Here are out recommended Vitamin C products and their alternatives.

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First, it needs to be stated that the products I recommend are based on my personal usage and my research. While I have included links to buy these products, I would much rather you use this information as a spring-board to find the product that is best for you. I am not a dermatologist, nor am I a cosmetic chemist. I don’t have a clue what your skin type is and ultimately, which of these products would work best for you.

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This serum is light-weight, easy to apply and comes in a glass, opaque bottle with a pump. (My first three musts). This serum also contains L-ascorbic acid and Kakadu plum (both are powerful antioxidants.) It has all the frees that we want – gluten, paraben, etc. so it is a good serum for sensitive skin and those that are just interested in an easy formula that will get the job done. You will see in most of my blogs that I will endorse Naturium products. I find them to work well with other products, they often come in packaging that makes the most sense, and their customer service is great.

This serum is perfect for those with sensitive skin or those who just want to dip their toes in the Vitamin C world. It contains, according to it’s website, a potent form of a Vitamin C derivative called THD Ascorbate (which can often be easier for sensitive skin to tolerate) and ceramides to help the skin’s barrier. I would say that while this is a great choice for those with sensitive skin, this might not be the best product for those over the age of 40. It is a simple, easy formula; but it may not be powerful enough for those who need the extra protection, as we all do as we age.

This is not a 2% beginner serum, but it isn’t quite the 20% serum that those who have used Vitamin C for a long time are looking for. While most Vitamin C serums have Vitamin E in their ingredient list, like this one does, L’Oreal’s version also has salicylic acid in it. Salicylic acid can and is often used to help with skin problems such as mild acne, black heads, or white heads. So while this Vitamin C is brightening your skin tone, the salicylic acid will be making it smoother (just be careful because this acid can dry out your skin and you shouldn’t use any other acids with it). The website claims that it is good for all skin types and does not clog pores but these kind of claims should always be taken with a grain of salt. However, because this is readily available at most drugstores, it is an affordable and easily accessible product to try.

  • Skin Ceuticals C&E Ferulic with 15% L-Ascorbic Acid

I don’t often recommend this product (and in fact, will have to update my affiliate link to it) because it comes in a dropper bottle. At $182 dollars you will have to use the bottle up within 30-45 days or risk the product going bad. However, and there is a big however, the studies and data backing up this patented formula make it worth mentioning. Despite the bottle top, this is actually a top of the line product in the world of Vitamin C. The ferulic in the ingredient list is another powerful antioxidant mostly found in fruits, vegetables, and sometimes grains. If you are in the market for a top-of-the-line Vitamin C, this one is hard to beat.

Timeless Vitamin C has just started to gain the popularity I think it deserves. It comes in two concentrations: 10% and 20%. Like the above Skin Ceuticals product it does contain both Vitamin E and Ferulic, although because Skin Ceuticals is patented it isn’t in the same dosages. I like that this product doesn’t contain dyes, so you can easily tell if the Vitamin C serum turns bad (it will turn a rust color). The packaging of this product is an opaque bottle, with a pump. The website states that it is for every skin type. This is a great product especially if you are looking for the 20% concentration, especially given it’s price and reputation.

Don’t let the oil fool you; this is a great product especially for those with dry skin. This is not a serum, like the rest of the products in this list, so you are actually going to use it after the rest of your serums and moisturizer. The website claims this is a clean formula (although we always take that with a grain of salt), and my trusted reviewers have said it makes their skin dewy. However, if oils aren’t your thing, then you might want to stick to a serum. It claims to hydrate the skin, which most oils can do, and still take care of those pesky fine-lines. The one note I will say here is that this product sometimes doesn’t play well with others like AHAs or Retinols. So if you have sensitive skin, there might be a better pick for you.

This is a great product for those who are looking to age gracefully. It has everything from Shiitake mushrooms, Jojoba oil, Ferulic Acid, green tea, and hyaluronic acid, along with your daily Vitamin C. The great news about this product is you don’t actually need a lot to spread over your skin; one or two pumps will do it. It has what I consider a good price tag ($75) for what you are getting.

This Vitamin C is backed by a well-known and well-respected brand. Murad is dermatologist founded so you know the ingredients and the testing of the product is done well. This Vitamin C is stabilized by gold (which is more common than you think) and includes glycolic serum to help improve the overall texture on your skin. I love the packaging on this product because it keeps air from oxidizing the Vitamin C before you are ready to use it. The only issue I have for this product, but seems to be more and more common these days, is that Murad patented their technology so it is hard to know exactly what form of Vitamin C they are using and at what percentage. Still, if you go by trusted brands, this might be the one for you.

This is a product for anyone whose skin, no matter how hard they tried, just couldn’t tolerate Vitamin C. I will say, even without the Vitamin C, this product, in my opinion, is one of the best products on the market for dark spots. They use a patented formula with Viniferine and Olive Squalane. It is rich in antioxidants (some say even more so than traditional Vitamin C formulas), and it will protect your skin while leavin