The 12 Best Drugstore Vitamin C Serums of 2023

Best Overall

Versed Stroke of Brilliance Brightening Serum

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Who else recommends it? Glamour also picked Versed Stroke of Brilliance Brightening Serum. 

What do buyers say? 200+ Walmart reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.

With just 0.5% vitamin C (sodium ascorbyl phosphate), this gentle serum is a great option for all skin types, but especially for those with sensitive skin or those who find vitamin C irritating. As per Appel’s suggestion, it also comes boosted with niacinamide to assist with calming and soothing the skin, plus sodium hyaluronate and licorice root. We’re also big fans of the light, bouncy texture (plus, the smell isn’t too offensive). 

Price at time of publish: $20

Benefits: Boosting radiance, firming, strengthening | Skin Type: Oily, combination | Dosage: 2 to 3 drops daily | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Budget

Lumene Valo Vitamin C Glow Boost Essence

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This glow-giving serum uses ascorbyl glucoside, a water-soluble form of vitamin C that’s thought to be gentler and more stable than its pure form, so it’s a nice option if you’re new to antioxidants. Bonus points for hyaluronic acid and cloudberry extract to assist with hydration and the bouncy, fresh-skin feeling. 

Price at time of publish: $25

Benefits: Firming, boosting radiance | Skin Type: Mature skin | Dosage: A few drops | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Dry Skin

TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C Serum

4.2

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This top-rated serum contains a bunch of stellar ingredients like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, jojoba, and vitamin E to cover all bases in one easy product. Because of the inclusion of hydrators, it’s an excellent pick for drier complexions or those looking to restore the skin’s youthful glow.

Price at time of publish: $30

Benefits: Boosting radiance, firming, plumping | Skin Type: Dry | Dosage: A few drops (can be used morning and night) | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Oily Skin

Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum

4.5

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This serum is designed to balance, refine, and clarify blemish-prone or oily skin. Alongside vitamin C, there’s also clary sage, grapefruit, ferulic acid, hyaluronic acid, and chamomile (not to mention, a herbaceous scent). Try patting a few drops onto clean skin after cleansing and before moisturizing in the morning. 

Price at time of publish: $33

Benefits: Contains botanical extracts, boosts radiance, refines | Skin Type: Oily | Dosage: A few drops every morning | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Mature Skin

L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Vitamin C Face Serum

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L’Oreal’s Vitamin C serum was co-created with dermatologists to deliver the best possible results in a short timeframe. The formula contains 10% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), an active concentration that’s thought to be beneficial when it comes to visible change. Because L-ascorbic acid is known to be unstable, it’s also stored in an air-tight metal tube to protect its efficacy (so keep an eye out for any color changes). The creamy consistency is a nice change to watery serums, especially if you have dry, lined, or mature skin. 

Price at time of publish: $33

Benefits: Firms, boosts radiance, fragrance-free | Skin Type: Dry, mature | Dosage: A pea-sized amount | Size: 1.92 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best for Sensitive Skin

CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum

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Formulated with 10% L-ascorbic acid, hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, and ceramides, this wallet-friendly serum is a great buy for dry, sensitive skin, or anyone who wants the benefits of vitamin C but finds many formulations irritating. It’s fragrance-free and allergy tested, and with ongoing use can illuminate the skin. 

Price at time of publish: $23

Benefits: Contains vitamin B5 and ceramides to soothe, allergy tested | Skin Type: Dry, dehydrated, or sensitive | Dosage: Small pea-sized amount | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for First Time Users

THE ORDINARY Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%

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The Ordinary is arguably one of the best drugstore brands going around, so it would be rude of us to not include the Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%. The water-soluble form of vitamin C is less intense than L-ascorbic acid, so you can experience subtle-but-noticeable benefits with a lower risk of irritation. The sweet price point is a nice touch, too. 

Price at time of publish: $13

Benefits: Boosts radiance, firms | Skin Type: All skin types | Dosage: A few drops | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Sensitive Skin

Avene A-Oxitive Antioxidant Defense Serum

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If you are reactive, sensitive, or simply enjoy the virtues of French pharmacy beauty, Avene’s A-Oxidative Defense Serum is for you. The creamy formula contains ascorbyl glucoside again and is suspended in the brand’s signature thermal spring water (alongside hyaluronic acid and vitamin E). There’s also a soft, creamy texture that gives it a comforting feeling on the skin. 

Price at time of publish: $46

Benefits: Boosts radiance, nourishes, plumps | Skin Type: Dry, sensitive | Dosage: 1 to 2 pumps | Size: 1 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Face and Body

Biologi BF Restore Face & Body Serum

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If you’re chasing a one-and-done serum that can be used on uneven skin across the face and body, this is it. Appel loves it for its “concentrated dose of vitamin C and fruit enzymes” and recommends it for anyone looking to promote even skin tone, hydration, and a strong barrier. 

Price at time of publish: $72

Benefits: Can be used all over the body | Skin Type: All skin types, even sensitive | Dosage: 1 to 2 pumps | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Pigmentation

Biologi BD Luminosity Face Serum

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Appel swears by innovative Australian brand Biologi and its single-ingredient formulations. Luminosity is made using pure Davidson Plum, a rich source of vitamin C (alongside other antioxidant properties). With ongoing use, Appel believes it can restore even skin tone and increase radiance.

Price at time of publish: $108 

Benefits: Boosts radiance, restores luminosity | Skin Type: All skin types | Dosage: 1 to 2 pumps | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Serum

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Vitamin C for acne-prone skin can be tricky, but La-Roche Posay has come to the table with this multi-purpose serum that claims to boost radiance and clarify the skin simultaneously. Enriched with 10% L-ascorbic acid, salicylic acid, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid, the bouncy texture sinks in quickly and claims to assist with even and refined skin. And if you’re wondering, the brand explains that the inclusion of salicylic acid is to increase absorption and is formulated in a way so that the L-ascorbic acid allegedly remains intact. 

Price at time of publish: $40

Benefits: Refines, boosts radiance, and clarifies | Skin Type: Oily and congested | Dosage: 3 to 4 drops daily | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes