If you’ve found a good facial cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen, your skincare routine is on the right track. You may be wondering what extra treatments and serums you could incorporate to give your daily routine a much-needed boost. That may just be a job for vitamin C serums, powerful anti-aging antioxidants that address numerous skin health concerns and cosmetic flaws.

What Is Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is an antioxidant nutrient that naturally occurs in the body. It can also be derived from numerous foods, beverages, and supplements. The role of vitamin C in the body is to help with collagen production and restore damaged tissues. Whether vitamin C is produced by the body, consumed orally, or applied topically, this super-nutrient is essential for skin and overall health.

Why Is Vitamin C Important for Skin Health?

There are numerous benefits to incorporating antioxidants like vitamin C serum into your daily skincare routine.

When used regularly, vitamin C can:

• Diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Improve overall skin tone and texture
• Prevent sun, allergen, irritant, and pollutant damage
• Protect skin from long-term effects of free radical damage from sun exposure
• Decrease visibility of dark spots
• Control the production of oil in the skin, which may minimize acne breakouts
• Reduce inflammation, which is beneficial for numerous skin health concerns, including chronic conditions like eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and acne

How Do I Incorporate Vitamin C Into My Skincare Routine?

Vitamin C delivers powerful results for skin health, but it needs to be incorporated into your skincare routine correctly. For best results, vitamin C serums should be applied to the face and neck after cleansing and toning the skin but before applying moisturizer and sunscreen. Vitamin C serums are typically safe and effective for all skin types, including acne-prone and sensitive skin. Depending on the specific vitamin C product, you can apply these serums as often as you like, but since they provide preventive defense against the sun’s UVA and UVB rays when combined with sunscreen, vitamin C serums are most often included in the morning skincare routine. If you want to add a boost to your vitamin C application, look for products that also contain ferulic acid and/or vitamin E. These ingredients combined with vitamin C provide added defense from both short and long-term effects of sun exposure.

SkinBetter Science Alto Defense Serum

If you’re looking for products that give your skin an edge against sun damage, Skinbetter Science Alto Defense Serum may be exactly what you need. This product combines vitamins C and E with 17 other antioxidant ingredients to deliver maximum protection from the short and long-term effects of exposure to free radical damage from sunlight, pollutants, and other chemicals and irritants. This product is great to address hyperpigmentation, and Skinbetter Science Alto Defense Serum is also ideal for those with rosacea-prone skin.

SkinBetter Science Solo Hydrating Defense Men

Research indicates that men receive more sun exposure than women, but they are significantly less likely to use sunscreen or take other steps to protect their skin from free radical damage. For men who are looking to turn back the clock on existing sun damage and prevent future damage, the Skinbetter Science Solo Hydrating Defense Men may be the ideal product.

Adding this serum (and of course a good sunscreen) to the daily skincare routine can do wonders.

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

As we mentioned before, the only thing better than serums with vitamin C is a serum that combines the antioxidant benefits of vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid, and that’s exactly what SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic offers. This unique formula helps to prevent the signs of accelerated aging like fine lines and wrinkles, protects from long-term UVA/UVB damage from the sun, and improves overall complexion and skin texture. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic’s gentle formula works for all skin types.

SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF

SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF combines vitamin C, ferulic acid, and phloretin. All three are powerful antioxidants that offer anti-aging benefits. Like other products on this list, SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF offers anti-aging benefits, improves skin tone and texture, and protects against short and long-term free radical damage. Additionally, this lightweight gel can be used for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin. Free of dyes, parabens, and fragrances, SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF is also safe and effective for those with sensitive skin.

SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF  

Formulated specifically, for oily and acneic skin, SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF is a very similar formula to the SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF.

In addition to the benefits of antioxidants described for the other recommended products, SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF also reduces oiliness, refines pores, and improves skin clarity.

Sente Bio Complete Serum

The Sente Bio Complete Serum is a nighttime vitamin C serum. It combines Heparan Sulfate Analog (HSA), sustained-release retinoids, and vitamin C to deliver firm, smooth skin while reducing the risk of irritation and inflammation.

From minimizing fine lines and wrinkles to improving overall skin tone and texture, Sente Bio Complete Serum is an excellent option for anyone worried about the appearance or health of the skin.

Revision Skincare C Correcting Complex 30%

The Revision Skincare C Correcting Complex 30% is formulated specifically to protect skin from the damaging effects of blue light or high-energy visible light. That’s right, all our extra hours staring at screens may be having damaging effects on our skin health, and while most vitamin C serums will offer some help, the Revision Skincare C Correcting Complex 30% was created specifically to address the damaging effects of blue light on the skin, including making skin firmer and brighter.

Find the Right Vitamin C Product with Help from a Dermatologist

If you’re not sure which vitamin C product will work best for your skincare needs, feel free to get in touch with the dermatologists at U.S. Dermatology Partners. These skilled dermatologists curated the list of products on Derm Skincare, and they can put their expertise to work helping you achieve any skincare goal. To get started working with a U.S. Dermatology Partners team near you, simply take a moment to fill out our online scheduling request form.