Vitamin C is essential for living a balanced and healthy life. You’ve probably heard people tell you to drink some vitamin C when you feel sick. It has dozens of health benefits at the end of the day. However, one little-talked about pro is that it can help make your skin healthy, bright and even-toned.
As with any beauty product, it can be somewhat expensive. It doesn’t have to be, though.
There are plenty of affordable vitamin c serum options on the market that do wonders for your skincare routine.
To make the selection process easier, we’ve compiled a list of the best drugstore vitamin C serum options for various skin types and needs.
Table of Contents
- The Best Drugstore Face Serums Under $50
- Editor’s Pick: e.l.f. Cosmetics Beauty Shield Vitamin C Pollution Prevention Serum
- The Best Vitamin C Cream from the Drug Store: Neutrogena Triple Age Repair Anti-Aging Night Cream with Vitamin C
- The Best Drugstore Brightening Serum: Vitamin C Serum by L’Oreal Paris Skin Care
- Best Drugstore Brightening Serum: Vitamin C Serum by Dr. Brenner
- Best Drugstore Antioxidant Serum: CeraVe Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid
- Best Drugstore Vitamin C Serum for Oily and Acne-Prone Skin: La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Serum
- The Best Vitamin C Serum for Sensitive Skin: Youthful Vitamin C Fresh Radiance Essence
- Best Affordable Vitamin C Serum for Dark Spots: Versed Stroke of Brilliance Brightening Serum
- Best Vitamin C Serum for People Over 50: Olay Vitamin C Tone Perfection Serum
- The Best Korean Vitamin C Serum: Korean Skin Care K Beauty – 20% Vitamin C Hyaluronic Acid Serum
- Frequently Asked Questions: Vitamin C Serum
- Best drugstore Vitamin C serums: Conclusion
Read on below to find the perfect drugstore vitamin c serum for you!
The Best Drugstore Face Serums Under $50
Editor’s Pick: e.l.f. Cosmetics Beauty Shield Vitamin C Pollution Prevention Serum
Why It’s Our Top Pick
- e.l.f. is a very well-known drugstore brand that offers high-quality beauty products at an extremely affordable price.
- This serum is made of all-natural ingredients and provides multiple vitamins important to improving your skin’s health.
- Despite its small size, users have claimed that it lasts virtually forever, as you don’t need much to make your skin look beautiful and restore its natural glow.
Product Highlights
- Made from vitamin C, vitamin E and pomegranate extract, used to bright skin tone and prevent against the effects of everyday environmental factors that can negatively impact your skin.
- Product is 100% cruelty-free and vegan, making it morally sound purchase for everyone involved.
- Serves as an extra layer of defense against the sun and toxins that cause breakouts and skin damage over time.
The Best Vitamin C Cream from the Drug Store: Neutrogena Triple Age Repair Anti-Aging Night Cream with Vitamin C
Why We Chose This
This serum has a lot to offer at an affordable price point. Plus, Neutrogena is a well-known and highly respected beauty brand. It helps moisturize and brighten your skin overnight.
Product Highlights
- Designed to help reduce wrinkles, provide an additional layer of protection against the sun and help even you complexion overnight.
- Includes ingredients such as vitaminc C, Glycerin and Hexinol.
- With consistent use, shows results in as little as four weeks.
The Best Drugstore Brightening Serum: Vitamin C Serum by L’Oreal Paris Skin Care
Why We Chose This
This vitamin C serum is dermatologist tested and approved. It provides brighter, radiant skin in a short amount of time. Also, it is fragrance-free, making it sensitivity friendly.
Product Highlights
- Product shows full results in as little as four weeks, with noticably refined and brighter skin.
- Made of 100% vitamin C, for ultra-concentrated skin protection.
- The cream quickly absorbs into the skin to provide hydration and help your skin feel lighter and healthier.
Best Drugstore Brightening Serum: Vitamin C Serum by Dr. Brenner
Why We Chose This
This face serum includes vitamin C and a variety of other high-quality vitamins and minerals to help brighten the skin. It focuses on dehydrated skin, helping wake it up and restoring its natural color. It is reasonably priced and won’t irritate your skin.
Product Highlights
- Developed by a dermatologist for guaranteed brighter, healthier skin in as little as four weeks.
- Includes L-Absorbic acid to make the serum more effective at tightening and brightening your skin.
- Also includes vitamin E and Ferulic acid, helping eliminate skin imperfections such as dark spots and wrinkles.
Best Drugstore Antioxidant Serum: CeraVe Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid
Why We Chose This
Unlike many vitamin C serums on the market, this one features 10% L-Ascorbic acid, which is the purest form of vitamin C. It is a powerful antioxidant that helps purify and brighten the skin. Additionally, it helps your skin retain moisture throughout the day, eliminating dehydration and irritation.
Product Highlights
- Made to help improve and equalize your skin tone and improve your skin’s texture.
- Includes a variety of ceramides, including vitamin B, to help revive dehydrated skin and keep it healthy and bright.
- It is unscented and does not contain parabens, making it a great choice for individuals with sensitive skin.
Best Drugstore Vitamin C Serum for Oily and Acne-Prone Skin: La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Serum
Why We Chose This
This inexpensive face serum has a salicylic acid base, making it the perfect solution for those with oily and acne-prone skin. The acid absorbs oil on the skin and has anti-bacterial properties, reducing the chances of outbreaks.
Product Highlights
- The serum is textured, providing some minor exfoliation that helps hydrate the skin and brigthen it.
- Uses 10% pure vitamin C, helping brighten and tighten the skin.
- Tested by dermatologists and highly rated for meeting your skin care needs. Helps heal acne scars over time, as well.
The Best Vitamin C Serum for Sensitive Skin: Youthful Vitamin C Fresh Radiance Essence
Why We Chose This
The interesting thing about this product is that you get to mix your own ingredients, saving you from oxidation. Therefore, it’s perfect for individuals who have sensitive skin and need to watch what products they use.
Product Highlights
- Two-week treatment in which you activate your own vitamin C essence for less oxidation and more skin benefits.
- Uses 5% vitamin C to improve your skin’s color, tone and help it develop a beautiful, radiant glow.
- Improve’s skin texture by rehydrating dry patches of skin for a beautiful, satin-smooth feel.
Best Affordable Vitamin C Serum for Dark Spots: Versed Stroke of Brilliance Brightening Serum
Why We Chose This
This product is perfect for all skin types. It combines a variety of natural minerals and vitamins to help even your skin tone and make your skin glow beautifully. Plus, it specializes in fixing dull spots and other common skin issues, too.
Product Highlights
- Cruelty-free with no added fragrance, making it perfect for individuals with sensitive skin.
- Helps even skin tone through use of vitamin C, plant extracts and niacinamide.
- Improves hydration in all areas of the skin without causing irritation or clogging your pores.
Best Vitamin C Serum for People Over 50: Olay Vitamin C Tone Perfection Serum
Why We Chose This
One of the best features about this affordable vitamin C serum is the fact it’s very potent. It helps tighten loose skin, remove dark spots and give you a beautiful, glowing complexion. Plus, it doesn’t make your skin feel greasy, so it’s perfect for all skin types.
Product Highlights
- Uses a combination of vitamin C and vitamin B3 to help purify your skin and improve its overall health.
- Absorbs quickly without leaving behind an oily residue, making it great for people of various skin types.
- The combination of vitamins and minerals in this serum are backed by science to show proven results with regular use.
The Best Korean Vitamin C Serum: Korean Skin Care K Beauty – 20% Vitamin C Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Why We Chose This
This serum is very potent and provides a unique blend of natural vitamins and minerals to help hydrate and repair your skin. However, unlike traditional Korean serums, this one won’t break the bank – but it will provide you with high-quality skincare.
Product Highlights
- Thanks to the high concentrations of vitamin C, it helps fade sunspots and corrects uneven skintones.
- Helps restore loose skin and prevent wrinkles and other signs of aging.
- Uses the same ingredients as brand name skincare regimens, such as vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and ferulic acid.
Frequently Asked Questions: Vitamin C Serum
Does Vitamin C Serum Really Work?
Yes, vitamin C serum benefits the skin in many different ways. It helps hydrate the skin, even your skin tone and provide more firmness to reduce the signs of aging.
Is Vitamin C Good for Your Face?
Vitamin C is very beneficial for your face. It helps protect it from the sun and reverse sun damage. Additionally, it keeps your skin healthy and hydrated while reducing your risk of breakouts. There are plenty of ways your skin can benefit from this amazing product.
What Percentage of Vitamin C Serum Is Most Effective?
If you have a product that includes 100% natural vitamin C, in most cases, you’ll want to look for a 10% concentration. This concentration is potent enough to offer all of the benefits your skin needs without running the risk of potential dryness and irritation.
Best drugstore Vitamin C serums: Conclusion
Overall, there are dozens of affordable vitamin C serums you can purchase. Each one has its own benefits.
At the end of the day, you’ll want to research and make sure you’re purchasing a serum that is right for your skin type.
Once you start using it, though, you’ll likely start seeing the positive benefits almost immediately. Trust us when we say you won’t regret buying any of the best drugstore vitamin C serums – they’re all great.
Check out more vitamin C posts on our blog:
- Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Review
- Serumtologie Vitamin C Serum 22 Review
- TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C Daily Facial Moisturizer Review
- Non Toxic Drugstore Foundation
- Best Drugstore Powder Foundation
What do you think about these picks for best drugstore vitamin c serums?
You’re most welcome!
Oooh I haven’t tried Vitamin C serum before, I’ve heard great things about it – great benefits for your skin. I like that there are different brands available, with all of the different pros. It’s great that they are affordable as well. Thanks for sharing!
Nancy ✨ mdrnminimalists.com
Cheers, Liz!
Awesome compilation. I’m running low on my Vitamin C serum, and your post was very useful and perfectly in time!
Thanks 😀
Lots of love ♥ January Girl
Couldn’t agree more!
A great choice!
Cheers, Charity!
Love it when products are accessible!
You can’t beat the power of a good vitamin C serum!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
I want to try this La Roche Posay serum ❤
This is such a great list of Vitamin C serums. Thanks so much for sharing!
It’s great that there are so many affordable options out there! My skin reacts really badly to vitamin C so I’ve never tried any of these x
Sophie