All hail Vitamin C serum, if ever there was an ‘it’ product, it’s this little beauty.
This one single product is capable of delivering a lot of skincare goodness, ranging from brightening dull skin, evening our skin tone, providing a barrier against pollution and moisturising skin.1
In a nutshell, this one serum is said to transform skin by making it look:
- Healthier – tick
- Glowing – tick
- Brighter – tick
- Smoother – tick!
And it’s precisely because of this that it’s become such an essential skincare ingredient.2
What is Vitamin C serum?
What is it about this serum that makes it such a skincare saviour?
Well, most of us immediately associate Vitamin C with bright, juicy oranges, which are packed full of the stuff. If you’re one them, you wouldn’t be wrong. Vitamin C can also be found in lots of other fruit and veg, such as broccoli, strawberries, peppers and blackcurrants.3
This vitamin is also known as ascorbic acid and is responsible for:
- Protecting the cells in our body and keeping them healthy
Maintaining healthy skin
There are also derivatives of Vitamin C, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl palmitate, retinyl ascorbate, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate.
These derivatives are used to create Vitamin C serum, and while they may not be 100% pure sources of Vitamin C, like the examples above are, they’re still capable of pretty powerful, almost mind-blowing stuff. The moment you put them on your skin, they enable pure Vitamin C to be released into your skin cells. Sounds somewhat magical, doesn’t it, we bet you’re looking at them in a whole new light now, aren’t you?…4
What are the benefits of applying Vitamin C serum to my skin?
We’ve already touched on the main benefits above, but if you’re up for a bit of an ‘at a glance’ recap, which we’re always up for, then here you go:5
- Protects skin from everyday environmental damage – UV light and air pollution can create free radicals in the skin that are far from desirable. They can our skin look dull and potentially lead to the formation of lines and wrinkles. However, Vitamin C serum, everybody’s skincare knight in shining armour, fights off these skin nasties and protects it.
- Helps get that collagen pumping again – Vitamin C helps build collagen and delays skin from losing its structure, which is held in place by collagen. At the same time, it can also help slow down the arrival of wrinkles and fine lines.
- Assists with lightening up brown spots – Vitamin C serum’s reportedly renowned for helping even out pigmented skin and actually stop it from it happening in the first place.
Do Vitamin C serums really work?
Is it really possible for one skincare product to work its magic in so many different ways? You’d better believe it, because word on the beauty and skincare block is it really does stand up to all the hype.6
Just one Google of ‘Do Vitamin C serums really work?’ and you’re presented with no end of articles, containing comments from skincare professionals, all bigging up Vitamin C serums for a myriad of reasons.
Some marvel about its ability to improve skin elasticity, reduce wrinkles and stimulate collagen production. Meanwhile others rave about how it can potentially help prevent skin from being damaged by free radicals, AKA radiation, sunlight and smoke, and the fact it can be used on sensitive, wrinkled, acne-prone, sun-damaged and clogged skin too.
There’s plenty of research out there about Vitamin C serum’s abilities too. They include a study by researchers at the University of Leicester and the Institute of Molecular Cellular Biology in Portugal, who confirmed Vitamin C serum’s role in boosting skin elasticity and collagen production and reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
As for if Vitamin C serums will work for you, we guess there’s only one way to find out, by giving them a whirl. And if you need a hand choosing one or two, keep reading, we’ve listed some of the most popular Vitamin C serums for you, as reviewed by our customers, below.
Some of the best Vitamin C serums on the market…
Wondering which Vitamin C serum is best? Check out these, they’re some of the most popular among our customers right now…
Customer rating: 5 stars
This is an intense two-week brightening treatment, with natural Vitamin C that’s freshly activated when you begin your treatment. Antioxidant powerhouse, Vitamin C, helps to kickstart the skin’s normal renewal processes that help improve brightness, pigmentation and skin tone.
How to apply it: Pop the cap, shake well. Remove the cap and replace with pipette dropper. Apply 3 to 4 drops to clean face, neck and décolletage morning and night.
Customer reviews:
“I found this did exactly what it said on the box. I feel my lines were decreased and it smelt gorgeous.”- Jacks27.
“An excellent product! A freshly activated treatment that makes a real difference to the skin.”- Nadoushka.
Customer rating: 4.6 stars
This antioxidant-infused serum is developed with a range of active ingredients, designed to visibly plump skin and help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It contains a high level of Vitamin C and omega oils from a blend of kiwi, sea buckthorn and sweet orange oils that hydrate the skin and deliver a healthy glow. 99% natural and 100% vegan.
How to apply it: Use on clean skin.
Customer reviews:
“I can notice the difference in my skin. My face looks healthier and the dark circles around my eyes has faded a bit.” – Roadster.
“I love this serum, soaks into my skin so easily. Makes my skin feel so soft.” – Suzit.
“I’ve tried others and this is great, goes on lovely and sinks into the skin really nicely. I have seen a difference in my skin since using this and have ordered another while on offer.” – Anonymous.
Customer rating: 4.5 stars
This serum has been formulated with high quality, natural ingredients to help give skin an amazing, healthy-aging boost. It’s been enriched with hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally found in the skin. which helps to keep it wonderfully moisturised while also reducing any redness. The serum is suitable for normal or combination skin and is made from 100% vegetarian and vegan-friendly ingredients.
How to apply it: Use this serum twice a day after cleansing. Gently smooth a small amount over your face and neck.
Customer reviews:
“It’s a fab serum that’s non-sticky. A little goes a long way and definitely does brighten and plump up skin….would recommend.” – RomanN.
“This is a brilliant serum, I use it every morning and night as part of my beauty regime. Skin looks great after use.”- SamSam82.
“Brilliant product, my face was looking really dull, but using this product in with my regular moisturiser has worked wonders , giving my skin a real boost.” Littlemck.
Customer rating: 4.5 stars
Oleus’ Vitamin C Oil is a lightweight oil that helps to energise and illuminate the skin to give it a healthy glow. Vitamin C contains potent anti-oxidants that are known to help reduce the appearance of dark spots and dull skin.
How to apply it: Use it in the morning and evening after cleansing. Apply 2 to 3 drops either directly to the face and neck or massage in with palms.
Customer reviews:
“Great value and quality, happy with the purchase. Would buy again.” – Adriana73.
“Nice product, good value on the discount, I will buy this product again.” – Anonymous.
Customer rating: 4 stars
This serum’s made with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump skin, 20% Vitamin C to help boost the production of collagen and brighten dark circles and Aloe Vera to soothe.
How to apply it: With clean hands and on to a cleansed face, drip a pea-sized amount of the Vitamin C serum on to your face and neck. Massage all over, making sure to rub it well into your skin. Leave on overnight.
Customer reviews:
“I’m very happy with my product, my hyperpigmentation has started to fade just three days after I started using this serum.” – Aiwor.
“I have only been using this for a few days, but I’m really enjoying it so far. It’s a lovely consistency, which feels moisturising and sinks into my skin very well with few rubs. I’ve used other serums that are slightly tacky before, and I’ve had to throw them away, as I hate the feeling on my skin.
“Overall, my skin is feeling much softer and I’m hoping in the long-run it will help my pigmentation issues. So far, so good.” – Selina0413.
“I’ve only been using this a short time and can already see a difference. My pigmentation has gone down and my skin looks firmer! Definitely recommend trying this.” – CHRS.
How do you feel about Vitamin C serum now? Hopefully, you’re feeling all up to speed on all there is to know about Vitamin C benefits and are possibly looking forward to giving it a go?
For more on the wonders of Vitamin C and why it’s so fabulous for skin, have a read of this….’What’s the big deal about Vitamin C for skin?’ You’ll most certainly have made your mind up about it after reading this!
Last Updated: 4th January 2021
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Author: Janine Aquino, Regulatory Affairs
Janine started her career as a Technical intern at Superdrug Head Office while studying for her Cosmetic Science degree at the London College of Fashion, assisting Product Technologists in their roles by progressing NPD from initial concept through to post-market launch analysis and complaints. Her experience spanned all categories sold at Superdrug, including colour cosmetics, toiletries, accessories and electrical goods. After graduating her degree, Janine took up the Technical specialist role at Morrison’s Head Office leading the cosmetic and toiletries category from a Regulatory angle, including visiting manufacturers and attending and carrying out audits. Afterwards she moved onto become the lead Regulatory specialist for cosmetics at 151 Products. |
Sources:
1 https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/anti-aging/g26840895/best-vitamin-c-serums/
2 https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/skin-care/g27482223/vitamin-c-serums/
3 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-c/
4 https://www.byrdie.com/vitamin-c-benefits
5 https://www.byrdie.com/vitamin-c-benefits
6 https://verilymag.com/2017/03/vitamin-c-serum-skincare-experts
