17 Best Vitamin C Serums For Every Skin Type, Reviewed
What are the benefits of vitamin C in skincare?Dr Ana Mansouri, a multi-award-winning cosmetic doctor, explains that “vitamin C is a pigment suppressor, which works to even out skin tone. It's also been clinically proven to benefit the skin in a multitude of ways, including brightening pigmentation, protecting from sun damage, stimulating collagen and neutralising free radical damage." And of course, it gives that healthy, lit-from-within glow to the skin.And there's more. Dr Christine Hall, a general practitioner in medical aesthetics, shares that vitamin C can reverse some skin damage that has already been caused.“Vitamin C is proven to reverse damage caused by oxidative stress – the process that damages cells, proteins and DNA, resulting in premature skin ageing, loss of collagen, pigmentation and the formation of lines and wrinkles,” she says.Dr Hall's top tip? “Look for a vitamin C serum that is housed in an airtight container, in a dark or tinted packaging to protect it.”Should you use vitamin C in your morning or evening skincare routine?Vitamin C is a friend of your morning skincare routine, as its antioxidant properties help protect against daily aggressors like pollution and UV rays – even when the weather’s doing its usual grey and gloomy thing.Dr Hall supports, saying “vitamin C should always be the first ingredient that is applied in the morning after cleansing.”"Allow a few minutes for it to sink into the skin before applying your other skincare products. As once it's absorbed, vitamin C has been shown to remain active in the skin between 8 and 24 hours — meaning the skin then creates a reservoir of vitamin C that it can use when needed,” shares Dr Hall.Can you use vitamin C with retinol?Yep.Dr Hall explains that the best regimen is to use a vitamin C and SPF in the morning, alternated with a retinol at night. But if you want to incorporate both actives, start slowly.“For some, starting off with a retinol and a vitamin C together may be too much for their skin as each can be irritating in their own right," she comments. “It's always better to introduce new actives gradually, one at a time.” Shop GLAMOUR's edit of the best retinol serum formulations and best retinol eye creams.Which skin types is vitamin C best for?According to Dr Hall, L-ascorbic acid is the most stable type of vitamin C for all skin types.But if you have dry skin, Dr Hall advises pairing it with ferulic acid, which is packed with hydrating properties.If you're more of an oily skin or acne skin type? Go for silymarin-infused formulas.If you have sensitive skin, look for sodium ascorbyl phosphate. It's a gentle form of vitamin C that's less potent than the more commonly used form, l-ascorbic acid, but still excels at brightening dull skin.And if you're wondering what concentration of vitamin C to look for, Dr Hall recommends in the region of around 10-15%. "Any more and it may cause irritation, but any less and it may not be doing much,” she reveals.However, if you're an experienced vitamin C user, Dr Mansouri recommends potentially opting for a 20% concentration, as this is considered the most effective concentration on the market.Whichever you choose, ensure to patch test and start slowly.Which brand is best for vitamin C serum?Dr Hall recommends the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Vitamin C Serum for most skin types, largely because of its highly effective formula and long-term benefits.For context, this vitamin C serum features a blend of 15% pure vitamin C, 1% vitamin E, and 0.5% ferulic acid, which adds to its antioxidant properties. Designed to help improve skin texture and brighten your complexion, it's hardly a surprise as to why it comes endorsed by beauty editors and dermatologists alike… *adds to bag immediately*.
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