As a magnificence editor, I take a look at a whole lot of energetic components annually—retinoids, exfoliating acids, you title it. Whereas it feels improper to play favorites, I have to admit that vitamin C is, in reality, my desert-island skincare ingredient. There’s simply nothing prefer it. It brightens dullness, fades discoloration, and gives potent anti-aging results. Primarily, it is a gold-standard antioxidant, which suggests it diffuses free radicals earlier than they’ll injury the pores and skin. Why would not I need in on that?
Whereas I’ve a small assortment of tried-and-true vitamin C serums that I take advantage of every single day, I am at all times interested in which of them different folks use. I always ask dermatologists, estheticians, and my colleagues for suggestions, however what about celebrities? They’re within the enterprise of sustaining brilliant, glowy, pink carpet–worthy pores and skin, so why not search their suggestions?
Fortunately, I’ve the deets on three vitamin C serums that celebs—Sydney Sweeney, Hailey Bieber, and Sabrina Carpenter to be particular—apparently use and love. As a result of I need my pores and skin to appear to be theirs and I by no means want an excuse to attempt one other vitamin C serum, I made a decision to place them to the take a look at. Just one got here out on high. Hold scrolling to see which one it was and why.
[IMAGE OF ALL THREE SERUMS]
The Experiment:
I used every serum for somewhat over two weeks. Admittedly, this is not a really very long time. The truth is, most consultants advocate utilizing a skincare product for one to a few months earlier than deciding whether or not it really works for you. With that being mentioned, my aim was to measure for fast, seen outcomes, so I capped every testing interval at 14 days precisely.
My Pores and skin:
I’ve delicate, redness-prone pores and skin suffering from indicators of solar injury, together with high-quality traces, darkish spots, and discoloration. Once I look within the mirror, I are inclined to concentrate on the darkish spots and discoloration essentially the most, so I used to be excited to see whether or not one of many vitamin C serums would stand out as a attainable repair.
Like I mentioned, the before-and-after photos do not appear to be a lot to anybody who does not research my pores and skin day by day like I do, however nonetheless, I may see refined indicators of every serum working. Okay, that is sufficient context. Let’s get into it, lets?
Contender #1: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
(Picture credit score: @sydney_sweeney)
- Proportion of vitamin C: 15% L-ascorbic acid
- Extra components: vitamin E and ferulic acid
- Execs: iconic, expert-backed formulation
- Cons: dear and may oxidize over time
In a Vogue Magnificence Secrets and techniques video, Sweeney revealed she makes use of the ever-iconic SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. Cherished by consultants, editors, and influencers alike, this serum is powered by a potent mix of vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid. I do know the previous is an efficient antioxidant, however the different two components are highly effective antioxidants in their very own proper. Collectively, they supercharge the pores and skin with free radical protection and dial up the vitamin C’s brightening powers.
My Evaluate
No shock, this serum pale the darkish spots round my nostril and cheeks. It additionally pale some discoloration on my neck and jawline. Greater than something, I seen that my pores and skin regarded brighter and more healthy. As an alternative of waking up trying boring and drained, my pores and skin had a built-in glow. I cherished it a lot I did not need to cease utilizing it after the two-week trial interval was over.
The one draw back, to me at the very least, was the truth that it isn’t sealed in an hermetic container. Vitamin C is notoriously unstable. It might probably oxidize and grow to be ineffective after repeated publicity to mild and air. A telltale signal of oxidation is a change in scent or coloration—oxidized vitamin C serums typically flip an orange-brown hue. Whereas mine hasn’t oxidized, I am nonetheless nervous about it, as one bottle of the serum retails for nearly $200.
Store the Serum
SkinCeuticals
C E Ferulic
Contender #2: BeautyStat Common C Pores and skin Refiner
(Picture credit score: @haileybieber)
- Proportion of vitamin C: 20% L-ascorbic acid
- Extra components: inexperienced tea, tartaric acid, squalane
- Execs: steady, full-strength formulation and hermetic pump to forestall oxidation
- Cons: can irritate delicate pores and skin
It is a well-known undeniable fact that Bieber loves BeautyStat’s Common C Pores and skin Refiner. She as soon as known as it her holy grail. Her glowing evaluation is the rationale I initially examined the product, and you may learn my in-depth evaluation right here. That was a number of years in the past, and I have been utilizing it semi-regularly ever since.
My Evaluate
It comprises a whopping 20% vitamin C, which is an extremely excessive share in comparison with different serums in the marketplace. On this case, the next share of vitamin C immediately correlates to efficacy. After two weeks, I seen a marked enchancment in my darkish spots and discoloration. I even seen an ever-so-subtle enchancment within the high-quality traces round my nostril and eyes. I used to be impressed that it may ship outcomes like these in so little time. Oh, and did I point out it has a stabilized formulation and is packaged in an hermetic container to forestall oxidation?
I’ll say that the 20% vitamin C is a blessing and a curse. When you have delicate pores and skin, it may show to be too irritating. My pores and skin handles it effectively till I get an excessive amount of solar, I take advantage of a high-strength retinoid, or my moisture barrier wants assist. In these circumstances, it will possibly burn and sting only a tad and even exacerbate my redness. That is simple to navigate and keep away from for me. I simply lay off of it till my pores and skin is again in preventing form, but it surely’s one thing to bear in mind when contemplating whether or not it is best for you.
Store the Serum
BeautyStat
Common C Pores and skin Refiner
Contender #3: 111Skin Vitamin C Brightening Booster
(Picture credit score: @sabrinacarpenter)
- Proportion of vitamin C: unspecified share of sodium ascorbyl phosphate
- Extra components: diamond particles, niacinamide, licorice root, glutathione
- Execs: clinical-grade formulation and a number of brightening components
- Cons: dear and calls for extra serum utility
In an interview with Glamour, Carpenter revealed she makes use of 111Skin’s Vitamin C Brightening Booster. Up till this level, I by no means had the possibility to attempt it out, so clearly, I wanted to alter that ASAP.
The model does not disclose the precise share of vitamin C within the formulation, which I do not love. Nonetheless, it does share a number of different brightening components within the formulation, together with niacinamide, licorice root, and glutathione. The model says it even comprises diamond particles to exfoliate the pores and skin and guarantee deeper supply of vitamin C. That feels so pop star coded, does it not?
My Evaluate
My delicate pores and skin cherished this one. Not solely did it give my pores and skin all the advantages of a standard vitamin C serum, but it surely additionally decreased my redness, which I discovered stunning. I feel I can thank the licorice root and niacinamide for that. It hydrated and plumped my pores and skin due to hyaluronic acid.
The one draw back with this one is that it isn’t technically a serum. Slightly, it is a booster. Which means it is meant to spice up the outcomes of your current serum; it does not change it. The model recommends utilizing it between toner/essence and your common serum. Whereas I do not thoughts including an additional step into my skincare routine, I do thoughts buying one other costly skincare product after I’m already investing in costly serums. TBH, I feel the outcomes are value it if in case you have room in your funds, but it surely’s not completely obligatory. Once more, that is simply one thing to bear in mind when contemplating if this vitamin C product is best for you.
Store the Serum
111SKIN
Vitamin C Brightening Booster
The Winner: BeautyStat Common C Pores and skin Refiner
[IMAGE OF WINNER]
Drumroll, please. The winner is Hailey Bieber’s fave vitamin C serum aka BeautyStat’s Common C Pores and skin Refiner. As a vitamin C serum, it checked all of my packing containers: It is extra inexpensive than the opposite two, it has a excessive focus of vitamin C, and it is extraordinarily steady. Plus, it gave my pores and skin essentially the most dramatic ends in a two-week testing interval. Regardless that it may be irritating, I merely keep away from utilizing it on the times when my pores and skin feels additional delicate. It is one thing I can look previous for such an efficient, skin-transforming formulation.
To be truthful, every considered one of these vitamin C merchandise improved the looks of my pores and skin. I do not suppose you can also make a improper selection right here. All of it comes all the way down to particular person pores and skin issues, private desire, and funds. Personally, I will maintain all three readily available to feed my vitamin C obsession…
Store Extra Editor-Permitted Vitamin C Serums
Farmacy
10% Waterless Vitamin C Serum
I really like Farmacy merchandise, and this waterless vitamin C serum is not any exception.
Bliss
Brilliant Thought Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Collagen Defending & Brightening Serum
I really like this drugstore serum. It combines brightening vitamin C with firming peptides.
DAMDAM
Citrus Glow Vitamin C & Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid are the final word brightening and hydrating combo.
Dermalogica
BioLumin-C Vitamin C Face Serum
This vitamin C serum offers the pores and skin a serious glow.
innisfree
Inexperienced Tea Enzyme Vitamin C Brightening Serum
The addition of inexperienced tea maximizes this serum’s antioxidant energy.
Allies of Pores and skin
Peptides & Antioxidants Superior Firming Every day Therapy
I really like this serum-moisturizer hybrid. It is jam-packed stuffed with skin-brightening antioxidants. I swear it is made essentially the most dramatic distinction in my pores and skin.
