Every product on this page was chosen by a Harper's BAZAAR editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Best for Sensitive Skin

Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum

Best for Sensitive Skin

Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum

Pros

• Aborbs well
• Hydrating

While vitamin C is known for its ability to help boost collagen and elastin, it also works to help brighten skin. This serum goes a step further with white shiitake mushroom and licorice root extract to specifically target stubborn dark spots.

Customer review:

"I was looking to incorporate a vitamin c into my routine to help with my acne scars, and this stuff is insanely good! I received a mini size to test out and one pump goes a long way. After about three weeks, I noticed my forehead and cheek scars were less visible, my overall skin texture improved, and my face was glowing! I have sensitive skin and this didn't make it purge or breakout. I'm so happy with this product." —Jessicah78

Best for Dullness

Herbivore Nova 15% Vitamin C and Turmeric Brightening Serum

Best for Dullness

Herbivore Nova 15% Vitamin C and Turmeric Brightening Serum

Pros

• Gentle formula

Containing 15 percent stable vitamin C, this serum is best for addressing skin dullness, and helps improve the look of hyperpigmentation over time. Although it does initially have a slight scent from its turmeric blend, it quickly dissipates once the serum dries down.

Customer review:

"On my second bottle of this and I love this product! Makes my skin hydrated and bright. And I don’t break out with this product. I’m definitely hooked!" —Triotexasmomma

Best for Texture

Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA

Best for Texture

Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA

Pros

• Smooths skin

20 percent vitamin C is supported by 10 percent AHA fruit acids in Tatcha's best-selling serum that gently exfoliate while boosting skin's glow.

Customer review:

"I love this product. I have sensitive skin and use it in the morning and at night. It has helped reduce my hyperpigmentation and makes my skin look plump and hydrated. The price is steep but I have not found another vitamins C serum that compares to this." —Ajgomckib

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best with Sun Protection

Supergoop! Daily Dose Vitamin C + SPF 40 Sunscreen Serum

Best with Sun Protection

Supergoop! Daily Dose Vitamin C + SPF 40 Sunscreen Serum

Pros

• Light texture

If fading dark spots is top of mind, then sunscreen is even more of essential than usual. SPF 40 in this serum allows the vitamin C to be even more effective in brightening and evening skin tone.

Customer review:

"This product has given me exactly what I wanted. If you don’t want a glowy look, don’t buy this. I use this as my first step after cleansing, followed with moisturizer, then glow screen. It gives me the perfect dewy, natural look I’m going for. I have normal to dry skin. It has also helped even my skin tone. I’ve had acne through my mid-twenties and this is definitely helping me recover from that." —KLFisher

Most Popular

TruSkin Naturals TruSkin Vitamin C Serum for Face

Most Popular

TruSkin Naturals TruSkin Vitamin C Serum for Face

Pros

• Prime Delivery

Over 130,000 Amazon shopper reviews (yes, you read that number right) all come to one conclusion: This is one of the best vitamin C serums you can get with two-day delivery—and at less than $25 bucks.

Customer review:

"I love, love, love, this stuff! I use it as a base morning and evening. It definitely helps to smooth the skin, and I noticed the difference within a couple of days. I'm on the autoship option for this product, and I'll never go a day without putting it on. It really makes a difference in my complexion." —Lisa P.

Best Luxe Serum

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

Best Luxe Serum

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

Pros

• Great for addressing fine lines

Cons

• Has a strong scent

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is consistently a user, editor, and dermatologist favorite. The combo of vitamins and ferulic acid instantly gives skin back its glow, and the results speak for themselves.

Customer review:

"I never believed in 'holy grail' products until I started using C E Ferulic. Literally within days, the improvement in my complexion was obvious. I can't remember my skin being so smooth, even, and soft since before puberty. I am in my mid-thirties and have been using this for over a year now and I constantly get compliments on my skin, and remarks from old friends on how young I still look. Of all the expensive products I've tried or even ones I still use, this is the one that hands down, no questions, is worth every penny and makes an undeniable difference. Please, never ever ever change the formula!" —Kyhm86

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Hyper Skin Brightening Dark Spot Vitamin C Serum

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Hyper Skin Brightening Dark Spot Vitamin C Serum

Pros

• Oil-Free

In addition to reducing the appearance of dark spots, this powerful and top-rated vitamin C serum is also oil-free, making it an ideal choice for both combination and acne-prone skin.

Customer review:

"The results are amazing! I’ve never seen another product work as well as this one. My skin has never looked this healthy before. This serum is a must have! Especially if you struggle with hyperpigmentation." —Maizerie

Best for Plumping

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum

Best for Plumping

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum

Pros

• Great for dehydrated skin

This coveted vitamin C serum absorbs quickly, and has a pleasant, citrusy scent, unlike some harsher serums.

Customer review:

"I’m turning 30 and starting to get fine lines and this has genuinely made a difference in my skin—really helps minimize the appearance of fine lines when used consistently. I was surprise at how well it works. Definitely will repurchase." —Kellyemc

Best Lightweight Serum

COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum

Best Lightweight Serum

COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum

Now 30% Off

Pros

• Contains vitamin E

Cons

• May be too strong for sensitive skin

COSRX's new vitamin C serum contains a whopping 23 percent of the powerhouse ingredient, plus both vitamin E and hyaluronic acid to prevent avoid irritation on even the most sensitive of skin types.

Customer Review:

"Best Vitamin C Serum I have ever used! I like the higher concentration of pure ascorbic acid. My skin looks so smooth and has a nice healthy glow. Results are noticeable. I will continue to purchase." – Susan P.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best Value

L'Oréal Paris 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum

Best Value

L'Oréal Paris 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum

Now 42% Off

Pros

• Airtight packaging

This concentrate eradicates dullness with a potent dose of with vitamin C, and is available right at the drugstore.

Customer review:

"I’ve tried many vitamin C serums, but this is the best. You only need a small amount: It’s warming without burning. I have very sensitive skin, so I was worried about a reaction but nothing but glowing smooth skin. I only use this in the morning and a hydrologic serum at night by the ordinary. Since I haven’t had a reaction and such amazing results, I’ll add this to my night routine. Just make sure you wear a sunscreen." —Carina K.

Most Viral

BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner

Most Viral

BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner

Pros

• Good for day or night

This buzzy vitamin C product that falls somewhere between a serum and a cream. The unique fragrance-free formula feels like a plush gel with tiny granules of encapsulated L-Ascorbic acid (the most potent form of vitamin C) that absorbs right into skin. Paired with EGCG (the active in green tea), squalane, and exfoliating tartaric acid, this genius formula will deliver brighter, smoother skin faster than most other vitamin C products out there.

Customer review:

"I added this to my skincare routine a few months back and since then, my blemishes have decreased and my face has more of a glow. The substance is very lightweight, unscented, and glides on my skin very smoothly." —DJ

Best for Glow

Summer Fridays CC Me Vitamin C + Niacinamide Serum

Best for Glow

Summer Fridays CC Me Vitamin C + Niacinamide Serum

Here's a popular serum that has over 800 Sephora customer reviews, and combines two types of vitamin C with niacinamide to brighten skin while enhancing its glow. Plus, it also includes squalane as a main ingredient for added hydration.

Customer review:

"I am obsessed with this. Makes such a big difference in my skin's appearance! I love to put it on before bed with a fresh face because I wake up and my skin just glows. It has worked better than so many other products and excellent when used in combination with my other favorites in my routine. It produces an even skin tone and skin looking healthy, soft, and supple." —Seaofgreen

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best for Balancing

Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum

Best for Balancing

Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum

Pros

• Great for mature skin types

Use this serum for a few weeks and tell us your skin doesn't look like you just got a facial. Sunday Riley's 15 percent formula aims to restore plumpness and even tone with no more than two pumps per day.

Customer review:

"This is one of the best vitamin C serums I have ever tried. Just after two days of using it, my skin's texture improved, and I had a natural radiant glow to my skin. If you're trying to decide between this serum and another, I highly recommend you try this one!" —CAlvarez711

Best Vegan Formula

Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum

Best Vegan Formula

Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum

Pros

• Vegan

This serum combines guava, tranexamic and ferulic acids, plus vitamin C to improve the texture of dull skin. It also happens to be vegan and especially effective at reducing the appearance of dark spots.

Customer review:

"[This serum] worked within weeks of daily use on my age spots, which are less pigmented. It also revealed a smoother, brighter complexion [all around]!" —Linda S.

Best for Oily Skin

Farmacy Beauty 10% Waterless Vitamin C Serum

Best for Oily Skin

Farmacy Beauty 10% Waterless Vitamin C Serum

Pros

• Eco-friendly

This oil- and water-free serum contains 10 percent L-ascorbic acid to brighten, firm, and smooth your complexion. It also uses upcycled tangerine peel and sugar beet to leave your skin feeling more supple.

Customer review:

"This stuff is great! Due to being waterless, it feels almost like an oil but doesn’t sit on your skin like one—it absorbs right in! Leaves my skin looking and feeling great." —Melanie

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best Intensive Formula

Obagi Professional-C 20% Vitamin C Serum

Best Intensive Formula

Obagi Professional-C 20% Vitamin C Serum

Pros

• Doesn't dry out skin

With a 20 percent vitamin C formulation, this elixir is potent, so keep in mind that a little goes a long way. Pat it on in the morning when you're ready for serious, derm-level skin-brightening results from your own bathroom counter.

Customer review:

"I use Obagi Medial Professional-C Serum 20% daily—it's the best part of my skin routine. It keeps my skin plump and bright. If you have never used the 20 percent strength, I recommend you start with the 10 percent and then work up to 20 percent. This is a truly great product that I will not go without." —Diana

Meet the Experts

• Robert Finney is a board-certified dermatologist at Entière Dermatology in New York City.
• Purvisha Patel is a board-certified dermatologist at Advanced Dermatology in Memphis, Tennessee, and the founder of Visha Skincare.

Why is vitamin C beneficial in skincare?

Vitamin C is primarily known for its skin brightening qualities. In addition, it's "A potent antioxidant that prevents free radicals from breaking down collagen and elastin," Patel explains. "It can also help decrease pigment production."

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

When is the best time to apply a vitamin C serum?

According to experts, the best time to apply a vitamin C serum is in the morning on clean, dry skin before using at least an SPF 30. Patel adds, "Vitamin C helps to compound the protection of your SPF.”

Which products should you avoid when using a vitamin C serum?

As some vitamin C serums can be extra potent in your routine, it's not surprising that it doesn't always play well with other ingredients. "Using too many products with exfoliating agents, such as AHAs, retinol, and vitamin C all at once can make the skin peel and lead to sensitivity. Using only one active ingredient at a time helps minimize this," Patel explains. If you're concerned about using products with these ingredients, try using them at night, and vitamin C in the morning.

Jenna Rosenstein is the Beauty Director at Harper's BAZAAR across both print and digital. While attending NYU, she held internships at Women’s Wear Daily, Bloomingdale’s, Harper’s BAZAAR, and Allure, the latter of which she parlayed into her first job as the Beauty Assistant. She left Allure three years later as the Senior Beauty Editor. She spent a few months at Refinery29 overseeing branded content in the same title, before finally landing back at BAZAAR to manage all beauty content. When she's not testing every lipstick known to mankind, getting zapped by new lasers, or interviewing experts and celebrities, you can find Rosenstein at home in New Jersey with her son, husband, and black cat named Maddie.

Tiffany Dodson is currently the associate beauty commerce editor at Harper’s Bazaar, where she specializes in trend forecasting, building relationships with major and emerging brands, and crafting shopping stories—from holiday gift guides to product road tests. Tiffany's work has previously been featured in outlets like SELF, Bustle, and Teen Vogue, and she's been quoted as a commerce and beauty expert in publications and platforms like The Business of Fashion and NPR’s Life Kit podcast.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below