One of the most favored and widely acclaimed ingredients in the world of skincare, both by dermatologists and the general public, is the renowned “holy grail.” This miraculous ingredient offers a multitude of benefits that make it an essential addition to any skincare regimen. Not only does it effectively shield against sun damage, but it also works wonders in reducing early signs of skin aging and smoothing out facial wrinkles. However, its benefits don’t stop there. This exceptional ingredient also aids in diminishing acne and acts as a potent antioxidant, effectively combating harmful skin toxins thanks to its abundant vitamin C content.
What can vitamin C do for your skin?
Firstly, vitamin C is instrumental in managing hyperpigmentation, including sun spots and age spots, as it actively inhibits the production of melanin, the skin pigment. Moreover, it significantly contributes to achieving an even skin tone.
Vitamin C not only enhances your skin’s overall health but also works wonders in refining its texture, revealing the radiant and gorgeous skin you truly deserve. Regular usage of vitamin C serum also effectively reduces the appearance of dark spots by inhibiting pigment production.
Before you start, always remember to use your vitamin C products between 3-6 months of opening as they tend to oxidise faster than other products and always pair them with sunscreen for AM usage.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum
CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C serum contains 10% pure l-ascorbic acid (pure vitamin C), three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid in the form of sodium hyaluronate, and vitamin B5.
Pure vitamin C offers antioxidant benefits, safeguarding the skin against UV exposure and environmental stressors, while also promoting a brighter complexion and even skin tone.
The inclusion of Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, and Ceramide EOP in the serum replenishes the skin’s natural moisture barrier, enhancing its hydration levels. Additionally, the presence of Vitamin B5 provides soothing properties for the skin.
CeraVe’s exclusive MVE Technology is incorporated into the serum, ensuring a gradual release of essential ingredients for extended hydration and nourishment lasting up to 24 hours.
This CeraVe vitamin C serum is non-comedogenic, assuring that it does not clog pores and is suitable for all skin types. It is also fragrance-free and paraben-free.
Cost: AED 113
The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%
The Ordinary’s Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%; a water-free stable solution that combines two of the most powerful brightening agents in skincare. Packed with antioxidants, pure Vitamin C effectively enhances skin’s radiance and reduces signs of ageing, whilst highly-purified biosynthetic active Alpha Arbutin minimises the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone.
Among the 8 vitamin C products provided by The Ordinary, this serum stands out as one of the best drugstore vitamin C serums for several reasons. This serum contains 8% ascorbic acid, which is not too strong and not too weak.
Primarily, it features pure vitamin C, avoiding the use of derivatives. It is crucial to note that, regardless of the effectiveness of vitamin C derivatives, they cannot surpass the potency of pure vitamin C.
Cost: AED 49
Acure Brightening Vitamin C & Ferulic Acid Oil Free Serum
The Acure Brightening Vitamin C & Ferulic Acid Oil-Free Serum incorporates a vitamin C derivative, along with ferulic acid, pineapple extract, papaya extract, and matcha (green) tea. This powerful blend aims to brighten and refine the skin, promoting a smoother complexion.
The serum contains the stable vitamin C derivative, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, which effectively penetrates and absorbs into the skin. In-vitro testing reveals its conversion into ascorbic acid within the skin, providing similar benefits to pure vitamin C. These advantages include brighter skin, photoprotection against UV exposure, and enhanced collagen production.
Pineapple and papaya extracts gently exfoliate and moisturize, while green tea extract offers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
The serum’s lightweight and smooth texture absorbs quickly, making it perfect for wearing under makeup.
Furthermore, this vitamin C serum is free from parabens, sulfates, mineral oils, petrolatum, formaldehyde, and cruelty, ensuring a clean and ethical skincare choice.
Cost: AED 60
Vichy Liftactiv Vitamin C Serum
Vichy Liftactiv Supreme Vitamin C Serum 20ml is an anti-aging formula that not only targets wrinkles and fine lines but also visibly improves radiance. Specially developed as your skin’s daily boost of vitamin C, this Vichy Liftactiv Supreme Serum fights damage linked to both external aggressions and the aging process. It does so, through a powerful composition that blends the antioxidant benefits of ingredients such as Vitamin E, Pycnogenol and, of course, 15% pure Vitamin C.Â
Please take note that this serum contains alcohol (alcohol denat. as indicated in the ingredient list). While alcohol offers astringent and antimicrobial properties, it is important to consider that it may lead to dryness, especially for individuals with dry skin types. If you have dry skin, you may want to proceed with caution and perform a patch test before regular use.
Cost: AED 196
The Inkey List 15% Vitamin C + EGF Serum
The Inkey List 15% Vitamin C + EGF Serum features 15% ascorbyl glucoside, a vitamin C derivative, combined with 1% Epitensive, a plant-derived Epidermal Growth Factor system. This powerful formula aims to safeguard and brighten the skin while addressing visible signs of aging, such as elasticity and firmness.
Ascorbyl glucoside, a stable and penetrating vitamin C derivative, shares similar benefits with pure ascorbic acid, enhancing collagen production, providing antioxidant protection, brightening the skin, and reducing hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
Additionally, the supplier’s 1% Epitensive, a plant-derived Epidermal Growth Factor, aids in skin regeneration and improves wrinkles and skin roughness.
This gentle serum is suitable for all skin types and can be used twice a day for optimal results.
Cost: AED 70
Sesderma C-Vit Radiance Fluide
Enriched with a potent dose of Vitamin C, Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, which is a stabilized form of Vitamin C, has powerful antioxidant properties. This serum revitalizes the complexion, nourishing lackluster skin and boosting its natural regeneration process. By combating signs of aging, it effectively diminishes fine lines and wrinkles.
Acting as a powerful antioxidant, this multi-functional vitamin repairs and protects your skin, fortifying its natural barrier against environmental aggressors. Utilizing nanotechnology for deep penetration, this specially formulated serum ensures maximum effectiveness. Working in harmony, it revitalizes and brightens the skin, restoring elasticity and leaving it soft and smooth.
With a lightweight texture that is suitable for all skin types, it is perfect to return to dull and tired skin an even, radiant, and rejuvenated look.
Cost: AED 85
La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Serum
La Roche-Posay 10% Pure Vitamin C Face Serum is an anti-aging serum that brightens and enhances radiance, hydrates, reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles, and refines skin texture.
In addition to vitamin C, the serum contains salicylic acid, which exfoliates dead skin cells and refines the look of pores, making it the ideal ingredient for acne-prone skin. It also contains the synthetic peptide neurosensine, which soothes your skin, while hyaluronic acid and glycerin plump the skin with moisture to soften its appearance.
Its dose of thermal water, with exceptional mineral diversity, delivers soothing, restorative and protective benefits, to create the illusion of a revitalised visage.
Cost: AED 216
Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop Vitamin C Serum
The Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop is a non-irritating serum with a gentle 5% concentration of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), designed to address dull skin tone and enlarged pores effectively.
This concentration is well-suited for individuals with sensitive skin, offering effective results in brightening and evening out skin tone, fading dark spots, and minimizing the appearance of enlarged pores without causing irritation commonly associated with higher concentrations.
Moreover, this Korean vitamin C serum features a blend of plant extracts, including Centella Asiatica Extract, known for its reparative and anti-inflammatory properties.
Cost: AED 104
ArtNaturals Vitamin C Serum
ArtNaturals Vitamin C Serum blends a vitamin C derivative, hyaluronic acid, aloe, and jojoba oil, working together to enhance skin hydration and radiance. The gentle formula ensures it won’t cause irritation, making it a perfect choice for individuals with sensitive skin.
This formula features sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP), a stable vitamin C derivative that provides antioxidant benefits similar to pure vitamin C. It may also boost collagen and brighten the skin, while its antibacterial properties can aid in acne control. Additionally, sodium hyaluronate hydrates and plumps, while Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Aloe) soothes, moisturizes, and repairs the skin.
This budget-friendly vitamin C serum contains Simmondsia Chinensis Seed (Jojoba) oil, a stable oil resembling human sebum. It is an excellent option for oily skin, as it may help balance oil production. The serum targets wrinkles, age spots, and sunspots, resulting in a brighter, smoother, and more youthful complexion. Thanks to the lightweight and moisturizing properties of jojoba oil, it provides barrier protection and skin softening benefits.
Cost: AED 38.97
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