What is Vitamin C Serum?
A vitamin C serum is a skin-care product packed with vitamin C. It has the consistency of a liquid or gel, and is applied topically to the skin.
You’ll find these serums wherever you normally purchase skin-care products — at department stores, beauty stores, and some drugstores, too.
What Is The Best Vitamin C Serum In South Africa
Noche Y Dia Vitamin C Serum (Skin Type – All)
The Noche Skincare brand is fairly new to South Africa. I was quite intrigued about this product because, unlike other Vitamin C Serums, this serum can be used in the morning and in the evening.
This serum is packaged in a vibrant orange box which caught my attention. When I opened the serum, I was drawn toward the pleasant citrus scent and I liked that the convenient pump bottle that the serum was packaged in.
Ingredient Quality
- Paraben-free
- Cruelty-free
- Made with key natural ingredients
The key ingredients stood out to me as this serum includes 4 sources of Vitamin C, namely, Ascorbic Acid, Kiwi Seed Oil, Bitter Orange Oil, and Lemon Oil.
02. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic (Skin Type – Normal, Dry, Sensitive)
The SkinCeuticals serum was one of the most talked-about Vitamin C serums worldwide. As you can imagine, I was really excited to see if the serum was worth the hype!
When I opened the box, I immediately got a sense that this product was high quality due to the serum being packaged in a lightweight 30 ml glass bottle. I really like that the serum comes with a dropper that allows you to get the right amount of product on your fingertips, without wasting the product.
Besides the overall packaging, I was very impressed with the unboxing experience.
I purchased this product from Dermastore and the product arrived the next day. The serum was packaged in a Dermastore box, it included a personalized note that indicated the best way to use the product and a sample of another product from the SkinCeuticals brand.
Ingredient Quality
- Alcohol-free
- Paraben-free
03. Kiehl’s – Powerful-Strength Vitamin C Serum (Skin Type – All)
For as long as I can remember, Kiehl’s has been one of my favorite brands when it comes to skincare. Naturally so, as a faithful user of Kiehl’s products, I could not wait to review this serum.
The Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Vitamin C Serum is packaged in a minimalist pump bottle that has a high-class look. I really like the practicality of the pump bottle as it prevents the product from getting wasted and it is very hygienic as it does not involve you having direct contact with the portions of the product that is not being used.
Ingredient Quality
- Paraben-Free
- Alcohol-Free
- Mineral oil-free
- Dye-free.
The key ingredients of this Kiehl’s serum include L-Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, and Hyaluronic Acid.
04. Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Vitamin C Ceramide Capsules Radiance Renewal Serum (Skin Type – Dry)
The Elizabeth Arden brand is known for its luxurious skincare products. This is evident in the packaging of the Elizabeth Arden serum as the gold packaging creates a high-quality, luxurious feel.
The Elizabeth Arden serum has the most unique packaging compared to other products mentioned on this list. The serum is packaged in the form of gold capsules which come with instructions on how to use the product. TI also noticed that each capsule contains a sufficient amount of serum that can be used for your face and neck! On the other hand, if you have leftover serum after a single application, the serum can be wasted as the capsule can’t be closed.
Ingredient Quality
- Fragrance-free
- Alcohol-free
The Elizabeth Arden serum consists of two powerful key ingredients Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C) and ceramides (ceramide 1, 3 & 6).
05. Vichy Liftactiv Brightening Skin Corrector 10ml (Skin Type – All)
When I purchased the 10 ml Vichy Liftactiv Brightening Skin Corrector, I was immediately drawn towards the silver and orange packaging, as it gave off a very sophisticated feel.
The serum is packaged in a cute glass bottle that includes a dropper. When looking at the serum, I thought this product would be ideal to carry around when traveling! It is also ideal for those who want to first try the product to see if it works for their skin or if they will have any reactions to the serum, before investing in a larger bottle.
Ingredient Quality
- Paraben-free
- Fragrance-free
The key ingredients are similar to those mentioned above, the Vichy serum contains 15% Pure Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid.
Despite the serum being paraben-free and fragrance-free, I was disappointed to see that the formula included Alcohol Denat as it is not the best ingredient for people with dry or sensitive skin like mine.
How long will it take for vitamin C serum to work?
While every situation is different, most people see results from using a vitamin C serum within three months.
Whether you’re noticing a brighter complexion, plumper skin or improvements in hyperpigmentation, vitamin C can work wonders quite quickly!
Why does my skin look dark after applying vitamin C serum?
A. Many women complain of skin darkening after applying Vitamin C serum. It is probably because they fail to layer it with a hydrating moisturizer. Leaving the serum alone on the face allows it to react with the oxygen present in the air.