Here we are, the big one. You’ve got a decent face wash, know to slap on the SPF, and you even treat yourself to a face mask once in a while. You're already honed a decent men's skincare regime, but a good face serum will take your grooming operation to the next level. Burns EM, et al. (2013). Differential effects of topical vitamin E and C E Ferulic® Treatments on Ultraviolet Light B-Induced Cutaneous Tumor Development in Skh-1 Mice. Vitamin C serum is—you guessed it—made from Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid. These serums are formulated with other beneficial skincare ingredients, like Vitamin E, B5, and Ferulic acid, to make an anti-aging product that helps promote collagen production and keep your skin bright and youthful. Hyaluronic Acid: Many people see the word acid in their skincare and immediately want to ditch it. The truth is that hyaluronic acid can help skin regain moisture for an appealing smooth and plump effect. The most important ingredient in a vitamin C serum is the vitamin C, but other ingredients incorporated in the product can further boost the benefits. “Vitamin C works best when combined with vitamin E and ferulic acid, which together improve the antioxidant effects and stability of this ingredient,” says Murad Alam, MD, vice-chair and professor of dermatology at Northwestern Medicine.

Anti-aging serums: These work to boost collagen production and skin renewal. They can also help with early signs of aging. When it comes to skin care, vitamin C serum is a popular antioxidant, or free radical fighter, if you will. Some marvel about its ability to improve skin elasticity, reduce wrinkles and stimulate collagen production. Since there are benefits to applying the serum in the morning and at night, we recommend thinking about when you can maximize benefits the most based on your daily activities. If you spend a lot of time in the sun, you may want to opt for a nightly application to both heal and prevent sun damage (but make sure you’re wearing a good sunscreen, too). Stamford NPJ. (2012). Stability, transdermal penetration, and cutaneous effects of ascorbic acid and its derivatives.Companies use various forms of vitamin C in their formulations, and the two most common are L-ascorbic acid and THD ascorbate. L-ascorbic acid is 100% pure vitamin C. It’s water-soluble, well-researched and effective, but extremely unstable. It begins to oxidize and change color over time and can be irritating to some people’s skin. Tetrahexyldecyl (THD) ascorbate is stable and fat soluble, so it can be used in oil-based products. It tends to be well tolerated and permeates the skin easily.

Niacinamide: Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3, but it’s also an antioxidant. It can lighten dark spots, smooth skin texture, even out skin tone, and generally strengthen the skin from the inside out. Not sure what vitamin C is good for? We’ve already briefly touched on the main benefits, but if you’re up for a bit of an ‘at a glance’ recap, which we’re alwaysup for, then here you go: Texture improvement serums: These help boost the texture of your skin and its overall appearance. In addition, some texture improvement serums can help shed dead skin cells to unearth glowing, even skin underneath. Never [use vitamin C serum] within a few hours of using retinol, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid,” says Dr. Somenek, “to avoid burning, redness, and stinging.”Certain formulations offer higher concentrations, or they’re coupled with other star ingredients that give major benefits. Vitamin E and ferulic acid are ideal antioxidants to be paired with vitamin C, according to Pritzker. Hyaluronic acid and squalane can also be hydrating vehicles within various vitamin C serums as well. Formulation Vitamin C is a sensitive ingredient, so it’s important you’re paying attention to not only the type of bottle the serum comes in, but also where you’re storing it daily. “Vitamin C is sensitive to light, heat, and air, so it must be stored in a UV-protected and air-tight bottle in a cool, dark place,” Dr. Alam says. It’s also important to consider how vitamin C serum fits into the timeline of your skin care regime, especially if you use other products with certain ingredients.

Common medical knowledge has recommended vitamin C serum for use in the morning to ward off damage during the day, because it helps to protect the skin from free radicals,” says Dr. Somenek. But newer data, he explains, shows that UV damage remains for hours after a person is no longer exposed to the sun. There are two schools of thought here, though they both come to the same conclusion: the time of day you apply vitamin C serum is important. Free-radical fighting serums: These serums are usually filled with antioxidants to help fight free radicals, which can damage skin and its appearance.There are always concerns when trying a new product about how it might react with your skin and the other serums and moisturizers in your skincare routine. “Allergic reactions to skincare products are common and usually show redness and itching,” says Rebecca Baxt, MD, a board certified dermatologist with Baxt Cosmedical in New Jersey. “In which case, stop the product immediately, use cool compresses, hydrocortisone cream or ointment, mild cleansers, and if it is not resolving, see a board certified dermatologist.”