Vitamin C Serums: 15 Of The Best For Your Brightest Skin Ever

First came the skin barrier-boosting cleansers, then the irritation-free retinol, now cult US import CeraVe has answered our skincare woes once again with a shiny-new vitamin C serum. As to what sets it apart? Naturally, it's the complex of ingredients: 10% vitamin C in its most potent form, L ascorbic acid, along with ceramides and hydrating hyaluronic acid, to ensure both brightening and skin nourishing results.

It's safe to say that a lot of vitamin C serums sit at the more expensive end of the spectrum, but The Inkey List is a brand we can rely on for affordability and effectiveness, and this serum is no exception.

Formulated with a highly stable form of vitamin C, it promises a potent hit of antioxidants, while the EGF (epidermal growth factor) promotes collagen production – all for £15.

There is cutting-edge tech and science in spades, including the brand's signature Bio-Renewal Peptide, but if you're a sucker for an uber luxe product that looks the part on your shelfie and a sensorial experience to go with it, this vitamin C is a pure joy to use.

Trust legendary MUA Westman Atelier to create a vitamin C serum that is simultaneously packed with innovation (a gel-meets-oil formula touted as the most potent form of vitamin C) and one that sits perfectly under your make-up, adding instant radiance and luminosity to tired-looking complexions.

Combining the anti-ageing and antioxidant properties of vitamin C with the exfoliating properties of glycolic acid for maximum absorption, there's no denying that this Murad serum works quickly.

As well as having an immediate improvement in skin texture, the lightweight formula leaves skin hydrated without any sticky residue, making it easy to incorporate into a morning skincare regime.

If you haven't heard of Naturium then it's time to get acquainted. An affordable brand with excellent formulations, this vitamin C serum seriously rivals similar products that cost double – sometimes triple – the price.

Using a potent vitamin C complex – made up of l-ascorbic acid, a bioactive fruit blend and sodium ascorbyl phosphate – it promises brighter, more radiant looking, healthier skin over time. It's vegan and cruelty-free, and best of all, it costs a little over £20.

Powered by some of the buzziest ingredients in the beauty industry right now, from ferulic acid to ectoin and NAD+, this hardworking formula from everyone's favourite skin expert, Dr Sam Bunting, makes light work of brightening up tired-looking complexions. It's also lightweight, sits nicely under make-up and helps defend against pollution and blue light.

You'd be hard pressed to find a beauty editor that doesn't worship at the altar of this cult vitamin C serum by Dr Barbara Sturm. Not only is it a joy to use (lightweight and hydrating), it's loaded with ingredients to help support collagen production, fend against external aggressors and add a boost of moisture too.

A powerful formulation that's suitable for sensitive skin types, this Kiehl's serum is formulated with a 12.5% blend of l-ascorbic acid and ascorbyl glucoside (two of the most stable forms of vitamin C). It helps plump and hydrate skin without causing unwanted flare-ups, and a little goes a long way.

Plus, we like that it layers well underneath other products, including moisturiser and foundation, without pilling.

You can always rely on La Roche-Posay to formulate effective products suitable for even the most sensitive skin, and that's why we love its Pure Vitamin C10 serum.

Lightweight and non-sticky in texture, it's packed with pure vitamin C alongside hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid to help brighten and restore dull, pigmented skin.

Bubble is the new kid on the block and it's already making waves on social media. Its kind-to-skin formulations, fun packaging and excellent price point make it appealing in various ways.

We love that this lightweight serum combines vitamin C with niacinamide to help even out skin tone, reduce scarring and dark spots whilst providing skin with antioxidant protection. It also uses plant-derived ceramides to help protect the skin barrier and improve overall skin health.

This clever, oil-free vitamin C serum helps reduce the appearance of both dark spots and hyperpigmentation. It's formulated with 10% l-ascorbic acid and uses waterless technology which not only helps keeps it stable, but helps maximise its efficacy, too.

It absorbs into skin quickly and easily, and it won't ever feel tacky or sticky, either. Plus, staying true to Farmacy's ethos, this serum uses upcycled tangerine peel and sugar beet for its antioxidant-rich benefits.

If you’re suffering from dull, uneven skin after the last long, cold winter, then this is the product for you. The ultra-concentrated formula is rich in skin-brightening actives (such as red clover extract, mullein extract and a Swiss Alpine blend) which, together with a highly stable vitamin C derivative, will leave skin looking dewy, radiant and ready for summer.

Whether applied directly or mixed into your daily moisturiser, we're big fans of the adaptability of this serum. It's formulated with a 15% stabilised concentration of vitamin C, alongside ferulic acid and peptides that work to smooth and brighten the skin.

Think of this serum as a pep-up shot that'll leave skin feeling firmer and looking brighter.

Ole Henriksen's Banana Bright serum combines vitamin C, exfoliating acids and banana powder-inspired pigments to instantly brighten and plump the skin, while hydrating with hyaluronic acid — a notorious moisture magnet.

This serum packs a real punch, and we love the citrus scent it has. It'll work to add instant glow, and over time skin will look brighter.