13 Best Vitamin C Serums for Glowing Skin That Really Work 2024

9/22

Best for Fine Lines and Wrinkles: Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C & Turmeric Face Oil

For an everyday, lightweight formula with advanced brightening benefits, look no further than Sunday Riley’s C.E.O. serum. The serum uses THD ascorbate (that super-stable version of vitamin C), as well as another well-known brightening agent: turmeric. Other key ingredients? Gingerroot extract and bisabolol, which work to even skin tone and soothe any redness associated with skin sensitivity. It may be an oil, but users say it’s nice and lightweight, plus has a subtle citrus scent that’s exceptionally refreshing first thing in the morning.

Ingredient highlights: Vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, paraben-free / Size: 1.18 ounces / Feels like: Lightweight, but a bit oily / Skin type: Normal, dry, combination

Pros: Lightweight; pleasing citrus scentCons: Some users say it’s a bit too heavy for oily skinHow to apply: Apply 3 to 4 drops into face and neck, morning and/or eveningWhat our tester says: I’ve used this vitamin C serum for a few years now and it’s one of my favorites. Because it has 15% of the ingredient in it, it’s a little gentler than other formulas, but still very effective. It has a nice citrus-y scent, and immediately makes my skin look more vibrant with every use. I like to use this one when I don’t have very stubborn acne marks on my face and am just looking for a glow, since my darker spots require a stronger formula.—A.N.10/22

Best Vitamin C Serum for Oily Skin: Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum

Luxury skin care lovers, listen up. Tatcha’s brightening formula includes 20% natural vitamin C and 10% AHAs to help improve both the texture and tone of the skin. It’ll help brighten and exfoliate your face with the two hero ingredients, alongside fruit extracts like grapefruit, lime, and orange for a smoother, more glowy base. According to the brand, this serum delivers rapid results. In tests, 95% of users experience brightening in just one week; 95% of users demonstrated an overall improvement in skin tone in four weeks.

Ingredient highlights: Vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, oil-free, fragrance-free / Size: 1 ounce / Feels like: Lightweight and absorbs quickly / Skin type: Normal, dry, combination, oily

Pros: Has AHAs so it targets both dark spots and uneven skin textureCons: Not all users respond well to the fruit extractsHow to apply: Apply 1 to 2 pumps and gently massage onto clean skin dailyWhat our tester says: After using this vitamin C serum consistently for a few weeks, my skin was clearer, more glowy, and much more even in terms of tone and texture. It also sinks right into your skin, leaving no residue at all, and it’s completely nonsticky and odorless, which I love. —Bella Cacciatore, Glamour beauty writer