“That way a reservoir of active vitamin C is present in the skin during the daylight hours, when ultraviolet radiation is strongest,” he explains. If you think a face serum is just an extra step you can skip in your skincare routine, think again.Meant to be applied before your favorite moisturizer or go-to cream, the best anti-aging serums quickly penetrate your skin (thanks to the smaller molecule size), delivering the most potent, highly concentrated active ingredients (think: scientifically-proven retinol, hydrating hyaluronic acid. Whatever vitamin C serum you choose, Howe suggests applying it in the morning. Possible Side Effects Like most topicals, eyelash serums may cause redness and irritation in individuals with sensitive skin, shares Dr. Julie Russak, founder of the Russak Dermatology Group, puts it, this serum can “deliver vitamin C through the top layer without disrupting the protective barrier of the skin.” For the best results, always follow the brand’s specific instructions to make sure you are applying the serum correctly and to avoid any irritation. Part of this serum’s patented formula includes a pH level higher than those of its competitors, meaning it won’t cause the redness and sensitivity that serums with lower pH can.
“A product must be formulated carefully to enable sufficient delivery to the skin,” Howe explains. That’s because L-ascorbic acid (which comprises 15 percent of this serum) is water soluble, and in less precisely formulated serums, won’t effectively penetrate skin. He says it has a light, non-greasy feel, while still delivering “the maximum amount of its active ingredients to the skin.” It is expensive, but worth the price due to its super-stable, patented formula, according to our experts. Kenneth Howe of the Wexler Dermatology Group.
“I think it’s the best out there,” declares Dr. Four of our dermatologists recommend Skinceuticals CE Ferulic, which they (and our editors) hail as the gold-standard vitamin C serum, and is suitable for all skin types.