How to Use a Vitamin C Serum, Plus 6 of Our Favorite Formulas

Vitamin C is one of the key ingredients to achieving glowing skin — and when paired with ingredients like retinol, it can also help fight signs of aging. Even if you like to keep your skincare routine minimalist, incorporating a vitamin C serum into your regimen is an easy step to boost your skin’s radiance. Plus, there are a variety of potent options at every price point, from drugstore to higher-end formulas. Below, find out how to use a vitamin C serum, plus five of our editors’ go-to formulas.

How to Use a Vitamin C Serum

Cleanse Your Skin

Before you apply your vitamin C serum, make sure your skin is freshly cleansed and towel-dried. This breakdown of cleanser formulas will help you find a formula that best suits your skin type.

Apply the Vitamin C Serum

You can apply your vitamin C serum morning or night, according to the product’s instructions. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which means it neutralizesfree radicals, so it can be especially beneficial to apply your serum in the morning. 

Follow With Moisturizer and/or Broad-Spectrum SPF

If you apply your vitamin C serum in the morning, be sure to follow it with both a moisturizer and a broad-spectrum sunscreen to shield your skin from the sun. If you apply it at night, skip the SPF and just apply your moisturizer.

The Best Vitamin C Serums

CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum

This drugstore antioxidant serum contains 10% vitamin C to help visibly brighten your complexion, in addition to hyaluronic acid and ceramides which help soften skin and support your moisture barrier. Because it’s non-comedogenic and allergy-tested, it’s suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Vitamin C Vitamin E Salicylic Acid Acne Serum

This serum, which is infused with vitamins C, E and salicylic acid, targets three signs of aging: fine lines, enlarged pores and uneven skin tone. It brightens, neutralizes the effects of free radicals and works to refine skin for a smoother, more youthful appearance overtime.

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

A cult-classic vitamin C serum, this product is designed to defend your skin against environmental irritants, brighten, firm the skin and improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles. The formula works with a potent combination of 15% vitamin C along with vitamin E and ferulic acid, a plant-based antioxidant that fights free radicals and stabilizes the effects of the vitamins C and E.

Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Vitamin C Serum

Made with 12.5% vitamin C and hydrating hyaluronic acid, this serum promises results fast. In fact, it visibly reduces fine lines in as little as two weeks and gives skin a firmer appearance overtime. You’ll notice a glow with immediate use, though.

Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Serum 

Banish dullness and discoloration with this 15% vitamin C serum. It provides visible brightening results in as little as 10 days and works for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

La Roche-Posay 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum

Boost your skin’s radiance, soften the appearance of fine lines and even skin texture with this formula from La Roche-Posay. It’s infused with vitamin C, salicylic acid and neurosensine, and is suitable for all skin types. Bonus: You can pick it up at the drugstore.

Editor’s Note: When you buy select SkinCeuticals vitamin C serums in the month of April, you’ll be automatically entered to win three bottles of a SkinCeuticals antioxidant of your choice or a $555 SkinCeuticals Flagship gift card for an in-office experience. Find out more here!