If you can only add one serum to your routine, make it vitamin C.
I've been saying it forever, I love my vitamin C serums. They were in my skincare routine even before I went toxin-free. The only difference now is that I only use the natural ones. After I had my son (who is now 15), I experienced a lot of pigmentation around my cheeks. It has faded over the years and I'm sure my vitamin C obsession has played a huge role in that, plus of course I am diligent about applying my natural face sunscreen too.
What's So Good About Vitamin C, I Hear You Ask?
When skin is looking dull, uneven or a little lacklustre, vitamin C is the one ingredient that does it all. It's really high in antioxidants, so it helps to protect the skin from free radicals triggered by UV exposure, pollution and daily environmental stressors. It's also fantastic for brightening and evening out the skin tone, which is why it can help with the appearance of pigmentation, dark spots and even those leftover marks from blemishes.
The other great thing about vitamin C serums is there is a formula for every skin type, from water-based serums, which I loved in my 30s when I had a very oily t-zone, to the more nourishing face oils I use now in my 50s because my skin is a lot drier.
All The Different Types of Vitamin C Serums
The active vitamin C in serums comes in lots of different forms. You'll see names like ascorbyl glucoside, ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate and 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid on the back of labels, which are stabilised forms of vitamin C. My favourites are the classic plant-derived sources, which come from Kakadu plum, acerola cherry and rosehip. Here are the ones I recommend.
My Favourite Vitamin C Serum for Each Skin Type
Sensitive Skin
The Biode Vitamin C Serum with Fingerlime and Kakadu Plum is great for sensitive skin. It's made with Kakadu plum, one of the world's richest sources of vitamin C, plus vitamin C-rich fingerlime caviar. It's also made in Australia and packaged in glass.
Dry Skin
For dry skin, I love a vitamin C face oil. This LAMAV Vitamin C Brightening Oil gets its vitamin C from Kakadu plum and rosehip seed oils, plus ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, which is an oil-soluble form of vitamin C. It's blended with pomegranate, camellia and macadamia seed oils, so it brightens and nourishes at the same time. It's certified organic, made in Australia and packaged in glass.
Combination Skin
The Antipodes Glow Vitamin C Brightening Serum is a water-based serum made with Kakadu plum and bakuchiol, with added hyaluronic acid, so it's great for an oily t-zone. It has an organic fragrance, and it's made in New Zealand and packaged in glass.
Oily Skin
For oily skin, the Vanessa Megan Super C + Bearberry Illuminating Face Serum uses Kakadu plum with vitamin C-rich bearberry, emu apple plus pineapple enzymes to brighten, smooth and gently exfoliate at the same time. This one is quite strong, so avoid it if you have sensitive skin.
Sun-Damaged and Uneven Skin Tone
The KORA Organics Kakadu Plum Vitamin C Serum is certified organic and combines Kakadu plum and acerola cherry with ascorbyl glucoside, a stable form of vitamin C, to tackle the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone, plus hyaluronic acid for hydration. In KORA's 4-week consumer study, 80% of women said their skin was brighter and more even toned.
The Best Way To Use A Vitamin C Serum
You can use vitamin C serums in the morning or at night, or both. Apply a few drops to clean skin after cleansing and toning. Gel and water-based serums go on before a face oil or moisturiser. Oil-based ones go after water-based serums like hyaluronic acid, or on their own under moisturiser. In the morning, always finish with SPF.
About the Author
Irene Falcone is the founder of Clean Nectarine and co-host of The Lee & Irene Show. She started her first clean beauty business in 2011 with $100 in her garage and grew it to $20m in four years. She has spent over 15 years reading the backs of beauty and wellness labels, is a Telstra Business Women's Awards winner and an EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, and has been featured on A Current Affair, The Project, Sunrise, Channel Nine Mornings and Sky News.
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