Wondering about Vitamin C and Reasons to Have It in Your Skin Care Regime: How to Find the Perfect Vitamin C Serum and 10 Best Vitamin C Serum Korean

If there’s a skincare ingredient that is worth every hype, it is Vitamin C. This immune-boosting vitamin is known for its antioxidant properties. It helps prevent the formation of free radicals that break down collagen. It is also the dermatologist’s answer to hyperpigmentation and dark spots.

Here’s everything you need to know about Vitamin C, the most powerful, must-have ingredient in your skincare routine.

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is famous for its immunity-boosting properties. It is also rich in antioxidants that help in brightening the skin complexion. It is vital to add the vitamin in your daily diet in the form of fruits and vegetables like citrus fruits, pineapple, cantaloupe, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, etc. Intake of these supply adequate vitamin C for the body but not enough for the skin. Hence, the dermatologists suggest adding it in the form of a serum or moisturiser in your regular skincare routine.

Vitamin C is an essential vitamin that humans and animals cannot do without. Skin requires vitamin c to synthesise collagen and inhibit the production of elastin. Collagen and elastin give the skin its firmness and elasticity. Adding vitamin c to your daily routine helps increase collagen, which offers an anti-aging effect. This again helps to reduce acne marks.

Vitamin C also slows the production of melanin upon sun exposure, which is the reason for dark spots—thereby arresting hyperpigmentation. Including AHA/BHA in the night-routine exfoliates the skin and increases cell turnover. This additional step, along with vitamin c helps to clear existing pigmentation.

Not all Vitamin C serums are equal in the formulation. Here are a few factors you need to consider when going for a vitamin c serum.

Vitamin C has long been used in skincare, be it Korean or desi face masks suggested by your grandmother. If you are still wondering about the benefits of a vitamin c serum, here’s why you should go for them if not anything else.

Too much of anything cannot be useful in any circumstance. The benefits of vitamin c can be felt for up to 24 hours. Using it once a day is enough. Also, vitamin c is prone to oxidation; it can be detrimental if not used properly. Here are a few side effects of excessive Vitamin C usage.

On the search for an effective Vitamin C serum, Korean products always top the list. With relatively safe ingredients, their serums are always sought after. Not to mention the innovations they usually come with.

Designed to be safe even for the most sensitive skin, the KLAIRS Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop contains 5% ascorbic acid along with Centella Asiatica, yuzu extract, and broccoli extract. The fragrance-free formula is non-irritating and has a pH of 3.81. The multi-solution vitamin c serum transforms the dull skin tone, fades the pigmentation, and evens out the skin tone. Free of parabens, alcohols, colourants, and artificial fragrances, the serum restores and rejuvenates the skin.

KLAIRS Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Normal, combination and oily skin can wear half a dropper on a cleansed face while sensitive skin 3-4 drops, as such or mixed in with your moisturiser. Priced at Rs. 2,406, it is available to buy from Amazon India.

The Neogen Real Vita C Powder Lemon designed especially for Soko Glam is vitamin c in powder form. It offers the brightening properties of the vitamin c serum without the product getting oxidised. With a pure vitamin c of 17% ascorbic acid, the product also contains ingredients like allantoin, trehalose, hydrolysed collagen, and lemon extract. Free from alcohol, silicone, artificial fragrance, paraben, mineral oil, and surfactants the formula brightens tired skin and hydrates it further. It is ideal for all skin types, even sensitive, and is available to buy from Soko Glam for $20 or Rs. 1,495.

Mix Neogen Real Vita C Powder Lemon with your serum or essence (anything that’s watery). Allow it to dissolve for 20 seconds and apply generously on your face.

Another cult favourite that is a collaboration between Charlotte Cho and COSRX is the Cosrx Triple C Lightning Liquid. The serum boasts of 20.5% ascorbic acid, containing pure vitamin c with the added benefits of black chokeberry which is known to stabilise high concentrations of vitamin c. Perfect for all skin types, it brightens dull skin and brings radiance. With a pH level of 3, the serum is fragrance-free. Purchase Cosrx Triple C Lightning Liquid from Sokoglam for $27 or Rs. 2,018.

Apply 1-2 drops of the vitamin c serum directly to your cleansed face. As for sensitive skin, mix with a moisturiser. Start with every other night and graduate to every night.

Gift your skin with the nourishment it deserves with the By Wishtrend Pure Vitamin C21.5 Advanced Serum. With 21.5% pure vitamin c, the serum has just 10 essential ingredients. The higher amount of vitamin c helps to restore supple skin and reduce acne scars. The vitamin tree water ensures hydrated skin and also replenishes the lost moisture. The presence of panthenol and allantoin stabilises the concentrated vitamin c for longer periods of time. The vitamin c serum costs Rs. 4,759 and is available to buy from amazon.in.

Safe to use by advanced vitamin c users, the By Wishtrend Pure Vitamin C21.5 Advanced Serum is your last step in essential skincare. Apply an adequate amount to the face by tapping and massaging to ensure absorption.

Famous as the “Two-Week Serum”, the Goodal Green Tangerine Vita C Dark Spot Serum contains 70% green tangerine extract. Accessible only 4 months of the year, green tangerine is said to have 10 times more vitamin c. Ascorbyl glucoside, the form of vitamin c used here is not only stable but also lightweight in texture and non-irritating.

The other ingredients are arbutin and niacinamide, which brighten the skin providing additional hydration and a more even skin tone. This wonder serum is available to buy from BeautyBarn for Rs. 1,700.

While pure Vitamin C is known for its fast results, it is not the most stable, neither it is ideal for sensitive skin. The Skin Power 10 Formula VC Effector contains ascorbyl tetra-isopalmitate, an oil-soluble vitamin derivative. The serum also contains anti-aging ingredients and as such is perfect for aging and mature skin. Consisting of entirely natural ingredients, it also smoothens and brightens the skin. It is also free from artificial fragrance, colouring, and alcohol.

Apply 2-3 drops on your skin by tapping it for maximum penetration. Buy it from Nykaa for Rs. 950.

Rich in vitamins and minerals, peach is known for its rejuvenating effects. Vitamin A and C present in peach are antioxidants that reduce damage due to free radicals. The Peach Sake Pore Serum by Skinfood combines the goodness of peach and sake made from rice wine. The alcohol content in the sake controls the sebum secretion. It also brightens the skin and increases collagen production. Another vital ingredient is the silica which absorbs the excess oil creating a matte look.

Buy the multi-functional serum from iHerb for Rs. 1,219. Use Skinfood, Peach Sake Pore Serum after emulsion in your skincare routine. Apply the necessary amount to target areas in a gentle circular motion.

Another Vitamin C serum, Korean beauty industry has given us is the Purito Pure Vitamin C Serum. The Korean brand only uses natural ingredients, and the serum is loaded with 5% ascorbic acid, red ginseng extract, and natural niacinamide. These ingredients brighten the skin, prevent skin aging, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Another essential component is the 84% hyaluronic acid, which gives necessary hydration. It is available to buy from Yes Style for $14.31 or Rs. 1,070.

After cleansing and toning, apply one pump to your face and neck.

A dual functioning serum that brightens and whitens your skin. Some by mi-Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum contains 75% galactomyces ferment filtrate, the ultimate skin brightening agent. That combined with enriched Vitamin C lightens blemishes and fades dark spots. The non-sticky formula also includes sodium hyaluronate and niacinamide. They help in hydration and leaves behind a firmer-looking skin. Buy it from BeautyBarn for Rs. 1,650. Apply a few drops on a clean face and pat for better absorption.

Enjoy the antioxidant powers of pure vitamin c with the Tia’m My Signature C Source. It contains 20% pure Vitamin C that brightens dull skin and improves the skin texture. The vitamin also energises the skin and inhibits free radicals. The light formula spreads on the skin quickly, promotes collagen, and strengthens the elasticity. The other essential ingredients are panthenol, niacinamide, ubiquinone. Priced at Rs. 1,400, the serum is available to buy at Shop and Shop.

Apply 1-2 drops of Vitamin C to your toned skin and spread evenly. Spot treat dark spots and pigmented areas.

The k-celebrities have a glow about them that makes you crave for it. It may be diet or genetics, but vitamin c definitely plays a part. This hero-ingredient is a potent antioxidant, hence can be used in your morning routine too.

Here is how you can make the best use of Vitamin C: