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Not every vitamin C serum is for everyone. Here’s a list of the non-irritating ones: Innisfree, Sesderma & Bioderma. Read more on The Established

6 vitamin C serums that minimise the chances of purging

Contrary to popular belief, not every vitamin C serum is for everyone—here’s a list of the most non-irritating ones

With skincare becoming more wide-ranging and sought after by individuals across age groups than ever before, almost every beauty brand is propelling a vitamin C serum in the market. Moreover, there is endless social media hype surrounding the antioxidant—#VitaminC features 61.4 million posts on TikTok and 5.7 million posts on Instagram. 

While vitamin C and hyaluronic acid are often tagged in the same league, a vitamin C serum is not as well-tolerated by all skin types, contrary to popular opinion. A potent antioxidant, vitamin C increases the photosensitivity of the skin, accelerates cell turnover, and is prone to oxidisation, which makes sensitive or irritated skin susceptible to further damage. That most vitamin C serums are oil-based makes them a bigger red flag for acne-prone skin. If you want that brightening effect minus triggered purging or inflammation, this vitamin C serum round-up features relatively skin-friendly picks.

Pigmentbio Concentrate, BiodermaMature skin that’s prone to developing adult acne? Try this vitamin C serum from Bioderma that doubles as a gentle chemical peel too, thanks to the infusion of AHAs and BHAs like glycolic acid and salicylic acid respectively. The lightweight gel-based texture promises quick (and deep) absorption while the chemical complex gently resurfaces the epidermis to transform lacklustre skin into a healthier- and fresher-looking one. Image: Instagram.com/biodermausa

Pigmentbio Concentrate, Bioderma

Mature skin that’s prone to developing adult acne? Try this vitamin C serum from Bioderma that doubles as a gentle chemical peel too, thanks to the infusion of AHAs and BHAs like glycolic acid and salicylic acid respectively. The lightweight gel-based texture promises quick (and deep) absorption while the chemical complex gently resurfaces the epidermis to transform lacklustre skin into a healthier- and fresher-looking one. 

Image: Instagram.com/biodermausa

15% Vitamin C Firm & Bright Serum, DR DENNIS GROSSThis vitamin C serum combines the antioxidant-rich ingredient with lactic acid, glycolic acid, sodium hyaluronate, liquorice, and ferulic acid to speed up skin brightening by mildly exfoliating it and promoting cell turnover simultaneously. As this is a potent formulation, your skin might experience some tingling, owing to the mix of chemical actives. However, layering a moisturiser and sunscreen will help.Image: Instagram.com/drdennisgrossofficial

15% Vitamin C Firm & Bright Serum, DR DENNIS GROSS

This vitamin C serum combines the antioxidant-rich ingredient with lactic acid, glycolic acid, sodium hyaluronate, liquorice, and ferulic acid to speed up skin brightening by mildly exfoliating it and promoting cell turnover simultaneously. As this is a potent formulation, your skin might experience some tingling, owing to the mix of chemical actives. However, layering a moisturiser and sunscreen will help.

Image: Instagram.com/drdennisgrossofficial

Green Tea Vitamin C Enzyme Brightening Serum, InnisfreeInnisfree infuses vitamin C in their cult-favourite Green Tea Serum to equip the concoction to also tackle pigmentation and uneven skin tone, in addition to all the hydration it renders. The lightweight serum is packed with moisture-boosting and skin-plumping ingredients such as niacinamide, allantoin, panthenol, hyaluronic acid and squalane, oil-soluble vitamin C and willow bark extract, a BHA (beta hydroxy acid) that keeps congestion and excess sebum secretion at bay, making this vitamin C serum a great choice for acne-prone skin. Image: Instagram.com/innisfreeindia

Green Tea Vitamin C Enzyme Brightening Serum, Innisfree

Innisfree infuses vitamin C in their cult-favourite Green Tea Serum to equip the concoction to also tackle pigmentation and uneven skin tone, in addition to all the hydration it renders. The lightweight serum is packed with moisture-boosting and skin-plumping ingredients such as niacinamide, allantoin, panthenol, hyaluronic acid and squalane, oil-soluble vitamin C and willow bark extract, a BHA (beta hydroxy acid) that keeps congestion and excess sebum secretion at bay, making this vitamin C serum a great choice for acne-prone skin

Image: Instagram.com/innisfreeindia

Noni Bright Vitamin C Serum, Kora OrganicsThis award-winning vitamin C serum from Miranda Kerr’s Kora Organics is a powerhouse of antioxidants, comprising lemon peel extract, orange peel extract, Kakadu Plum, Acerola Cherry, and ascorbic acid. Hyaluronic acid, aloe vera juice, and vitamin E help retain the moisture in the skin, while a complex of vitamin C sources help with the recovery of the sun-damaged complexion.Image: Instagram.com/koraorganics

Noni Bright Vitamin C Serum, Kora Organics

This award-winning vitamin C serum from Miranda Kerr’s Kora Organics is a powerhouse of antioxidants, comprising lemon peel extract, orange peel extract, Kakadu Plum, Acerola Cherry, and ascorbic acid. Hyaluronic acid, aloe vera juice, and vitamin E help retain the moisture in the skin, while a complex of vitamin C sources help with the recovery of the sun-damaged complexion.

Image: Instagram.com/koraorganics

C-Vit Facial Liposomal Serum, SesdermaApproved and prescribed by dermatologists and cosmetologists across the world, Spanish skincare brand Sesderma’s vitamin C serum does the job without causing the slightest irritation. It is plumping, hydrating, and rejuvenating, leaving the skin soft, glowing, and even-toned. Over regular application, it also helps mitigate stubborn dark spots and pigmentation. Along with ascorbic acid, the serum comprises sodium hyaluronate, resveratrol, vitamin E, glycerin, castor oil, and peptides, and works wonders on skin types across age groups.Image: Instagram.com/sesderma

C-Vit Facial Liposomal Serum, Sesderma

Approved and prescribed by dermatologists and cosmetologists across the world, Spanish skincare brand Sesderma’s vitamin C serum does the job without causing the slightest irritation. It is plumping, hydrating, and rejuvenating, leaving the skin soft, glowing, and even-toned. Over regular application, it also helps mitigate stubborn dark spots and pigmentation. Along with ascorbic acid, the serum comprises sodium hyaluronate, resveratrol, vitamin E, glycerin, castor oil, and peptides, and works wonders on skin types across age groups.

Image: Instagram.com/sesderma

CEO Vitamin C Serum, Sunday RileyIf you are seeking rapid reversal of skin texture, pigmentation, and dullness, trust Sunday Riley’s classic CEO Vitamin C Serum to deliver. With a 15 per cent concentration of a potent form of vitamin C, this serum also features glycolic acid to renew and brighten up the skin cells swiftly. Moisturising ingredients like squalane, vitamin E, glycerin, and jojoba oil balance out the formulation to minimise any potential dryness. The range also features an oil-based vitamin C solution that also features turmeric and evening primrose oil.Image: Instagram.com/sundayriley

CEO Vitamin C Serum, Sunday Riley

If you are seeking rapid reversal of skin texture, pigmentation, and dullness, trust Sunday Riley’s classic CEO Vitamin C Serum to deliver. With a 15 per cent concentration of a potent form of vitamin C, this serum also features glycolic acid to renew and brighten up the skin cells swiftly. Moisturising ingredients like squalane, vitamin E, glycerin, and jojoba oil balance out the formulation to minimise any potential dryness. The range also features an oil-based vitamin C solution that also features turmeric and evening primrose oil.

Image: Instagram.com/sundayriley

Lastly, while a vitamin C serum is supposed to alleviate signs of sun damage, it can also make the skin more sensitive to the sun, which is why applying copious amounts of sunscreen after using a vitamin C serum is non-negotiable.

Also Read: Can vitamin C worsen acne?

Also Read: Move over Vitamin C — these 5 ingredients do a better job

Also Read: The perils of using oxidised vitamin C on your skin


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