3 star. But if you have fairly surface-level dark spots, we highly recommend incorporating a vitamin C serum into your routine because the powerful antioxidant has been known to help lighten hyperpigmentation. Another bonus? Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. With so many different types of serums and skincare actives on the market, it can be tricky to navigate what each one does and whether or not it should hold a place in your skincare routine. Similarly, always make sure to store your vitamin C serum in a cool, dark place. Green tea extract helps protect the skin against free radical damage, culminating in a find that shoppers stick with for 13 years. In fact, interest in Vitamin C serums has spiked in recent years, with Google searches more than doubling since Jan. 2017. Kakadu C Eye Souffl, 0.5-oz. Our tester also noted that she appreciated the squeeze-tube packaging, saying it made dispensing the right amount of product easy. If you need help purchasing a product directly from Allure, go to our FAQ. "I saw almost immediate improvement with my dark spots and skin texture," said a Sephora reviewer. Though the court of public opinion has a few thoughts on the best-selling Vitamin C serums at Sephora, the majority of dermatologists we spoke with overwhelmingly recommended one serum in particular. This one is fantastic for beginners because it contains vitamins C and E, as well as marine peptides known for their firming effect. Vitamin C is inherently unstable and quickly broken down when exposed to light and/or oxygen. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Allure may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with Finally, its a radiance-boosting agent, so a serum that features it can work to even skin tone and fade hyperpigmentation. California SkinCeuticals Locations | Quality Skincare Products Benefits: Radiance-boosting, improves appearance of dark spots and fine lines | Skin Type: All | Dosage: A few drops daily day or night | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes, Helps improve radiance and the appearance of fine lines. Timeless Skin Care Vitamin C serum vs Skinceuticals CE ferulic | Dr * Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant and helps protect skin from environmental aggressors by fighting free radical damage. Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and kojic acid reduce dark spots like lightning that also moisturizes everything it touches. Ferulic acid can be great for brightening your complexion overall, but if youre looking to really knock out super stubborn, target dark spots, youll want it in this formula. They can lower ferulic acids pH and make it less effective, she says. Despite having oily skin, our tester didnt feel that this formula made her face look or feel greasy, rather, it provided the necessary hydration and a bit of glow. If you have sensitive skin, then you know how important it is to find products that are gentlebut effective. If irritation occurs, discontinue use. While it took about 30 seconds to dry, which is slightly longer than some other options, it dried down to a moisturizing and non-greasy finish. Either way, youre getting plenty of good stuff, namely a powerful concentration of vitamin C, along with vitamin E and ferulic acid, the top-notch trifecta that we keep referencing time and time again. This cream contains retinol and vitamin c. @Dermadoctor_skincare #kakadu c is my go to every night before I go to bed. "Two weeks of using this serum, and my 17-year-old tells me I look like I am in my 20s rather than 30s," wrote an Amazon reviewer. It has a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula that doesnt feel sticky or drying on the skin, its easy to apply and layer in a skincare routine, and it creates some really impressive results. $95.00. Those that scored the highest appear on this list. Kathleen Felton is a writer, editor, and content strategist with several years of experience working in digital media. This brand is an editor darling, and regular shoppers are just as enamored with the serum. Is Kakadu Plum the Newest Must-Have Beauty Ingredient? Pamper the skin with this daily rejuvenating cleanser, toner and make-up remover in one. | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No, High vitamin C concentration may be irritating. Vitamin C also promotes collagen production, giving skin more support and structure. Lightweight and fast-absorbing, there isnt much this serum cant do, combining the two namesake ingredients with other skin brighteners for an extra hit of spot fading, specifically. But with so many to choose from, it can be tricky to decide which one is best for you. Rachel is a writer living in New York City with three cats and too much lipstick, mascara and skincare. M, ake sure the concentration and type of Vitamin C is listed. "Hyperpigmentation is significantly lighter, and my fine wrinkles are basically non-existent. In a 4-week consumer study on kakadu C 20% Vitamin C Serum, Based on a 4-week sponsored period of use by 32 female volunteers, aged 21-65. You can definitely use it on its own, but we like it because, per the name, you can also mix in a drop or two into any serum or moisturizer youre already using. It leaves behind a tacky film until you layer a moisturizer on top. Kakadu C 20% Vitamin C Serum, 0.5 fl. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Minnesota. What a great . But, what do dermatologists think of this so-called skin superfood? Benefits: Provides potent antioxidant protection and boosts skin's glow | Dosage: Thin layer in AM and PM | Active Ingredients: Ferulic acid, vitamin C | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes. "After two weeks, my skin looks 70% smoother and clearer," wrote a fan in their 30s. Once applied, it doesnt make the skin look immediately radiant, but our tester shared that over time, she did notice an improvement in the overall brightness of her complexion. Learn how to incorporate this product into a comprehensive regimen > by DERMAdoctor. A dermatologist-developed line of brightening skincare solutions for a radiant, more luminous complexion. DERMAdoctor Kakadu C 20% Vitamin C Serum with Ferulic Acid & Vitamin E, 1 fl oz. For that reason, board-certified dermatologist Jessie Cheung, MD suggests looking for a product that comes in an opaque bottlelike the SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic Serum or the Klur Brilliant Lightor have an air-tight pump dispenser. Not only that, but she noticed a real improvement in her skin texture, saying that after the six-week testing period, her face looked and felt smoother and softer overall. While the serum claims to help with skin plumpness, thanks to the inclusion of hyaluronic acid in the formula, we didnt notice a visible improvement in this area. DERMAdoctor addresses these skin conditions by providing effective and soothing treatments for irritated and problematic skin. Pigmentation evening out. Over time, our tester noticed a significant improvement in the radiance of her complexion, noting that after the six weeks, her skin appeared brighter and more smooth. View this post on Instagram Nutrients vol. HYDRATING B5 GEL. She recommends applying it daily. VCC . At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any ferulic acid serums from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. - Melissa Lekus, Melissa Lekus Skincare Consulting, For the best of the best: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, The skincare experts who talked to HuffPost overwhelmingly recommend, For first timers: The Ordinary Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 10%, For a stable formula: Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Serum, For daily use: Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum, Though Vitamin C serums are touted as a remedy for sun spots, aging skin and a dull complexion, green beauty expert, For all-natural ingredients: 100% PURE Vitamin C Serum, For dull skin: Dr. Dennis Gross C+ Collagen Brighten & Firm Vitamin C Serum, Vitamin C is a "powerhouse ingredient," says esthetician Melissa Lekus of, For age spots: Citrix Vitamin C Pro-Collagen Brightening Serum, If your main skincare concern is reducing the appearance of age spots and other skin discoloration, dermatologist, For acne scars: Sweet Chef Ginger + Vitamin C Serum Shot, For affordability: Oz Naturals Vitamin C Facial Serum, ot all Vitamin Cs are equal, says Wang, the cofounder of, If the serum has turned brown, return it and cease any use of it, Wang says. Dr. Herrmann recommends applying your serum after cleansing. As seen in NewBeauty, Shape, Family Circle & Dr. Oz The Good Life. There are a lot of different serums to choose from, each with different concentrations and even variants of vitamin C. This can make finding the right one for you just a little bit confusing. This lightweight, anti-aging, high-potency, stabilized Vitamin C serum accentuated with Kakadu Plum Extract, Ferulic Acid and Vitamin E boosters helps brighten the complexion and leaves skin feeling more elastic, smoother, softer and firmer. If you're a skincare fanatic, you may have already fallen in love with Sunday Riley's best-selling Good Genes serum. But don't overlook the brand's vitamin C serum, which also has a huge following. Benefits: Brightening, antioxidant protection, improving appearance of fine lines and wrinkles | Skin Type: Balanced, dry, combination, sensitive | Dosage: A few drops in the morning | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes, Improves skin texture and tone in just a few weeks. Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad with . If you prefer an oil-based product that will really boost the radiance of your skin and keep it hydrated, we recommend the Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Firming Oil. In fact, there is a scientific reason Vitamin C serums are likely to be the most expensive products in your beauty cabinet. She appreciated that the serum had a lightweight texture that didnt feel greasy on her already oily skin, and she noticed that after a few weeks of using it, her post-acne marks were visibly lightened. The formula is highly concentrated with 15% pure vitamin C as well as soothing peptides, ferulic acid, and vitamin E. If you have sensitive skin, this is a fantastic find; shoppers in the same boat write that it doesn't burn at all, yet lightens their hyperpigmentation with alacrity. Choosing a formula that combines these three is one way to make sure youre getting even more efficacy from each of the ingredients on its own. All in all, there are a few things dermatologists agree on when it comes to using a Vitamin C serum for the first time, like wearing it under your moisturizer. As for the texture of the product, its not liquidy nor oily; rather, it almost feels like a lightweight paste. DERMAdoctor Kakadu C Serum 2 x 15 ml (0.5 fl. After just a week or two, she recognized a real difference in the brightness of her skin, noting that her complexion looked more radiant even when she wasnt wearing it. Vitamin C from 15% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate brightens, while glycolic acid gently exfoliates to prevent dead skin cells from accumulating. Paula's Choice Boost C15 Super Booster 15% Vitamins C & E and Ferulic . Skin Care Sets | Value & Gift Sets | Dermstore $419.00. oz.) And don't worry if you notice some light tingling or redness upon your first few applicationsit's normal with the potent ingredient. DERMAdoctor products contain a host of skin-loving ingredients, including AHA/BHA, glycolic acid, adaptogens, ferulic acid, and hyaluronic acid, which protect, nourish, and replenish skin. Also helps improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. As mentioned, ferulic acid works well with so many other antioxidants, but vitamin C and vitamin E are really its best buddies. Bianca Lambert,Product Tester. 2017. Skin Care to Maintain and Improve Skin Health | SkinCeuticals "Best product I've ever used. We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best