Get Your Glow on With These 8 Best Vitamin C Serums (Cheaper Alternatives to Pricey Uncommon Beauty!)
We’ve rounded up some of the best Vitamin C serum options
Looking to step up your skincare?
Whether you’re looking to even out your skin’s texture, get a glowing boost during duller months, or are looking for an extra anti-aging remedy, Vitamin C may be your new best friend. According to Healthline, even if you intake Vitamin C in your diet, there’s no guarantee it’s benefiting your skin; therefore, the best solution is to grab a Vitamin C serum for your skin.
Vitamin C helps with hydrating, brightening, reducing redness, and soothing undereye circles. It’s also compatible with the majority of skin types. Overall, regardless of your age, everyone gains benefits from a Vitamin C serum!
One of the top-of-the-line options is Uncommon Beauty’s Pineapple Peptide Nectar. This specific serum is paraben-free, cruelty-free, gluten-free, petroleum-free, vegan, and Phthalate-free, and it has no animal testing.
Uncommon Beauty Pineapple Peptide Nectar $62
Ingredients: Aqua (Water/Eau), Glycerin, Coconut Alkanes, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Bromelain, Ferulic Acid, Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) Fruit Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Water, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pullulan, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Peel Oil, Sclerotium Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, and Fragrance/Parfum.
While the over 500 reviews are incredible and the product has an average rating of 4.6 stars, the price is likely above many of our budgets. This does not, however, need to be a deal breaker, as there are tons of high-quality Vitamin C serums at lower, more affordable prices.
We’ve decided to round up a few of the best Vitamin C serums so you can find out which is the perfect match for your skin and wallet.
Here are some of the best Vitamin C serums:
1. Olay Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Peel
Olay Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Peel $14.99 (regularly $29.99)
Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Ppg-15 Stearyl Ether, Dimethicone, Salicylic Acid, 3-0-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid*, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4**, Niacinamide***, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dimethiconol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Steareth-21, Laureth-7, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Disodium Edta, Polyacrylamide, Fragrance *Vitamin C, **Peptide, ***Vitamin B3.
Just like the reviews, your skin will be glowing, thanks to the Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Peel. Although it’s technically not a serum, this peel is a leave-on mask that feels like a serum and will leave your skin feeling smoother than ever!
This product seamlessly melts into your skin. It’s very light and citrusy. Some highlights are that it’s phthalate-free and paraben-free with no synthetic dyes while being compatible with almost every skin type.
My Hip teammate Emily uses this serum, and here’s what she had to say:
“I’ve tried a few Vitamin C serums and there are some notable highlights I love about this one from Olay. For starters, the price is just right, especially since I see and feel the effects after just a couple of uses! My skin is clearer and a bit brighter, and a few oh-so-soft. I also love the naturally citrusy scent – heavenly! Plus, the twisted pop-up top is so genius; I can toss this in a bag if I’m on the go and never worry about the lid slipping off!”
2. Honest Beauty Vitamin C Radiance Serum with Hyaluronic Acid
Honest Beauty Vitamin C Radiance Serum with Hyaluronic Acid $29.99
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Propanediol, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Cynara Scolymus (Artichoke) Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Citric Acid, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Pullulan, Silica, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA, Erythritol, Carrageenan, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Isopentyldiol, Trifolium Pratense (Clover) Flower Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Water, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tin Oxide, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Mica (CI 77019).
Honest Beauty’s Vitamin C Serum kicks off our roundup with over 200 positive reviews on Target. It helps skin appear more even, boosting radiance and ensuring brighter skin. It’s recommended for all skin types, and this product is a certified Target Clean beauty item. 👏 It’s also vegan, cruelty-free, and contains hyaluronic acid. Actress Jessica Alba uses this serum, too!
Reviews mention how glowy their skin appears. However, many reviews also mention how the pump makes it a tad difficult to reach the end of the product. Most people ended up just opening it to access the remainder of the product; hopefully, the packaging improves!
3. The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%
The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% $11
Ingredients: Propanediol, Ascorbic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin.
The Hip team adores The Ordinary products because they are both high quality and affordable. They have a series of Vitamin C products, but this product contains the purest form of Vitamin C, aka L-ascorbic acid. This helps with anti-aging methods and brightening the skin.
Similar to the other products on the list, it reduces dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Despite being a lightweight serum, it may be too intense for sensitive skin.
4. CeraVe Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid
CeraVe Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid $21.92 (regularly $22.99)
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Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Hydroxide, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Panthenol, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium Edta, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, Ethylhexylglycerin.
This CeraVe Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid brightens your skin while providing antioxidant protection. It helps with evening out your skin’s tone and texture along with hydration.
If you’re sensitive to scented skincare products, this serum may be the one for you since it contains no synthetic fragrances. People have mentioned, however, that the packaging has some flaws with over-producing the product. That said, this serum has a crazy number of reviews (23.8K with 5-star ratings) and we couldn’t help but notice all the positive reviews over on Target as well.
5. First Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum
First Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum $50
Ingredients: Aqua (Water, Eau), 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Squalane, Sodium Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Colloidal Oatmeal, Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA.
Despite the priciest serum on our list behind Uncommon Beauty, this First Aid Vitamin C serum is made for sensitive skin. It aims to brighten and even out sensitive skin without causing irritation. It’s cruelty-free, fragrance-free, vegan, and uses sustainable packaging!
If that’s not convincing enough, the 4.7-star rating and 97% recommended rate have us racing to add this serum to our wish lists!
6. Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum with Vitamin E
Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum with Vitamin E $29.99 (regularly $33.99)
Ingredients: Water Deionized, Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate), Alkyl Benzoate, Vegetable Glycerin, Water, Glycerin, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Clary Sage (Salvia Sclarea), Grapefruit (Citrus Grandis), Hyaluronic acid, Amorphophallus Konjac Root Powder, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Vitamin E (Tocotrienol), Ferulic acid, Chamomile Flower Extract (Recutita Matricaria), Sodium Phytate, Xanthum Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose.
Mad Hippie is an incredible vegan skincare brand! Their infamous Vitamin C Serum with Vitamin E helps reduce wrinkles and evens out discoloration. It does not oxidize and is really great, especially for those with super sensitive skin.
This serum is cruelty-free, vegan, all-natural, and GMO-free. Plus, $1 from every web purchase made is donated to conservation efforts!
7. Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum $45
Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Propanediol, C9-12 Alkane, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tranexamic Acid, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Psidium Guajava Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ferulic Acid, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Musa Sapientum (Banana) Fruit Extract, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Extract, Pyrus Communis (Pear) Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Hexanoyl Dipeptide-3 Norleucine Acetate, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Betaine, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Phytate, Potassium Sorbate, Decyl Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol.
Although on the pricier side, this Vitamin C serum from Glow Recipe targets dark spots from the sun and acne scars. It’s gentle enough to use every day and helps even out your overall skin complexion. It also targets loss of firmness and uneven skin texture! This serum is vegan and marked as clean and positive for the planet due to its sustainable packaging.
Concerned that you might overdo it with this formula? You can apply with confidence as their clinical study resulted in 100% of participants agreeing that this serum is gentle enough for everyday use. 🙌
8. L’Oreal Paris Skincare 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid
L’Oreal Paris Skincare 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid $17.64 (regularly $32.99)
Ingredients: Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Lauroyl Lysine, Acrylonitrile/Methyl Methacrylate/Vinylidene Chloride Copolymer, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Isobutane, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-DI-T-BUTYL Hydroxyhydrocinnamate.
This L’Oreal Paris Vitamin C serum helps with every skin imperfection. It reduces wrinkles and dark spots all while evening out your skin tone and texture. Even though the package boasts only 1 ounce of the powerful formula, according to reviews, a little goes a long way!
This serum is fragrance-free and dermatologist-validated. It’s been tested on all skin types, is paraben-free, and does not clog your pores!
I ordered the Olay vitamin C during a deal posted here recently. Turns out I’m severly allergic! Hives and rashes all on my neck and jawline, so unbelievably itchy! I wish I could return/exchange it and could try an unscented version. I highly recommend the Mad Hippie vitamin c for those with allergy issues.
This happened to me, too! Smelled so good but awful hives. Beware if you have sensitive skin! Thanks for the recommendation–I’m goign to try the Mad Hippie.
Oh no! SO sorry to hear about that reaction! Thanks for taking the time to share your experience and to recommend what has worked best for you! 🥰
Yoooo