I have a lot of skincare goals, and at the very top of that list is achieving a lit-from-within glow (low-key, I want my complexion to shine so brightly that people think I swallowed a light bulb). And when it comes to brightening, there's one active ingredient dermatologists recommend that’s backed by decades of research: Vitamin C.
"I'm obsessed with vitamin C," Mona Gohara, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and associate clinical professor at Yale, told Marie Claire. "It's cosmetically elegant, it rarely irritates the skin, and it makes everyone look really, really good." Added board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D. "It acts like a fire extinguisher to put out the inflammation and damage caused by free radicals."
CVS is a smart shopping destination for best-in-class vitamin C serums and more skincare products with the hero ingredient. The beauty department has a wide selection of products for a range of ages and skin types, including sensitive, mature, and acne-prone skin. And its commitment to providing high-quality products at fair prices lets you find an effective vitamin C formulation within your budget.
What to Know About Vitamin C in Skincare
"Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that works to increase skin cell renewal, protect against oxidative stress and free radical damage, and stimulate collagen production," board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Michele Green, M.D., told Marie Claire. It's best known as a skin brightener, dark-spot corrector, and fine-line fader. At CVS, you can discover your next favorite, expert-approved vitamin C product.
Here are the most-asked questions our beauty editors receive about the superstar ingredient.
Can I use vitamin C every day?
Yes, most people can use a vitamin C serum every day without experiencing negative side effects. The ingredient is very well tolerated by nearly all skin types, but people with highly sensitive skin might want to steer clear.
Like with any skincare product, it's best to start slowly and make sure your skin doesn't have an adverse reaction. Look for a low percentage of vitamin C in the formula (less than 5 percent) and test it on the inside of your wrist before applying it to your face. If a product doesn't list its vitamin C percentage, it's likely because there's not a high concentration.
CVS offers tons of affordable vitamin C products from dermatologist-trusted brands, so adding the ingredient to your daily skincare routine doesn't have to break the bank.
Should I use vitamin C in the morning or at night?
"For best results, apply it in the morning—followed up by sunscreen, of course—to neutralize free radical damage from the sun and other environmental stressors throughout the day," contributor Michele Ross wrote in our guide to vitamins A, B, and C in skincare.
Board-certified dermatologist Thomas C. Balshi, M.D., doubled down on pairing vitamin C with sunscreen: "If you're not wearing sunscreen daily, vitamin C is irrelevant. Protection beats correction every time." Luckily, CVS also has a great selection of sunscreen and is a longtime partner of the Skin Cancer Foundation.
How long does vitamin C take to brighten skin?
Like all good things, vitamin C takes some time to work its magic. "Meaningful changes take weeks to months," board-certified dermatologist Alexandria Kongsiri, M.D., MPH, FAAD, told Marie Claire. "It's not a quick fix." The fastest way to see brighter skin and diminished hyperpigmentation from a vitamin C product is with proper application and consistent use.
Brightening results also depend on your product's formulation. According to cosmetic chemist Katarina Wijkander, the form of vitamin C and the formula's overall pH balance can either help or hurt its efficacy. For example, the purest form of vitamin C, L-Ascorbic acid, is great at brightening skin, but it breaks down easily, turning a poor formulation into "essentially expensive water," wrote beauty contributor Hana Hong. To prevent degradation, make sure your vitamin C products are stored in a dark, cool place and that the packaging is completely resealed each time you use it.
CVS's beauty department is filled with products that use many different forms of vitamin C. You can find serums, moisturizers, eye creams, and more products bound to meet your personal needs.
What percentage of vitamin C is most effective?
When it comes to vitamin C in your skincare, a higher number is not always better. Dermatologists have told our editors that concentrations of 10 to 15 percent are ideal, and that concentrations of 20 percent or higher usually don't offer greater benefits; in fact, they can cause irritation.
If you're brand new to vitamin C, start with a low concentration—think 5 percent or less—and monitor for any negative changes in your skin before going any higher. In more than 500 CVS stores across the country, you can meet with a Beauty Consultant who can help you compare vitamin C options and find your best starting point.
Can I use vitamin C with niacinamide?
Vitamin C plays well with niacinamide in skincare. "The ingredients were once thought to cancel each other out, but modern studies show they work well together to brighten skin and boost antioxidant defense," senior beauty editor Samantha Holender wrote.
You can use them in the same routine, in separate products, or together in the same product, like the Olay Regenerist Vitamin C moisturizer, which is available at CVS.
Can I use vitamin C with retinol?
Dermatologists recommend against using vitamin C and retinol at the same time of day. People who are "already using strong actives like retinoids or exfoliating acids may also find that layering vitamin C pushes their skin into overdrive," wrote beauty contributor Hana Hong.
Dermatologists generally advise using vitamin C products in your morning routine and retinol products in your nighttime routine. When you're ready to explore retinol, CVS has a winning selection of that ingredient, too.
6 Ways to Try Vitamin C Skincare From CVS
There's no one-size-fits-all product when it comes to vitamin C, which is why CVS offers the superstar ingredient in many forms for all different skin types. Below, discover CVS's high-quality skincare products, including vitamin C moisturizers, serums, and more. Try out a few and see which one best fits in your everyday routine.
Other active ingredients: Salicylic acid, vitamin E
What it does: L'Oréal's vitamin C serum uses the purest form of vitamin C, L-Ascorbic acid, to brighten skin within eight weeks. In conjunction with its other active ingredients, it also helps to even out your skin tone and minimize the appearance of pores. In the long term, it'll help to reduce signs of aging.
How to use: After cleansing and before moisturizing, apply a few drops to the face and neck and use your fingers to press and pat the formula all over your skin. You can use this in the morning and at night.
Other active ingredients: Caffeine, ceramides, hyaluronic acid
What it does: CeraVe's vitamin C eye cream has a gentle formula that relies on pure vitamin C (ascorbic acid) to brighten dark circles, caffeine to de-puff, and hyaluronic acid to infuse moisture. Ceramides, a hallmark of CeraVe skincare products, help to strengthen your skin barrier and prevent further damage.
How to use: After cleansing and before applying serum and moisturizer, apply a few dots of product on the bones around your eye socket using your finger. Blend it all over the eye area—including under the eyes, in crow’s feet, on the eyelid, and on the brow bone—using upward motions. You can use this in the morning and at night.
Other active ingredients: Citric acid, shea butter
What it does: Garnier SkinActive's cleansing balm removes all traces of makeup—along with dirt, oil, sunscreen, and more—and uses vitamin C to leave behind a brighter visage.
How to use: Use it as the first step in your routine. Massage the balm onto dry skin in circular motions, add water to create a lather, and rinse it off with warm water.
Other active ingredients: Ferulic acid
What it does: Toners are traditionally used to prep the skin to better absorb the products that follow them.
How to use: After cleansing and before applying serum and moisturizer, dispense the product onto a cotton round and pat it all over your face and neck.
Other active ingredients: Lactic acid, niacinamide, peptides
What it does: Olay Regenerist Vitamin C and Peptide Face Moisturizer reveals brighter skin in as little as 28 days, according to the brand. It does so with 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid—a highly stable form of vitamin C that remains effective longer than other forms—and lactic acid, which aids in cell turnover.
How to use: After cleansing and before putting on sunscreen, apply it to your face and neck, and smooth it into the skin with your fingers.
Other active ingredients: Adenosine, glycerin
What it does: In this Vichy LiftActiv moisturizer, vitamin C's antioxidant properties are put to work. It incorporates two forms of vitamin C (magnesium ascorbyl phosphate and ascorbyl glucoside), plus adenosine, to help prevent wrinkles and promote firmness.
How to use: After cleansing and before getting into bed, apply the thick cream to your face and neck. Use your hands to smooth it out until it's fully absorbed.
Still shopping? Check out all the vitamin C skincare at CVS to find even more products with the dermatologist-loved ingredient at an affordable price.
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