These Vitamin C Serums Drastically Changed Our Testers' Skin by Improving Dark Spots and Reducing Wrinkles

Drugstore products are competing with pricier options and becoming best in class. This fragrance-free anti-aging serum features 10 percent vitamin C, with over 3,500 users giving five-star ratings of the fast-absorbing, skin-mattifying formula after seeing visible results.  

During our tests, we found that while the serum didn’t yield immediate results like other serums we tried, it offered longer-lasting results. Over the course of a few months, this L’Oreal serum drastically improved our tester’s skin’s radiance. “I’ve paid this much for other vitamin C serums that were half as effective, so I think this is a great price for this product,” she said.

On top of that, this serum melted into the skin without any stickiness or added weight and had an immediate glowing and smoothing effect. Plus, unlike pump containers, the L’Oreal Revitalift tube shape prevents you from wasting any serum because you can squeeze every last drop out of this affordable product.

Size: 1 oz. | Star Ingredients: 10% vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, retinol | Skin Type: All

If you ask anyone serious about their skincare routine, it’s very likely this is (or has been) in their rotation as it is the gold standard of vitamin C serums. It’s patented and clinically proven to reduce combined oxidative damage from free radicals generated by UV, ozone, and diesel exhaust by up to 41 percent.

Additionally, the serum improves signs of lines and wrinkles while boosting radiance and even fading dark spots. Not only did it make our skin glow, but it also smoothed fine lines and texture on our skin. It also pairs well with other products you may already have in your routine and doesn’t leave a sticky residue.

We do want to point out that our tester, who has used vitamin C daily for eight years, wasn’t expecting a notable difference. However, she was pleasantly surprised: “I ended up seeing a difference in the texture of my skin and fine lines during this six-week test. Everything is a bit smoother and softer — this is the only product/step that changed.” One other thing we noticed about this product is the odor, but that won’t stop us from brighter skin.

Size: 1 oz. | Star Ingredients: 15% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), 1% vitamin E, 0.5% ferulic acid | Skin Type: All, including sensitive

This Yes to Grapefruit serum boasts PHAs that gently exfoliate and vitamin C to boost radiance. In our testing, we saw results in just a few days.

This serum was refreshing, not greasy or sticky, and it imparted a subtle glow upon application. It can be used morning or night, but we prefer to use it in the morning for the light grapefruit scent and instant skin-radiance boost. However, if you prefer non-scented serums, you should opt for another pick on our list.

Size: 0.95 oz. | Star Ingredients: Vitamin C, 5% polyhydroxy acids | Skin Type: Dry

By now, anyone who’s tapped into the skincare world (and many who aren’t) probably know about the damaging effects of sun exposure on the skin, which can cause dark spots, fine lines, and scarring. This serum aims to combat these common concerns with a high percentage of stable vitamin C and turmeric, an ingredient that’s packed with antioxidants.

Even our testers with the most sensitive, rosacea-prone skin agreed that this serum did not sting or tingle upon application. The product is formulated without any additional fragrance (another win for the sensitive skin community), but the turmeric does give it a slight gingery smell. It has a light, creamy texture that sank into our skin like a thin moisturizer, leaving behind a subtle, lit-from-within glow.

Size: 1 oz. | Star Ingredients: 15% THD vitamin C, turmeric | Skin Type: All

Formulated with a blend of 20 percent bioavailable vitamin C in tandem with a skin-strengthening and calming complex of plant extracts to help even skin tone sans unwanted irritation, this clean formula absorbs in seconds and, for some skin types, even helps control excess oil production.

We found the Klur Vitamin C Serum to be super hydrating and smoothing upon application. Plus, our tester noted that her 63-year-old skin felt firmer over time. It’s expensive, but a little bit goes a long way.

Size: 1 oz. | Star Ingredients: 20% bioavailable vitamin C | Skin Type: All

BeautyStat is a skincare company founded by cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson, and the brand’s hero product, the Universal C Skin Refiner, was the very first serum to include 20 percent stable vitamin C (meaning it won’t oxidize or change colors). The brightening formula was created to work on all skin types, textures, and tones.

The formula includes a powerful 20 percent concentration of vitamin C, so sensitive-skinned folks should tread lightly at first, applying the serum twice a week in the mornings before moving on to more regular application. The texture is smooth and slightly mattifying, and it easily blends into the skin without leaving any sticky residue behind. 

Size: 1 oz. | Star Ingredients: Vitamin C, squalane, green tea | Skin Type: All

Olay is a skincare brand staple. If scent is a vital factor in your skin products, you’ll love that this serum wakes up your senses and boosts radiance in the skin. Formulated with vitamin C, skin barrier protecting niacinamide, and hydrating peptides, the citrus-scented formula is clinically proven to help skin look visibly more hydrated in one day and more radiant after one month. 

We loved that this serum resulted in visible hydration and radiant-boosting effects and even after several hours, our skin remained feeling refreshed. It had an immediate glowing effect, but it faded within an hour, so if glowing skin isn’t your top priority, but feeling refreshed and hydrated is, this is a great value pick. We absolutely love the scent but realize it may not be for everyone, especially those with fragrance sensitivities.

Size: 1.3 oz. | Star Ingredients: Vitamin C, niacinamide, peptides | Skin Type: All

Finding the right vitamin C to fade dark spots can take a lot of trial and error. (And we all know that can get expensive.) However, this dark spot serum is relatively budget-friendly and is packed with a powerful blend of fresh green tangerine extract (an ingredient that offers 10 times more vitamin C than lemons), niacinamide, and arbutin that helps improve dark spots and post-acne hyperpigmentation. It also has centella asiatica (tiger grass) to protect the skin barrier and boost collagen.

After only a few days of using this product, we saw a reduction of dark spots. While the tangerine scent might not be for everyone, our skin felt healthier, more radiant, and clearer after just a few days, and we think this product is an absolute steal.

Size: 1.01 oz. | Star Ingredients: Vitamin C, centella asiatica, niacinamide, arbutin | Skin Type: All, including sensitive

Drugstore products may offer more budget-conscious prices, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less effective. For sensitive or breakout-prone skin, this dermatologist-developed and allergy-tested formula has all the necessities that lead to healthier, radiant skin — including 10 percent L-ascorbic acid, hyaluronic acid, skin barrier-protecting ceramides, and soothing vitamin B5.

Our tester loved its lightweight formula and said she will continue to use it at home until the very last drop. She did note that the packaging can be tricky — the cap was a bit confusing to remove. But while using, her acne-prone skin with post-breakout hyperpigmentation saw a reduction in the appearance of those spots while the formula felt light on the skin. She even noticed a reduction in fine lines around her mouth area.

Size: 1 oz. | Star Ingredients: 10% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), ceramides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5 | Skin Type: All

If natural ingredients are your jam, we have some good news. This fast-absorbing serum is made with 97 percent naturally sourced ingredients, including natural forms of vitamins C and E alongside peptides derived from marine algae that firm and hydrate to combat and smooth wrinkles.

In testing, we saw dewier and healthier skin in just a few weeks. Of all the serums we tested, this one definitely had a “wow” factor, and our tester felt that her skin looked younger after using this product for a few months. However, if you have oily skin, this might not be the best serum for you, and it’s packaged in a glass bottle, which made our tester a little nervous that she might shatter it at any moment. But from our standpoint, this product, which provided a vast skin improvement from a non-plastic bottle is a fantastic deal.

Size: 1.01 oz. | Star Ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E, natural peptides from marine algae | Skin Type: Dry, balanced

If you’re an oil lover or somewhere in between, a serum-oil hybrid feels like an ideal match. This serum is like a lush smoothie for your face that won’t clog pores — though our tester shared the formula didn’t completely stop acne from occurring.

However, the serum did help acne flare-ups dissipate more quickly after our tester added this product to their acne-prone routine. If you try to avoid oil-based products, though, this one might not be for you.

Size: 1 oz. | Star Ingredients: Vitamin C (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate), 15 super-greens complex, and pomegranate stem cells | Skin Type: All

This OG serum is still holding up to its hype. The brand’s proprietary C-Firma is designed to be mixed by you before its first use. This helps maximize potency; each bottle is proven to maintain almost 95 percent efficacy up to one year after mixing.

After six weeks our skin was softer, plumper, and more luminous, and our monthly chin breakouts were significantly reduced. One of our testers even started receiving compliments on her skin, and after just three to four weeks of use, started to notice a visible difference in her complexion’s brightness and texture.

However, this Drunk Elephant serum has a 15 percent vitamin C concentration, so if you’re just starting out with a vitamin C step in your skincare routine, it’s better to start with a lower dose (around 10 percent concentration). Also, one of our testers noted an odd smell upon application but said it quickly faded.

Size: 1 oz. | Star Ingredients: Vitamin C (15% L-ascorbic acid), ferulic acid, vitamin E | Skin Type: All

Applying face oil might feel like it goes against everything you learned about skincare. However, squalane soaks right into the skin and is usually well tolerated by most skin types, including oily and combination skin.

In testing, we found that even testers with naturally oily skin loved this product, saying that the oil absorbed surprisingly well and never felt greasy post-application. The glow of this serum is excellent at combating dull skin, and one of our testers said she’d received so many compliments on her skin since incorporating this product into her daily routine. It also made her skin extra plump, as if she’d just gotten a great night’s sleep. This product is on the more expensive side, but a little goes a long way, so we think it’s worth it.

Size: 1.01 oz. | Star Ingredients: Damascus rose oil, vitamin C, and Chios crystal oil | Skin Type: All

With this 15 percent vitamin C-infused serum, you won’t need to layer hyaluronic acid because it’s already in this formula, which is a plus if you’re an impatient skincare applicator.

This serum has such a hydrating effect that our tester made it through a full day of Zoom calls and still looked dewy. It made our skin glowy, hydrated, and refreshed, and we loved the slight scent. It has a 15 percent vitamin C concentration, so if you’re new to vitamin C or have sensitive skin, you may want to opt for a product with a 10 percent concentration.

Size: 1 oz. | Star Ingredients: 15% vitamin C (ethyl ascorbic acid), PHAs, and hyaluronic acid | Skin Type: All