Last Updated: December 29, 2022

10 best vitamin C serums for brighter skin.

WRITTEN BY Grove Collaborative • 17 min read

If you've been testing out different serums and haven't found the perfect fit, you may have not tried a vitamin C serum yet. Vitamin C has many benefits not only for the inside of your body and your immunity but also for your outside skin too. A natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, vitamin C helps protect skin from free radicals in the environment that your skin may come into contact with.


When vitamin C is added to a serum, you're going to get a super-high concentrated dose of the supplement straight to your skin. That's because serums are designed to deliver a lot of nutrients to your skin when their lightweight formula penetrates your skin and goes underneath the surface.


So what's the best vitamin C serum, you ask? Well we've pulled the top-rated vitamin C serums with top benefits and results into one handy-dandy list. Have a look!


This list of products was determined by ratings and reviews from Grove members.

1. Superbloom Vitamin C & E Serum - Brightens & Hydrates

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A vitamin C & E day serum with alpine rose stem cells to naturally reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation while brightening and hydrating skin.

Skin types: All
Helps defend against: Free radicals from sun exposure

  • FOR FIRMER, BRIGHTER SKIN & FREE RADICAL PROTECTION
    Superbloom’s Vitamin C & E Brilliance Serum targets dark spots and …

(75)
0.5 FL OZ
$39.99
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2. Tree To Tub Triple Vitamin C Brightening Serum

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Lemon water not your thing? Give your skin a Vitamin C boost without downing citrus-filled drinks or taking annoying supplements. This Tree To Tub Triple Vitamin C Brightening Serum combines three types of vitamin C — MAP, SAP, and AG — to help boost your skin’s collagen production and even out your skin tone, too. This serum is hypoallergenic, …

(218)
1 oz
$27.99
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3. Rooted Beauty Brightening Vitamin C Serum - Smooths Lines and Evens Skin Tone - No Harsh Chemicals

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A lightweight, fast-absorbing vitamin C serum that doesn’t degrade that 9 out of 10 customers say left their skin smoother, brighter and more hydrated.

Skin types: All

  • 9 out of 10 users say their skin looks brighter and smoother without irritation*
    Customers surveyed loved this vitamin C serum for its lightweight feel on skin, non-irritating …
(89)
1 Oz
$29.99
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4. Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum

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A serum that finally works to improve the overall appearance of skin — it’s even got the awards and praise from top magazines like Marie Claire and Allure to prove it. This Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum features a well-balanced blend of antioxidants that go to work on skin to improve its appearance. With vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid, hyaluronic …

(30)
1.02 oz
$33.99
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5. Andalou Naturals Brightening Turmeric + C Enlighten Serum

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Get that tighter, brighter-looking complexion you’re craving with Andalou Naturals Brightening Turmeric + C Enlighten Serum. This vegan product targets over-exposed surface cells to help you achieve light and luminous skin. Formulated with natural ingredients like turmeric, vitamin C, and Andalou Naturals proprietary fruit stem cells, this …

(4)
1.1 oz
$29.99
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6. Ursa Major Brighten Up Vitamin C Serum

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Tired skin got you feeling weighed down? Then it's time to lighten up with Ursa Major Brighten Up Vitamin C Serum. This featherweight face serum goes deep to provide instant hydration while brightening and smoothing your skin's tone and appearance. Use alone, or layer beneath your favorite daily face lotion or night cream for rejuvenating radiance. …

(18)
1.7 oz
$56
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7. Acure Brightening Vitamin C Sunset Serum

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Get pure radiance from sunrise to sunset with the Acure Brightening Vitamin C Sunset Serum. This brightening serum is loaded with hero ingredients like glow-boosting vitamin C, moisturizing CoQ10, and astaxanthin for a mega dose of antioxidants. Like magic, the Sunset Serum shapeshifts from a balm to a serum when it hits your skin.

Level up your …

(7)
1 oz
$19.99
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8. One Love Organics Botanical C Facial Serum

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Botanical C Facial Serum takes a triple-action approach to help boost skin dulled by stress and environmental elements. This plant-powered formula uses two potent sources of Botanical C, synergistic C boosters – organic green tea and Vitamin E – and a clinically proven botanical active to increase luminosity and nourish skin for a more radiant, …
(2)
1 oz
$79.99
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9. Seed Phytonutrients Superseeds Serum

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This lightweight serum is never sticky or tacky and absorbs beautifully into your skin. It features wholesome and nourishing fatty acids, protective antioxidants and a boost of vitamin C. Just what your skin needs if it's beginning to show early signs of aging.
(5)
1 oz
$54.99
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10. Nourish Organic Pure Hydrating Face Serum

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Illuminating your complexion with a radiant glow doesn't have to be complicated. Just a couple daily drops of Nourish Organic Pure Hydrating Face Serum offers lightweight hydration you can count on. This absorbent oil-based serum contains a harmonious blend of plant-derived, certified organic ingredients to soften, hydrate, and rejuvenate your …

(2)
0.7 oz
$33.99
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FAQs

What does vitamin C serum do?

Serums are part of skincare routines for a reason: They are great at giving your facial skin high doses of nutrients and minerals. Usually administered via a pipette or dropper, just a couple of drops of a serum penetrate your skin and hydrate via a lightweight formula. Pro tip: Serums are typically used after a facial cleanser but before a heavier moisturizer.


When vitamin C is in a serum it can actually help reduce any skin's discoloration, which means reduced redness, less brown or sun spots, and evened out skin tone. This can all actually make skin appear brighter. Vitamin C has also been clinically proven to firm skin. Plus, its antioxidant-rich content also aids in protecting skin from premature aging by preventing free radicals and sun exposure damage to your senstiive facial skin.


When do you apply vitamin C serum?

Vitamin C serum is a hydrating skincare product that soaks under the top layer of your skin and is a great part of a daily skincare routine. There are several times a day that you can apply vitamin C serum for faces to your skin. Here are some options:


  • In the morning as a lightweight, anti-aging moisturizer
  • In the morning underneath your favorite daily lotion
  • At night underneath a night cream for an extra dose of protection and renewal

Serums should also be applied to damp skin so they absorb quicker. You don't need much serum either, usually just one or two drops to cover your whole face.


Does vitamin C serum help with acne?

The short answer is: Yes, it can help symptoms of acne! Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, isn't produced by the body so all the vitamin C you get in your diet comes from your food, your products, or your supplements. When you ingest vitamin C it helps the body fight off viruses and supports your immune system. But when you apply vitamin C to your skin (like your face), it works a little differently.


The main benefit of vitamin C on your skin is to protect it against free radicals. Free radiclals can damage your skin depending on the internal and external factors you've been exposed to, especially if your skin is exposed to too many free radicals and the levels become too high in your cells and body. That's a lot of science ... so let's get back to acne.


Vitamin C and vitamin C products, like vitamin C serums for faces, protect against free radicals and free radicals can cause acne. Acne inflames skin by blocking pores and can create redness and swelling on your skin. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory so when used on acne it may decrease swelling and help repair any acne scars from previous breakouts as well.


What is Grove Collaborative?

At Grove, we take the guesswork out of which products are good for you and your home. Every product meets strict standards for being nontoxic, effective, sustainable, and cruelty-free. Once you find products you love, we ship to your home on a flexible, monthly schedule.


If you're ready to make the transition to natural cleaning, beauty, and household products, shop Grove Collaborative's natural products for the eco-friendly tools to tackle the job.

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