19 Of The Best Vitamin C Serums For Brighter Skin In 2025

• Key ingredients: 15 per cent l-ascorbic acid, 1 per cent alpha-tocopherol (a form of vitamin E), and 0.5 per cent ferulic acid
• Benefits: Smoothing, moisturising, firming, brightening
• Best for: Fine lines, wrinkles, mature skin, dry skin, normal skin, sensitive skin
• How to apply: According to SkinCeuticals, four to five drops can be applied to a dry face, neck, and chest each morning.
• Size: 30ml

Why we love it: “Skinceuticals CE Ferulic is the gold standard and works well for those with dry skin,” says Dr. Corey L. Hartman. This Vogue-approved vitamin C serum delivers environmental protection, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, improves firmness, and brightens via a cocktail of vitamin C and the antioxidant properties of ferulic acid and vitamin E.

• Key ingredients: 25 per cent tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, glutathione, mushroom-derived antioxidants
• Benefits: contains clinical strength vitamin C with additional barrier supporting ingredients to minimise irritation
• Best for: improving stubborn pigmentation and dullness, plus restoring lost volume on mature skin
• How to apply: Apply a pea-sized amount morning and at night on clean skin.
• Size: 30ml

Why we love it: Take vitamin C and pair it with the body’s own super antioxidant glutathione, and you have a very good serum for optimal skin health. The buzzy ingredient is known for its ability to neutralise free radicals (aka the molecules in pollution that damage your skin) as well as lighten dark marks, reduce wrinkle formation and boost skin’s elasticity overall. The kind of serum that has a consistency closer to a lightweight cream, this stabilised formula is not only a pleasure to apply – it’s also one you can count on for clearer, plumper skin.

• Key ingredients: 14 per cent tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, red ginseng, maracuja oil and squalane
• Benefits: Nourishes the skin, boosting radiance and minimising fine lines
• Best for: rapidly brightening blemishes on all skin types, but particularly effective for dry skin conditions
• How to apply: Apply six drops to the face and neck immediately after your morning cleanse
• Size: 30ml

Why we love it: Medik8’s efficacious formulas have earned the brand a loyal fanbase, with many a Vogue editor rating its vitamin C serum as one of their favourites. At 14 per cent vitamin C, it falls in the middle of our expert’s recommended serum concentration range – the perfect pick for those who have been using an entry-level serum and want to step up their results. Highly stable thanks to its tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate-based formula and dark tinted bottle, it is also blended with squalane to minimise irritation as it resurfaces fine lines and dark spots. Worth noting: this one is oil-based, making it the best choice for those targeting particularly dry skin.

• Key ingredients: 10 per cent pure vitamin C, salicylic acid, neurosensine, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and thermal spring water
• Benefits: Resurfacing, evening skin tone, hydrating
• Best for: Enlarged pores, acne-prone skin, dull skin, all skin types
• How to apply: According to La Roche-Posay, apply three to four drops to the face and neck in the morning after cleansing.
• Size: 30ml

Why we love it: “La Roche-Posay’s 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum is an affordable option that leaves skin protected and radiant without irritation,” says Hartman. While the price is alluring, what truly sets this apart is its cocktail of pure vitamin C paired with salicylic acid and neurosensine to refine skin texture and tone on the face and neck without harming sensitive skin.

• Key ingredients: 10 per cent pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), hyaluronic acid, ceramides
• Benefits: Brightening, rough texture, skin barrier repair
• Best for: All skin types
• How to apply: According to CeraVe, apply the serum to the face and neck once daily.
• Size: 30 ml

Why we love it: There’s little not to love about CeraVe’s vitamin C serum: The formula uses a strong 10 per cent pure L-ascorbic acid to combat free radical damage and promote an even, luminous complexion, while the featured hyaluronic acid and ceramides help ensure skin remains moisturised, nourished, and taut for hours on end.

• Key ingredients: vitamin C, olive leaf, vitamin A, vitamin E
• Benefits: Antioxidant protection, soothing, smoothing
• Best for: Oily skin, sensitive skin (redness, rosacea), acne-prone skin
• How to apply: According to iS Clinical, apply three to four drops across the face and neck.
• Size: 15ml

Why we love it: This iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance Plus delivers skin protection, as well as treatment of acne, rosacea, contact dermatitis, and insect bites through time-released vitamin C and a blend of botanicals.

• Key ingredients: Vitamin C, a phytosterol complex, saccharide isomerate extract, and glycolic acid
• Benefits: Brightening, evening skin tone, exfoliating
• Best for: Enlarged pores, dull skin, all skin types, sensitive skin
• How to apply: According to Sunday Riley, apply two pumps of this serum to the entire face each morning.
• Size: 35 ml

Why we love it: This serum prevents ageing in all of its forms: sensitivity, dehydration, dullness, uneven skin tone, and wrinkles, and replaces it with a radiant, glowing complexion thanks to vitamin C, phytosterols complex to soothe sensitive skin, and saccharide isomerate extract that regulates pore size.

• Key ingredients: Ascorbic acid, UltraGlycans, and hyaluronic acid
• Benefits: Brightening, hydrating, smoothing
• Best for: Mature skin, all skin types
• How to apply: According to Isdin, apply half of the ampoule to the face, neck, and neckline.
• Size: 2 ml per ampoule (30 per package)

Why we love it: “Although primarily a vitamin C product, the hyaluronic acid in this serum adds to its appeal,” says Dr. Hadley King. “The sealed tinted glass ampules protect the vitamin C from exposure to air and light. And the addition of hyaluronic acid and proteoglicans makes the formulation very hydrating. The texture is light and the subtle fragrance is clean and refreshing.”

• Key ingredients: Ascorbyl glucoside
• Benefits: Brightening, evening skin tone, antioxidant support
• Best for: All skin types
• How to apply: According to The Ordinary, apply the serum to the face morning and night followed by sunscreen in the daytime.
• Size: 30ml

Why we love it: Here, The Ordinary proves that an efficacious vitamin C serum can be bought for the same price as your lunchtime salad. Ringing in at just £14, the formula blends 12 per cent ascorbyl glucoside (described as “a water-soluble vitamin C derivative”) into a lightweight water-based serum that is suitable for any skin type – meaning improving dull, uneven complexions is seamless as can be.

• Key ingredients: Vitamin C, lilac leaf stem cell extract, and glutathione
• Benefits: Smoothing, firming, evening skin tone
• Best for: Fine lines and wrinkles, mature skin, combination-to-oily skin, acne-prone skin
• How to apply: According to PCA Skin, apply one to two pumps of this serum to the face and neck twice daily.
• Size: 29.5 ml

Why we love it: Combating fine lines and wrinkles is of top priority with this PCA Skin serum rich in antioxidants. The ingredient complex comes together to reduce the look of lines and prevent inflammation, cellular oxidation, and increase hydration in this PCA Skin serum

• Key ingredients: 20% Vitamin C and Japanese beautyberry, 10% mild fruit AHAs, and Japanese angelica root
• Benefits: Resurfacing, brightening, smoothing
• Best for: Hyperpigmentation, dull skin, enlarged pores, all skin types
• How to apply: According to Tatcha, apply one to two pumps of this serum at night.
• Size: 30 ml

Why we love it: Dark spots, uneven skin tone, texture, and fine lines don’t stand a chance against Tatcha’s brightening serum. Through a blend of 20% stabilised vitamin C, Japanese Beautyberry, 10% fruit-derived AHAs, and Japanese Angelica root, this elixir protects against free radicals and combats hyperpigmentation to reveal a radiantly glowing complexion.

• Key ingredients: 15 per cent L-ascorbic acid, 0.5 per cent silymarin (a plant-based antioxidant), 0.5 per cent ferulic acid, and 0.5 per cent salicylic acid
• Benefits: Resurfacing, reducing oiliness, preventing breakouts
• Best for: Oily skin, acne-prone skin
• How to apply: According to SkinCeuticals, four to five drops can be applied to a dry face, neck, and chest each morning.
• Size: 30 ml

Why we love it: Alongside SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic is another sought-after formulation created especially for oily and acne-prone skin types. In fact, both Hartman and Dr Karen Kagha namechecked it as essentials in their daily skin-care regimens. The oil-free elixir blends l-ascorbic acid, silymarin, ferulic acid, and salicylic acid to protect against free radical damage, stave off excess oil production, and clarify pores.

• Key ingredients: 25 per cent ethylated l-ascorbic acid, 10 per cent tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, superoxide dismutase, glutathione
• Benefits: Brightening, firming
• Best for: Dull skin, mature skin, all skin types
• How to apply: According to Allies of Skin, apply three pumps to the face and neck to damp skin, post cleanser and toner. This can be used morning or night.
• Size: 30 ml

Why we love it: “Do not be fooled by the name as it is a combination of ethylated ascorbic acid as well as tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate,” explains Idriss. “The ethylated L-ascorbic (in this serum) is a pure form of vitamin C and one of the most proven forms. The tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate is the stable oil soluble form of vitamin C that also penetrates your skin to help brighten and provide radical protection.” Essentially, this serum works to protect your skin from stress, pollution, and even lack of sleep.

• Key ingredients: L-ascorbic acid, ferulic acid, tapioca starch, colloidal oatmeal, and aloe vera
• Benefits: Brightening, evening skin tone
• Best for: Sensitive skin, dull skin, oily-to-dry skin
• How to apply: According to The Nue Co., mix this powder with moisturiser or water, then apply to the face and neck daily.
• Size: 15 ml

Why we love it: The Nue Co.’s powder is powered by a super blend of l-ascorbic acid, ferulic acid, tapioca starch, colloidal oatmeal, and aloe vera to protect against free radical damage, address hyperpigmentation, and fade fine lines. It can be mixed with your moisturiser or water to apply with ease.

• Why we love it: If you’re already a fan of Medik8’s range of vitamin C serums, you’ll love the latest addition to the roster. While it offers a punchy dose of stabilised vitamin C (20 per cent in this case), the real secret to its efficacy lies in the adjoining ingredients. While acetyl zingerone, an omni antioxidant with hefty studies that it protects against London pollution, delivers further protection against free radicals (as well as enhancing the vitamin C), it’s the inclusion of phtyo-exosomes that’s exciting. Chosen because they pose zero skin barrier disruption, they work hard to ensure the formula is highly tolerated and able to get to where it needs to go without issue.
• Key ingredients: vitamin C, acetyl zingerone, phyto exosomes
• Best for: Unlike the brand’s C-Tetra Luxe serum which is more of an oil-based serum, anyone who prefers a lighter, more milky formula will adore this. It sinks in instantly and provides a great base for make-up too. Designed for hyperpigmentation, dull and sensitive skin
• Benefits: Brightening, hydrating, firming, smoothing
• How to apply: two to three pumps every morning
• Size: 30 ml

• Key ingredients: Vitamin C, niacinamide, salicylic acid, Melasyl™
• Benefits: Brightening, hydrating, refining
• Best for: Hyperpigmentation, dull skin, blemish-prone skin
• How to apply: One full dropper morning and evening
• Size: 30ml

Why we love it: Consider this an upgrade on what was an already excellent formula. Now formulated with an even more potent 4 per cent vitamin C complex, it also includes niacinamide to help improve the evenness of skin tone and salicylic acid to keep pores clear of debris and reduce blemishes. The brand’s signature dark spot eradicator Melasyl™ is also on hand to brighten and prevent dark spots from forming in the first place.

• Key ingredients: Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, squalane
• Benefits: Brightening, lightweight, firming
• Best for: Dullness, sagging skin, sensitive or oily skin
• How to apply: One to two pumps morning and evening
• Size: 30ml

Why we love it: The stable yet punchy form of tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate used is what allows this formula to penetrate deeper than most vitamin C serums. The result is a reduction and softening of fine lines and wrinkles thanks to the promotion of collagen and elastin formation. To keep skin supple and hydrated and prevent transepidermal moisture loss, there’s plenty of squalane.

• Key ingredients: vitamin C complex, niacinamide, glutathione, azelaic acid
• Benefits: softens skin texture, fights acne, boo
• Best for: easing breakouts on acne-prone skin, fading hyperpigmentation and increasing radiance
• How to apply: Apply 1-2 pumps morning and night.
• Size: 30ml

Why we love it: Boasting an expert blend of vitamin C, niacinamide and azelaic acid, choose this serum to brighten your dark marks and in the process, it will do so much more. Its ingredient list is home to nearly every skincare hero there is, from antibacterial azelaic acid that quells acne, to tyronisase inhibitors that reduce excess melanin production and pore minimising powerhouses like niacinamide. “There is no stronger review for a serum than being so good that you order a top up as soon as it runs out, and that’s exactly what this serum made me do.” says Tracy Achonwa, Vogue beauty writer. “It has a watery consistency that absorbs almost immediately leaving no sticky residue behind, so it really is as delightful to use as its name suggests. Best of all, it actually works, and quickly at that – I noticed improvements to acne scars I have had for years within the first two weeks. Thanks no doubt to its cohort of complementary actives, it’s the single most effective vitamin C serum I have tried.”