The antioxidant vitamin C has established itself as a staple in many of careful beauty routines. If fashion has the little black dress, the beauty industry has vitamin C. It’s one of those items you simply must have, serving to improve skin tone, circulation and collagen formation.

When scouring beauty shelves for the perfect vitamin C serum, opt for one empowered by brightening, anti-melanin ingredients like arbutin and ubiquinone that help to lighten brown spots. Having tocopherol (vitamin E), another antioxidant, as well as ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is a bonus, providing an additional layer of defence to traditional sunscreens.

Also Read: Face Serums 101: Get nourishing skin from summer to monsoons

Generally speaking, you want a vitamin C supplement that contains L-ascorbic acid or tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, two stable forms of vitamin C that can provide adequate antioxidant protection. Experts recommend serums with 10% to 20% concentration of vitamin C.

Packaging plays an important role too – in fact, it makes all the difference. Bottles that are dark or opaque guard against oxidation that may occur when vitamin C is exposed to heat or sunshine. For optimal use, it is best to keep your priceless formula in a cool, dark location.

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

This is the gold standard of antioxidant serums for people with dry skin. Combining vitamin C with the antioxidant qualities of ferulic acid and vitamin E, SkinCeuticals’ C E Ferulic offers environmental protection, minimises fine lines and wrinkles, increases firmness, and brightens. It has 15% ascorbic acid, 1% vitamin E in the form of alphatocopherol and 0.5% ferulic acid. Apply four or five drops to a dry face, neck and chest each morning.

iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum

Through time-released vitamin C and a combination of botanicals, Pro-Heal Serum Advance Plus by iS Clinical provides skin protection as well as treatment for acne, rosacea, contact dermatitis and insect bites. Vitamin C, olive leaf, vitamin A and vitamin E are some of its main components. Apply three or four drops to the face, neck and décolletage.

PCA Skin C-Quench Antioxidant Serum

When armed with PCA Skin’s antioxidant-packed serum, fighting fine facial lines becomes second nature. Vitamin C, lilac leaf stem-cell extract and glutathione work together to decrease the appearance of wrinkles, prevent inflammation and cellular oxidation and promote hydration. Use C-Quench serum twice a day, applying one or two pumps to your face and neck.

Sunday Riley CEO 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum

Thanks to vitamin C, phytosterols complex to calm sensitive skin, and saccharide isomerate extract to control pore size, Sunday Riley’s CEO 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum tackles the signs of ageing in all of its forms – sensitivity, dehydration, dullness, uneven skin tone and wrinkles – working to replace them with a radiant, glowing complexion. Each morning, apply two pumps of this serum to your entire face.

Revision Skincare C+ Correcting Complex 30%

Think about including C+ Correcting Complex in your beauty routine if you want skin that is lighter and more evenly toned. The handy Revision Skincare product is designed to provide antioxidant benefits, defend against free radicals, and aid in the creation of vitamins C and E by your skin using the company’s MelaPath technology. Diglucosyl gallic acid, sodium carboxymethyl beta-glucan and vitamin C are all components of its proprietary antioxidant blend. Just one pump of this serum twice a day on the face is all you need.

Obagi Medical Professional-C Serum 20%

From the Obagi collection of medical-grade skincare products, Professional-C Serum works nonstop to reduce fine wrinkles and shield the skin from harm. It contains 20% L-ascorbic acid and is stuffed with antioxidants. Nor will the serum dry out your skin because it has hyaluronic acid as a key component. Each morning, apply five to seven drops to your face.

Plantkos Phyto Triple C Serum

Hydrating hyaluronic acid and a bonus three doses of vitamin C – amla, a plant-based form; oil-soluble tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate; and 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid — are all present in Plantkos’ Phyto Triple C Serum. Shea butter and sunflower seed oil are also included to strengthen the skin barrier and keep moisture in. After using a cleanser and toner, apply this serum to the skin using two quick pumps.

True Botanicals Vitamin C Booster

When you use True Botanical’s booster powder, say goodbye to dark spots and dull skin. The nifty product promotes healthy skin and supports skin-cell turnover thanks to vitamin C and ferulic acid. Simply combine one or two shakes of powder with two or three pumps of your preferred water-based moisturiser or serum every morning and evening.

Biopelle XCP Brightening Serum

This powerful serum from Biopelle evens out skin tone and helps stop collagen and elastin fibres from breaking down, preventing wrinkles and fine lines. It contains phytic acid to combat hyperpigmentation, as well as green tea and grape seed extracts, 10% vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), and 2% phytic acid. XCP Brightening Serum should be used twice daily for optimum results, and the entire face can be treated with just half a dropper of liquid.