When it comes to skincare, there are very few ingredients that attain cult status. Vitamin C is one of them – a trend that gained all the hype due to interesting concoctions created out of existing skincare options. Known to give you healthier, brighter and flawless skin, vitamin C is like a magic potion for ageing skin. The antioxidant-heavy ingredient is known to protect the skin from UV damage, also helps stimulate collagen production to give you baby skin and helps reveal the glow from within. All this while battling fine lines and wrinkles and the skin’s natural ageing process alongside taking care of dark spots and sun damage.
What’s the easiest way one can incorporate vitamin C into one’s skincare regime? Just start with a vitamin C water that has a light formulation and move onto a serum, then work your way with a cream. Serums are undoubtedly the best way to add it into your regime with minimal fuss, a few drops before a moisturiser and after a toner is enough. Vitamin C also comes with a full range of benefits – it evens out the skin tone, is great for pigmented skin like Indian skin and also adds moisture and hydration to the skin.
Best 12 vitamin C serums for all skin types
A few years ago, vitamin C wasn’t as freely available in India as today – now, there are new-age labels, homegrown brands and popular international brands that are looking to provide vitamin C to Indian skin at a glance. Here’s an overview of some of the best vitamin C serums in India.
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- Pixi Vitamin-C Serum
- Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop
- The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturiser
- Clinique Fresh Pressed Daily Booster With Pure Vitamin C
- Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate
- The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Revealing Liquid Peel
- Paese Cosmetics 10% Vitamin C Serum
- Minimalist Vitamin C Serum
- WOW Skin Science Vitamin C Face Cream
- Asterwood Naturals 20% Vitamin C Serum
- St. Botanica Vitamin C Night Gel Cream
- The Derma Co. Vitamin C Matte Moisturizer
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With the glow tonic already a bestseller here, it’s only a matter of time until Pixi’s newest collection, the vitamin C collection would land in the scene. Brightening and collagen production aside, the first vitamin C collection also helps energise and smoothen out the skin. Packed with antioxidants, the Pixi Vitamin C Serum also contains the famous ferulic acid known to tackle sun damage – and together the serum vows to improve skin tone. If you are looking for the best vitamin C serum in India, this serum by Pixi is a must have!
Klairs is a very popular label from Korea and it’s touted to be one of the best vitamin C serums around. The USP of Klairs is to use effective ingredients that are safe and non-irritating and this particular serum contains 5% ascorbic acid alongside 5% vitamin C too so best for sensitive skin. If you are worried that vitamin C is too strong for your skin, this is the one to reach out for. The serum is light and easy on the skin and comes with anti-ageing properties that help with fading brown spots and pigmentation. Pores are minimised and skin tone is maintained and even contains unique ingredients like Centella Asiatica, Yuzu and Broccoli Extract.
Of all the collections The Body Shop comes with, the vitamin C collection has been the most popular till date. Made with natural ingredients, The Body Shop collection is known to rejuvenate dull, fatigued skin. There is a glowing mist and a microdermabrasion scrub but the one that really stands out is the moisturiser. This glow-boosting concoction is known to give your skin a fresh, more energised feel while infusing it with hydration. The prime ingredients are the Amazonian Camu Camu Berries, which have up to 60X the vitamin C power of orange. Now that’s one good reason why you must reach out to this one.
A face wash infused with vitamin C drops is in itself a new idea for the Indian market. But Clinique aces the vitamin C game with a unique de-ageing booster that uses pure, fresh vitamin C to brighten skin by retexturising skin. But what makes this product worth it? The application process is one thing, one needs to mix 2-3 drops into a moisturiser for best results but the fact that you can see the difference in one application makes it a winner. There’s a definite reduction in age spots and sun damage too.
Kiehl’s line-reducing concentrate is packed with vitamin C. That means, 10.5% L-Ascorbic Acid and 2% Ascorbyl Glucoside along with moisture-boosting Hyaluronic Acid that is known to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and helps your skin achieve a flawless look. Skin becomes smooth in one use and there’s a definite boost to dull skin giving it a lit-from-within look.
This is a home peeling gel that removes pollutants and dead cells to make the skin firm and maintains its natural elasticity. Packed with the richness of camu camu berries, this transforming liquid peel gives your skin a healthy radiance. It is dermatologically tested with a pH level that is suitable for all skin types.
Enriched with the goodness of vitamin C, this serum does wonders for oily skin. The natural oils infused in it stimulate collagen and keep your skin supple and youthful. It’s a chemical-free vegan remedy for skin issues like itching, wrinkles and acne. It can be used as a makeup primer too.
Get this toner-cum-cleanser to give your skin the care it deserves. It is formulated with Ethyl Ascorbic Acid which provides UV protection while acting on dullness to bring a natural glow to your skin. This serum by Minimalist is hands down the best vitamin C serum in India in this price range.
This plant-based vitamin C cream by WOW Skin Science keeps the skin hydrated leaving a velvety touch. Revive your skin with the combined power of Moroccan argan oil, jojoba, shea and cocoa butters, and almond oil. Free of silicones and parabens, this vitamin C cream is suitable for all skin types.
Known for its anti-ageing properties, Asterwood Naturals Vitamin C Serum is exceptional in delivering wrinkle-free and glowing skin. It is tested to have reduced fine lines by preventing collagen breakdown and improving the skin’s elasticity. Its watery texture melts into your skin seamlessly, refreshing your skin instantly. Undeniably, it is of the best vitamin C serums available in India.
Wake up to a buttery-soft skin by applying this moisturising night cream gel! The botanical extracts and plant butter infused in this gel work their magic overnight, leaving your skin visibly bright and supple. If you are looking to fight signs of ageing and pigmentation, this vitamin C night cream by St. Botanica will work wonders on the skin.
Treat fine lines and wrinkles along with pigmentation, blemishes, and dark spots with this magic skincare potion. Packed with SPF 20, Ferulic Acid & Hyaluronic Acid, it acts as a protective layer from the sun’s harsh rays. Its light, non-sticky texture blends into your skin evenly, giving a matte finish.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the most effective vitamin C serum?
There are many vitamin C serums available in the market. But having a concentration within 8-20 per cent is the most effective. The presence of ingredients like vitamin E, zinc, tyrosine, and ferulic acid leads to more effective antioxidant action by boosting the bioavailability of the serum up to 20 times. These make the serum more effective than any ordinary serum. Look for these qualities while choosing the best vitamin C serum in India.
What are the benefits of using a vitamin C serum?
Vitamin C, being a powerful antioxidant, stimulates collagen production in your skin. This collagen reduces wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, combats fine lines, and firms up the skin to add to its anti-ageing properties. In addition, the ingredients used keep your skin hydrated and protect your skin from sunburns and damage. Moreover, skincare experts claim that vitamin C can brighten up your complexion to make your skin tone more even and fresh. If you have acne prone skin, fret not, as this ingredient is suitable for all skin types. Thus, a vitamin C serum offers a wide range of benefits that you would definitely not like to miss out on.
Vitamin C cream vs serum: which is more effective?
Vitamin C serums have a high concentration of ingredients and are mostly used for target-specific skin treatment. On the other hand, vitamin C creams have lower ingredient concentrations and are used mainly for hydrating your skin. Both vitamin C serums and vitamin C creams are effective in their own way and provide excellent results.
How to use vitamin c serum?
This is how vitamin C serum should be used :
- Apply one-two drops of serum on a small patch of skin behind the ear (or any hidden part) to check if you don’t develop an allergy against the serum (also known as the patch test).
- If, after 24 hours, you don’t witness redness, itchiness, or spot, wash your face and apply it either early in the morning or before going to bed.
- Apply 3-4 drops and wait for around 10 minutes to let your skin absorb it and then apply the moisturiser.
That’s it. You are done!
How to choose vitamin C serum as per the skin type?
Your skin type can hugely influence the kind of vitamin C serum you should use.
If you have dry skin, prefer using a moisturiser every time you apply the serum. Along with that, choose serums with hyaluronic acid as the main ingredient.
For sensitive skin, use the serum with a low concentration of ascorbic acid (8-10 per cent would do). Also, avoid comedogenic ingredients.
If you are not confident about the right product for you, it is best to consult a dermatologist.
How long does it take for vitamin C serum work?
The efficiency of serums largely depends on the type of skin, the serum you choose, and the skincare routine you follow. Once vitamin C finds its place in your skincare routine, you will have noticeable results in a minimum of three weeks to a maximum of twelve weeks. If your skin is dry/ oily and you opt for a serum with a high concentration of ascorbic acid, you can see the reduction in fine lines and dark spots in about three to four weeks. Tightening of skin and fading of hyperpigmentation may take about two months owing to collagen production.
Latha Sunadh
Deputy Editor
When she's not trying on a new serum, researching on yet another classic fragrance and sharing lip balms with her 5-year old daughter, Latha Sunadh keeps it reined in with a nice song and a good book. Special skills include obsessing over handmade, home-made and handcrafted luxuries.
