First of all, not all Vitamin C serums are created equal. In this post I will break down the components, ingredients, and even the importance of what type of bottle, or tube that is used.
What does Vitamin C serum do for my skin?
- Lightens Complexion
- Brightens Skintone
- Prevents Common Signs of Aging
- Promotes Collagen Production
- Promotes Filling in Fine Lines and Wrinkles
- Reduces Appearance of Under Eye Circles
- Heals Acne and Blemishes
- Hydrates and Moisturizes the Skin
- Helps Protect Against Sun Damage
- Reduces Hyperpigmentation
So, when should you apply Vitamin C?
You want to apply your serum, both morning and evening on clean skin, after toner but before moisturizer and SPF (obviously no SPF at night).
How do I know if a Serum is good quality, or not?
Make sure you read the ingredients and also pay attention to the packaging:
- 10%-20% L-ascorbic acid
- Tocopherol (Vitamin E) or glutathione, ferulic acid
- Airtight packaging
- A dark or tinted bottle, or tube.
Why is packaging so important?
Exposure to air, light and heat can degrade your serum. You really want to use a product that comes in a dark glass bottle with a medicine dropper, rather than a pump. A tube also works and that is how my current serums are packaged. However, if the product has a really high percentage of ascorbic acid, it should be packaged in a dark glass bottle anyway since this form will react to plastic. Another point on the packaging has to do with the size of the Vitamin C serum bottle. The most common sizes are at 1oz. Based on personal experience, usually one can go through 75% of the 1 oz bottle before it starts to oxidize. Purchasing a 2oz or a 3oz bottle means you’re throwing your money down the drain!
What about cost, do I need an expensive serum? $$ vs. $$$$
Okay, so here is the deal… I have been researching “top serums” from basically every reputable website you can possibly imagine and there are pros and cons to everything… Go figure! “sigh face”.
After my research, I have found that there are certain serums that keep popping up across the board on most site’s top favorites. You’re welcome because I have done all the grunt work for you and linked them below. 😉
Let’s dig in to the TOP 10
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SKINCEUTICALS – $166
This serum made number 1 across the board on basically almost every single site, so what’s the hype?
The ingredients… 15% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), 1% vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), and 0.5% ferulic acid. Remember what I said earlier about reading the ingredients? Well, gangs all here!!!
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OBAGI – $133
Another high-end skincare line, so of course it makes the list across the board. At the max of 20%, this potent serum definitely has me throwing money into my coin jar…
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DRUNK ELEPHANT – $80
15% L-Ascorbic Acid plus Ferulic Acid and 1% Vitamin E. This serum seems to be the most “well-known” popular girl in school and I am here for it. This airtight bottle has been raved about and there are plenty of YouTube videos to win you over as well.
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TATCHA – $88
This serum also contains 20% Vitamin C, as well as 10% AHA (alhpha-hydroxy Acid). What is nice about this product is that it is made of two different types of Vitamin C. The serum includes water and oil-soluble derivative. Whether you have dry, or oily skin this product works great for many different skin types.
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L’Oréal REVIATLIFT DERM INTENSIVE VITAMIN C – $29.99
This is the Vitamin C serum I use during the day. It contains 10% Vitamin C, which is a great place to start if you have never used Vitam C serums before. What caught my eye to buy was a few magazine articles that mentioned that makeup artists loved using this underneath makeup because not only is it a good boost for the skin, but also a great primer. I couldn’t agree more! A few key takeaways on why I love this specific product…
The packaging is on point!
- Stabilized in a metal tube for zero UV exposure
- 5% Nitrogen Blanket Technology that shields the formula from direct contact with the outside lining of metal.
- Cap ensures minimal oxygen exposure to formula during usage (oxygen is unable to enter the tube)
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CLINIQUE FRESH PRESSED DAILY BOOSTER – $79
The Clinique Fresh Pressed Daily Booster with Vitamin C 10% is a vitamin C booster serum that you mix with your moisturizer. The product comes in a vial that you mix up before you start using, and it’s only supposed to last you 1 week and then discarded. If you have never tried Vitam C before and you have sensitive skin, this might be a good option to consider.
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OLE HENRISKEN TRUTH SERUM – $50
In Ole Henriksen’s own words:
OLEHENRIKSEN Truth Serum is like a daily multivitamin for the skin and our #1 age-defying & vitamin C face serum. Ole was an early adopter of vitamin C in skin care, believing that its antioxidant properties and role in promoting collagen make it a crucial ingredient. This potent True-C Complex(TM) and collagen serum help brighten and firm the skin as it delivers all-day hydration.
This serum has two stabilized forms of Vitamin C listed as the 2nd and 3rd ingredients after water. The 3rd being Calcium Ascorbate which is Ester C (less irritating than others.) The 2nd being Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (very stable and concentrated.) Stability is what you need to look for: simple Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) is not stable and henceforth will not do your skin any good. This serum is loaded with skin-nourishing extracts of all kinds (many of them fruit extracts.) There are healing ingredients (aloe being just one). It also contains a healthy dose of Sodium Hyaluronate which binds hundreds of times its weight in water without being greasy, emollient, or occlusive to the skin.
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LA ROCHE-POSAY PURE VITAMIN C10 – $39.99
This is a new ascorbic acid serum from La Roche-Posay, not their first ascorbic acid product, though the first in a serum form. The main ingredient is ascorbic acid, an exceptional anti-oxidant. It does a great job at brightening the skin and improving collagen production. Another component, salicylic acid is excellent for mild exfoliation and enhancing skin’s texture, though there’s not much of it. There’s also a peptide – neurosensine, developed by LRP. It’s a combination of two amino-acids arginine and tyrosyl which has skin soothing properties.
On top of that, there is hyaluronic acid and glycerine to keep the skin moisturised.
Key Ingredients:
- 10% Pure Vitamin C: hydrates skin and visibly boosts radiance
- Salicylic Acid: helps to purify and refine skin’s tone and texture
- La Roche-Posay Prebiotic Thermal Water:offers hydrating, soothing, and antioxidant properties.
- Glycerin: a moisturizing agent that naturally attracts water to the skin
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TRUSKIN VITAMIN C SERUM – $19.99
Thousands of positive Amazon reviews all come to one conclusion: this is the best vitamin C serum you can get with two-day delivery and for less than $20 bucks. 4.3 stars and 56,606 reviews. I know this serum will most likely not be as potent as others, but I do like that it contains witch hazel, with is good for decreasing inflammation. The serum also has organic jojoba oil, which is very hydrating. Not a bad idea to just toss this into your next Amazon order!
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This cute little guy is getting a lot of hype because it has three forms of Vitamin C including 22% Pineapple juice that is one of the most powerful forms of natural vitamin C. The pineapple has natural AHAs and bromelain enzymes that gently exfoliate. It has built-in skin soothers such as chamomile and aloe that gives skin a refreshed look. Such a two for one brightening up your skincare shelf and skin all at the same time! 😉
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Well, that is all you guys! Thank you for reading and I hope you take away some valuable info on all things Vitamin C. Let me know if you have tried any of these products and what your thoughts are.
Also, each product is linked so click the pic to shop!
x, Natalie
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