Other than an SPF-based moisturizer, there’s only one skin-care product I use every single morning: a vitamin C serum. Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C is the gold-standard ingredient for brighter, more even-toned skin. Since it neutralizes free radicals from pollution and UV rays—which can break down the collagen in your skin and cause wrinkles—vitamin C does some serious work when it comes to anti-aging your complexion.
However, I’m currently not loyal to any specific brand of vitamin C—and my past experience has taught me that some serums work better than others. Hence I’m always on the hunt for my holy-grail brightening formula. To narrow down my search, I’ve asked eight dermatologists which vitamin C serums they recommend for stellar results. Below, check out their top picks that are both effective and budget-friendly (they’re all under $100).
Paula’s Choice Resist C15 Super Booster ($49)
“Despite a lower concentration of vitamin C than [in] other serums on the market, this one uses a stabilized formula with ferulic acid to improve uneven skin tone and brighten a dull complexion. It’s also lightweight and fast-absorbing. The antioxidants help repair sun and environmental damage too.” —La Jolla, California, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Azadeh Shirazi
Monat C. Radiance Illuminating Serum ($95)
“This is my favorite because it contains 15% vitamin C. It glides on without being sticky, which is a common problem with some vitamin C serums. The vitamin C in Monat’s serum comes from the Kakadu plum complex, containing a blend of water- and oil-soluble derivatives of vitamin C. This blend leads to a potent product that is very quickly absorbed into the skin and is perfect to layer under your sunscreen. It also contains ferulic acid as an [additional] antioxidant, niacinamide as an anti-inflammatory agent, and hyaluronic acid [as a moisturizer]. It’s an amazing all-in-one product that can neutralize free radicals, reduce hyperpigmentation, promote collagen, and enhance moisturization.” —Palm Harbor, Florida, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Amy S. Ross
Maelove The Glow Maker Antioxidant Serum ($28)
“This line was created by MIT scientists. It features vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid, and hyaluronic acid. It has an oil- and gluten-free formula. The product was also designed to serve as a makeup primer, so it won’t pill under your foundation.” —Boston board-Certified dermatopathologist Dr. Gretchen Frieling
DermaDoctor Kakadu C 20% Vitamin C Serum with Ferulic Acid & Vitamin E ($95)
“Vitamin C comes in many forms and the stability can vary greatly, so choosing the right product is important. L-ascorbic acid is the best form to look for, and stability and efficacy can increase when paired with other antioxidants, such as vitamin E. The product should also come in a container that blocks out UV rays. This [product] by DermaDoctor is a great one to try [for these reasons].” —Seattle board-certified dermatologist Dr. Sonia Lamel
Isdinceuticals Melaclear Dark Spot Correcting Serum ($82)
“Melaclear is great for evening skin tone, in addition to its antioxidant power and anti-aging [abilities]. It combines vitamin C, phytic acid, green tea leaf extract, and grape-seed extract to fight sun damage. It’s great because it’s perfect for fighting oxidative damage from those sunny days.” —NYC board-certified dermatologist Dr. Sapna Palep
Obagi Professional-C Vitamin C Serum ($73)
“It is challenging to make stable vitamin C to reap [all] the benefits that vitamin C can provide. [So] medical-grade skin-care products [like this one], with higher concentrated ingredients that penetrate the skin, will work best.”—Danville, California, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Sonia Badreshia-Bansal
Related: 6 Dermatologists Over 40 Share Their Holy Grail Skin-Care Product
Citrix Vitamin C Pro-Collagen Brightening Serum ($77)
“Having performed research in connective-tissue metabolism and vitamin C, I have strong opinions about the biochemical requirements for efficacy. There is a lot of junk [among vitamin C serums] over the counter. Until recently, L-ascorbic acid at a concentration of 10% or more and a pH of 3.2 or less, applied to clean skin and given time to penetrate before putting anything over it, was the only way to get results. The manufacturing process was difficult and expensive, and the L-ascorbic acid had to be protected from oxidation at all stages of manufacture and storage.
Recently, several companies have developed products with [another form of vitamin C called] THD ascorbate, which is not pH-dependent and therefore can be layered under other skin serums, lotions, or creams without loss of efficacy. This has a high concentration of THD ascorbate and also vitamins A [and] E, arbutin, CoQ10, phospholipids, and green tea. It has a nice moisturizing feel but is not sticky or greasy. It packs a punch that L-ascorbic acid serums are not able to deliver, is very reasonably priced, and is cosmetically elegant.” —New York City board-certified dermatologist Dr. Sheryl Clark
ZO Skin Health 10% Vitamin C Self-Activating ($93)
“My favorite vitamin C product is [by] ZO Skin Health. [Founder] Dr. Zein Obagi is the ultimate scientist and has spent decades researching and refining his products. This [formula] is gentle and moisturizing—which isn’t always the case with vitamin C products—and contains multiple versions of vitamin C, to work at several levels in the skin at the same time. It also contains vitamin E, CoQ10, and ubiquinone, which act as extra bonus antioxidants. Together, they help brighten surface skin but also reduce the formation of pigment in the deeper layers.” —NYC board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jessica Krant
