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If you want to build a dermatologist-approved skin care routine, there are four products you’ll want to invest in: a thorough face wash, hydrating moisturizer, retinol face serum for the evening, and vitamin C serum for the morning. However, for those who want to maximize the benefits of vitamin C, a great way to incorporate the hero ingredient into your routine is to use a vitamin C face mask.
The ingredient is especially important if you deal with dark spots, like hyperpigmentation and signs of aging (and let’s be honest—at a certain age, who doesn’t?). “Vitamin C is an antioxidant known for protective and reparative skin benefits. It can support the skin in its defense against free radical damage from environmental toxins—it’s also shown to boost the protective benefits of your SPF when you pair the two together,” says Dr. Deanne Mraz, a board-certified dermatologist and the president and co-founder of Modern Dermatology in Westport, CT. Dr. Mraz also mentions that the vitamin not only brightens hyperpigmentation, but it can also encourage collagen production to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. When infused into a face mask, “the formulation is more concentrated and designed to sit on the skin with the protective barrier to boost absorption,” adds Dr. Mraz.
Our top picks for the best vitamin C face masks of 2024
To discover top options, we spoke to a dermatologist, asked other editors for their recommendations, and combed through customer reviews. We ultimately landed on the below as the eight best vitamin C face masks for brighter, clearer skin.
Pros
- Multi-purpose
Cons
- Would take up a lot of space in a travel beauty bag
While this is a gel face cream, a thick layer of it can act as a lightweight yet deeply hydrating overnight face mask. The formula derives its vitamin C from hallabong, a citrus fruit native to Jeju Island in South Korea that contains more of the vitamin than an orange.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, seaberry oil, squalane, ceramides, honey
Size: 1.69 oz.
Then I Met You rating: 4.6/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “A lot of vitamin C serums smell and feel terrible (sort of like hot dog water, if I’m being honest). In contrast, this is a delightful cream with a bouncy texture that smells vaguely of orange juice. The vitamin C power comes from Korean hallabong extract, but the formula is packed with ceramides and squalane. The gel feel will make you look extra glowy too.”—Kathleen Hou, ELLE beauty director
Pros
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
- Can take time to see a difference
You can use this face mask in the morning or the evening, but applying it in the AM will help your skin wake up. The vitamin C and ginseng give your skin a glow, and the caffeine in the formula invigorates and de-puffs.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, caffeine, ginseng
Size: 2.5 oz.
Origins rating: 4.9/5 stars
An Origins reviewer says: “This leave-on mask is so soothing and just melts into my skin—it feels really nourishing and luxurious. Perfect if your skin looks dull and dry, this gives you a proper boost and makes skin look and feel instantly healthier. Plus, it smells amazing!”
Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask
Pros
- Pleasant scent
Cons
- May not be suitable for very sensitive skin
Vitamin C is notoriously unstable, so its efficacy in certain formulas can drop over time once exposed to light and air. This face mask contains a more stable version of the vitamin, as well as squalane and hyaluronic acid, two ingredients revered for their hydrating abilities.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C (THD ascorbate), squalane, hyaluronic acid, superberry complex
Size: 2 oz.
Sephora rating: 4.3/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “As soon as I went to sleep with it, the next morning, my skin was so bright and radiant as if I had a chemical treatment or something! I use it most nights as a night cream, and it still maintains the brightness and glow even when I’m not using it. Literally a holy grail product! I’ve tried so many skincare products over the years, and nothing has made my skin look as good as this—I’ve even had a mild chemical peel!”
Pros
- Sensitive skin-friendly
Cons
- Can take time to see visible results
This isn’t a face mask you need to wash off after a few minutes—you can leave it on overnight, and the ingredients will work their magic as you get your beauty sleep. The formula features vitamin C, niacinamide, and retinol to brighten, soothe, and blur fine lines and wrinkles.
Key ingredients: Niacinamide, retinol, yuzu
Size: 1.69 oz.
Peach & Lily rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Peach & Lily reviewer says: “I have oily skin and use this about two times a week. It is great for when I need a little extra hydration, and it helps even my skin tone as well. The consistency is nice as well.”
Pros
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Shape may not fit every face perfectly
This Korean face mask has all the trappings of a hydrating sheet mask, plus the glow-giving benefits of vitamin C. Make sure to spread any excess serum left in the packet on your neck and hands to give the rest of your body some extra TLC, too.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, fruit extract, niacinamide
Size: 5 sheets
Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I really love this brightening mask. I wanted to find one like this to brighten up my dull skin tone. I live in California, where we get strong sunlight everyday, and It instantly brightens up my tanned skin without drying out my skin. Fell in love with this one!”
Pros
- Quick, visible results
Cons
- Not suitable for those who dislike citrusy scents
Each jar of this mask contains six vitamin C-rich yuja fruits, giving it a pleasant, refreshing scent. Overall, the formula is rich with antioxidants that brighten, hydrate, and protect the skin from damaging and aging free radicals in our environment.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin P, vitamin E, vitamin B
Size: 2.86 oz.
Hanyul rating: 4.3/5 stars
A Hanyul reviewer says: “As a Florida girl who now resides in NYC, there’s something about the scent of this mask that is so lovely and comforting. This sleeping mask is a wonderful experience. I loved the texture of it and in the morning, I really noticed how bright and plump my skin was. Almost like I’d been drinking water all night long! If you’re looking to add antioxidants into your routine (which you definitely should be), this product checks every box.”
Pros
- Soothing
Cons
- May not be suitable for very dry skin
Skin can appear dull for a variety of reasons, including dehydration and aging. Niacinamide and vitamin C are both well-known skin brighteners, and the duo stars in this mask from Paula’s Choice.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, bearberry, niacinamide
Size: 1.7 oz.
Paula’s Choice rating: 4.2/5 stars
A Paula’s Choice reviewer says: “So far, so good. I have the worst dark circles under my eyes and dry, uneven skin. Overnight, it has almost completely diminished my dry flaking skin, and my dark circles are gone! Amazing product. “
Pros
- Non-comedogenic
Cons
- May not be suitable for sensitive skin
This brightening moisturizer, which you can also utilize as an overnight mask, is formulated to restore your glow. The vitamin E in the formula moisturizes the skin and boosts the free radical-fighting powers of vitamin C.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E
Size: 1 oz.
Sephora rating: 4.3/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “I really like this product. Overall, it’s very moisturizing. My skin definitely feels better, and my acne scars and dark spots are healing much quicker.”
Meet the Expert
Dr. Deanne Mraz is a board-certified dermatologist and the president and co-founder of Modern Dermatology in Westport, CT.
What skin types should use vitamin C face masks?
Most skin types will benefit from vitamin C. “If the product you’re using contains a concentration above 20 percent (as L-ascorbic acid), it might cause skin irritation. Most products contain a concentration between 10-20 percent,” Dr. Mraz. So, if you have sensitive skin, pay attention to the concentration of the products you’re considering and patch-test them before using them all over your face.
What time of day should you use vitamin C products?
While vitamin C is usually recommended for the AM, “if you’re tackling hyperpigmentation, you may benefit from using it in the PM as well,” says Dr. Mraz.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty writer Carol Lee spoke to a trusted skin expert and other editors about vitamin C and face masks. She also combed through reviews for top-rated options, assessing each one based on their features and customer evaluations.
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