14 Best Vitamin C Serums With Editor-Backed Reviews

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Vitamin C Lactic 15% Firm & Bright Serum ($85)

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare’s Vitamin C Lactic 15% Firm & Bright Serum is a unique formulation that combines the hydration and gentle exfoliation of lactic acid with everything vitamin C has to offer. According to the brand, “clinical studies show that when vitamin C is paired with lactic acid, vitamin C absorption and performance improve.” It also contains licorice root extract, mulberry extracts, vitamin E, ferulic acid, and glycolic acid. The serum is formulated for those with normal or combination skin types, looking to fade dark spots, even out the skin tone and texture, as well as reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Editor Quote: “After using this serum for 16 days . . . my dark spots have gradually faded, and my overall skin tone is brighter. On top of that, my skin’s texture has improved significantly; my pores don’t appear as big, my breakouts have decreased, and my skin looks more refined. This serum has tyrosinase inhibitors that help target and diminish dark spots . . . AHAs like lactic acid and glycolic acid chemically exfoliate the skin, which helps with preventing breakouts, smoothing out texture, and increasing the efficacy of the tyrosinase inhibitors. . . . The tricky thing with dark spots and hyperpigmentation is that it takes a long time to fade, but this serum is effective in not only fading existing ones, but also preventing new ones from forming via breakouts. To see this much of a difference in a little over two weeks is worth every cent.” — AR

Read our in-depth review of the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Vitamin C Lactic 15% Firm & Bright Serum here, and check out the before-and-after pictures for proof.