Vitamin C is one of skin-care’s most-studied and most-efficacious ingredients, but it can be a tricky one to navigate for those prone to sensitivities. “Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is best stabilized in a lower pH, which can be more irritating for sensitive skin because of acidity and if its highly concentrated,” explains Davie, FL dermatologist Marianna Blyumin-Karasik, MD. “So, looking for formulations with a concentration of 10 percent or lower, or closer-to-neutral pH ascorbic acid—the molecular version of vitamin C—would be preferable for sensitive individuals with challenged skin types, such as dry, eczema-prone or rosacea-prone.”
Providence, RI dermatologist Tiffany Libby, MD echoes this advice, and also recommends starting with lower concentrations of L-ascorbic acid. “Assess your skin’s tolerance to the ingredient and then you can work your way up or incorporate other forms of vitamin C that may be less irritating and still have efficacious benefits for skin,” she says. “These other forms would be tetrahexyldecyl or (THD) ascorbate, which is a lipid-soluble and stable form of pro-vitamin C that gets converted to L-ascorbic acid in the skin. It has better skin penetration, and some studies suggest it may be just as or more potent than L-ascorbic acid and less irritating, which makes it a great option for sensitive skin. Sodium ascorbyl phosphate is a salt form of L-ascorbic acid that is less potent than pure L-ascorbic acid, but is also gentler and more stable, which makes it well-suited for sensitive skin.”
These are 17 vitamin C serums that dermatologists say are the best for those with sensitive skin.
1 / 17
La Roche-Posay 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum ($40)
“One element that can reduce some irritation in problematic skin types is to offset vitamin C irritation by adding hydrating ingredients to product the formulation, such as humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which this serum contains. It is one of my favorites to recommend to patients.” —Dr. Blyumin-Karasik
“La Roche-Posay includes multiple types of humectants like hyaluronic acid, which is hydrating to the skin and helps alleviate sensitivities.” —Fort Lauderdale, FL dermatologist Dr. Matthew Elias
2 / 17
skinbetter science Alto Defense Serum ($225)
“It not only contains vitamin C, but also several other antioxidants, and is designed for all skin types. It’s also fragrance-free, which is good for sensitive skin, and helps improve the appearance of redness.” —Rochester, NY dermatologist Lesley C. Loss, MD
“It not only contains stabilized vitamin C and L-ascorbic acid, but it also takes it one step further adding additional antioxidants like polyphenol-rich superfoods such as açaí, green tea and mediterranean olive all in a skin-smoothing blend to be super gentle on sensitive skin while yielding phenomenal results.” —Dr. Elias
3 / 17
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic ($169)
“This is my favorite vitamin C serum, with 15-percent L-ascorbic acid. Vitamin C can be very unstable and it oxidizes quickly, making the serum not effective. This formulation is stabilized, so it lasts longer and does not have a burning sensation when applied as opposed to many other formulations. The addition of vitamin E and ferulic acid adds extra anti-aging ingredients, and both are helpful for environmental damage, such as fighting free-radical formation in the skin that can contribute to skin cancer and loss of collagen.” —San Francisco dermatologist Tracy Evans, MD
“This is the most scientifically studied stabilized vitamin C and L-ascorbic acid, and the formulation is very elegant and nonirritating for sensitive skin.” —Dr. Elias
4 / 17
CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum ($26)
“Containing 10-percent L-ascorbic acid, this vitamin C serum offers a gentle yet effective option to brighten the skin. It also contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid, making it especially good for those with sensitive skin, as it hydrates and helps to support the skin barrier.” —New York dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD
5 / 17
TruSkin Vitamin C Serum for Face ($39)
“I love products that multitask and combine vitamin C with other ingredients that directly strengthen or calm sensitive skin. Various forms of vitamin C have varying irritation profiles, and increasing percentages of the active ingredients can also increase risk of irritation for sensitive skin. Ultimately, I suggest people with sensitive skin look for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, aloe, vitamin E, or niacinamide to be used in conjunction with their vitamin C to improve tolerance, and to address underlying potential for irritation. TruSkin Vitamin C contains hyaluronic acid that improves hydration, and also uses anti-inflammatory vitamin E to improve skin moisture and offset skin irritation.” —New York dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD
6 / 17
Clinical Skin Vitamin C Pro-Collagen Serum ($120)
“This serum does more than what its name implies. Besides hydrating and strengthening the skin, it contains a stabilized form of vitamin C in 20-percent L-absorbic acid to brighten and even skin tone and provide antioxidant benefits.” —New York dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD
7 / 17
Bliss Bright Idea Serum ($28)
“This serum uses a nonirritating version of vitamin C—ethyl ascorbic acid—and combines it with glycerin to attract moisture and prevent skin drying.” —Dr. Nazarian
“Containing a blend of vitamin C and collagen, this serum works to reduce dark spots while firming the skin. It is paraben-free and phthalate-free, making it a good option for those with sensitive skin.” —Dr. Garshick
8 / 17
Avène A-OXitive Antioxidant Defense Serum ($46)
“This antioxidant formula contains ascorbyl glucoside, a vitamin C precursor. The serum is formulated with a time-release technology for its active ingredients, and this seems to be agreeable even in my most sensitive-skinned patients.” —Davie, FL dermatologist Lesley Clark-Loeser, MD
9 / 17
SkinMedica Vitamin C+E Complex ($106)
One vitamin C product which I recommend for sensitive skin is Skinmedica‘s Vitamin C + E Complex. It is very effective and well tolerated.” —Greenwich, CT dermatologist Lynne Haven, MD
10 / 17
A Method C Antioxidant Gel 20% ($118)
“This is my favorite because it contains tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, which penetrates the skin better than other forms of vitamin C due to its fat-solubility, making it up to 50 times more effective and less irritating than water-soluble vitamin C formulations. Its emollient gel consistency also provides moisture and does not cause skin dryness, which can further irritate sensitive skin.” —Washington, D.C. dermatologist Tina Alster, MD
12 / 17
DOCTOR BABOR LIFTING RX Comfort Vitamin C Serum ($69)
“This serum is formulated with a highly effective combination of vitamin C ester, a stable form of vitamin C that stimulates collagen synthesis. It also contains hyaluronic acid and omega-3 fatty acids to help minimize the look of fine lines and wrinkles as it helps to strengthen the skin’s natural protective barrier and combat oxidative skin aging. This vegan formula is free of fragrances, silicones, parabens, and mineral oils, too, making it gentle yet effective for even the most sensitive skin.” —Miami dermatologist Roberta Del Campo, MD
13 / 17
Alphascience Tannic [CF] Serum ($120)
“Vitamin C remains my favorite cosmeceutical for skin. As science evolves, we are seeing how antioxidant vitamin C prevents skin aging, skin discoloration and browning. This serum is one of my favorite products that I use every day. Tannic acid is derived from sequoia bark, and when paired with vitamin C, the synergistic ingredients increase collagen synthesis. I love it because it is an excellent standalone product for every generation: I use it for prejuevenation in our younger patients, as well as combine it with other products for rejuevenation in our mature patients. It has an elegant formulation so I do not have to worry about irritation or noncompliance. Patients stay on it and we get terrific results.” —Rancho Mirage, CA dermatologist Wendy Roberts, MD
14 / 17
skinbetter science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair ($185)
“This is a new and even more powerful version of an already great antioxidant, Alto Defense Serum [included above]. Version 2.0 boasts a complex of 19 different antioxidants, along with additional new antioxidant technology that aims to protect our mitochondria. My sensitive skin patients not only tolerate this product, but also love it.” —Dr. Clark-Loeser
“I love that this serum contains 17 additional antioxidants in addition to vitamins C and E to help protect against free-radical damage and environmental stressors without irritating the skin. Additionally, it contains Allyl PQQ, patented superpotent antioxidant technology, and an anti-pollution complex, which together reduces dullness, improves redness and brightens the skin.” —Dr. Garshick
15 / 17
OAM 20% Vitamin C Brightening Serum ($62)
“This serum contains a patented Tri-C Pro-Peptide Complex that leverages a blend of vitamin C forms including L-ascorbic acid, THD ascorbate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate to brighten skin, target dullness and improve skin’s texture. Sodium ascorbyl phosphate is particularly great for sensitive skin types, and the formula was clinically tested on women with sensitive skin types with no reports of irritation.” —Dr. Libby
16 / 17
“Choosing a vitamin C product that is suitable for sensitive skin can be tricky because L-ascorbic acid is a very unstable molecule, and at the concentration at which it is effective in skin care, it can also be irritating to sensitive skin. The best form of vitamin C for sensitive skin is 3-0 ethyl ascorbic acid. This form of vitamin C is highly stable and potent, but completely non-irritating. It also has excellent brightening properties.
This serum contains vitamin C in the form of 3-0 ethyl ascorbic acid, as well as additional soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients such as niacinamide, probiotics and hyaluronic acid, which calm and hydrate sensitive skin.” —Dallas dermatologist Rebecca Marcus, MD
17 / 17
Vichy LiftActiv Supreme Vitamin C Serum ($34)
“This serum contains 15-percent L-ascorbic acid, helping to even skin tone and improve radiance. It contains a blend of other antioxidants and is lightweight and fragrance-free, making it a great option for someone with sensitive skin.” —Dr. Garshick
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