22 Beauty Products That Guarantee Glowier, More Even Skin

Looking to take your skincare routine up a notch? It's time to incorporate Vitamin C. “Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, which means it prevents or reduces damage to skin cells by neutralizing the production of highly reactive molecules called free radicals,” explains Morgan Rabach, MD, dermatologist and co-founder of LM Medical in NYC. “In other words, Vitamin C aids in your skin's natural regeneration process and protects against stressors like environmental pollutants and sunlight that can cause damage to skin.”

But that’s not all: "Vitamin C also triggers the skin to produce more collagen and elastin, which help the skin to be firmer and less saggy,” says Rabach. And if that wasn’t enough, she also says it can help to brighten skin as well. “Vitamin C halts the production of melanin, which is responsible for dark spots on the skin and general skin discolorations.”

Now that you’re on board the vitamin C train, you’ll want to make sure you’re using it correctly to get the most benefits. “Vitamin C is best applied in the morning, because the antioxidant properties help to protect the skin against pollutants and stressors during the day,” recommends Rabach. It’s also important to note that vitamin C can break down and becomee less effective when exposed to light or air so dark bottles and tightly sealed applicators are best to look for.

The most common (and most stable and effective) form of vitamin C is called L-ascorbic acid. Using it in a serum is best because it keeps it stable—aka more effective—and is better able to penetrate into skin than it would in a moisturizer. Pair it with other antioxidants like Vitamin E and Ferulic acid for even more of a punch.

While everyone can reap the brightening and tightening benefits of Vitamin C, Dr. Rabach recommends that those with sensitive skin should start with a lower concentration (like 5% instead of 20%) and only use it once or twice a week before working up to daily use. While results will vary depending on the strength of the Vitamin C and how often you’re applying it, Dr. Rabach says you could see results within a month.

Here are our favorite Vitamin C serums for every budget.