Vitamin C for Skin: When, How to Use Serum, Best Products to Try

Few skincare products are as ubiquitous as vitamin C. And yet, if you're new to following a skincare routine, incorporating a vitamin C serum can sound intimidating.

You might be wondering what it actually does for your skin, if it can worsen acne breakouts, and which serums and products are truly worth the hype. To find out, we spoke to Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose, a dermatologist practicing in New York City, about how and when to use vitamin C, as well as her top five favorite vitamin C products.

According to Murphy-Rose, vitamin C is "one of the most powerful antioxidants" for the skin, and it can neutralize free radicals that may impact your skin texture. Free radicals are unstable atoms that damage cells and can come from UV rays and environmental pollutants such as smog.

Vitamin C isn't just a great protective layer; Murphy-Rose said it also can help improve discoloration, such as hyperpigmentation or melasma, as well as smooth fine lines and wrinkles, providing powerful anti-aging benefits.

The reason adding a topical vitamin C serum is important is because we don't naturally synthesize vitamin C in our bodies, she said, and dietary vitamin C doesn't sufficiently impact our skin.

Because of vitamin C's free-radical-fighting capabilities, most dermatologists (including Murphy-Rose) recommend applying it in the morning after you've cleansed your face. That way, you get extra skin protection as you go about your day, when you're more exposed to free radicals in smoke and sunlight.

After you put on your vitamin C, Murphy-Rose said all you need to do is apply sunscreen on top.

If you're already using other skin products like hyaluronic acid, Murphy-Rose said you can still layer them with vitamin C without getting breakouts.

But Murphy-Rose recommends exercising caution when it comes to using vitamin C products that also contain vitamin E, another antioxidant. While the pairing can work well for some people, it might be too intense for some skin types and cause breakouts.

Here Murphy-Rose's top picks for vitamin C serums:

This serum uses a "20% antioxidant concentration to powerfully defend against environmental stressors," Murphy-Rose said, making this one of the more potent options.

This is another well-known vitamin C serum if you're looking for visible results, according to Murphy-Rose. The dark packaging also helps preserve its potency, she said.

This product uses "almost 20 other antioxidants" in addition to vitamin C to boost collagen and brighten skin, Murphy-Rose said.

This is a good choice for sensitive skin because of its hydrating formula, according to Murphy-Rose. She also likes this one as a more budget-friendly option.

This serum is formulated with THD, which is a lightweight, oil-soluble version of vitamin C. It makes the product "more potent and less irritating than other forms of topical vitamin C," according to Murphy-Rose, making it an excellent choice for sensitive skin.

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