Vitamin C is one of the essential nutrients for skin health. If you are searching for the best vitamin C serum to get healthy, soft, and glowing skin, this article will be helpful for you.
I have experimented with dozens of vitamin C serum brands on the market, and here we are presenting the 10 best Korean vitamin C serums. I will describe all the products below with their pros and cons. Also, I will tell you why I pick vitamin C serum overall Korean beauty products.
My review on Korean vitamin C serum will help you compare Korean vitamin C serums and choose the best product as per your skin type. Apart from this, I will also discuss the benefits and drawbacks of vitamin C also I have previously written on how to use face serums for best results so don’t forget to read this guide as well. I have shared some of my super helpful tips in it.
So now, let’s get started!
10 Best Korean Vitamin C Serum Picks
Vitamin is an essential substance for skin health. Among all the vitamins, vitamin C is considered the best in treating glowing, supple, and healthy skin.
Vitamin C provides several benefits to your skin, which have been proven by scientific research. Hence, you don’t need to be concerned about its side effects while using it.
These days, the Korean skincare routine is being followed for its specialties. Korean beauty products are good for healthcare, and vitamin C serum is indispensable to the Korean daily healthcare routine.
If you follow the Korean skincare routine, you must include a vitamin C serum, among other products, in your skincare treatment. The vitamin C serum is lightweight, giving a soft feel.
Whether your skin is dry or oily, or you have many spots on your skin, Korean vitamin C will work effectively on your skin, and you will get results in a few days.
Let’s now check out the list of 10 best Korean vitamin C serums one by one:
1. Liz K Super First C Serum Pure Vitamin C 13%
This serum from Liz K is one of the best Korean vitamin C serums formulated with 13% ascorbic acid and 10 different types of anti-aging ingredients. Regular use of this vitamin C serum lightens your skin. This is an effective beauty product to improve skin tone.
Mushrooms, green tea, fullerene, and Aronia present in this serum will leave your skin looking young, glowing, and healthy.
Moreover, this made in Korea serum improves skin texture by reaching deep into the skin. You can choose this Korean vitamin C serum for your daily skin care. The lightweight serum gives you a feeling of softness and liveliness.
Pros
- Formulated with skin-friendly ingredients
- It makes your skin healthy and glowing.
- The anti-aging ingredients present in this serum make your skin youthful.
- Improves your skin tone
- Reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots
Cons
- Not a very nice fragrance
- Price is high
2. SeoulCeuticals Day Glow Serum
This is a popular Korean vitamin C serum formulated with essential skin nutrient ingredients, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, dandelion, aloe vera, Gotu kola, and jojoba extracts.
A special ingredient of this serum is hyaluronic acid which effectively hydrates your skin and boosts the production of collagen.
Collagen improves your skin tone while reducing wrinkles, fine lines, and blemishes.
Moreover, it tightens your skin and makes you feel fresh and young. You will see the result within just 3 weeks of use. This is a highly-rated Korean vitamin C serum you can add to your skincare routine.
Pros
- Quickly absorbs into the skin
- Good serum for all skin types
- Reduces wrinkles and blemishes
- Tightens your skin
- Sweet citric fragrance
- It keeps your skin hydrated all day long and protects it from skin damage.
Cons
- Very thin serum
- Despite using serum, you have to use sunscreen whenever you go out during the day.
3. Purito Vitamin C Serum
This Purito serum is formulated with an exclusive natural ingredient, red ginseng. This is a less chemically formulated serum, which is best for people who are allergic to chemical products.
The great anti-aging property of 5% ascorbic acid present in this serum prevents your wrinkles and fine lines and makes you look young. This Korean vitamin C serum is infused with 89% hyaluronic acid that keeps your skin hydrated all day. Additionally, it contains Bambusa Vulgaris Water that reduces skin damage, and improve skin barrier. Purito vitamin-c serum helps to restore your skin moisture and prevents collagen loss.
This vitamin-c serum is best for oily and combination skin type people.
Pros
- Vegan
- Hypoallergenic
- Excellent vitamin C serum for beautiful and glowing skin
- Good skin care product for exfoliation
- Ideal serum for sensitive skin
- Reduces blemishes effectively
- Locks in moisture
Cons
- Not a light serum
- Not a good skin care product for those living in the humid region
Also check: Best Korean Toners for Oily, Dry, & Acne Prone Skin
4. Wishtrend Vitamin C Serum
This is another best Korean vitamin C serum from Wishtrend which is formulated with pure vitamin C 21.5%, sodium hyaluronate, and panthenol. The main ingredient of vitamin C, 21.5% of this serum, effectively improves your skin tone and makes your skin glowing.
Collagen is a crucial anti-aging substance, and the serum helps to increase its production. This made in Korea serum is a non-sticky serum that gets absorbed quickly into your skin. With regular use, you’ll notice your skin getting firmer, more illuminated, and free of wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, sun spots, and redness.
Pros
- Vegan friendly
- Free of harmful chemicals
- Tightens and brightens your skin
- Improves your skin tone
- Prevents wrinkles of aging
- Easy to apply
Cons
- They need to be kept in a cool and dark place
- The use of this serum with retinol is not allowed.
5. Neogen Dermalogy Vitamin C Serum
Neogen serum contains vitamins B5, C, E, and niacinamide, making your skin radiant and smooth. 22% of Ascorbic Acid works deep into your skin and leaves your skin glowing and beautiful.
The key ingredients of this Korean vitamin C serum are 5-citrus fruits (orange, lime, grapefruit, lemon, and tangerine) that tighten your skin and make you look younger. Also, this serum deeply nourishes your skin, reduce photodamage and protects your skin from further damage.
Pros
- Deeply nourishes your skin
- Reduces wrinkles and fine lines
- It improves skin texture and makes skin healthy.
- Brightens your skin
- It keeps you hydrated all day long.
Cons
- Fragrance is not so pleasant
- Not recommended for sensitive skin as it contains lemon extract.
6. [KLAIRS] Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop
KLAIRS vitamin C Serum is a better product that has a 5% vitamin C concentration. This low vitamin C concentration serum is ideal for those who just switched to vitamin C serums.
The serum is infused with Centella Asiatica and Scutellaria baicalensis root extract to soothe any irritation, and it’s a great and safe vitamin C serum for sensitive skin. Also, this serum contains sodium hyaluronate and butylene glycol, which effectively keep your skin hydrated.
Pros
- Alcohol and parabens-free serum
- It makes your skin beautiful.
- Good for sensitive skin
- Removes acne
- Improves skin texture
Cons
- Not good for oily skin
- Can’t store it for more than 2 months
Also check: Best Korean Eye Cream for Dark Circles
7. Cos de Baha Vitamin C 15 Serum
This Korean vitamin C serum contains 15% pure Vitamin-C and anti-inflammatory ingredients like Panthenol(Vitamin B5), bitter gourd fruit extract, elder flower extract and Sodium Hyaluronate that improve your skin tone. This is the best budget friendly Korean vitamin C serum that also helps for treating acne scars.
The serum acts as a shield to protect your skin from UV rays. In addition, this serum is an excellent beauty product for improving skin health.
Pros
- Soothes your skin from irritation
- Brightens your skin
- Protects your skin from sun damage
- Reduces wrinkles and dark spots
- Budget-friendly serum
Cons
- Not sweet fragrance
- Brown color
8. Dr Song Vitamin C Serum
The skin-lightening ingredients of this serum, vitamin C and skin-essential minerals, transform your dull and uneven skin into radiant and smooth. Dr Song serum is enriched with Jojoba oil, and Lavender oil which promotes your skin’s moisture, elasticity, reduce redness and cell formation while nourishing your skin.
In addition, the hyaluronic acid and extract present in serum aloe vera hydrate your skin, leaving it healthy and fresh.
Pros
- Improves skin texture
- Reduces the appearance of wrinkles
- Protects skin from UV sun damage
- Quickly absorbs
- Suitable for all skin types
Cons
- Sticky
- Clogs pores
9. It’s Skin Power 10 Formula VC Effector
This Korean serum is enriched with skin-friendly ingredients that effectively work in treating various skin problems. This serum is enriched with vitamin C, antioxidant properties, and green tea, which helps to brighten your skin tone. Also, 10 Formula VC Effector serum helps to reduce blemishes, acne scars, and enlarged pores.
Pros
- Effective in removing skin problems
- It makes your skin healthy and glowing.
- Tightens the skin
- Light serum
- Improves skin texture
Cons
- Designed for normal skin only
- Expensive serum
Also check: Best Korean Sheet Face Masks
10. Cica Vitamin C Serum for Face
Enriched with vitamin C, green tea, and niacinamide, Cica Serum is a well-known Korean beauty product that makes your skin glow. The goodness of panthenol in the serum replenishes your skin cells. Moreover, the adenosine substance in this serum helps to diminish wrinkles.
Pros
- Perfect Korean vitamin C serum for all skin types
- Formulated with safe ingredients
- Cruelty-free serum
- Gently repair damaged skin.
- Tightens the skin
Cons
- It doesn’t make skin permanently brightened
- For facial use only.
Benefits of Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) in Skincare
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble antioxidant property that has numerous benefits for the skin. It is a strong antioxidant that guards against oxidative skin damage brought on by pollutants in the environment. The following are some of vitamin C’s benefits:
- Vitamin C encourages collagen formation, making skin look tighter and less saggy.
- It works well in decreasing wrinkles as well as fine lines.
- Focusing on dark patches, uneven skin tone, and other hyperpigmentation concerns helps to lighten pigmentation.
- Due to the acidic nature of vitamin C, it aids in the replacement of pigmented dead skin cells, making the skin tone appear more even and healthy-looking.
- A wonderful way to gain some brightening effects and continual protection from environmental challenges is to use a vitamin C serum during the day.
- Use a moisturizer after applying a Korean vitamin C serum, whether you do it in the morning or at night, to maximize its effects.
Drawbacks of Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) in Skincare
Regrettably, even pure vitamin C has flaws because it oxidizes when heated, exposed to light, and exposed to air. As a result, vitamin C’s effectiveness is diminished; therefore, utilize ascorbic acid-containing skin care products for a few months after you open the package.
If not, your vitamin C beauty products can turn a dark brown color, indicating that they are losing their effectiveness. Depending on the concentration, pure vitamin C may cause skin irritation. Vitamin C serums with concentrations under 10% are preferable.
When Is The Best Time To Use Vitamin C Serum?
Vitamin C is loaded with skin-friendly properties that effectively protect your skin from sun damage and enhance your sunscreen’s benefits. It would help if you used it at the right time to get the best result from Vitamin C serum.
The best time to apply vitamin C serums to your skin is morning skincare routine, and you should use them right before applying your sunscreen. You can also use vitamin C serums at night.
How to Choose a Perfect Vitamin C Serum?
Vitamin C is a skincare property. However, even the best Korean vitamin C serums may not work if you haven’t made the right choice. Consider the following factors in a vitamin C serum when you go shopping:
1. Types
The serum is available in two main types of vitamin C:
L-ascorbic acid: This is the purest form of vitamin C which is highly volatile. It is not suitable for sensitive skin. Also, it oxidizes fast.
Sodium ascorbyl phosphate and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate are the most common vitamin C derivatives with a stable formula. Hence, it is good for sensitive skin.
2. Concentration
Dermatologists recommend that 10% pure Vitamin C is needed for brightening skin. Nevertheless, pure vitamin C with more than 5% concentration should be avoided. This is because skin sensitivity increases with more vitamin C.
3. Ingredients
There are two components you should consider in a vitamin C serum:
Stabilizers: They increase the stability of the vitamin C formulation. Ferulic acid and vitamin E are two substances that act as stabilizers. In pure vitamin C formulations, they are utilized.
Moisturizers: These substances hydrate the skin. Both the pure and derived versions of vitamin C have a practical use. Aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, and other moisturizing elements will make your vitamin C serum less irritating and more productive.
4. Ph Balance
Low-pH, acidic formulations are easily absorbed by the skin. Studies say pH levels between 2 and 3 may result in the greatest amount of absorption and are appropriate for normal skin. However, if you have sensitive skin, you can choose products with a pH level between 5 and 6.
Frequently asked questions about Korean Vitamin C serums
How long does it take to see results from using a Vitamin C serum?
The time it takes to see results from using a Vitamin C serum can vary depending on the individual and the specific product used. Typically, it can take several weeks to several months to see a noticeable improvement in the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots.
How long does a bottle of Vitamin C serum typically last?
The shelf life of a Vitamin C serum can vary depending on the specific product and how it is stored. Generally, it is recommended to use the serum within 3-6 months after opening to ensure maximum effectiveness. Be sure to store the serum in a cool, dark place, and avoid exposing it to light and air as much as possible.
How do I know if my Vitamin C serum has gone bad?
A Vitamin C serum that has gone bad may have a yellow or brown color, and may have a sour or rancid smell. It is also important to pay attention to the expiration date and the recommended time for using the serum after opening. If you notice any changes in the color or smell of the serum, or if it has been open for longer than the recommended time, it is best not use the product anymore and buy a new one.
Conclusion
Korean vitamin C serums undoubtedly work well, making the skin soft, glowing, and healthy. The product that is ideal for you will depend on your skin type. It is important to choose a serum that is appropriate for your skin type, and to be mindful of the concentration of Vitamin C in the serum as it can cause irritation if the concentration is too high. With proper usage and storage, a Vitamin C serum can be a game-changer for your skin, giving you a brighter, more youthful complexion.
I hope this guide will be helpful to you, and you will be able to choose the right Korean vitamin C serum to benefit your skin.
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