6 Vitamin C Serums That Will Brighten Your Skin Long-Term

Updated 3 years ago, January 24 2022
Beauty, Pop Culture

Vitamin C serums are a holy grail in any skin enthusiast’s vanity because it is a powerful antioxidant that can brighten your skin, even your skin tone, and prevent free radicals from breaking down the collagen and elastin. It is hard to know which Vitamin C serum will work best for you because there are so many out there, and with their tongue-twisting names, sometimes we just choose what we see without knowing how it will work on our skin. The most common form used in serums is pure Vitamin C, which works really quick but can also oxidize (spoil) very quickly, making it useless. It is not the best option for those with sensitive skin either.

If you have sensitive skin, you want to choose a gentler Vitamin C serum that is less active and more stable than the pure version. So, look for a Vitamin C serum with “Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate” or SAP. They are more stable, last longer, and penetrate the skin better. This version of Vitamin C also brightens your skin, has antioxidant properties, and supports collagen production.

Here is the list of the Vitamin C serums that have long-term benefits:

1. OLE HENRIKSEN Truth Serum Vitamin C Serum

This age-defying Vitamin C serum can brighten and hydrate your skin. It has True-C Complex, which is the stabilized form of vitamin C derivatives and aloe juice to keep your skin soft. It is vegan and retails for $52, so it’s on the pricier side compared to other Vitamin C serums in this category.

2. Olay Tone Perfection Serum with Vitamin B3+ Vitamin C

For decades, Olay has been one of my favorite skincare brands for continuously making high-end products at slightly high drugstore prices. This Vitamin C serum has a blend of Vitamin B3 that helps with inflammation and acts like an emollient to keep skin hydrated. It is an excellent serum for $39.99, and the only issue with this is that it comes with a dropper.

3. Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum

This vegan and cruelty-free formula is a powerful blend of many skin nutrients that work together to give you brighter and healthier skin. It has Vitamin E that helps reduce wrinkles, grapefruit that acts as an exfoliant, and clary sage that acts as a toner. It retails for $33.99 and has been on the best Vitamin C serums list for years.

4. Cocokind Vitamin C Serum

If you are prone to redness, this gentle Vitamin C serum is great for you because it helps reduce dark spots without irritating your skin. It is infused with sea grape caviar extract to provide intense hydration without drying your skin. It is pretty affordable with a price tag of $20.

5. Derma-E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum

This potent serum is fast-absorbing and penetrates deep into the skin without causing irritation, especially for sensitive skin. It is combined with hyaluronic acid, aloe, and Vitamin E for extra hydration and nourishment. It is dermatologist-tested and costs $19.99. It takes time for this to work, but you need to be patient with this form of Vitamin C.

6. TruSkin Vitamin C Serum For Face

Vitamins C & E and hyaluronic acid work together to neutralize free radicals and prevent premature aging. As one of the best-selling serums on Amazon, this fan-favorite serum has impressive reviews and delivers excellent results. It firms and softens your skin with regular use for only $19.99.