If you’ve always wanted glowing skin, now is the time to check out these 20 best drugstore Vitamin C serum for face use top picks.
Loaded with antioxidants to help brighten your complexion, reduce the appearance of acne scars, dark spots and more, there’s an incredible option out there for just about every budget and skin type.
Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of Vitamin C serum and find out which product is best for you!
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Related: The Vegan Face Wash & Cruelty Free Products You Need to Try
What Does Vitamin C Do for Your Skin?
There are a number of benefits of Vitamin C serum when it comes to your skin.
For one, Vitamin C serum helps to promote collagen production. This plays a role in minimizing fine lines and wrinkles.
Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, which assists in protecting skin from damaging free radicals caused by UV exposure.
Because Vitamin C inhibits the production of melanin though, one of the most popular uses of Vitamin C serum is to aid in reducing the appearance of dark spots, acne scarring, and hyperpigmentation.
For even more information on the benefits of Vitamin C serum, check out these 11 reasons to add Vitamin C serum to your skincare routine.
20 Best Drugstore Vitamin C Serums for Face
DERMA E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum
Derma E Vitamin C Serum is an affordable, yet powerful drugstore Vitamin C serum. Its concentrated formula goes on skin smoothly, and never feels greasy.
After trying this product for a few weeks, I noticed a visible difference in my acne scarring as well as a reduction in acne overall. It's my personal go-to Vitamin C serum at the moment!
Derma E Vitamin C Serum is also 100% vegan, cruelty free, and formulated without GMOs, gluten, or soy.
Pixi Skintreats Vitamin C Serum
Pixi Skintreats Vitamin C Serum is another affordable drugstore Vitamin C serum. In addition to the antioxidants in the formula, the product contains aloe extract to moisturize skin and is formulated with lemon, orange, and grapefruit extracts as well.
While suitable for all skin types, this would be a particularly good option if you suffer from dry skin!
elf Vitamin C Serum
e.l.f. has become known for their unbelievably affordable beauty and skincare products, and this Vitamin C serum is no different.
At under $20, e.l.f. Beauty Shield is a total steal when it comes to serums! Not only does this formula include Vitamin C, but it also has Vitamin E and Pomegranate Extract to help refine/brighten skin tone and protect against the effects of everyday environmental aggressors.
Drunk Elephant Vitamin C Serum
While on the pricier end of our list of the best drugstore Vitamin C serum for face use, Drunk Elephant Vitamin C Serum offers some impressive benefits.
Uniquely formulated with Pumpkin Ferment Extract and Pomegranate Enzyme, this Vitamin C serum is designed to enzymatically dissolve dead surface skin cells.
Drunk Elephant's Vitamin C serum also has what's called a reservoir effect, meaning that it will stay active on your skin for up to 72 hours and cannot be washed or rubbed off.
How neat is that?!
TruSkin Vitamin C Serum
TruSkin Vitamin C Serum is one of the more popular drugstore Vitamin C serums available on Amazon.
It wasn't a personal favorite for me however, as I noticed it was making my skin break out terribly! That being said, lots of people swear by this Vitamin C serum and there are some pretty amazing before & after photos that might make this product worth looking into.
CeraVe Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid
CeraVe Vitamin C Serum is a great drugstore Vitamin C serum that helps to hydrate dry skin while also improving the appearance of fine lines, dark spots, acne scarring, and more.
With ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5, this is an ideal formula for those who suffer from dry and/or sensitive skin. Patented MVE technology helps this serum to deliver 24-hour moisture, which makes this product a real winner!
InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid
InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum is an affordable drugstore Vitamin C serum that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and overall dullness.
Given such a reasonable price tag, this is a perfect option if you're on the fence about trying Vitamin C serum. Try it out, and see how it works for your skin! Cruelty free and formulated with clean ingredients, you can't go wrong with this one.
Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum
Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum boasts a unique ingredient list aimed at helping to brighten and smooth skin.
If you're interested in brighter, healthier looking skin, this might just be the product for you.
Loreal Revitalift Vitamin C Serum
One of the most affordable Vitamin C serums on this list and backed by a big name brand, Loreal Revitalift Vitamin C Serum is a strong choice when it comes to the best drugstore Vitamin C serum for face use.
The product is designed to absorb into skin easily without leaving a greasy residue, which is one of the reasons it's loved by so many.
Kiehl's Vitamin C Serum
While Kiehl's Vitamin C Serum doesn't exactly fall at the lower end of our skincare budget, it does offer some noteworthy benefits.
For one, this Kiehl's product claims to provide visible results in just two weeks. So if you're looking for a product that's fast acting, this may be your best bet. The product is also formulated with 10.5% L-Ascorbic Acid, 2% Ascorbyl Glucoside, plus Hyaluronic Acid, making it a Kiehl's customer favorite.
Tatcha Vitamin C Serum
Formulated with 20 percent Vitamin C, Tatcha Vitamin C Serum is one of the most potent serums on this list. While it comes with a bigger price tag than other drugstore options, this is a high quality Vitamin C serum that's gentle on skin, yet still unbelievably effective.
Goodal Green Tangerine Vitamin C Dark Spot Facial Serum
At this point, you've probably heard a little bit about the magic of Korean skincare products. Goodal Green Tangerine Vitamin C Serum is a Korean Vitamin C serum that has an irresistible smell and some wonderful benefits for your skin. If you're interested in K-beauty, this is definitely the product for you.
Eva Naturals Vitamin C Serum
Packed with vitamins, essential oils, and organic ingredients such as Aloe, Eva Naturals Vitamin C Serum is one our favorite finds when it comes to the best drugstore Vitamin C Serum for face use.
One of the most affordable Vitamin C serums on this list, we love it because it contains a whopping 20% of Vitamin C, plus 2% contains Salicylic Acid to help keep skin nice and clear.
Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum
Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum is an affordable drugstore Vitamin C serum designed to combat aging and boost your skin's natural glow.
A trusted and popular brand, this is definitely a Vitamin C serum worth looking into.
Boots Vitamin C Skin Smoothing Serum
Another one of the best drugstore Vitamin C serums for face use, Boots Vitamin C Serum is advertised as the perfect daily moisturizer.
With such a reasonable price, this might be the perfect match for you if you're looking to give your skin a little extra glow.
Valo Vitamin C Glow Boost Essence with Hyaluronic Acid
For those of you who haven't heard of LUMENE, you're not alone. However, we learned that this brand is actually a popular Finnish beauty company, even known by some as "Finland's beauty secret".
With the gorgeous minimal packaging, affordable price tag, and a concentrated, 100% vegan formula, this product is definitely worth the buy.
Vichy Vitamin C Serum
Containing 15% Vitamin C, Vichy Vitamin C Serum is a potent choice when it comes to the best Drugstore Vitamin C serums for face use.
If you're looking for a product that gets the job done without unnecessary added ingredients or fragrance, then this is the Vitamin C serum for you.
Obagi Medical Professional-C Serum
We'll be the first to admit, Obagi Medical Professional-C Serum is more of a luxury skincare item than a drugstore buy.
However, if you're looking for a product with gleaming reviews and recommendations from certified dermatologists, this is a one you may want to look into further. For most serums, you only need a few drops upon application to reap the benefits of the formula, so this 20% Vitamin C product may be worth your while in the long run if it's compatible with your skin.
Ole Henriksen Truth Serum
If you're looking for a Vitamin C serum that has powerful anti-aging properties, Ole Henriksen Truth Serum may be for you.
Formulated with True-C Complex™ and boosted with collagen, this anti-aging serum helps to brighten, visibly firm, and deliver all-day hydration.
Vitamin C serum 22 by Serumtologie
Last but not least, we have our professional grade 22% Vitamin C serum by Serumtologie.
The product is free of unnecessary additives and fragrance, but packs a high dose of Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid to help keep skin clear and moisturized.