If you’re new to vitamin C or just want something gentle and unfussy, CeraVe’s formula is about as solid as it gets. It contains 10% L-ascorbic acid plus hyaluronic acid for hydration and ceramides to support your skin barrier. It’s fragrance-free, allergy-tested, and developed with dermatologists, which makes it feel like a product you can trust even if your skin tends to react badly to anything new. And it’s so hydrating that when I apply it, my skin has a serious glow to it.

This is the serum I recommend to friends who are vitamin C curious but want something easy in their routine. It has a lightweight, lotion-like texture that disappears into skin without any stickiness. It’s also one I’d come back to when my skin is irritated and I need something soothing and effective. Bonus: it works well with the brand’s Vitamin C Eye Repair Cream (which has an even lower dose for the thin skin around the eyes) which I like for tackling the puffiness I always wake up with.

OOS Best Vitamin C Serum for Dry Skin: Indie Lee Daily Vitamin Infusion Serum

If your skin leans dry and you don’t want to add another step to your routine, this serum hybrid is a great blend to get both brightening and hydration. Instead of using pure L-ascorbic acid, it gets its vitamin C content from botanical sources like rosehip and avocado oils. That makes it less effective (and not as researched backed), but also less irritating. It’s packed with squalane oil to hydrate, plus ceramides to help repair your skin barrier.

I reach for this when I want that dewy, glowy look without having to pile on multiple products. It’s definitely on the oilier side, so if you’re wearing it during the day, you’ll want to give it time to absorb before applying sunscreen or moisturizer (and heads up: it can pill under heavier SPF formulas). I wouldn’t use this if your main goal is to fade dark spots or acne scars quickly, but it’s excellent for hydration, subtle brightening, and giving your face a healthy-looking glow.

Best Vitamin C Serum for All Skin Types: Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid

If you’re done any research about vitamin C, you’ve probably come across SkinCeuticals—an $180 formula that is the point of debate between derms and skin care content creators. Timeless doesn’t have a ton of name recognition, but this serum rivals that cult-favorite at a fraction of the price. It uses the same power trio of ingredients (L-ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and ferulic acid) in a formula that feels light and disappears fast. The texture is thin—almost runny—so it’s easy to spread and layers nicely under other products. It’s suitable for all skin types, but if you’re sensitive, you may want to go with the 10% formula instead of the more potent 20%.