I Tried 3 Celebrity-Recommended Vitamin C Serums—Here’s the Best

As a beauty editor, I test hundreds of active ingredients each year – retinoids, exfoliating acids, you name it. While it feels wrong to play favorites, I must admit that vitamin C is my go-to skincare ingredient. It brightens dullness, fades discoloration, and offers potent anti-aging effects. Essentially, it’s a gold-standard antioxidant, which means it neutralizes free radicals before they can damage the skin. So, why wouldn’t I want that?

Although I have my collection of favorite vitamin C serums, I’m always curious about what others use, especially celebrities. They need to maintain bright, glowy, red carpet–worthy skin, so their recommendations are worth looking into.

Thankfully, I found out about three vitamin C serums that celebrities like Sydney Sweeney, Hailey Bieber, and Sabrina Carpenter use and love. Desiring skin like theirs, I decided to test these serums. Only one came out on top. Keep reading to see which one and why.

The Experiment:

I tested each serum for a little over two weeks. While most experts recommend using a skincare product for one to three months to see results, my goal was to note quick, visible results, so I capped each test period at exactly 14 days.

My Skin:

My skin is sensitive and prone to redness with signs of sun damage, like fine lines, dark spots, and discoloration. I tend to focus on dark spots and discoloration most. I was keen to see if one of the serums could be a fix.

Although the before-and-after pictures might not show much to those who don’t study my skin daily, I noticed subtle signs of each serum working.

Contender #1: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

Percentage of vitamin C: 15% L-ascorbic acid

Additional ingredients: vitamin E and ferulic acid

Pros: iconic, expert-backed formula

Cons: pricey and can oxidize over time

Sydney Sweeney uses SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. Loved by experts, this serum blends vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid. These ingredients work together for potent free radical defense and enhanced brightening.

My Review

This serum faded the dark spots around my nose and cheeks and some discoloration on my neck and jawline. My skin looked brighter and healthier, giving me a built-in glow each morning. However, the serum isn’t in an airtight container and can oxidize upon light and air exposure.

This high price is a concern, but for now, it hasn’t oxidized.

Contender #2: BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner

Percentage of vitamin C: 20% L-ascorbic acid

Additional ingredients: green tea, tartaric acid, squalane

Pros: stable, full-strength formula and airtight pump to prevent oxidation

Cons: can irritate sensitive skin

Hailey Bieber’s favorite is BeautyStat’s Universal C Skin Refiner. This product has 20% vitamin C, a high concentration that correlates to efficacy.

My Review

After two weeks, I saw a marked improvement in my dark spots and discoloration, and a subtle improvement in fine lines around my nose and eyes. The serum’s stabilized formula and airtight container help prevent oxidation.

The high vitamin C percentage can be irritating for sensitive skin, though. When my skin is already irritated, this serum can stings slightly and exacerbates redness. I avoid using it during such times, but otherwise, it’s highly effective.

Contender #3: 111Skin Vitamin C Brightening Booster

Percentage of vitamin C: unspecified percentage of sodium ascorbyl phosphate

Additional ingredients: diamond particles, niacinamide, licorice root, glutathione

Pros: clinical-grade formula and multiple brightening ingredients

Cons: pricey and calls for additional serum application

Sabrina Carpenter uses 111Skin’s Vitamin C Brightening Booster. It includes niacinamide, licorice root, and glutathione besides vitamin C. The brand claims it even uses diamond particles for exfoliation and better vitamin C delivery.

My Review

This serum reduced my redness significantly, probably due to licorice root and niacinamide. It also hydrated and plumped my skin thanks to hyaluronic acid.

The downside is, it’s not technically a serum but a booster meant to enhance your existing serum’s results. This adds an extra step to my skincare routine and an additional expense.

While worth it if budget allows, it’s not entirely necessary for everyone.

The Winner: BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner

The winner is BeautyStat’s Universal C Skin Refiner, Hailey Bieber’s favorite. It checks all the boxes with a high concentration of vitamin C, stability, and more affordable than the other two. Despite potential irritation on sensitive days, its effectiveness is unmatched.

All three serums improved my skin’s appearance. Choosing among them depends on individual skin concerns, preferences, and budget. I’ll keep all three on hand to feed my vitamin C obsession…

Bliss
Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Collagen Protecting & Brightening Serum
$29
Love this drugstore serum combining vitamin C with firming peptides.

DAMDAM
Citrus Glow Vitamin C & Hyaluronic Acid Serum
$68
Combines brightening and hydrating powers of vitamin C and hyaluronic acid.

Dermalogica
BioLumin-C Vitamin C Face Serum
$96
Gives the skin a major glow.

innisfree
Green Tea Enzyme Vitamin C Brightening Serum
$32
Green tea maximizes antioxidant power.

Allies of Skin
Peptides & Antioxidants Advanced Firming Daily Treatment
$125
This serum-moisturizer hybrid is packed with skin-brightening antioxidants. It’s made a dramatic difference in my skin.