Does Vitamin C Help to Fight Signs of Ageing? I've Tested Dozens of Vitamin C Serums - Here Are 5 That Actually Work
By Carole Wilson • 3 Min Read
Vitamin C is a very important antioxidant that has been well documented to play a crucial role in skin health.
The powerhouse ingredient plays a crucial role in collagen formation, UV protection, and stoping melanogenesis (age spots or hyperpigmentation).
Skin ageing has also been well documented to have a direct correlation to Vitamin C levels in the skin. Extreme weather, pollution, sun exposure and harsh beauty products can all compound this dreaded process of ageing.
Benefits of Vitamin C Serums
- Boosts collagen production
- Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
- Protects against sun damage
- Reduces hyperpigmentation Enhances skin hydration
- Brightens the skin
- Helps reduce skin inflammation
What To Look For In A Vitamin C Serum
- Concentration: The most effective concentration is 20 percent - but it should be at least 10 percent.
- Purity & Quality: Look for serums that contain natural and organic ingredients to ensure it doesn't irritate your skin.
- Soothing Agents: Ingredients like aloe vera can help calm the skin and reduce inflammation.
- Packaging: Vitamin C can break down and become ineffective when exposed to air. Look for airtight packaging that isn't transparent.
What You Should Avoid In A Vitamin C Serum
- Harmful Ingredients: Avoid serums that contain harmful ingredients like Parabens, sulphates and harsh fragrances. Also avoid products with a long list of ingredients - sometimes less is more.
- Tests on Animals: Look for products that are labelled as cruelty-free or not tested on animals. The beauty industry has been moving away from animal testing, and there are plenty of effective, cruelty-free Vitamin C serums available on the market.
- Products Without a Return Policy: Especially when buying online, ensure the company has a good return policy. If the product is not suitable for your skin, you'll want to be able to return it.
Top Vitamin C Serums of 2024
Note: Based on the individual experience of the Woman’s Week team and on a number of user reviews of the product. We try to update product information as often as we can. Please visit product websites for more information
#1 Tonik Vitamin C Skin Refiner
Pros
- 20 percent Vitamin C
- Formulated to stay potent until the last drop
- Natural & organic
- 60ml bottle - lasts longer than others
- Contains Aloe Vera to soothe skin
- Cruelty-Free
- 90-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Only available online
- Due to popularity, sometimes sells out
Bottom Line
Unlike the other products, Tonik Vitamin C Skin Refiner contains 20 percent Vitamin C and active Aloe Vera. These two powerhouse ingredients mean their product is 10 TIMES more effective compared to the next leading competitor.
Tonik has found a way to harness Vitamin C and deliver it at a high enough dosage to have significant effect on the skin.
This product offers great value for money and the brand also offers great deals if you purchase multiple bottles at once.
The Tonik Skincare brand has excellent customer service scores and a “bottom-of-the-bottle” 90-day money-back guarantee which is why it’s our number one pick.
#2 No7 Radiance+ Vitamin C Serum
Pros
- 15 percent Vitamin C
- Cruelty-Free
Cons
- No 90-day money back guarantee
- Not natural or organic
Bottom Line
No7 Radiance+ is our number two pick. This serum is formulated with 15 percent Vitamin which is lower than our number one pick but still potent enough to help with some skin imperfections.
Our team liked the fact that No7 is cruelty-free, but it isn’t natural or organic which is a considerable drawback – especially those with sensitive skin.
#3 Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Revealing Serum
Pros
- Natural and organic
- Cruelty-Free
Cons
- Only 10 percent Vitamin C
- No 90-day money back guarantee
Bottom Line
The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Revealing Serum is formulated with just 10 percent Vitamin C.
Like our number one choice, The Body Shop is natural and organic and cruelty-free. Although this formula is a solid choice, our team found it disappointing that it contains only 10 percent Vitamin C.
#4 L'Oréal Revitalift Vitamin C Serum
Pros
- Well-known brand
Cons
- Only 12 percent Vitamin C
- Not cruelty-free
- Not natural or organic
- No 90-day money back guarantee
Bottom Line
Revitalift from L’Oréal contains 12 percent Vitamin C which is slightly more than our number three choice. However, our team were disappointed that the product is not natural, organic or cruelty-free.
#5 La Roche-Possay Vitamin C Face Serum
Pros
- Well-known brands
Cons
- Price
- Only 10 percent Vitamin C
- Not cruelty-free
- Not natural or organic
- No 90-day money-back guarantee
Bottom Line
La Roche-Possay’s product contains just 10 percent Vitamin C. Like our number one choice, it contains pure Vitamin C which would make it a solid choice if the concentration was higher.
This would have been a good choice, but the pricing of this product and the fact it’s not natural, organic or cruelty-free knocks a few points of in our opinion.
Our Choice 2024
Tonik Vitamin C Skin Refiner
- 20 percent Vitamin C
- PURE Vitamin C remains potent
- Contains Aloe Vera to soothe skin
- Special Deal & Free Delivery
