inhibitors that work to both prevent and treat existing marks and pigmentation concerns. Formulated with a whopping 20% vitamin C plus mulberry extract, it’ll help even tone and texture while fighting acne-causing bacteria and dullness along the way.
Benefits: Fades dark spots and scars, boosts radiance, fights acne-causing bacteria | Skin Type: Combination, oily, and acne-prone | Dosage: 1 to 2 pumps daily | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Final Verdict
Your ideal drugstore vitamin C serum will depend on your skin type and condition, but team Byrdie unanimously agrees that the Versed Stroke of Brilliance Vitamin C Serum (view at Versed) and the Avene A-Oxitive Antioxidant Defense Serum (view at Amazon) are a bang for your buck. Also honorable mention to Appel’s favorite Biologi Radiance Serum (view at Biologi) for its minimal ingredients and skin-boosting effect.
What to Look For in a Drugstore Vitamin C Serum
The Type of Vitamin C
Vitamin C in its pure form is L-ascorbic acid, but when it comes to topical products it can vary. Some of the most effective ones to look out for are L-ascorbic acid, ascorbyl 6 palmitate, disodium isostearyl 2-0 L-ascorbyl phosphate, tetris palmitoyl ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid sulfate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, and ascorbyl glucoside2.
Some forms are prone to oxidation (L-ascorbic acid especially), so if your product takes on a yellow-ish appearance once opened, chances are it’s lost its efficacy.
Nice Pairings
Leading esthetician Samantha Appel tells us that mixing B vitamins (like niacinamide) with vitamin C is a beneficial pairing and will “soothe, brighten and refine the skin’s appearance”.
Not so Nice Pairings
Alternatively, Appel explains that AHAs and BHAs (such as glycolic, salicylic, or lactic acids) will potentially react with your vitamin C serum, so they are best left for the evening (and don’t mix products containing the two).
