Best vitamin C serum for 2021 – CNET [CNET]

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can help you feel better when you feel sick or even stressed. While you may already take Vitamin C as a supplement, it can also boost your skincare routine. Topical vitamin C is found in a wide variety of skincare products and many skincare experts recommend it for better skin.

“Vitamin C is a great ingredient because it is a multitasker,” says dermatologist, Dr. Elyse Love. “It’s an antioxidant, so it helps to protect the skin against any UV damage that may have made it through your sunscreen defense. It also helps to regulate pigmentation production, producing a more even skin tone. For this reason, I recommend vitamin C a lot — for its anti-aging protective effects and pigment-regulating function.”

We curated some of the best vitamin C serums for your skin below based on extensive research, expert recommendations and top-rated and reviewed products online. 

Read more: Best eye cream in 2021

What to look for when shopping for a vitamin C serum

What to look for in a vitamin C serum depends on your personal skin concerns. If you’re concerned about acne, be sure to look for products that are oil-free. “Vitamin C is often formulated with vitamin E for their synergistic antioxidant effects, but vitamin E is an oil and may cause flares on acne prone skin,” says Love. 

Keep in mind that vitamin C serums can be irritating to the skin. If you’re concerned about sensitivity, look for brands that advertise “sensitive skin” or note that the product is formulated to reduce irritation when you shop for products. 

Sometimes it’s ok to buy skincare products and let them sit on the shelf for a few months before using them. But you don’t want to do that with products that contain vitamin C. “L-ascorbic acid [vitamin C] is difficult to stabilize, which is why a ‘steal’ is probably too good to be true. Both air and sunlight can oxidize vitamin C, causing it to lose some of its efficacy,” says Love.

Besides using the product as quickly as you can, Love also suggests opting for a serum that comes in a container that blocks out light. “Minimize the amount of time the product is exposed to air by applying it quickly to your hands and screwing the top back on the bottle securely. Some products now come in containers that don’t require opening the top, so this is also helpful,” says Love. 

How to use vitamin C serum 

Dermatologist Dr. Caren Campbell recommends applying vitamin C in the morning. “Apply 2-3 drops in the morning after washing your face. Vitamin C helps your sunscreen work better so it’s best used during the day, [which] is also when you are exposed to oxidative stressors like sun and pollution,” says Campbell. 

Read more:

• Best dry shampoos for 2021
• The best facial masks for 2021
• The best bug sprays in 2021