Bursting with antioxidant protection, vitamin C serums are a well-recognized hero of any morning skin-care regime—but the best vitamin C creams are also star players in smoothing, brightening, and warding off free-radical damage. Which formulation, then, should one choose? “Whether a vitamin C cream or serum is better depends on your skin type, concerns, and personal preferences,” says Dr. Dr. Rachel Westbay, a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in Manhattan. While serums tend to contain a higher concentration of vitamin C, making them ideal for issues like hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and dullness, vitamin C creams offer a more skin-quenching set of pros. “Creams generally provide additional moisturizing benefits, which can be great for people with dry or mature skin,” Westbay notes. “If you have sensitive skin, a cream may be less irritating than a serum because it combines vitamin C with emollients, helping to buffer the potential irritation or dryness that can occur with serums.” Ready to put a creamier spin on your vitamin C routine? Ahead, find Vogue’s edit of the best vitamin C creams for a burst of brightness.
Vogue’s Favorite Vitamin C Creams:
In This Story:
Best With Retinol: Kate Somerville +Retinol Vitamin C Moisturizer
- Why We Love It: Though retinol and vitamin C aren’t always an ideal pairing, as using the ingredients together can cause redness or flaking, there are exceptions to the rule. Kate Somerville’s rich and creamy formulation, aimed at firming and brightening the skin, contains 100% pure retinol that’s encapsulated in volcanic soil. The retinol is time-released, so it seeps into the skin a bit at a time to stave off irritation. The night cream caused no adverse side effects for Vogue’s senior editor Chloe Schama. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. “The moisturizer seems to preempt the drying that can sometimes occur with retinol,” she reports. “An added bonus: Subtracting a step from my routine means one less thing to worry about, means less stress, means better skin—or so I like to think! “ Along with retinol and vitamin C, Somerville’s cream is infused with wild gooseberry extract for added antioxidant protection.
- Key Ingredients: Retinol, vitamin C, wild gooseberry extract
- Best For: Aging, dry, and uneven skin types will benefit most from the cream’s smoothing, hydrating, and brightening properties.
- Size: 1.7 oz
Best for Oily Skin: Sunday Riley C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer
- Why We Love It: Sunday Riley’s gel cream swipes on with a yellow tint, then dries with a satiny finish that provides a smooth makeup base—or looks luminous on its own. Infused with THD ascorbate to perk up any dullness, it also contains the humectant sodium hyaluronate, which plumps the skin while giving it a moisturized glow. Meanwhile, the antioxidant lutein protects the skin from the glare of tablets and screens. “[Blue light] can generate oxidative stress that damages skin cells, DNA, and proteins such as collagen and elastin,” Dr. Carmen Górriz of Instituto Médico Ricart previously told Vogue.
- Key Ingredients: THD ascorbate, sodium hyaluronate, lutein
- Best For: Suited for dry, dull, or aging skin, the cream plumps, smooths, and brightens. Because it has a gel-like texture that won’t clog pores, it’s ideal for oily or combination skin.
- Size: 1.7 oz
Best Korean: Laneige Radian-C Cream
- Why We Love It: K-beauty stalwart Laneige infused its radiance-boosting cream with vitamins C and E. When paired together, the two ingredients provide extra protection against UV rays, since vitamin E bolsters the antioxidant properties of vitamin C. (Kindly note that you should still pair it with SPF in the daytime for adequate sun protection.) The cream is particularly effective at targeting dark spots, making it a go-to for an even, glowing skin tone. What’s more, it has an 8.5% vitamin C concentration that’s well-tolerated by most skin types. “When looking at a vitamin C concentration in a product, note that higher concentrations can cause irritation, while lower concentrations may not be as effective,” says Dr. Yael Halaas, a double-board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City. “Somewhere in the range of 5-10% should be adequate.”
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin C derivative, vitamin E
- Best For: The cream works best on normal or dry skin types, and targets dullness, dehydration, and dark spots.
- Size: 1.0 oz
Best Packaging: Paula’s Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer
- Why We Love It: The Paula’s Choice Super Boost moisturizer harnesses multiple actives to hydrate, brighten, and firm up the skin. Its key ingredients include hexapeptide-5, which gives the skin a smooth and lifted look by boosting collagen production. It also has polyglutamic acid to strengthen the skin barrier and help it lock in moisture and a 5% vitamin C concentration. The opaque packaging, which has an airless pump, was thoughtfully designed to maximize the efficacy of the cream. “Vitamin C is sensitive to light and air, which can degrade its effectiveness,” Westbay says. “Choose a cream that comes in an opaque or air-tight container to protect the ingredient. If possible, find products that use airless pumps, as they limit the exposure to oxygen and help maintain stability.”
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, hexapeptide-5, polyglutamic acid
- Best For: The moisturizer is formulated for all skin types, and is particularly effective at targeting dullness or sagging.
- Size: 1.7 oz
Best Drugstore: Olay Regenerist Vitamin C + Peptide Moisturizer
- Why We Love It: Aimed at smoothing wrinkles and brightening the skin, Olay’s silky cream has a sweet citrus scent. The drugstore gem contains Olay’s proprietary peptide 24, which was designed to hydrate and firm. Other ingredients include niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 that brightens the skin tone, and lactic acid to exfoliate dead skin cells and tighten the pores. The cream can be used day and night, but be sure to pair it with SPF by day as lactic acid can make the skin more sensitive to sun damage.
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, niacinamide, peptides
- Best For: The non-comedogenic, dermatologist-tested cream has a lightweight texture that sinks into the skin without any residue, making it ideal for oily or combination skin types.
- Size: 1.7 oz
Best for Combination Skin: Olehenriksen C-Rush Vitamin C Gel Moisturizer
- Why We Love It: With a peachy hue and a bright, citrusy scent, Olehenriksen’s gel-cream moisturizer harnesses three types of vitamin C. It’s made with ascorbic acid, a pure form of the vitamin that boosts collagen production. It also contains the vitamin C derivatives 3-0 ethyl ascorbic acid and tetrahexydecyl ascorbic. “Ethyl ascorbic acid needs to be converted to the most active form of vitamin C, so it’s not as immediately active or potent, but this can also be a good thing for people with sensitive skin who want results but also want a decreased risk of irritation and a lower acidity level,” says Rachel Nazarian MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City. Designed to feel like a burst of orange juice on the skin, the zippy cream has a refreshing feel, while its instantly hydrating properties help prime the skin for makeup.
- Key Ingredients: Ascorbic acid, 3-0 ethyl ascorbic acid, tetrahexydecyl ascorbic, rose of winter extract (to nourish and condition the skin)
- Best For: The gel-cream texture is ideal for oily and combination skin types, though the moisturizer is also suited for dry, normal, and sensitive skin.
- Size: 1.7 oz
Best for Sensitive Skin: REN Clean Skincare Glow Daily Vitamin C Gel Cream
- Why We Love It: Suited for sensitive skin, Ren’s gel cream steers clear of exfoliating agents, such as alpha hydroxy acids, that could cause irritation. Instead, it’s infused with tara pod extract, which soothes the skin and targets hyperpigmentation, and glycogen, a complex sugar that contributes to a brighter, more even tone. Meanwhile, a stabilized vitamin C complex helps protect the skin against free radical damage while making it more radiant. With a light, fast-absorbing texture, the vegan formulation can be used morning and night, and it’s housed in opaque, recyclable packaging.
- Key Ingredients: Stabilized vitamin C complex, glycogen, tara pod extract
- Best For: The cream evens out the skin tone and boosts its radiance without exfoliating, making it ideal for sensitive skin.
- Size: 1.7 oz
Best for Mature Skin: BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner
- Why We Love It: With 20 percent pure vitamin C, BeautyStat’s cream-textured serum may not be for the vitamin C beginner—but it is Hailey Beiber’s vitamin C of choice, according to her numerous YouTube testimonials. Formulated by Ron Robinson, the cosmetic chemist behind Bieber’s Rhode, the patented formulation also has a stamp of approval from board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss, who previously told Vogue: “It is a patented version of stabilized 20% L-ascorbic acid (or vitamin C) that does not oxidize.” This is key: When vitamin C does oxidize it can turn brown, take on an unpleasant smell, and—most importantly—become about 25% less effective.
- Key Ingredients: 20% pure vitamin C, active green tea, squalane
- Best For: Dry or mature skin types will benefit from the product’s brightening, smoothing, and tightening properties.
- Size: 1 fl oz
Best With SPF: Revision Skincare Intellishade TruPhysical Tinted Moisturizer
- Why We Love It: Revision Skincare’s mineral SPF streamlines one’s morning skin-care regime. Dr. Michele Farber, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Philadelphia, says: “This is one of my favorite products with vitamin C in a cream. It’s a moisturizer, antioxidant, and tinted sunscreen in one product, making it a great multitasker that goes on very smoothly.” Infused with squalane, glycerin, and aloe vera for hydration, the salve has an SPF of 45. It also contains THD ascorbate, which Westbay calls: “the most superior, most bioavailable, stable, and effective form of vitamin C to deliver skin-brightening benefits.”
- Key Ingredients: THD ascorbate (vitamin C), iron oxide, zinc oxide
- Best For: The anti-aging SPF is suited for normal and mature skin types.
- Size: 1.7 oz
Best Firming: Natura Bissé C+C Vitamin Cream
- Why We Love It: Three types of vitamin C—cyclodextrins, ascorbic acid, and Vita C Asimil— infuse Natura Bissé’s firming cream with antioxidant protection. (The brand recommends massaging it into the face, neck, and chest before and after sun exposure.) With a rich texture and a citrus scent, the cream targets sagging skin with firming collagen and amino acids. The formulation is also infused with grapeseed oil, which contains fatty acids that can boost collagen production. Rosehip oil adds an extra dash of dewiness to the skin.
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, rosehip oil, collagen, amino acids, grapeseed oil
- Best For: Formulated for normal to dry skin types, the cream firms sagginess and brightens dark spots.
- Size: 2.5 oz
Best for Dry Skin: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Vitamin C Lactic Dewy Deep Cream
- Why We Love It: Thick and buttery, Dr. Dennis Gross’s dew-inducing cream harnesses 3-O ethyl ascorbic acid (a stable vitamin C derivative) to boost radiance and make fine lines appear magically whisked away. Designed for daytime and nighttime use, the formulation also has lactic acid—the exfoliating alpha-hydroxy acid increases the cream’s absorption, bolsters the antioxidant properties of vitamin C, and unclogs the pores. The addition of squalene provides deep hydration and moisture.
- Key Ingredients: 3-O Ethyl ascorbic acid (vitamin C), lactic acid, squalene
- Best For: Aging and dry skin types
- Size: 2 oz
Best Hydrating: Belif Aqua Bomb Brightening Vitamin C Cream
- Why We Love It: The K-beauty brand’s brightening cream has vitamins C and E to protect the skin against free radicals, keeping its radiance intact. With a similar formulation to Belif’s Aqua Bomb—a whipped-cream-like concoction that’s gained cult status for its quick-to–sink-in hydration—the vitamin C cream seeps the skin in moisture with four types of hyaluronic acid. Also infused with inflammation-fighting Lady’s mantle, the product feels refreshingly cooling as it’s applied, rather like a creamsicle for parched skin.
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid blend
- Best For: Normal, dry, combination, and oily skin types.
- Size: 1.7 oz
Best Under Makeup: Vichy LiftActif Peptide-C Specialist
- Why We Love It: With a light, wood-floral scent, Vichy’s phytopeptide-infused cream restores dull and tired skin with a dash of radiance. Along with brightening vitamin C, the French concoction has niacinamide—another radiance-boosting ingredient—while its green-pea-derived peptides lend a firming touch to sagging skin. The product has a creamy texture as it’s applied, then dries with a soft, powdery finish that provides a velvety base for concealer or foundation.
- Key Ingredients: Phytopeptides, vitamin C, niacinamide
- Best For: The allergy-tested formula is safe for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Those with aging skin or dark spots will benefit most from the cream’s brightening and firming properties.
- Size: 1.69 fl oz
Best for Everyday: Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Moisturizer
- Why We Love It: A hallowed hydration hero, squalane forms a lipid barrier that keeps moisture under the surface of the skin, contributing to a smoother, more supple complexion. The sugarcane-derived ingredient plays a starring role in Biossance’s rose moisturizer, which does quick work to diminish the appearance of wrinkles. The cream also contains THD ascorbate, while a twist of fermented lemon peel serves as a natural brightening agent. Best suited for dry or normal skin types, the cushiony cream protects the skin from free-radical damage while making it look lit from within.
- Key Ingredients: Squalane, TDH ascorbate, fermented lemon peel
- Best For: Normal to dry skin types.
- Size: 1.69 oz
Best Night Cream: Korres Wild Rose Night-Brightening Sleeping Facial
- Why We Love It: Akin to an overnight facial, Korres’s rosy cream is an all-in-one moisturizer and face mask. The light, airy “facial” melts into the skin as it’s applied, and delivers actives all night. While you sleep, the salve targets dullness with vitamin C, while rosehip oil smooths the skin and wild rose provides radiance-boosting hydration. (Talk about sweet dreams.) In the morning, skin feels bouncier and altogether more glowy, as though it’s fresh from a dreamland spa.
- Key Ingredients: Wild rose, vitamin C, rosehip oil
- Best For: Suited for dry, oily, normal, and combination skin types, the cream most effectively targets uneven texture.
- Size: 1.35 oz
How does vitamin C benefit the skin?
Why is vitamin C such a coveted ingredient? “Vitamin C is essentially a water-soluble vitamin that is a necessary component for many aspects of skin health,” Nazarian explains. “It’s useful in maintaining healthy collagen fibers but can also be used topically for various skin benefits because it is a wonderful antioxidant. Aside from improving the appearance of wrinkles, pores, and fine lines, it can also improve pigmentation and sun damage—that’s why it’s so loved!”
What to Look for in a Vitamin C Cream
Westbay breaks down the main factors to consider when selecting a vitamin C cream:
Type of vitamin C:
- L-Ascorbic Acid: “This is the most potent and effective form of vitamin C, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin,” she says. “ It works well for brightening and anti-aging.”
- Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP): “This is a more stable and gentle form of vitamin C, and it’s great for sensitive skin,” Westbay says.
- Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP): “Another stable form of vitamin C, this is more moisturizing and good for dry or mature skin,” she says.
- Ascorbyl Glucoside: “This is a stable form of vitamin C that works well over time and is less likely to cause irritation,” Westbay concludes.
Concentration:
“Look for a vitamin C concentration of 10–20%,” Westbay suggests. “ Anything lower might not be as effective, and anything higher could cause irritation, especially in a cream formula.”
Ingredients:
Look for ingredients like vitamin E (tocopherol) and ferulic acid,” Westbay instructs. “These can enhance the stability and effectiveness of vitamin C and provide additional antioxidant protection.”
“In creams, look for hyaluronic acid, which helps lock in moisture without being heavy,” Westbay says. “Glycerin, a humectant that draws water into the skin, is great for hydration, and ceramides help strengthen the skin barrier and lock in moisture.”
pH level:
“Vitamin C works best at a pH level of around 2.5–3.5,” Westbay notes.” Check if the brand provides this information, as a proper pH level ensures effectiveness without causing too much irritation.”
Stabilized formulation:
Finally, Westbay says: “Vitamin C is prone to oxidation, so look for creams that specifically mention a stabilized form of vitamin C to ensure potency lasts longer.”
Is vitamin C cream better than a vitamin C serum?
“While Vitamin C in both serums and creams offer skin benefits, the choice between them depends on your skin’s specific needs,” says Halaas. “Serums have a lighter consistency but contain a higher concentration of active ingredients. They are fast-absorbing and they will penetrate deeper into the skin, making them ideal for targeting issues like fine lines, wrinkles, dryness, acne, and hyperpigmentation. On the other hand, creams are thicker and provide intense hydration, making them better suited for dry or moisture-deprived skin.”
Can you use a vitamin C cream every day?
“Not only can you use a vitamin C cream daily, you absolutely should use it daily,” Nazarian says. “Its major benefit comes as a protective source against frev-radical damage, so the more often you use it, the more protection and preservation for your skin.” All the dermatologists note that, while vitamin C boosts the efficacy of SPF, it is not a stand-in for it, and vitamin C should always be paired with sunscreen in the daytime.
Is vitamin C good for mature skin?
“Vitamin C can be very beneficial for mature skin,” says Westbay.“It’s a potent antioxidant that helps to neutralize free radicals, which contribute to aging. Vitamin C promotes collagen synthesis, helping to improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It can also help fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation—a common issue with age and cumulative sun exposure—evening out skin tone and giving the skin a brighter, more youthful appearance.” As an antioxidant, she adds that vitamin C is also preventative, as it can protect the skin from oxidative stress caused by pollution and UV exposure, which can accelerate aging. “Regular use of vitamin C can also lead to smoother skin by promoting skin cell turnover and helping with skin repair,” she says.
Meet the Experts
- Dr. Michele Farber, MD is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Philadelphia.
- Dr. Carmen Górriz is the director of aesthetic medicine at Instituto Médico Ricart in Spain.
- Dr. Yael Halaas, MD, FACS, is a double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon in New York City.
- Dr. Shereene Idriss, MD is a board-certified dermatologist, an expert in facial rejuvenation, and the founder of Idriss Dermatology in New York.
- Dr. Rachel Nazarian, MD is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City.
- Dr. Rachel Westbay, MD FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
