You need to use Vitamin C serum in your skin care routine. I really can’t put it any other way. It’s one of the most researched anti-aging ingredients currently available. It repairs past sun damage, protects against future UV damage, exfoliates, and helps to build collagen and elastin in your skin.
The best delivery system is a serum because it’s concentrated. You should use it every morning after cleansing and before moisturizing.
Now here’s the thing: There are SO many serums out there, right? So I have taken my current top 5 and given your the pros and cons of each. I hope you’ll find this helpful, and that it’ll answer your many questions. You can’t go wrong with any of these serums – It’s just a matter of personal preference, and I’ve included ones to suit every budget and skin type.
MyChelle Perfect C Pro Serum ($52.00)
Their Description: A professional-level, concentrated Vitamin C formula to effectively brighten the complexion and provide powerful antioxidant/antipollution/anti-aging benefits. Formulated with the highest, active level of stable 25% L-Ascorbic Acid to improve skin texture and reduce the visible signs of aging.
Sophie’s Pros: It contains 25% of the most active form of Vitamin C (L’Ascorbic Acid) – yes a whopping 25% in a daily serum. Unheard of guys!!! After just 2 weeks of use, you’ll start seeing significant results. So frigging excited. Shelf life is 18 months, which is great for this kind of Vitamin C.
Sophie’s Cons: We had to search really hard to find a con for this one. I guess, if pushed, I’m going to say that it is a tiny bit sticky. But once you’ve layered on you moisturizer, BB cream and /or sunscreen, the stickiness does go away. It does darken in color after time, which I don’t love (just the way L’Ascorbic Acid behaves), but it won’t affect the efficacy of the product.
100 Pure Vitamin C Serum $39.00
Their description: Stable, potent Vitamin C boost for all skin types to encourage collagen production, brighten skin tone and to stimulate cellular renewal. Lightweight, absorbs quickly. Use on clean skin, under other treatments or alone.
Sophie’s Pros: Contains lovely skin nourishing plant oils such as flax seed and Evening Primrose Oil, which give the serum more of a moisturizing feel – and edges it into a skin oil serum category (great if you have dry skin). Smells great, and sits beautifully under makeup.
Sophie’s Cons: Uses the slightly less active form of Vitamin C (Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate), so the results won’t be as quick or visible.
Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum $33.99
Their description: Our award-winning vitamin C serum is a harmonious blend of antioxidants that work wonders on sun damaged, aging skin.
Sophie’s Pros: All the great ingredients aside from the Vitamin C make this an all-star serum: I love that they use the Ferulic, E, and C combo, which has proven to be a winning antioxidant formula. It also contains Hyaluronic Acid, which makes for a skin-plumping morning serum. It goes on like silk, feels great under your moisturizer, and has a delicately pleasing scent. It’s also great for sensitive skins, and those who get irritation from using L-Ascorbic Acid. So if you have Rosacea, this would be a great choice.
Sophie’s Cons: Hard to find something we don’t like about this little guy. I guess that you’re not going to see the significant benefits as you would from using a high concentration L’Ascorbic Acid, because they use a very stable form of Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate), which is super stable, super gentle, but less active.
PureCeuticals Ferulic C Antioxidant Serum $69
Their description: Infused with 20% Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) and .05% Ferulic Acid, formulated at a pH of 3.5. L-Ascorbic Acid is the most effective form of Vitamin C when stabilized and formulated at a pH of 3.5 or below.
Sophie’s Pros: I love this serum, and have done for a while. They use 20% L’Ascorbic Acid, so it’s pretty potent, and they add the anitoxidant Ferulic acid, with Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate. So you are getting the both of every world in this unique and beautifully formulated serum. It’s strong, active, stable, and okay for those with sensitive skin.
Sophie’s Cons: The price point is high. You absolutely get what you pay for, but it is the priciest of all my picks here, so not for everyone.
Go Pure Vitamin C Serum $16.00
Their description: The GoPure Vitamin C Serum is made with ingredients that keep the skin looking young and feeling soft. Our formula combines Hyaluronic Acid, Organic Aloe and Vitamin E to add skin beautifying benefits to the antioxidant power of Vitamin C. This powerful combination of ingredients brightens the skins look, nourishes skin and leaves it looking nourished and beautiful
Sophie’s Pros: This is the best price point out of all the Vit C Serums we reviewed. The ingredients are on point: Hyalauronic to plump your skin and keep it hydrated all day long and Ferulic acid and Vitamin E as an antioxidant. And they’ve added organic aloe vera too, which I love.
Sophie’s Cons: They use the Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate version of Vitamin C, which is not necessarily a con (and is used as one of the ingredients in the Pure Ceuticals serum), but is not perhaps as active as L’Ascorbic Acid.