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Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps our skin maintain it’s youthful appearance. There are plenty of organic Vitamin C serums available, but what is the best organic vitamin c serum?
First off, let’s talk about what vitamin C can do for skin health. We can then discuss the different forms of Vitamin C, how to choose the best serum, and our current recommendation.
What can Vitamin C do for our Skin?
Vitamin C is one of the few proven anti-aging ingredients available. It has strong antioxidant activity that repairs damage done to our skin by the sun, pollution, and oxygen. A well-formulated Vitamin C serum can:
- reduce sun damage, such as sunspots.
- reduce inflammation.
- improves the skin’s natural healing response.
- improve your skin’s UV defense.
- firms the skin by boosting collagen production.
- enhance the skin’s texture.
- reduce the look of wrinkles and fine lines.
Check out this article on Science Daily about Vitamin C and it’s skin regenerating potentials.
Types of Vitamin C
Vitamin C comes in many forms, but the best and most effective form for skin care is L-ascorbic acid (AA). Most of the research has been done on this form, and it has been shown to be highly effective. It does have a low pH and therefore, can be irritating to the skin (more on pH below).
Other forms of Vitamin C also work, but there is less research proving their effectiveness. These include - magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, retinyl ascorbate, ascorbyl palmitate, and sodium ascorbyl phosphate.
Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (MAP) shows promising results. It is water-soluble, gentle, efficient at lower concentrations, has a longer shelf life, and is stable at a neutral pH. But, it doesn’t do as well with free radical reduction as AA.
If you have sensitive skin, MAP might be your better bet. It is less harsh than AA, but it is also more expensive.
At least for now, AA is the winner, so make sure it is the main form of Vitamin C in your product formulation. Some products have a mixture of a few types of Vitamin C. This can be good, as it gives your skin a wider range of Vitamin C to absorb.
What to Know About Vitamin C Serums
Vitamin C Breaks Down Easily
Vitamin C is not very stable and it breaks down fast. The packaging is important, with the best packaging being dark glass, and preferably a pump dispenser, or a tight-fitting lid, to minimize light and air exposure.
Vitamin C begins to rapidly oxidize when mixed with water, so finding a serum that does not have water as the first ingredient is important (this is easier said than done, as so many vitamin C serums contain water as the top ingredient).
It is best to use your Vitamin C serum within 3 months of opening.
Ideal pH and Concentration
The acidity of your product will make a difference in how effective it is. A pH of 3.5 or less is ideal. This allows the product to be better absorbed. (source)
In order to avoid irritation, the formula should have no more than a 20% concentration of Vitamin C. Any higher of a concentration could cause irritation. Concentrations as low as 0.6 % have been proven to be effective. A concentration of 10% - 20% is best.
Pairing with Vitamin E
A study showed that Vitamin C is even more effective at protecting the skin from UV damage when paired with Vitamin E. The mixture of 0.5% ferulic acid, 15% Vitamin C, and 1% Vitamin E increases the efficiency of Vitamin C eight-fold (source).
Looking for the Best Organic Vitamin C Serum
Products with the Same Formulation
I have spent hours researching what Vitamin C serums are on the market. There are literally hundreds of options. I have noticed that most mainstream Vitamin C serums are made with the same basic formulation.
Most contain aloe vera or water, hyaluronic acid, MSM, witch hazel, jojoba oil, and preservatives. These preservatives are either Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, and/or Ethyl Hexyl Glycerin.
Controversial Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is used as an alternative to parabens and is in many green company formulations as a “clean” preservative, however, there is much controversy over whether this ingredient is safe.
It is a strong irritant when used in high concentrations, it causes allergic reactions and has been linked to reproductive toxicity (source). The other side of the coin is that the ingredient is believed to be safe when used in low concentrations.
Phenoxyethanol has a medium hazard rating on EWG’s Skin Deep database.
It is a personal choice as to whether you want to use products containing phenoxyethanol. The problem is, if a formulation has water in it, there needs to be some sort of preservative added, otherwise you are going to get mold and bacteria growing inside.
The only way to avoid preservatives like this is to use oil-based rather than water-based products.
My take is, that if phenoxyethanol is the last and only questionable ingredient in a formulation, and the rest of the ingredients are clean, then it is o.k with me. That being said - I would rather find products that don’t use it.
My Pick for the Best Vitamin C Serum
Wowzers, that is a lot of information to ingest! My head is spinning from all of the Vitamin C research that I have done.
With so many Vitamin C serums available, it can be so confusing to know which one to buy, luckily I have found a couple that I can feel good using.
My favorite Vitamin C serums:
- do not have water as the first ingredient.
- are packaged in dark glass with pump dispensers.
- use L-ascorbic acid.
- do not contain phenoxyethanol.
The Best Organic Vitamin C Serums
Marie Veronique Vitamins C+E+Ferulic Serum
Designed to protect by day and treat by night, this best-selling, active, lightweight serum nourishes and repairs all skin types. Powered by vitamin C suspended in an anhydrous solution for maximum potency, as well as ferulic acid—a super plant antioxidant—plus CoQ10, astaxanthin, vitamin E, and green tea, this serum supports the appearance of bright, even-toned skin.
Ultra-hydrating botanical oils like lavender and olive combine with nutrient-rich Kakadu plum and carrot to restore a soft, youthful-looking complexion without leaving behind an oily or sticky residue.
See it at The Detox Market
100 Percent Pure Vitamin C Serum
Lightweight, stabilized vitamin C serum made in a base of hydrating and soothing aloe gel. This serum also helps to firm and brighten skin tone, while promoting collagen production. Includes radiance-boosting green apple and grape, plus alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) for fighting oxidative damage that can prematurely age or darken the skin.
Learn more at the 100% Pure Website
Conclusion
Finding an organic vitamin C serum can be challenging. With so much selection and many of the products being generally the same formulation, it can be hard to weed through and find one that is not only effective but also clean and non-toxic.
I hope that this article helps you in your hunt for the best organic vitamin C serum, and I hope you check out my product recommendations, I am positive you will like them.
Have you tried any Vitamin C Serums? What do you like or dislike about them? Let us know your story in the comments below.
Yours In Beauty,
Andrea
Great info here! I learned a lot form the video. I had heard that Vitamin C is good for anti-aging. I didn’t know that is was a strong antioxidant and repairs damage done by the sun, etc. Great info! I’m all about using and eating organic products, and re-alkalizing my water. Is there a limit to how much Vitamin C serum is necessary to use in a day?
You can use a Vitamin C serum 2 times a day, once in the morning and once at night. You can overuse it, and if you do, it will do more damage to your skin than benefit. Anything over a 20% concentration is not neccessary, as your skin will not be able to absorb it.
Hey
excellent article by the way, i like the way you write it is easy for me to understand. you seem to know a great deal and are well informed.
I have heard great things about vitamin c an was taking supplements every day, dose it have the same effect on the skin as cream compared to a supplement ?
I appreciate you writing this post and sharing it this with us thanks, I have learned some valuable lessons and no doubt others have to.
Thank you
~Jack
I would rather get Vitamin C in my diet from natural sources (such as fruits and veggies) than from supplements, as for my skin, using a topical Vitamin C puts it right where I want it to do it’s job.
Vitamin C is one of the few PROVEN anti-aging ingredients, it isn’t just theorized to work, it actually does work.
Thanks for taking the time to comment 🙂
Really informative and great post! I am all about organic products to help my body. I wonder if it is possible to get enough vitamin C without the use of a serum through eating natural foods that contain Vitamin C if you mix them through your meals enough each day?
We do need to get Vitamin C from our food, but adding it topically boosts the levels of it in our skin. When you apply it topically, you are putting it directly to work on enhancing your skin, and reducing signs of aging.
Interesting I would have never knew that Vitamin C could do that much for skin care. I guess it is pretty acidic and that may cause a natural cleanse to your skin. Like the website, very informative keep it up. You have a good niche a lot of people are looking for many ways to improve their skin.
Thanks for stopping in Brandon
Hi
An absolutely wonderful article on Vitamin C.I have learnt so much from this information, and will certainly need to refer back on later.
You don’t hear about things like the effects of water solubility in vitamin C preparations and the controversy over phenoxyethanol been used as a preservative in skin formulations from the salespeople at stores. Glad to have read it here.
I also hear a lot about the sodium laural sulphate as been one of the nasties, is it included in your recommended choice.
Thanks for a lovely read and will certainly check the advertised product out.
Regards
Roopesh
Thanks for your comment and question Roopesh,
There is no sodium laurel sulphate in my recommended product. SLS is used as a foaming agent and is usually present in shampoos, cleansers and even toothpastes. It is a nasty chemical for sure. I avoid it as much as I can.
Didn’t see that coming from the Vitamin C Supplement. I heard that this vitamin is very good for allergies and all that stuff, but for the skin, Wow, it’s just amazing. Also another thing that I like from your post is that you share the possibility that it’s not expensive to acquire this supplement. Great job and a outstanding explanation too.
Thanks for stopping in Javier 🙂
Hi Andrea, wow, this is very thorough article. Thank you! I was looking into some vitamin C serums myself but I don’t know much about this stuff. Are there any other controversial ingredients than phenoxyethonal manufacturers use? Also, for how long should I use Vitamin C serums to notice result?
There are other controversial ingredients such as parabens, phatalates and formaldehyde releasers, Learn more about the toxins in skin care. The Vitmain C serum should show results within 2 weeks to a month.
Hey.
I know that Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps our skin maintain it’s youthful appearance. There are plenty of organic Vitamin C serums available, but which one is the best? I have asked myself that many time.
You article is very informative and give the reader a good idea about the product.
All the best.
Michelle.
Thanks for stopping in Michelle!
The Poppy Austin video you posted has Phenoxyethanol in it…
You are correct, and this is why I have not recommended Poppy Austin’s Vitamin C serum. I am going to edit this post and take out the Poppy Austin video, as I am seeing now that it is not needed. Thanks for letting everyone know about this 🙂
The Vitamin C serum I recommend does not contain Phenoxyethanol. It has a great ingredients list and I feel that it is the best Vitamin C serum on the market. You can check it out on Amazon and read the positive reviews.
Has the formulation changed? The link brings you to a product with a green label instead of an orange label, and it no longer says organic. And is the ingredient organic oak distillate safe? I cannot find that online or on ewg.org.
Thank you!
Yes, the formula has changed. I am just waiting to try the new product and then I will write a new article/review. I believe organic oak distillate may be a source of salicylic acid and helps keep pores clear. It is an alcohol, so it may be used as a preservative. I can email the company and ask them for you 🙂
I received an answer about the organic oak distillate: The inner bark of the white oak tree is ground and distilled yielding an ingredient that is anti inflammatory and helps tighten pores.
I emailed My Skin’s Friend about whether they are still organic. Here is the response:
Absolutely is still organic.
You can assure your readers that everything they get from My Skin’s Friend is:
a.)organic
b.)hand crafted starting with the actual ingredients we personally shop for and extract using our proprietary formula
c.) is safe for all skin types. Expectant mommies love our organic sunless tanner.
d.) all come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee or their money back.
e.) Can be shipped worldwide
I am waiting to hear about the organic oak distillate �?�
Thank you for your extensive research. Using twice a day, how long does a bottle last?
What’s your opinion of the many DIY L-AA recipes?
Thanks!
It is recommended that you use this serum twice a day for the first week or so, then reduce to once a day. The bottle should last you about a month. I don’t know much about DIY AA recipes. I have never used one. I think that they could work, as long as you are making it fresh everyday. You will have to give it a try and let us know how it works for you 🙂
I have updated this post to include the new product image 🙂
Thank you for such an informative article! I have found a vitamin C serum that matches the criteria: no phenoxyethanol, dark bottle etc though benzylalchohol is at around the middle of the ingredients list. Would you consider this still a safe serum to use or to avoid that ingredient at all costs?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Eleni, thanks for your question. I looked up Benzyl Alcohol on the Skin Deep Database and it has a moderate hazard rating. The reason for this is that it is associated with contact allergy, it is also considered toxic in the EU when it is used on the lips or around the mouth. You can see more here.
I really like My Skin’s Friend Multi-C Serum as my go to vitamin c serum. You can read my review here.
Any type of lyposomal vit c, when exposed to sun light, kills skin cells on a massive scale. They are trying to get rid of these types of vit. C in sunscreens because of this. Use only at night. See Felicia rose labs, she has the info and report to back it up. Only safe vit c for daytime is map, sap and, of course the pure form. Take care and beware.
That is interesting. I looked into this topic and found this article to be helpful. Vitamin C is not toxic to cells. Felicia Rose Labs only uses one study to make her assumption, and ignores all the other studies that show Vitamin C to be safe.
Thanks for this article. I knew about the Vitamin C being anti-aging but wasn’t aware of the “kind” of vitamin C. So that does help. However, the one you recommend has water added to it. And per your concluding comments you mentioned look for a serum without water. So, I’m a bit confused. Maybe, you can clarify. Thanks.
Sorry about that confusion! I did say that I wanted to find a serum without water as the first ingredient, but then further down I write, “I could not find a serum that didn’t use water as it’s main ingredient. I did find an organic Vitamin C serum that uses L-ascorbic acid, does not contain phenoxyethonal and is packaged in a pump bottle.”
I searched for a vitamin C serum that did not contain water as it’s first ingredient, but at the time, I could not find one.
Thanks for this research/article. Are you able to recommend a close second? One without aloe?
Hi Dianna, it is really hard to find a Vitamin C serum that does not contain aloe! I have managed to find one for you. It is a Vitamin C serum from the company Asterwood Naturals. It doesn’t contain l-ascorbic acid, but it has a good ingredients list and still contains an effective from of vitamin C. You can get it on Amazon.
I came across this article ironically looking for a less expensive more every day version of the recent vitamin c serum I purchased at Credo Beauty that is a waterless oil based serum…https://credobeauty.com/collections/anti-aging/products/supreme-c-treatment
I’m sharing as I think this shows the tide is turning in this category and there are quite a few natural brands on the horizon making less potent but also waterless versions as well, but I am not sure which one I want as an everyday version…
Do you still use this 2 years later? How do you feel your results have been?
Thanks!
Hi Moni 🙂 I don’t use this serum anymore, though I do think it is a good serum. I agree that more natural brands are getting on the Vitamin C bandwagon. I have been using Moss Skincare’s Illumina serum, which has Vitamin C in it 🙂 It is an exfoliating serum formulated for adult acne. The Supreme C Serum you purchased from Credo Beauty looks amazing! I would love to try it 🙂 I like that it has a glycerin base. As for a more affordable option, My Skin’s Friend is good 🙂
My friend has recommended The Ordinary Vitamin C - not sure on the ingredients though
Hi Rebecca, I haven’t tried that one, but I am using The Ordinary’s Salicylic acid serum and I really like it.
Thanks so much for this information. This thread has been super helpful! I decided to go with “The Ordinary” products. I will see how they turn out. The reviews on the vitamin C serum showed a high concentration which causes some irritation (hence the negative ratings/reviews).
Glad to hear it, Dorice. Please let us know how it works for you!
Hi!!
I wondered, as someone who avoids grains completely due to celiac disease, i have read a lot about Ascorbic acid and how it’s usually derived for corn which I absolutely dont want in any form on my skin. I wonder if you know if the two serums you’ve recommended use ascorbic acid derived from corn? I have e mailed 100 percent pure directly but no answer yet.
Would be so helpful if you had info on this subject!
Thank you ,
Morgan
Hi Morgan, I didn’t know that ascorbic acid was derived from corn! Thanks for that information 🙂 I am unsure if the products I recommend use ascorbic acid from corn. If you want to avoid ascorbic acid, you can look for serums that use plant oils and extracts that contain natural vitamin C rather than a synthetic derivative. LeahLani’s Siren Serum is a great example.