Vitamin C Serum: Benefits, Uses & Must-Try Products

If you're waging war with your skin due to things like dullness, acne, fine lines, or dark spots—it's definitely due, at least in part, to the fact that vitamin C needs to be in your skincare routine. The advantages of Vitamin C serum are great in the way that it fights free radicals that can damage your skin's collagen, but at the end of the day, it all depends upon choosing the right one, which can sometimes prove to be a hassle. Want in on the secret to better-looking skin? Well, it’s none other than *cue drum roll* the supercharged vitamin C. The truth: Since very little vitamin C makes it to the skin through our diet, we need to apply this topically for the best results.

Once you get around to adding this antioxidant to your skincare regime there’s no going back. After all, it can be instrumental in ensuring a plumper and firmer complexion all year round. A key component in many dermatologist-recommended treatments, this buzzy elixir alleviates inflammation, amplifies complexion and delays ageing. What more does one want?

What Is Vitamin C Serum?

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, easily found in generous quantities in most citrus fruits and veggies. It's packed into sour-tasting fruits like oranges, sweet limes, lemons, amla, grapes, and strawberries. You can also pick it up as a supplement at most health stores. Vitamin C helps in speeding up tissue repair, forming collagen, and making neurotransmitters. However inadequate intake may pose serious health effects, such as skin problems like scurvy, anaemia, reduced immunity, mental problems, and so on. Also known as Ascorbic Acid, rich in antioxidants, Vitamin C helps to boost your immunity and fight back against several skin issues. The best part about vitamin C is that it brings everything together into one product that's gentle enough for daily use.

What Is the Use of Vitamin C Serum For The Face?

Vitamin C serum acts on the skin tenaciously, almost like a superhero. Rich in antioxidants, the serum helps brighten and even out the tone of the skin. Due to its small molecular size, it penetrates deep into the skin, thus, working on those stubborn spots and reducing hyperpigmentation for a glowing look. Using a Vitamin C serum regularly can keep your skin hydrated, looking fuller, and more youthful. Plus, it enhances collagen production, which quickens its original functions of empowering and supporting the dermis in flawless new skin free from fine lines and wrinkles. It's easy to add to your routine: just apply it in the morning before your moisturizer or sunscreen, and you're good to go. Be regular, and watch how your skin transforms into a brighter, more even canvas.

Benefits Of Vitamin C Serum

• Collagen Production

  Touted as the best anti-ageing ingredient, vitamin C bolsters collagen production. Here’s why it’s important: As you age, the levels of collagen (a naturally occurring protein) drop over time. Lesser collagen is basically a red carpet invite for premature ageing in the form of wrinkles and fine lines. So, if you’re not ready to welcome wrinkles yet, Vitamin C is your best bet.

• Antioxidant Power

  A powerful antioxidant, it neutralises free radicals caused by pollution and UV rays which can otherwise cause significant damage to skin.

• Reduces Scar Marks

  If you still think wounds take forever to heal, you are definitely new to this. Vitamin C, because of its key role in collagen synthesis, speeds up wound healing and lowers the possibility of scars.

• Helps Lessen Pigmentation

  Thinking of the Vitamin C uses for skin? Vitamin C helps alleviate pigmentation and discolouration. By strengthening blood vessels, boosting blood circulation and minimising the formation of excess melanin, it also improves the overall skin tone. This means a radiant complexion with diminished dark spots and dark circles. Impressive, huh?

• Brightens the Skin

  Many people make full Vitamin C uses for skin; however, to do so effectively, it should be used within the frame of a proper CTM routine. Research shows that in reducing dullness and pigmentation, Vitamin C really does even out skin texture. It can, therefore, be used in fighting the signs of tiredness, thereby bringing brightness and youthfulness to the skin.

• Increases Hydration

  As one gets older, the skin starts to dry out. Some of these processes might get exaggerated because of factors such as low immunity, using new products, and environmental stressors, which will further trigger dehydrated and irritated skin. As it helps in boosting the production of barrier lipids in the outer layers of our skin, Vitamin C strengthens the skin’s ability to retain moisture and keep it naturally hydrated.

How To Use Vitamin C Serum

You’re going to want to use vitamin c serum as it offers innumerable vitamin C benefits for skin in the morning before you step out rather than at night as this magical potion scavenges free radicals from pollution and UV rays. For optimal results, make it an indispensable part of your a.m. skincare routine.

Also, how you store your Vitamin C serum can determine its efficacy. Why? Vitamin C in its pure form is sensitive to light and air; when exposed to either for prolonged duration, it can get oxidised and become less effective. So, store it in an opaque and airtight container away from windows or sunlight. On that note, if you’ve observed a change in colour in your existing Vitamin C serum, it’s time to replace it.

How To Apply Vitamin C Serum

Once you’ve got the fundamentals right to get the most out of your serum and have all the knowledge on Vitamin c uses for skin, you can have a quick peek at the right way to apply it and soak in all the advantages of Vitamin C serum .

Step 1: Cleanse your face as usual.

Step 2: Pat some alcohol-free toner on your face.

Step 3: Now, squeeze a drop or two of Vitamin C serum and apply it to your face. Dab the excess product on your décolletage. It’s important to give the serum time to absorb into your skin before stepping outside.

Step 4: Follow it up with a layer of sunscreen and continue with your makeup.

When Should You Apply Vitamin C Serum?

How to introduce the advantages of vitamin C serum into your skincare routine? Well, you can use it every day, as long as your skin can handle it taking in all the Vitamin C uses for skin . Most people prefer to apply it as a part of their morning skincare routine for antioxidant benefits to help protect against environmental damage throughout the day. That said, it's perfectly fine to include it in your nighttime routine, too. We recommend starting with one Brighten and Perfect Serum in the morning and, if after 10 to 14 days you feel like your skin shows no irritation, you can increase to applying it both in the morning and at night. When used in the morning, it helps to fight off oxidative damage from UV exposure, and at night, it repairs your skin while you sleep.

Best Vitamin C Serum

We’ve rounded up the best vitamin C serums for the face to add to your skincare routine STAT.

1. Lotus Botanicals Vitamin C Skin Brightening Face Serum

Let's face it, vitamin C along with some other hero ingredients can do miracles on your skin. This serum is enriched with pure vitamin C and enhanced with tulsi leaves, niacinamide, glycerine, Kakadu plums, and citric acid, making it a powerhouse for your skincare. It ensures hydrated and firm skin, even tone, and clearer skin. With a customer rating of 4.3/5, it's lightweight, fast-delivering, and holds up all its promises all day long!

2. WOW Skin Science Vitamin C Skin Face Serum

Your skin cannot escape free radical damage. In fact, it’s happening right now as you are scrolling through your blue light-emitting phone or laptop. Scary, huh? Not really, as long as you’ve got a highly potent Vitamin C serum by your side to neutralise free radical damage. WOW Skin Science Vitamin C Skin Face Serum with its advanced antioxidant action boosts collagen and improves skin luminosity while combating signs of ageing brought on by free radicals. Plus, this 4.2/5 rated serum is a plant-derived Hyaluronic Acid that holds up to 1000 times its weight in water and helps keep skin super hydrated and supple all day.

3. Garnier Light Complete Vitamin C Booster Serum

Are dark spots starting to get a lot friendlier with your skin? It’s time to wipe them out while you can with the Garnier Light Complete Vitamin C Booster Serum. With a customer rating of 4.3/5, this concentrated formula harnessing the power of Vitamin C coupled with Yuzu Lemon is lightweight and rapidly sinks into the skin to improve complexion. It gradually fades spots caused by sun damage so you can dream of waking up to brighter-looking skin sans spots and dullness.

4. Dot & Key Glow Revealing Vitamin C Serum Concentrate

If you’re a glow-getter like us, grab the Dot & Key Glow Revealing Vitamin C Serum Concentrate for a bright chance at happy, dewy skin. Packed with a skin-loving combo of Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid, it boosts collagen production to maintain elasticity while recharging skin and enhancing radiance. The water-attracting Hyaluronic Acid plumps skin to leave it bouncy and intensely hydrated, just the way it should be. What’s more, Kakadu Plum prevents and repairs damage caused by exposure to sun and pollution and has a customer rating of 4.3/5.

5. Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop - Pure Vitamin C Serum

This antioxidant serum is a complete game changer, containing 5% L-ascorbic acid in its purest, vitamin C form. It is perfect for beginners because it works softly on sensitive skin and is safe for everyday use. It helps to even skin tone and texture while fading dark spots and hyperpigmentation of any kind. This 4.3/5-rated serum helps keep your skin firm, soften fine lines, and provide protection against UV damage. It has been clinically shown to decrease UV-related skin damage by 59%, in fact. Then it also brings in the benefits of Centella Asiatica, soothing your skin, minimising blemishes, and improving hydration.

6. Pilgrim Vitamin C Night Serum with Hyaluronic Acid & White Lotus

If your skin is a bit on the sensitive side, you will love the Pilgrim Vitamin C Night Serum which does the job without irritating your skin. Infused with white lotus extract and hyaluronic acid, this 4.2/5-rated serum stimulates collagen, reduces wrinkles, brightens skin, fades age spots, and evens out skin tone for a clear complexion. Vitamin C synergistically blends with hyaluronic acid to create a richly concentrated age-defying serum which is surprisingly hydrating and gentle.

7. Upakarma Ayurveda Vitamin C Face Serum

If your bank account disapproves of splurging on a high-end laser skin treatment, you can still get impressive results by investing in an effective serum such as Upakarma Ayurveda Vitamin C Face Serum. With a customer rating of 4.3/5, this serum reduces dark spots, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and fine lines while protecting skin cells from further damage. Behind the scenes, Hyaluronic Acid deeply hydrates skin and retains moisture. Oh, and it has none of the questionable ingredients like silicones, parabens or mineral oils.

8. Volamena Vitamin C Booster Regenerator Face Serum

You know that radiant, wide-awake look your face shows after a week of good sleep? Volamena Vitamin C Booster Regenerator Face Serum delivers the same feel sans the effort. After all, it boasts of four hard-working active ingredients including the likes of hyaluronic acid, peptides and rosehip oil which take you a step closer to youthful-looking skin. Rated 4/5, the sheer gel formula of the serum rapidly sinks into the skin to drastically improve hydration and elasticity.

9. The Derma Co. 20% Vitamin C Serum For Skin Radiance

The name of The Derma Co. 20% Vitamin C Serum For Skin Radiance is as straightforward as it gets; it ensures your skin is getting enough encapsulated, 20% of 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid – the most potent form of Vitamin C. A pea-size drop of this 4.2/5-rated serum daily does three things: fights hyperpigmentation, brightens skin and evens skin tone. Plus, thanks to plumping Hyaluronic Acid, it’s a blessing for dehydrated skin that needs a moisture boost ASAP.

How To Choose The Best Vitamin C Serum

In order to fully immerse yourself in the multiple benefits of vitamin C serum, here are a few tips you need to know:

• Packaging: A dark, amber glass bottle is an ideal packaging for a vitamin C serum as it shields the formula from the harsh sun rays and other environmental factors. Vitamin C is a delicate component that oxidises if it’s exposed to sunlight, dust, pollution and any other kinds of harsh light.
• Concentration: You may have spotted percentages like 10% or 15% printed on vitamin C serum packaging. This connotes the potency of vitamin C serum. However, it is not necessary to work your way up to a potent percentage unless your skin requires it. Except for the percentage of vitamin C, both work just as effectively. It is also recommended to stick to a concentration level of no more than 20% as a formula stronger than that can lead to skin irritation.
• Type of vitamin C serum: There are different types of vitamin C components. L-ascorbic acid is widely studied and known to be the most stable form of vitamin C. Natural extracts like orange, pomegranate and Kakadu plum are rich in natural sources of vitamin C.
• Other Ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and cica are common ingredients that pair well with vitamin C. If you’re looking for a formula with an extra boost of antioxidants, then look for a face serum with ferulic acid. It's a lesser-known antioxidant that boosts the performance of vitamin C.

Types Of Vitamin C

• L-Ascorbic Acid: This is the most potent and well-studied form of vitamin C, but it can also be the most unstable and irritating. Serums with L-ascorbic acid typically have a low pH and may cause a tingling or stinging sensation upon application.
• Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate: This is a more stable and gentle form of vitamin C that is often used in serums for sensitive skin. It may not be as potent as L-ascorbic acid but can still provide brightening and antioxidant benefits.
• Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate: This is another stable and gentle form of vitamin C that is often used in serums for sensitive skin. It has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and skin-lightening properties.
• Ascorbyl Palmitate: This is an oil-soluble form of vitamin C that is often used in serums for dry or mature skin. It can help moisturise and smooth the skin while providing antioxidant benefits.
• Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate: This is a newer, more stable form of vitamin C that is often used in high-end serums. It has been shown to penetrate the skin more effectively than other forms of vitamin C and may provide more potent antioxidant benefits.

Simple Guide On Usage, Maintenance & Care

• New to vitamin C serum? Always patch-test it before applying it to the face to avoid irritation.
• Use vitamin C serum on cleansed skin to let it penetrate the skin for proper nourishment.
• Vitamin C serum is best used during daytime as it fights free radicals, and protects the skin from sun damage. Most importantly, always wear sunscreen after applying vitamin C serum before stepping out.
• Be careful to not mix certain ingredients, like AHAs and BHAs, as it can be harsh, stripping and damaging to the skin.
• Make sure to only buy a vitamin C serum that’s packed in a dark amber or blue bottle. Store it in a cool, dry and dark place, away from direct sunlight to prevent it from going rancid.

Conclusion:

Brighten your complexion with one of the best vitamin C serums for the skin. It's a key ingredient in most of the highly-rated dark spot correctors. This quite popular antioxidant has a lot of benefits, from saving the skin from any harm caused by UV rays and environmental pollutants to helping hyperpigmentation fade by restricting melanin production. So, leave all the apprehension aside and give Vitamin C serum a chance to be in your skincare routine—it's about time!

FAQs On Best Vitamin C Serum For Face

• What does hyperpigmentation happen? Recommend best vitamin C serums for hyperpigmentation.

  When the production of pigment-causing melanin shoots up, it results in hyperpigmentation. Hormonal fluctuations, sun exposure, environmental aggressors, age, injuries and many other factors can trigger the excess melanin production. Here’s a lowdown on the best vitamin C serums recommended by dermatologists for hyperpigmentation.

  1. Vedic Line Skin Masters Vitamin C Serum 20%
  2. Nature Spell Vitamin C Brightening Face Serum

• How to cure pimples overnight?

  Yes, in fact, using Vitamin C twice every day can help you get faster results. However, if you choose to apply it once then ensure you apply it in the morning before you head outside. Ideally, cleanse and tone your face before applying the serum on your face. When using Vitamin C serum, avoid Niacinamide-infused skin treatment as it could interfere with the optimal functioning of the serum.

  Here’s a lowdown on the best creams to cure pimples.

• Do the advantages of Vitamin C extend to oily skin? Recommend the best vitamin C serum for oily skin.

  Since Vitamin C serum works great at alleviating inflammation, clearing skin and healing acne, it’s especially great for oily skin. While significantly improving skin texture and luminosity, it also helps reduce breakouts in oily skin.

  Here’s a lowdown on the best vitamin C serums for oily skin:

  1. Mamaearth Skin Illuminate Face Serum With Vitamin C & Turmeric For Radiant Skin
  2. Pilgrim Vitamin C Night Serum with Hyaluronic Acid & White Lotus

• At what age vitamin C serum is used?

  It’s ideal to start using vitamin C serum for the face from your early 20s onwards. Start out by using a low-concentration serum like 10% as it’s mild for beginners. Pair it with moisturisers with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid during the nighttime and layer it underneath (not with) sunscreen during the daytime.

• Can I use vitamin C serum every day?

  If you’re just starting out with vitamin C, it’s ideal to use it only once or twice a week to help your skin build tolerance towards it. Once your skin gets used to it, you can start incorporating it into your daily skincare routine. Make sure to use only 2-3 drops regularly.

• Does vitamin C make skin glow?

  Absolutely! Since vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, it helps reduce sun damage and hyperpigmentation which evens out the skin, improves texture and gives the skin a healthy glow

  Here are a few best vitamin C serums for the face to get a healthy glow:

  1. Indulgeo Essentials Vitamin C Glow Essence
  2. The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Revealing Serum