This post was reviewed and updated by Sarah Otto, Dermatology Nurse Practitioner and Founder of Otto Skin Goods on May 1, 2026.
Vitamin C continues to be one of the most coveted active ingredients in topical skincare. And for good reason, too. This super-potent antioxidant is packed full of skin benefits. Think: fading sun damage, boosting collagen production and maintaining a smooth, even, glowy complexion. Even better? Vitamin C is tolerated by most skin types.
What Are the Skincare Benefits of Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is Hydrating
Some forms of vitamin C have been shown to limit transdermal water loss, allowing skin to retain more moisture. More moisture means that dewy complexion you never thought possible.
Vitamin C is Brightening
Vitamin C fades pigmentation and reduces dullness to help achieve that fabled glow.
Vitamin C Reduces Redness
Shown to ease inflammation in the skin, vitamin C creates a more even complexion. So, if you’re suffering from blotchiness, you’ll want to add it to your skincare routine.
Vitamin C Fights Sun Damage
Not only does vitamin C help fade past sun damage, it also helps prevent future damage. Because vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, it fights free-radical damage from the sun.
Vitamin C is Healing
Vitamin C boosts wound healing and helps heal sun burns. It does this by minimizing redness, accelerating cell turnover and replacing damaged cells with healthy new ones.
What's the Best Vitamin C for Skincare?
Here are some tips on choosing the right vitamin C product to get the very best results:
1. Choose a stabilized form.
There are so many forms of topical vitamin C. Out of all the options, you’ll want to choose one that is stabilized for the best results.
What to avoid
L-ascorbic acid is the most common form of vitamin C used in skincare. It’s water-soluble and studies shown efficacy at 15%. However, it’s unstable when exposed to sun and air, which makes it a not-so-great choice for receiving all the benefits it has to offer.
Try This Instead
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate is an oil-soluble form of vitamin C that’s not only extremely stable, but studies have shown it penetrates both the epidermis (the uppermost layer of skin) and dermis (the deepest layer of skin). In other words, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate is one of the only forms of vitamin C with the ability to penetrate the skin this far.
Try The Fresh Start Face Oil, which contains 20% Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate.
Glyceryl Ascorbate is a novel, stable form of vitamin C derived from binding ascorbic acid to glycerin. Packed with enhanced moisturizing and antioxidant properties, it's becoming a fast favorite in the skincare world.
2. Choose the right skincare product.
There are tons of products on the market that contain vitamin C. But in order to get the best results money can buy, look for vitamin C in the form of a serum. Serums not only contain higher concentrations of the very best active ingredients in skincare, they’re usually lightweight and absorb more quickly and easily.
3. Look for high percentages & beware of additional ingredients.
Vitamin C is a very effective active ingredient in skincare, so it should be combined with complementing ingredients such as vitamin E—which has been shown to boost vitamin C’s effects. Other enhancing ingredients to look for are antioxidant-rich extracts like kakadu plum, avocado, watermelon and cucumber extracts.
On the other hand, be on the lookout for ingredients to avoid while using your vitamin C serum. If using retinol, alternate it with your vitamin C serum. Combining the two can lead to irritation. The same goes for benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, lactic acid and salicylic acid.
Last but certainly not least, make sure you are using sunscreen with your vitamin C—specifically in the morning!
Overall, be sure that the other ingredients in your vitamin C serums are complementing and enhancing the effects of this ingredient, the ingredient deck should be clean and simple because it is already special on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does vitamin C do for your skin?
Vitamin C offers a wide range of benefits: it hydrates, brightens, reduces redness and inflammation, fights sun damage, and supports wound healing. It does this by acting as a potent antioxidant, boosting collagen production, and accelerating cell turnover.
Is vitamin C suitable for all skin types?
Yes, vitamin C is tolerated by most skin types, making it a versatile addition to almost any skincare routine.
What is the best form of vitamin C for skincare?
Look for a stabilized form of vitamin C. L-ascorbic acid is the most common, but it's unstable when exposed to air and sunlight. Better alternatives include Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, an oil-soluble form that penetrates deeply into both the epidermis and dermis, and Glyceryl Ascorbate, a newer stable form with enhanced moisturizing and antioxidant properties.
What type of product should I look for vitamin C in?
A serum is your best bet. Serums contain higher concentrations of active ingredients, are lightweight, and absorb quickly, making them the most effective delivery method for vitamin C.
What ingredients work well with vitamin C?
Vitamin E is a great pairing, as it's been shown to boost vitamin C's effects. Antioxidant-rich extracts like kakadu plum, avocado, watermelon, and cucumber are also complementary additions.
Are there any ingredients I should avoid combining with vitamin C?
Yes. Avoid using vitamin C at the same time as retinol, benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, lactic acid, or salicylic acid, as combining these can cause irritation. If you use retinol, alternate it with your vitamin C rather than layering them together.
Should I wear sunscreen with vitamin C?
Absolutely. Sunscreen should always be used alongside vitamin C, especially in the morning. While vitamin C helps fight free-radical damage from the sun, it's not a substitute for SPF.
Can vitamin C help with sun damage?
Yes, on two fronts. It helps fade existing sun damage and pigmentation, and its antioxidant properties help protect against future free-radical damage from UV exposure.
