Are you looking to fade age spots and boost radiance without sacrificing moisture hydration? Consider getting a vitamin C cream, as it brightens hyperpigmentation, stimulates collagen production, and protects from free radicals! (Pullar, 2017)
In this article, we’ll explain the science behind the ingredients and help narrow down the best vitamin C cream for you. Let’s get you glowing!
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What Is The Best Vitamin C Cream?
Here are my top recommendations:
- Editor's Choice: Vichy Liftactiv Peptide-C
- Best for Dark Spots: La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Cream Firming Moisturizing Filler
- Best for Brighter & Plumper Skin: Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Bright & Plump Moisturizer
- Rave Reviews: IMAGE Skincare VITAL C Hydrating Repair Crème
- Most Popular Pick: TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer
- Best Face & Body Cream: Advanced Clinicals Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Cream
- Best Day Cream w/ SPF 30: Murad Essential C Moisture Broad Spectrum
According to the company, this formulation helps users achieve an 11% reduction in crow’s feet in 4 weeks and a 24% reduction in forehead wrinkles in 8 weeks.
Some reviewers also loved how rich the cream is to the touch, yet it feels lightweight and powder-like once applied on the face. This soft finish allows the easy layering of sunscreen and make-up.
But if you want a quick apply-and-go, you may also consider Vichy LiftActiv Sunscreen, which is the sunscreen variation of this cream and has a similar formula. Both are suitable for all skin types and have been tested for sensitive skin.
Just watch out for fakes and previously-opened products on Amazon.
Our Verdict: Battle anti-aging and discoloration with Vichy Liftactiv Peptide-C, featuring vitamin C, vitamin E, and peptides!
When madecassoside is combined with vitamin C, its antioxidant benefits are enhanced. Mixing it with hyaluronic acid also increases its hydrating effects (Byrdie). This makes the product great for addressing concerns such as wrinkles, fine lines, and uneven skin tone.
Several users attest to this cream’s lightweight texture. It’s oil-free, doesn’t leave a greasy feeling, and works great on aging and sensitive skin types.
You just have to be a little patient, as you would need at least three weeks of consistent use before you get to see some results.
Our Verdict: Achieve plump and healthy skin with La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Cream Firming Moisturizing Filler, as it uses pure vitamin C, madecassoside, hyaluronic acid, mannose, and neurosensine.
Additional ingredients include:
- 3% Vitamin E: reduces UV damage and works in synergy with vitamin C
- 2% Ferulic Acid: reduces fine lines and stabilizes vitamin C
- Hydrolyzed Collagen: moisturizes the skin
- Hyaluronic Acid: binds water to collagen
- Trimoist™ KMF: boosts and protects the moisture barrier (Mibelle Biochemistry)
- Hydrolyzed Elastin: promotes cell growth and maintains skin elasticity
- Astaxanthin: minimizes age spots
- Turmeric Root Extract: brightens the skin
- Ginger Root Extract: combats redness and irritation
- Gluconolactone: a polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that gently exfoliates the skin
This powerful mix of ingredients comes in a luxurious, creamy texture that is soothing to the skin. Understandably, it also comes at a high price.
So do be careful when dropping those dollars on Amazon, as several users have complained about receiving products that have expired or been tampered with.
Our Verdict: Brightening, hydrating, anti-aging, and fragrance-free, Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Bright & Plump Moisturizer brings its A-game with vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid, hyaluronic acid, collagen, and Trimoist™ LMF!
Users attest that this cream melts into the skin when applied, and the feeling of softening and smoothening is almost instant. This makes it great for dry skin types.
Nonetheless, you still have to maintain caution since this product contains citrus oils, which can be irritating for sensitive skin.
Our Verdict: Discover what the rave is all about with IMAGE Skincare Vital C Hydrating Repair Creme and its mix of vitamins A, C, and E, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and aloe vera!
Since TruSkin doesn’t disclose the percentage of the SAP and it’s 8th on the ingredient list, we can presume that this product contains a relatively low amount of vitamin C.
Still, with the other ingredients, this cream would work great for daily moisturizing, focusing on addressing pigmentation, keeping skin moisturized, and fighting free radicals.
Its inclusion of sunflower, aloe, gotu kola, and MSM would also make it great for acne prone skin.
Our Verdict: With ingredients that address various skin concerns, TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer cements its place as the most popular vitamin C cream.
Because the cream also functions as a body lotion, it’s lighter than your usual facial creams. On the upside, it absorbs quickly without any greasiness.
Just be mindful that it contains coconut oil, mineral oil, and fragrance, which may break you out if you have sensitive skin.
Our Verdict: Get rid of scars and achieve even skin tone with Advanced Clinicals Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Cream, as it indulges your entire body with three types of vitamin C, aloe vera, green tea, vitamin E, and ferulic acid!
As a facial cream, it also relies on the following ingredients:
- Yeast Amino Acids: improves collagen synthesis
- Vitamin A: increases skin cell turnover
- Vitamin E: has photoprotection against UVB rays
- Vitamin C (AP, THD): improves skin tone and increases collagen production
- Ginkgo Biloba: reduces inflammation and lightens skin
- Urea: softens and smoothes the skin
- Trehalose: protects and maintains the moisture barrier
- Betaine: minimizes the appearance of wrinkles
- Zinc Gluconate: regulates sebum
- Grape Seed Extract: lightens acne scars and dark circles
Because of its SPF content, this is best used as a moisturizer during the day. Just be wary of buying on Amazon, as several buyers have complained about receiving watered-down products with varying consistencies.
Our Verdict: Discover the ease of having a moisturizer and sunscreen in one product with Murad Essential C Moisture Broad Spectrum, as it empowers you to face the sun with no fear!
However, if you have sensitive skin and can’t tolerate chemical sunscreen, you can opt for a moisturizer with a physical one. For that, we recommend Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester Photo-Brightening Moisturizer with Broad Spectrum SPF 30 with 4.2% titanium dioxide and vitamin C (THD).