Dry Skin? Glow and Hydrate with these Moisturizing Vitamin C Serums
Find the best vitamin C serums for dry, dehydrated skin.
There’s nothing more frustrating than a dry, flaky and uncomfortable complexion – so finding the best vitamin C serum for dry skin is key. Vitamin C is a key ingredient in skin care products, and in addition to preventing external damage and collagen breakdown, it increases moisture retention and thickens the skin, making it a staple in your daily routine if you’re dealing with dry skin. However, as an effective compound, there are a few tips before adding vitamin C to your regimen to avoid exacerbating dryness. Here’s all the information you need on how to incorporate vitamin C into your daily routine and which serums you should focus on to restore your plump, soft complexion.
Is Vitamin C Serum suitable for dry skin?
Vitamin C is one of the best ingredients for dry skin because it stops free radicals from further depleting cells and plays a vital role in producing the compounds needed for a moisturized and supple complexion.
First, due to its high antioxidant activity, vitamin C neutralizes free radicals and protects the existing collagen in the skin that is needed to retain moisture. In addition, vitamin C induces more collagen in the skin, which thickens the complexion and helps increase moisture retention, thus reducing dryness.
Whether you suffer from dry skin in winter or year-round, a broken barrier may be the cause of your struggle. Vitamin C can also help with this. Because it increases ceramides (the lipids that make up about 50% of the skin barrier), vitamin C accelerates skin repair and strengthens the epidermis, reducing dryness and peeling. [
What percentage of vitamin C is good for dry skin?
Since your skin is dry and more reactive, you will want to look for formulas with 10-15% vitamin C. Also, make sure your Vitamin C serum also contains soothing and soothing actives such as niacinamide, squalane and oatmeal, and skip potential moisture strippers such as denatured alcohols and synthetic fragrances.
Will vitamin C dry out my skin?
Several forms of vitamin C are used in skin care products, the most common being L-ascorbic acid, which is pure vitamin C, usually formulated at acidic pH levels up to 20%. In this case, vitamin C can cause dryness, especially if your skin is already problematic.
The best vitamin C serum
First Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum
This guy is sensitive skin friendly, contains 10% vitamin C and is soluble in oil and water, which means it works on the surface and inner layers of the skin to protect and repair. Other reasons that squalane, colloidal oatmeal and vitamin E make this serum great for dry skin are that they are all excellent emollients that soften sagging skin and relieve dryness while helping to lock in moisture. It gets extra credit for the pump dispenser, which doesn’t allow daily conditions to degrade the formula, so you get the maximum benefit every time.
Klairs Freshly Squeezed Vitamin C Drops
Available on the K-beauty shelf is this serum enriched with 5% pure vitamin C. It’s gentle on dry skin, but potent enough to trigger dramatic changes, brightening and thickening the skin. Although its pH is slightly acidic, the serum is enriched with Centella asiatica extract, known for its moisturizing and skin regenerating properties, plus a blend of botanical extracts that nourish and soothe tight skin without irritating it.
Sunday Riley CEO 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum
Sunday Riley’s serum contains 15% oil-soluble vitamin C and plenty of soy sterols that help reduce redness caused by sensitivity, plus squalane (a top choice for dry complexions) to instantly revitalize a tired complexion. The serum’s smooth texture instantly envelops skin in a moisture cocoon, leaving it feeling soothed and glowing with health.
Image Skincare Vitamin C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum
If your dryness is age-related, you may want to try this serum, as it fades wrinkles and reduces hyperpigmentation while soothing dry skin. Thanks to two stable and gentle vitamin Cs, the serum fights dryness, dullness and fatigue, and aloe leaf juice, sweet almond oil and peptides support these benefits-all necessary to improve dryness. This popular serum has a creamy, buttery texture that feels like a moisturizer and leaves skin feeling relaxed and comfortable after use.
Ole Henriksen Banana Brightening Vitamin C Serum
Ole Henriksen This serum contains 15% 3-O-ethyl-ascorbic acid, which, despite its scary name, is a mild form of vitamin C that is perfect for sensitive and dry skin. It works hard to improve elasticity and hydration while brightening and protecting your complexion from harmful free radicals. Other noteworthy ingredients in this formula are Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid and 5% Polyhydroxy Acid, a gentle exfoliator that helps remove dead, scaly cells and reveal fresher cells while also aiding in the penetration of other active ingredients.
Cocokind Vitamin C Serum with Sea Grape Caviar
Made with one of the gentlest forms of vitamin C (sodium ascorbyl phosphate), this serum induces collagen production, evens skin tone and promotes hydration without disturbing the skin. The gentle formula is made with a certified organic aloe vera leaf juice base for soothing and moisturizing benefits, while the addition of sea grape caviar (a nutrient-rich algae) improves water retention so your skin doesn’t dry out again.
Derma E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum
To protect and rebalance your skin, this serum contains a juicy blend of vitamin C, green tea and probiotics. The antioxidant benefits of vitamin C are supported by vitamin E, which also acts as an emollient, meaning it softens rough patches and soothes the skin. Apply this serum twice daily to a clean complexion for the ultimate in protection and repair.
Some By Mi Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum
Some By Mi Glow Serum is a super-nourishing cocktail with an impressive 75% galactomyces yeast (moisturizing and soothing fermentation) and 3% vitamin C to reveal brighter tones and repair dehydrated skin. There’s also niacinamide, allantoin and propolis for extra nourishment and moisture. It also skips alcohol, perfumes or any other unnecessary compounds that can strip skin of moisture.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum
Ceramides and cholesterol are great for dry skin, and this serum has both. CeraVe Skin Renewing Serum is combined with 10% vitamin C, designed to strengthen the skin and reinforce the protective barrier, while humectants sodium hyaluronate and panthenol absorb moisture into the skin for a plumper look. What we don’t like so much about this formula is that it has denatured alcohol as a sixth ingredient – which can be drying for some people.
TruSkin Vitamin C Serum
This vitamin C formula has garnered thousands of positive reviews on Amazon for its wallet-friendly price tag and the results it delivers. In addition to a stable form of vitamin C, the formula includes hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil and vitamin E, all of which hydrate, lock moisture in the skin and soften rough patches. The liquid formula absorbs immediately without leaving skin sticky or tacky and pairs perfectly with your oil-based moisturizer to create an anti-drying duo.