27 Best Vitamin C Serums for Fading Hyperpigmentation and Smoothing Skin

PCA Skin’s C&E Advanced is one of my favorite vitamin C serums, says licensed esthetician Candice Miele. “It has a creamy texture that’s hydrating but dries down to a matte finish, and the 20 percent l-ascorbic acid is fantastic for brightening dark spots and evening out your skin tone.” Also in the formula? Vitamin E, silmaryin, and hexylresorcinol, all which work together to fight free radical damage and further reduce skin discoloration.

THE REVIEW: “I LOVE LOVE LOVE this product,” says a tester. “I had tried everything to remove my melasma and nothing worked, but this has practically gotten rid of all my hyperpigmentation. If you could only see a before and after picture!!!”

You don’t need to spend a ton of money or hit up some fancy med spa to find a vitamin C serum that gives good results. This option from drugstore skincare brand CeraVe is accessible, oil-free, and contains 10 percent l-ascorbic acid to brighten your skin tone, says dermatologist Elyse Love, MD. And because it’s made with barrier-boosting ceramides and hydrating hyaluronic acid, it’s a safe choice for sensitive skin types too.

THE REVIEW: “This vitamin C serum is one of those products that I can honestly say makes a difference with my skin,” says a tester. “My skin looks brighter and better and my dark spots and sun spots are less noticeable too.”

This vitamin C serum is packed with 30 percent THD ascorbate, a highly stable and effective form of vitamin C, says licensed esthetician Brittany Blancato. It also contains moisturizing squalane and two key antioxidants (vitamin E and coenzyme Q10) to help nourish skin and protect it from free radical damage, making it a perfect option for dry skin types. P.S. The formula feels more like a lightweight lotion than a serum but still layers beautifully with other skin and makeup products.

THE REVIEW: “I’ve been using this serum for about nine months and I’ve noticed a huge improvement in the overall texture and tone of my skin,” says a reviewer. “I don’t think it’s necessary to spend a ton of money on all skincare items, but a medical-grade vitamin C like this one is a must!”

This vitamin C serum with 20 percent l-ascorbic acid (aka the good stuff) and antioxidant-rich green tea extract is a must for brightening, smoothing, and firming skin. Plus, it’s free from skin irritants (like synthetic fragrances or dyes, drying alcohols, and essential oils). Smooth it over clean skin each morning (the gel-like texture layers perfectly under SPF and makeup products) as the first step in your skincare routine.

THE REVIEW: “I have tried so many vitamin C serums over the years and none compare to BeautyStat,” says a tester. “I have some discoloration as well as melasma and this has made a world of a difference. It’s easy to apply and isn’t sticky or uncomfortable—plus, it layers well with my other skincare.”

This is a high-potency serum that visibly brightens, hydrates, and plumps skin, says Miele. The hardworking combo of vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and peptides stimulate collagen, hydrate skin, and smooth the look of fine lines for a supremely dewy glow.

THE REVIEW: “I have been using this product for a week now and I can already see a difference in my skin,” says one reviewer. “My skin seems brighter and more hydrated and supple.”

This vitamin C serum is def on the pricey side, but the formula is truly as effective and science-backed as they come. “The gentle, oil-free formula combines a stable form of vitamin C (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate) with vitamin E and 17 additional antioxidants to o decrease redness and discoloration,” says Dr. Love, who adds, “The formula is suitable for sensitive and rosacea-prone skin unlike other vitamin C's on the market.”

THE REVIEW: “The serum is worth every penny, IMO. It’s never once irritated my skin and I’ve noticed a clear difference in my dark spots and overall skin tone after using it for a month,” says a tester.

If you’re dealing with sensitive skin or chronic redness, this ultra-gentle vitamin C serum is about to be your new go-to, thanks to its added vitamin E, colloidal oatmeal, and feverfew extract. Together these ingredient help soothe skin and reduce inflammation while providing a brightening effect. Use it every other morning on clean, dry skin if your skin is ultra sensitive.

THE REVIEW: “My skin has not liked other vitamin C products I have used in the past,” says a tester, adding that “this one is great for my sensitive skin. I have seen a difference on my dark spots on my chin.”

Before you splurge on a pricey peel or a laser treatment (like Fraxel or Clear and Brilliant) to get rid of your dark spots, give this brightening vitamin C serum a try. It quickly fades surface discoloration and dark spots while providing your skin with much needed antioxidant protection against free radical damage,” says Blancato. “It’s a product that I can count on to do exactly what its supposed to do: give your skin an even-toned glow and protect it from future damage.”

THE REVIEW: “This is truly one of the best vitamin C serums I've tried,” writes a tester. “It has made my skin look clearer and feel firmer—my dark spots are nearly gone!”

If you’re into green skincare, this vitamin C serum is for you. First, the formula is made without questionable ingredients (like parabens, silicones, or synthetic dyes and fragrances). Second, it contains an all-natural superfruit complex that's made with kakadu plum, one of nature’s richest sources of vitamin C, says Miele.

THE REVIEW: “I really like Kora Organics products, especially this serum,” says a tester. “I put it on after toner and before my moisturizer. It smells great, although the scent doesn’t last long. After I smooth it all over my face, I’ll dab a bit more on my dark spots. It really helps to keep my aging skin look youthful and glowing.”

Vitamin C serums tend to sit on top of the skin and feel a little sticky (hey, perfect skin requires sacrifices), but not this one from Glow Recipe. The brightening guava extract (it’s loaded with vitamin C) and pigment-correcting tranexamic acid legit feels like water on your skin, so you won’t even know it’s on your face.

THE REVIEW: “I seriously can’t say a bad thing about this product! I’ve been using it consistently and my dark spots are visibly reduced and my overall skin tone is more even. I can’t wait to try other products from this brand because this one knocked it outta the park!”

If your skin is too sensitive for a retinol face cream or serum but you still want the tightening and smoothing benefits, try this firming vitamin C serum from Dr. Dennis Gross. It uses 15 percent vitamin C to help repair and rebuild collagen—a protein that is naturally found in skin and is responsible for skin firmness and plumpness—plus lactic acid to nix dead skin cells and smooth the surface your skin.

THE REVIEW: “I love this vitamin C serum,” says one reviewer. “It’s really helped to brighten my skin and has made it more firm too. The packaging is so pretty too. The quality is the best!!”

Your best defense against UV damage is wearing sunscreen, but adding vitamin C serum to the mix can actually help boost its efficacy. Most derms recommend layering vitamin C with SPF 30 (minimum!), or you can use a formula that combines the two. Try Supergoop’s SPF 40 serum, which contains multiple antioxidants, including vitamin C.

THE REVIEW: “I bought this SPF on a whim and have been LOVING the results. I have pretty bad hyperpigmentation and I feel like this has really helped with hydration and reducing those dark marks and spots,” says a tester.

Everyone—no matter your skin type or skin tone—can use this gentle face serum. It’s filled with vitamin C, turmeric, kojic acid, and fruit enzymes which work together to dramatically fade dark spots, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from old breakouts.

THE REVIEW: “This serum is amazing,” writes one tester. “My skin is so glowy after using it and I have dry skin that tends to get dull. I am able to wear it in the day time with SPF and have no issues with burning on my sensitive skin.”

This innovative acne-fighting serum with vitamin C helps clear up skin two ways. First, salicylic acid and silymarin extract prevent breakouts by clearing out your pores and minimizing excess oil production. And second, the vitamin C and ferulic acid (an antioxidant that helps boost the efficacy of vitamin C) helps fade the appearance of dark marks and acne scars from old pimples.

THE REVIEW: “This is an excellent product for my skin type: extremely oily, acne-prone, and sensitive,” reads one review. “It has ceased any acne flare-ups (which is rare because I seem to break out almost overnight) and it appears to be working on my large pores and dark spots too.”

These single-use capsules aren’t just clutch for weekends away. The squishy shell protects the vitamin C that’s inside from light and air to keep it super potent (light and air oxidize vitamin C and reduce its efficacy, which is why any vitamin C in a jar is usually ineffective after a few uses). Just twist off the top and squeeze the serum onto your skin.

THE REVIEW: “I really like how the perfect little amount of product is in each capsule,” says one reviewer. “I have used other brands of vitamin C in the past which were a bit harsh, but this formula is great.”

You only need a few drops of this potent vitamin c serum to get serious skin brightening and smoothing results. It combines 15 percent vitamin C, ferulic acid, vitamin E, niacinamide, vitamin B5, and, hyaluronic acid to smooth lines, fade spots, and brighten your overall skin tone.

THE REVIEW: “This product is amazing. I have suffered from dark spots on my face for years and this serum has improved the appearance of the spots and helped with my skin texture too.”

A combo of 20 percent vitamin C, rosehip seed, and vitamin E work together in this clean, ethically-made face serum to protect skin from future damage and correct signs of existing damage (like dark spots and uneven skin texture) too.

THE REVIEW: “My skin is very oily and this has been my go-to vitamin C serum,” says one review. “It is a bit expensive, but it does a great job at brightening my skin. It doesn’t make my skin freak out or clog my pores either.”

This powerful serum combines vitamin C with glycolic acid (a potent AHA that helps boost cell turnover and get rid of dead skin cells) to make your dark spots lighter, your pores smaller, and your skin surface smoother and more even. I mean, what’s not to love?

THE REVIEW: “This is the best vitamin C product I’ve used. It’s effective and it doesn’t have a strong odor. One small pump is all you need—and be sure to rub it in so any layers going over it don’t pill. I use this after my shower in the morning and then either add a light moisturizer on top or go right to SPF.”

At just $15, this is the least expensive vitamin C serum on the list—but it’s by no means the least potent. The formula combines 15 percent ascorbyl glucoside (a stable form of vitamin C) with plant-based epidermal growth factors to fade dark spots and marks and minimize lines and rough texture.

THE REVIEW: “I have been using this for a few months now and I really like how it’s brightened my face. Plus, it’s very affordable and the tube lasts awhile.”

If you like the idea of combining vitamin C with an exfoliating acid, but your skin is on the sensitive side, pls allow me to introduce you to this mild exfoliating vitamin C serum. In addition to vitamin C, it uses PHAs (a gentle class of exfoliating acids) to give you the smoothest skin of your GD life.

THE REVIEW: “This is a staple in my routine,” says a tester. “It smells great, has a nice, light texture, and makes my face look bright and fresh. I’ve tried quite a few vitamin C serums and so far this one is working the best for me.”