The 10 Best Vitamin C Serums for a Bright, Radiant Complexion, per Testers

Best Overall

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

$182 at Dermstore $182 at Skinceuticals.com $182 at Bluemercury.com

Benefits: Brightening, antioxidant protection, improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles | Skin Type: Balanced, dry, combination, sensitive | Dosage: A few drops in the morning | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Since its launch in 2005, SkinCeuticals’ C E Ferulic has earned a reputation as the gold standard in the vitamin C serum category. Sometimes, the most buzz-worthy products don’t live up to expectations—but, in our view, this clinically backed formula surpasses them. When we put this serum to the test, we noticed a marked improvement in uneven skin texture, as well as a reduction in the appearance of fine lines. After six weeks of using it, our tester's skin looked and felt softer, smoother, and brighter. Its formula is also incredibly lightweight, quick to absorb, and doesn’t feel sticky or tight on the skin. 

One thing to note: While this serum doesn’t contain fragrance, it doesn’t have a particularly appealing smell (think a mix between sweaty and metallic). However, because the scent doesn’t linger on the skin, it’s not a deal-breaker for us—plus, it’s simply so effective that we feel it’s worth it.

Shannon Bauer, former associate editorial director with combination/oily skin: "Whenever a product is really hyped, I'm always critical and hesitant to love it. This one really is worth the hype. It's brightening and adds a glow, and it also smoothes fine lines and texture on my skin."

Best for Sensitive Skin

TruSkin Vitamin C Facial Serum

$49 $39 at Amazon $22 at Target $27 at CVS

Benefits: Radiance-boosting, improves the appearance of dark spots and fine lines | Skin Type: All | Dosage: A few drops daily, day or night | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

More than anyone, those with sensitive skin know just how important it is to find products that are both gentle and effective. TruSkin’s budget-friendly vitamin C serum is just that. In our six-week testing process, our tester, Jenna, found that this product was comfortable and non-irritating for her sensitive and acne-prone skin. While it took about 30 seconds to dry, which is slightly longer than some other options, it had a dewy finish without any greasiness or stickiness. She even noted that she could get away without applying a moisturizer on top since it was so hydrating. Another bonus? It didn’t clog pores—a plus for oilier and acne-prone types, in particular. As for after the testing period? Jenna’s post-acne marks looked noticeably lighter, and her complexion looked radiant. Overall, she was very impressed—it provided significant results at an ultra-affordable price.

Emily Cieslak, associate editor with normal skin (not shown): "I have been getting more compliments on my skin ever since I started using this, and I'm way more confident in stepping outside without any makeup. I took a selfie after flying on a 13 hour flight, and my bare skin still looked bright and glowy."

Best for Hyperpigmentation

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum

$68 at Sephora $68 at Ulta View on Olehenriksen.com

Benefits: Radiance-boosting, firming, reduces the appearance of dark spots | Skin Type: Balanced, dry, combination, oily | Dosage: A few drops daily | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Hyperpigmentation, acne scarring, and uneven skin texture are all common concerns, and throughout our testing, we found that Ole Henriksen’s Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum addresses them head-on. After six weeks of using this serum daily, our tester, Associate Content Editor Derek Deng, noticed a subtle fading of his acne scars and an overall brightening effect on his complexion. Derek was also pleasantly surprised by this serum’s plumping effect—it added a certain resiliency that gave his skin a healthier appearance. Although he loved the applicator (its airtight pump was a breeze to use), he wished its overall packaging was slightly less bulky and easier to throw in a smaller bag.

Derek Deng, associate content editor with combination, acne-prone skin: “This serum is nice to apply—I love its airtight pump, lightweight texture, and glass skin-like finish. Overall, it does exactly what it claims: brightening and plumping the skin.”

Best for Fine Lines

La Roche-Posay 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum

$45 at Amazon $47 at Ulta $45 at Target

Benefits: Radiance-boosting, helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, helps even skin tone and texture | Skin Type: All | Dosage: 3-4 drops in the morning after cleansing face | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

When our tester, Saleam, tried La Roche-Posay’s Pure Vitamin C Face Serum, the first and main thing he noted was how effectively it smoothed his skin. In fact, he saw marked improvements in the appearance of fine lines around his mouth and on his forehead—as well as a serious boost in radiance. He also observed that this serum absorbed quickly into the skin without any residue or stickiness. Its one drawback, in his POV, was its dropper applicator. Because its consistency was on the thicker side, he thought that a pump applicator would have made the application process a bit easier—but not a game-changer, in his book.

Saleam, tester with combination skin: “I started to see some results around the two-week mark, including improvement in my skin texture and tone, as well as smoothing of smile and forehead lines. I’d say my skin is more glowy, too.”

Best for Textured Skin

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Vitamin C Day Serum

$79 at Sephora $79 at Ulta View on Strawberrynet.com

Benefits: Helps even out skin texture, firm and brighten skin, and reduce signs of aging | Skin Type: All | Dosage: One pump in the morning daily | Size: 0.94 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Uneven skin texture is a common skincare concern that requires a smoothing and clarifying product to combat it, and luckily, this standout from Drunk Elephant does that and more. This transformative oil, infused with L-ascorbic and ferulic acid, prevents fine lines and wrinkles while protecting your skin from free radicals. Plus, the inclusion of 1% tocopherol (aka vitamin E) gave our former Associate Editor, Abby Dupes, a hydrated, illuminated glow. But, the real star of the show was its ability to improve her skin's texture; dry patches, small bumps, hyperpigmentation and overall tone drastically improved. She did note a bit of irritation and sensitivity when applied over her active breakouts, so we recommend not applying directly to major flare-ups or skipping a day of use.

As with all good things, it takes time to see results; consistency is key. Although it took a whole month for her to see the glowing and even effects, we promise that with consistent use, the results are worth it.

Abby Dupes, former associate editor with acne-prone skin: "For me, the formula really stood out when it came to evening out texture. Small bumps and dry patches gradually went away over time, leaving behind radiant, smooth skin. I also enjoyed how easily the product fit into my routine, as it pairs easily with other ingredients."

Best for Glowing Skin

Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum

$65 at Amazon $65 at Sephora $65 at Dermstore

Benefits: Helps improve skin tone, radiance, elasticity, and firmness | Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, oily | Dosage: A few drops daily | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

We can’t say enough about the glow-boosting effects of this Paula’s Choice vitamin C serum. After six weeks of testing, our tester, Náosha, noted a major boost in radiance. Plus, this serum softened her skin and reduced the appearance of pores, which was a very pleasant surprise. We also thought this serum absorbed beautifully; its lightweight texture didn’t leave a cast or greasy finish. Also, when Náosha used this product on sensitive skin, she noted that it didn’t cause any irritation, redness, or rashes, nor did it have any negative reactions with the other products in her routine. While we didn’t have any issue with the way it smells, it’s worth noting that some online reviewers found that it has a bit of an unpleasant smell. 

Náosha, tester with oily, sensitive skin: “My skin is glowing, and its texture has become softer, too. I’d definitely buy this product with my own money.”

Best Hydrating

Sunday Riley Vitamin C Brightening Serum

View on Dermstore $85 $80 at Amazon $85 $50 at Sephora

Benefits: Boosts radiance, evens skin tone, and helps diminish signs of premature aging | Skin Type: All | Dosage: 2 pumps each morning | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When we tested Sunday Riley’s C.E.O 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum, our tester, Shannon, was most impressed with its hydrating effects on the skin. Its creamy, almost lotion-like texture absorbed quickly without any sticky residue, and even upon first application, it imparted a slight glow and a plump, bouncy feel. She observed that it smoothed the appearance of fine lines and that, even though it had a slightly thicker texture, it layered seamlessly under other products sans any pilling or irritation. Shannon did notice that its radiance-boosting and brightening capabilities were less pronounced than other options on this list, but if a vitamin C serum with hydrating benefits is the goal, reach for this one.

Shannon Bauer, former associate editorial director: “Overall, I liked this vitamin C from the first use—I found it provided a bit of hydration and that it layered well underneath other products.”

Best Non-Tacky

iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance +

$165 at Amazon View on Dermstore View on Shanidarden.com

Benefits: Increases antioxidant protection, smooths, and calms skin, improves the appearance of fine lines | Skin Type: All | Dosage: 3-4 drops daily | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Because a vitamin C serum lands smack in the middle of a daily skincare routine, a tacky finish can be a buzz-kill when layering it underneath other products. Our tester, Aemilia, was pleasantly surprised by the consistency and texture of iS Clinical’s serum—it has a lightweight, slightly viscous texture that dried quickly and seamlessly without any stickiness.

Over the course of the six-week testing period, Aemilia noted that this serum’s results were gradual but noticeable by the end; her skin looked dewier, and fine lines around her eyes and mouth appeared less pronounced. Online reviewers noted that the product can leak easily, so make sure to secure the lid tightly after use.

Aemilia, tester with dry skin: “Overall, the changes [while using this formula] were very subtle; it was more of a slow and steady shift over the testing period. But now, my skin looks dewier, and the fine lines around my eyes and mouth are somewhat less pronounced.”

Best Under Makeup

Innisfree Green Tea Enzyme Vitamin C Brightening Serum

$32 at Amazon $32 at Sephora View on Innisfree.com

Benefits: Helps improve skin tone and reduce the appearance of dark spots | Skin Type: All | Dosage: A few drops daily | Size: 1.01 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When we tested South Korean brand Innisfree’s vitamin C serum, one of the first things we noticed was its lightweight, smooth feel on the skin. Our tester, Alfredo, found that, after each use, his complexion looked fresher and hydrated and that it layered impeccably with the other products in his routine, including underneath his usual moisturizer, sunscreen, and makeup. No pilling here!

Throughout the six-week testing period, Alfredo noted that this product left his skin looking glowy and radiant; he even received compliments from friends about how healthy his skin looked. However, he also observed that it didn’t brighten dark spots on the skin as effectively as other formulas, so if this is a chief concern, we recommend other options on this list instead.

Alfredo, tester with combination/sensitive skin: “I replaced my previous vitamin C serum with Innisfree and used it every morning; it left my skin looking dewy but not greasy. I received compliments about how healthy my skin looked during the testing period!”

Best for Quick Results

Tatcha Vitamin-C Serum

$89 at Sephora $89 at Kohls.com

Benefits: Boosts radiance, firms, targets dullness, and fades hyperpigmentation and dark spots | Skin Type: All | Dosage: One to two pumps daily | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Senior Editor Shauna Beni-Haynes was impressed with how quickly this formula from Tatcha was able to make a difference in her skin—it instantly brightened and firmed her somewhat dull skin, leaving a dewy, radiant finish. This formula uses a myriad of powerful antioxidant ingredients to protect and balance the complexion, including time-release vitamin C, ferulic acid, glutathione, and Japanese plum (an ingredient rich in vitamin C). She loved that it felt super light on the skin, and while it was slightly tacky before it was fully absorbed, it never felt sticky or uncomfortable. After the first application, she immediately noticed how glowy her skin was, and her dark marks were noticeably lighter at about the two-week mark. Another plus? It layered well with other skincare products and never pilled under makeup.

Shauna Beni-Haynes, senior editor with combination skin: "I love how ultralight the serum feels and how quickly it absorbs in the skin—and the immediate brightening effects are a bonus. If you ever wake up with a dull complexion and need something to brighten up quickly, this is the answer."