The Best Vitamin C Serums at MECCA Right Now

September 18 | 3 minute read

Words by MECCA Memo

Vitamin C is here to save your skin from dullness, pigmentation and a host of other complexion issues. Bring on the bright with these illuminating wonders.

If there’s one ingredient with superhero status, it’s vitamin C. This powerhouse can save your skin in countless ways. ZAP! Dark spots are eradicated. POW! See ya later, dull skin. BOOF! Take that environmental stressors like heat, humidity and pollution.

Certainly, the beneficial wonder has come a long way since your morning glass of OJ. It’s a potent antioxidant that fights dehydration, uneven skin tone, fine lines, wrinkles and inflammation. It also visibly brightens your complexion and supports collagen production. The upshot: If vitamin C is not already part of your skincare routine, you should consider it. Learn more about the benefits of this superhero ingredient in our guide to vitamin C, then try a few of our favourite formulas, below.

MECCA COSMETICA Skin Brightening Vitamin C Serum

This daily protective treatment was specifically designed to target your most-asked-about skin concerns, including pigmentation, dark spots and dullness. This antioxidant-rich, high-potency and never-sticky serum sinks into the skin to provide supreme brightening, anti-ageing and skin-protecting benefits, thanks to a powerhouse blend of ingredients: 15 percent L-ascorbic acid (the highest possible concentration of stabilised vitamin C), ferulic acid (vitamin C’s perfect partner to fight fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots), liquorice root extract (to visibly reduce dark spots and pigmentation) and vitamin E (a naturally occurring ingredient of healthy skin).

Editor’s note: because this is a high-powered formula, MECCA COSMETICA opted to forgo adding fragrance to the formula. However, you may notice that it has a distinct scent. This is from the combination of potent 15 percent vitamin C and ferulic acid that work to give you brighter skin.

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Tatcha Violet-C Radiance Mask

Just the colour of this mask alone makes it worth getting your hands on! It’s a vivid violet and packed with, you guessed it, vitamin C (two types!) as well as Japanese beautyberry — an antioxidant-rich superfruit rich that helps maximise the effect of vitamin C — and a 10 percent AHA complex to remove the build-up of dead skin cells. Just 15 – 20 minutes and a couple of selfies later, you’ll notice your skin instantly feels softer, smoother and appears more radiant.

Drunk Elephant C-Tango™ Multivitamin Eye Cream

Didn’t get your eight hours last night? This one’s for you! A luscious eye cream that instantly brightens and hydrates tired-looking eyes, it’s formulated with a powerful combination of vitamin C peptides and ceramides. C-Tango plumps fine lines and wrinkles, fights free radical damage and works to reverse discolouration and loss of firmness. Plus, a powerful complex of five forms of vitamin C (you read that right – five!) works to reduce the appearance of fine lines and dark circles. Over time, you should notice brighter, firmer-looking skin around your eye area.

Sunday Riley C.E.O. Antioxidant Protect + Repair Moisturiser

The perfect partner to Sunday Riley's C.E.O 15% vitamin C Brightening Serum, this moisturiser revitalises the skin and protects from the visible effects of pollution exposure. Plus, a hefty measure of vitamin E keeps skin nicely hydrated. Sunday Riley uses a form of Vitamin C called tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (say that five times fast!) – a derivative of the usual form (ascorbic acid), which is less irritating and completely stable, meaning your moisturiser won't lose its effectiveness if exposed to sunlight or air.

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Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum

We are often told you can’t combine retinol and vitamin C, but it’s myth according to LA facialist Kate Somerville. When used in tandem, the two powerhouses are doubly effective — vitamin C helps retinol remain stable while retinol can clear the path for enhanced vitamin C absorption. Somerville cleverly married them up in this weightless serum that refreshes tired, dull skin while you sleep. By morning you’ll be looking at a tighter, brighter and more luminous complexion. The retinol targets fine lines and helps improve firmness and elasticity, while vitamin C stimulates collagen production and evens out the complexion. It’s a double whammy.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Fresh Day Serum

The reviews are in: this Drunk Elephant serum is a runaway customer favourite. It’s spiked with the brand’s signature marula oil – a highly absorbable oil laced with antioxidants – and it helps nourish and rejuvenate skin for a noticeably youthful glow. But that’s not all! The serum is enriched with a host of other supportive players, including pumpkin ferment and pomegranate extracts to dissolve dead skin cells for a smoother texture. It also targets cellular UV damage and promotes collagen production, so you can say hello to brighter and firmer skin.

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Go-To Much Brighter Skin

We can’t get enough of Much Brighter Skin – a daily dose of this serum will have your skin looking brighter and bouncier. Loaded with vitamin C, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, your skin will slurp up the hydrating properties of this hard-working trio. Kakadu plum extract makes a cameo in this bottle and is one of the richest sources of vitamin C in the world – which not only looks excellent on its CV, but also makes it a powerful antioxidant protecting the skin against signs of premature skin ageing. Pat one pump onto your face after cleansing in the morning.

Dr. Lara Devgan Vitamin CBE Ferulic Serum

For brighter, firmer and more plump skin, you need Dr. Lara Devgan's Vitamin CBE Ferulic Serum in your beauty tool kit. This antioxidant rich serum features high concentrations of Vitamin C, E and Ferulic Acid that help reduce the appearance of fine lines and improve uneven skin tone leaving you with youthful and glowy results. Apply 3-4 drops of this hardworking serum to your freshly cleansed face and neck, and allow it to absorb fully to maximise the results!

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Drunk Elephant C-Luma™ Hydrabright Serum

If you’re new to the world of vitamin C – or looking for a gentler approach that doesn’t skip on the results – this newcomer from Drunk Elephant is for you. C-Luma™ uses two milder forms of vitamin C, in a lower concentration, than Drunk Elephant’s ultra-potent C-Firma™. Both serums are seriously good, but C-Luma™ is like a pep talk in a bottle for vitamin C beginners. Due to its lighter formula, it can be used day and night, and plays well with other actives in your skincare routine. The gel-serum texture is also fast absorbing and offers instant luminosity – kissing dullness and dryness goodbye.