The Ole Henriksen serum has a refreshing citrus scent that makes putting it on the face a real treat. It comes in a slightly opaque glass bottle with a pump for easy dispensing. Application is a breeze and there are no pesky waiting periods. L’ORÉAL REVITALIFT CLINICAL 12% PURE VITAMIN C SERUM, formulated with the purest form of Vitamin C, trusted and recommended by dermatologists, clinically proven to correct and prevent the signs of early ageing. It’s a win for your future skin. It also contains an extremely potent variety of vitamin C called THD ascorbate: “A truly pH neutral and highly-absorbed form of vitamin C, tetrahexyldecyl (THD) ascorbate has superior absorption through skin and better bioavailability,” says Dr. Palm, adding that it’s extremely well tolerated and has been shown in clinical studies to decrease inflammation, roughness, and redness of the skin in addition to its skin brightening qualities. Studies show that when you combine vitamin C with sunscreen, you get even better sun protection and sun aging protection because they work together,” Dr. Piliang notes. “If any of the sun gets through that sunscreen, the vitamin C is there to take care of it.”

In most cases, for a product to be of biological significance, it needs to have a concentration higher than 8%. Studies have shown that a concentration above 20% does not increase its biological significance, but might cause irritation. Common medical knowledge has recommended vitamin C serum for use in the morning to ward off damage during the day, because it helps to protect the skin from free radicals,” says Dr. Somenek. But newer data, he explains, shows that UV damage remains for hours after a person is no longer exposed to the sun. Of course, the higher the dose, the better the results will be. If your skin is quite resilient, you could use a serum with between 10 to 20 per cent vitamin C. Definitely start slow and build up your tolerance. Patch test a product to see if there are any adverse reactions. How To Choose a Vitamin C Serum Formulation Antioxidants can do this by supplying an electron to a free radical without destabilizing themselves. The result is a neutralized free radical that is less able to cause damage. If you’re a vitamin C newbie and worry about the adjustment period when skin might be slightly more irritated this product is ideal. It doesn’t contain a laundry list of other actives so you can ease into your new regimen seamlessly.

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Vitamin C can be easily added to your skincare regime without much hassle but, to maximise its benefits, it’s best used in the morning. It will act as a shield against pollution and other environmental stressors like UV rays. It’s important to find a formulation that works for your sensitive skin type [since] not all vitamin C serums are created equal and many formulations range from five to 30 percent [in strength],” Dr. Palm explains. As you age, your skin produces less collagen,” Dr. Piliang explains. This leads to wrinkles, sags and bags, so protecting and replacing collagen can protect your skin from signs of aging. 3. Works hand-in-hand with sunscreen

The current thought is that people should be using antioxidants such as vitamin C at night to prevent post-sun damage,” he continues. “When you apply them at night, it still helps to fight sun damage the next day.” Dermatologists recommend a daily dose of Vitamin C, the gold standard ingredient loved for its powerful antioxidant and anti-ageing properties that promote a healthy, glowing complexion. But not all Vitamin C skincare is created equally…Why? It's pretty simple. When used alongside each other, these three are your skin's best chance at fighting the visible signs of ageing. Not only that, but this holy trinity also promotes happy, healthy and well-functioning skin. So get you best SPF moisturiser at the ready, clue yourself up which retinol product works best for you and let's take a look at some of the best vitamin C serums. What is the best vitamin C serum to buy? It fights free radicals:Free radicals are the nasty molecules that give you wrinkles and dark spots. By neutralising them, it prevents skin from aging prematurely. The real beauty experts among us will also be interested in the different forms of vitamin C that are found in skincare today. Most experts agree that the appearance of 'ascorbic acid' or 'l-ascorbic acid' on an ingredient list is a promising start, but other forms of the vitamin you may come across include sodium ascorbic phosphate and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. Who should use vitamin C skincare? Struggling with a dull and uneven complexion, visible pores and first fine lines? In our 20s environmental damage and oxidative stress begin to take its toll on our skin and first visible signs of ageing appear.

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic has developed cult status amongst those in the beauty community thanks to its efficacy and patented formulation. Loved by derms and beauty editors, its easily considered the best vitamin C serum on the market. Vitamin C comes in many forms, but the most common is L-ascorbic acid. “If this is the active ingredient, the serum should contain 10 to 20 percent L-ascorbic acid and have an acidic pH of 2 to 2.5 for optimal absorption and results,” Dr. Alam says. Though this brightening serum did a nice job of boosting the radiance of our tester’s skin, she didn’t see an improvement in hyperpigmentation or firmness after the six-week testing period.While this isn’t as pricey as the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum, it’s still quite a steep investment. You should also take note that this serum has a divisive scent. It doesn’t smell like a fragrant or perfumey serum so it might irritate a sensitive nose.

When preserved in serum form, it should come It takes about three months to really see the effects, so be patient,” Dr. Piliang advises. “I suggest taking a picture of yourself with no makeup or anything on your face, and then photograph yourself once a month to see the effects.” This super vitamin will stimulate collagen and elastin production in your skin, helping to boost the formulation of your connective tissue. See this as the ‘glue’ that keeps your skin strong, firm and looking its most radiant self.As seasoned beauty reporters and skincare devotees ourselves, the Forbes Vetted team knows what it takes to find the best vitamin C serums for various skin types. Molly Calhoun, a regular contributor with experience covering a range of beauty topics, enlisted the help of Pritzker, dermatologist at Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology, for her take on key formulations, ingredients and the most important things to consider in this category. Senior beauty editor Jane Sung, who oversaw the publishing of this article, has more than a decade of beauty industry experience conducting product testing and extensive research. Having produced a variety of skincare stories, we also tapped into our deep market knowledge to highlight products and brands that offer innovative, effective formulas. Not only do vitamin C serums help brighten your complexion, but they also help reduce dryness and inflammation while also countering and softening the appearance of fine lines, dark spots and hyperpigmentation caused by sun damage. Plus, vitamin C is an incredibly potent and antioxidant-rich ingredient, which makes it particularly effective in shielding your skin from environmental aggressors such as pollution. Given its potency, it needs to be introduced slowly into your skincare routine, especially if you have sensitive skin. There are plenty of vitamin C products on the market at a variety of price points. Here are some things to look for: