TheRootedMomEdit

One of the most mentioned skincare products on the market is Vitamin C. I think I have tried more vitamin C serum’s than any other serum, trying to find the one best suited for my skin. Brighter, even, protected, are all words I want my skin to be! Vitamin C is so alluring, I am on the search to finding the holy grail brightener. I love trying new products, so I cannot stick to one product if my life depended on it. The goal though, is to find that perfect (for my skin) routine and stick to it long-term!

With that being said, I have several vitamin C serums I have tried and tested, and 3 of the 6 are contenders to being that perfect winner for me. Unless of course, I continue buying & trying more vitamin C serums…which is a high possibility 🙂 For now, let’s get into the one’s I currently have hiding out in my skincare drawer.

Budget friendly vitamin C reviews:

• Remedy 15% Vitamin C Antioxidant Complex Brightening Serum $27.99 (can shop this at your local Target or online): First impressions on this serum- feels lovely on the skin, sinks in really well, does not leave a tacky finish, and it gives the skin such a healthy, glowy finish (not oily). I love this serum as a whole because it uses a vitamin C derivative (great for those with reactive/sensitive skin to pure vitamin c, like me) and it’s a milky serum that feels so hydrating. I love that it contains several additional antioxidants alongside the vitamin C, as well as barrier supporting ingredients. Because I am still rotating through serums, I am currently not using this in my routine, but I think I may go back!! Such a great ‘beginner to vitamin C serum’, acne-prone girly (because it is non-comedogenic), and anyone wanting a hydrating, soothing, milky vitamin C serum in their line-up.

Would I recommend? Yes

• Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum $20.99 (can shop this at your local Target or online): This has been my top pick for a vitamin C serum for a very long time. I have recommended this over and over to friends looking to add an affordable, yet effective vitamin C serum to their routine. The formula contains a highly stabilized l-ascorbic acid (pure vitamin c), a vitamin c derivative and a bioactive fruit blend to help brighten the skin. I love this serum so much because it performs, while being gentle at the same time. It does feel slightly tacky after application, but once you let it sink in for a tiny bit and add your next serum and/or moisturizer, it no longer feels sticky. You can’t beat the affordable price for what the serum offers!

Would I recommend? Yes

• Vanicream Vitamin C Serum $17.99 (can shop this at your local Target, Walmart, or CVS, or online): First off, what led me to try this serum was the inclusion of ceramides in the formula. It feels like a serum/moisturizer hybrid. For oily skin, this is fantastic and could double as your serum and moisturizer. For me personally, I loved the way it felt and did not have any issues whatsoever with the product itself. I stopped using the product simply because I slowly realized the Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer was clogging my pores. I was obsessed with the moisturizer for quite some time, but noticed my skin was continuously looking congested and once I stopped using the moisturizer, it started to clear up. Therefore, I was too nervous to continue using any other product from the Vanicream line. Otherwise, I have heard wonderful things about this vitamin C serum & while I was using it, I really enjoyed the texture, finish and experience.

Would I recommend? No. For skin types such as mine (clog-prone skin, combination, sensitive to certain emollient ingredients), I would pass.

• Cocokind Vitamin C Glow Serum $21.99 (can shop this at your local Target or online): I loved Cocokind back in the day when I was first dipping my toes in the skincare world. All of the products are so gentle, beginner friendly, and non-toxic. This particular product felt nice on the skin, but didn’t do it for me personally. I didn’t notice any benefits after using it for some time. I felt that it hydrated my skin, but other than that, I did not notice anything more. I think as a total newbie to skincare, this would be a great place to start, simply because the trusted ingredients and the focus on hydration.

Would I recommend? No. Not for skincare lovers, but for beginners just starting out with skincare, sure.

I have the Trader Joes Vitamin C serum sitting on my bathroom counter just waiting to be opened. Apparently it’s a dupe for the $185 SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. I am nervous to try it since I have experienced reactive skin to pure l-ascorbic acid vitamin c formulas in the past, but I had to have it and I WILL get to trying it! I will report back…

A couple pricier vitamin C reviews:

• Medik8 C-Tetra Lipid Vitamin C Radiance Serum $53.00 (can shop this on Medik8 website:): I love my toner from Medik8, so I had to try other products from the brand as well. My first impression on their vitamin C is that it’s oily. The product contains a couple oils in the formula, so I guess that is why. I didn’t hate this product; it did give me a healthy sheen to my skin. I think I didn’t love it because it somewhat felt like it sat on top of my skin, rather than sinking in. I did not like applying moisturizer on top of it, but I also didn’t think it would offer any benefits if I applied it as my last step, over my moisturizer. The product is just okay. I think if your skin is more dry, you would like this. The reviews on the product as a whole are wonderful, but skin type really matters with this one! In my opinion.

Would I recommend? Yes and No. Yes for mature, dry skin. No for combination, oily skin.

Last but not least,

• Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil $74.00 (for the regular size- can shop this on their website or Amazon): This is a facial oil, so you apply this as your last step over your moisturizer or to replace your moisturizer, depending on your skin type. This is one of my favorite facial oils. It feels so lovely on the skin, sinks in perfectly while leaving a healthy glow to the skin, and includes a vitamin C derivative that is perfect for sensitive skin. Every time this is in my rotation, I wonder why I ever stopped using it. It makes my skin look plump & radiant (truly). Facial oils are underrated, and I love that this includes squalane to hydrate, vitamin c to brighten, and rose hip oil to soothe irritation.

Would I recommend? Yes

Vitamin C is a powerhouse product that brightens skin tone, helps stimulate collagen production, defends against UV rays and pollution, and prevents premature aging. Who wouldn’t want their skin to benefit from all of that?! I think it is worth trying and buying to find the perfect brightener for YOUR skin. Have you found your holy grail vitamin C serum? If so, lemme know which one in the comments below. I would love to know!