The best drugstore vitamin C serums prove that you don’t need to shell out all your cash to achieve brighter, smoother, and more even-toned skin. From light-as-air, fast-absorbing gels to richer, deeply hydrating formulas, these concentrated serums can help fade dark spots, refine texture, and protect against environmental stressors. And yes, they can be as effective as the pricey stuff, especially when used consistently. “Drugstore options offer great value for addressing concerns like dullness, uneven tone, and early signs of aging, particularly when paired with diligent sunscreen use,” says Alexandra Bowles, DO, a board-certified dermatologist in Cincinnati. Some even combine vitamin C with hydrating or soothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, or peptides, so your skin looks bright and plump without ever feeling stripped, thirsty, or irritated.
Our Top Drugstore Vitamin C Serums
Frequently Asked Questions
Ahead, we’ve rounded up the top editor- and dermatologist-approved picks that actually work. Keep reading to discover the serums worth putting on your radar—and your shelf.
Best Overall: e.l.f. Skin Bright Icon Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Serum
e.l.f. skin
Bright Icon Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Serum
Why we love it: When SkinCeuticals’ patent for C E Ferulic finally expired in April 2025 (after 20 years), many brands seized the moment to recreate its powerful antioxidant blend— a task that isn’t as simple as copying the ingredient list. (Vitamin C 101: It needs to be stabilized to stay effective, or, in other words, it has to be chemically modified to be more resistant to degradation from air, light, and heat.)
E.l.f’s Bright Icon Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Serum gets it right with 15% 3-O-Ethyl ascorbic acid (EAA), a highly stable derivative of vitamin C, as well as opaque packaging and a pump cap to prevent oxidation, so it stays effective for longer. (A telltale sign of a serum gone bad is an orange-brown hue.) Paired with 1% vitamin E and 0.5% ferulic acid for further stabilization, the formula helps brighten, fade dark spots, and smooth uneven tone—all in a lightweight, non-greasy texture that feels like nothing on the skin.
“This drugstore vitamin C serum was modeled after a dermatologist’s favorite formula that is about nine times more expensive now that their patent is up. I’ve used that SkinCeuticals formula for years, but I have to say e.l.f’s formula comes really close. I love that it has a pump cap. Other vitamin C serums can turn orange due to oxidation after a few weeks, but I’ve been using this one for months and it is still as bright as ever because of the way the cap locks, keeping air out. There is an instant brightening effect once it glides on, and after months of using it, I can say it matches up to the more expensive version at keeping dark spots at bay.” —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief
- Key ingredients: 15% 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid, 1% vitamin E, 0.5% ferulic acid
- Best for: all skin types, especially oily
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Size: 30 ml
Best for Dry Skin: Prequel Lucent-C Vitamin C Serum
Prequel
Lucent-C Vitamin C Serum
Why we love it: Prequel’s Lucent-C Vitamin C Serum uses a combination of vitamin C with ferulic acid. According to New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Patricia Wexler, MD, the antioxidant helps keep vitamin C stable, but also provides extra protection against free-radical damage. The formula also includes niacinamide and inulin, a prebiotic that supports the skin microbiome, to enhance firmness, even out skin tone, smooth skin texture, and lock in moisture. Plus, there’s ergothioneine (EGT), an amino acid that charges the vitamin C and increases the potency in the formula, so you get its full brightening effects. That’s a load of actives, so this serum may not be the best for sensitive-skinned folks. If you want to give it a whirl, we recommend giving it a patch test on the back of your hand before applying it to the face.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“If Prequel hasn’t already been on your radar, it’s definitely an affordable skin-care brand to watch. I certainly have, and when I realized I didn’t have a regular vitamin C serum, I immediately became curious about Prequel’s formula. For context, I don’t have sensitive skin and I have rarely had reactions to vitamin C as a whole, so I don’t necessarily shy away from higher doses, like this one’s 15%. After I rinse my face with water, pat in a hydrating toner, I go in with a few pumps of this serum, and my complexion looks instantly brighter and more awake. I also like how watery this formula is because it layers so well with my other morning products and doesn’t cause pilling. However, it does make me look a tad shiny at first, which is to say the formula takes longer to completely dry down, and might not be the best fit for particularly oily folks.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Key ingredients: 15% L-ascorbic acid, niacinamide, inulin, ergotheanine
- Best for: dry skin, combination skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Size: 30 ml
Best for Fine Lines: Neutrogena Collagen Bank Vitamin C Serum
Neutrogena
Collagen Bank Vitamin C Serum
Why we love it: The Neutrogena Collagen Bank Vitamin C Serum is a fave among editors and dermatologists, and for good reason. “While vitamin C has been around forever, Neutrogena put an exfoliator in this formula, so the vitamin C penetrates better,” Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Hamden, Connecticut, told Allure. Featuring the ulta-gentle 2% PHA (polyhydroxy acid), it exfoliates and hydrates simultaneously for smoother-looking skin. Plus, Neutrogena’s patented micro-peptide technology, which allows the peptides to penetrate more easily into the skin and better, boosts collagen and elastin production. The result is a formula that brightens, smooths, and plumps mature skin all at once.
“As a big Neutrogena fan, I was excited to get my hands on this vitamin C serum. It has a super-easy to use dropper, but the formula is what really shines through. It’s very thin and lightweight, so it spreads in seconds. After I apply it, my skin feels slightly tacky, so I usually give it a few seconds to absorb before I go in with my moisturizer. As someone with oily skin, I appreciate that this serum doesn’t make me look too shiny. But my skin definitely looks more awake—and that’s always a plus first thing in the morning.”—Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
- Key ingredients: 15% L-ascorbic acid, 2% PHA, peptides
- Best for: all skin types, especially mature skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Size: 0.5 oz.
Best for Sensitive Skin: La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C12 Serum
La Roche-Posay
Pure Vitamin C12 Serum
Why we love it: Dr. Bowles calls La Roche-Posay’s Pure Vitamin C12 Serum a standout because “it uses a pure form of vitamin C at a meaningful concentration and is paired with soothing ingredients that help reduce irritation, which is especially helpful for sensitive skin.” According to derms, most vitamin C serums fall in the 10% to 15% concentration range—and this one lands right in a sweet spot of 12%. The formula is also boosted with salicylic acid to refine the appearance of pores, neurosensine (a type of peptide) to calm skin, and hydrating staples like glycerin and hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture. As with all La Roche-Posay products, it’s also made with the brand’s antioxidant-rich thermal spring water to soothe irritation and defend skin from environmental stressors.
- Key ingredients: 12% L-absorbic acid, salicylic acid, neurosensine, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, thermal spring water
- Best for: all skin types, especially sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Size: 1 oz.
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: CeraVe Vitamin C Serum
Why we love it: According to Dr. Bowles, acne-prone skin can benefit from vitamin C serums—as long as they are non-comedogenic and paired with soothing or barrier-supportive ingredients like niacinamide or hyaluronic acid. CeraVe’s Vitamin C Serum fits the bill, pairing vitamin C with ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help even tone while simultaneously hydrating. That ceramide boost is especially helpful for acne-prone skin, which can be more vulnerable to a compromised barrier and often has lower levels of linoleic acid—a key component of ceramides—leading to clogged pores and increased sensitivity, New York–based board-certified dermatologist Kseniya Kobets, MD, told Allure. With a modest 10% concentration of vitamin C, this serum is easy for sensitive, breakout-prone skin to tolerate, while vitamin B5 helps calm redness and irritation for smoother, more even-looking skin.
- Key ingredients: 10% L-ascorbic acid, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5
- Best for: all skin types
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Size: 1 oz.
Best High-Concentration: The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA
The Ordinary
Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA
Why we love it: For anyone looking for a serious brightening boost who’s comfortable with a stronger formula, Dr. Bowles recommends The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%. Because the vitamin C is in a powder form suspended within an oil-like base, it releases gradually into the skin, making a high concentration easier to tolerate—that’s also why the serum may feel a little grainy at first. The water-free formula makes it more stable on the shelf, keeping the vitamin C potent until you open and use it. And, while it has a slightly oily texture at first, it absorbs quickly, leaving skin smooth and glowing.
If you have more sensitive skin, you can dilute this serum with a cream to help the skin build tolerance over time, making it a versatile option for both sensitive and less reactive skin types.
- Key ingredients: 23% L-ascorbic acid, hyaluronic acid
- Best for: all skin types, besides super sensitive
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Size: 30 ml
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you keep in mind when shopping for a drugstore vitamin C serum?
First, consider the form of vitamin C. “Pure L-ascorbic acid is powerful but can be unstable and irritating at higher doses, while derivatives like magnesium ascorbyl phosphate or ascorbyl glucoside tend to be gentler,” Dr. Bowles says. Step two is looking at packaging. “Vitamin C can degrade when exposed to light and air, so an opaque, airtight container is ideal.” It’s also helpful when a vitamin C serum includes supportive ingredients like hyaluronic acid or antioxidants like vitamin E, to stabilize the formula and reduce potential irritation. “Lastly, think about your skin type—some formulas are better suited to dry or sensitive skin when combined with hydrating agents, whereas others may be more appropriate for oilier skin.”
Are there any downsides to drugstore vitamin C serums?
“The biggest differences between drugstore vitamin C serums and higher-end options typically come down to formulation sophistication and ingredient synergy,” says Dr. Bowles. More expensive serums may use patented blends, more stable or advanced derivatives of vitamin C, and additional antioxidants or peptides that enhance long-term benefits for aging or firming, she explains. Some “may also incorporate delivery technologies that improve absorption with less irritation.” Drugstore serums, on the other hand, tend to focus on well-studied, straightforward ingredients (such as L-ascorbic acid) that may not have those additional layers of technology or complementary actives, she notes.
Meet the experts
- Alexandra Bowles, DO, is a board-certified dermatologist in Cincinnati.
- Kseniya Kobets, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York.
- Mona Gohara, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Hamden, Connecticut.
- Patricia Wexler, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.
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When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best drugstore vitamin C serums, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
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