Vitamin C

What percentage of vitamin C is most effective for visible results?

The research shows that medium to high strengths (5% and higher) give particularly effective vitamin C benefits for skin. Percentages 10% and above are typically found in targeted vitamin C serums. Whatever your skin type, if your skin looks dull or has an uneven tone then add a lightweight liquid 15% vitamin C booster as an extra step into your skincare routine. If stubborn discolouration is your concern, choose a 25% vitamin C serum.

Lower concentrations of vitamin C skincare (below 5%) are good for your skin too, with cumulative benefits in leave-on products like a vitamin C cream, serum, eye cream or SPF moisturiser. In fact, concentrations under 1% can provide antioxidant and anti-ageing benefits. You can also use lower strengths to help enhance the results you see from other youth-preserving ingredients, eg. retinol and ceramides.

Which Paula's Choice vitamin C product is right for me?

For a higher concentration of vitamin C, you can find it in 5-25% strengths in our Paula's Choice vitamin C collection, including our 5% Vitamin C Moisturizer and Eye Cream, 5% Vitamin C SPF 50, 15% Vitamin C Super Booster and 25% Vitamin C Serum. When used in these concentrations, vitamin C can help mitigate signs of ageing and sun damage.

Lower concentrations of vitamin C for skin (2-4%) still have some anti-ageing and brightening benefits but act in a more supportive role, helping enhance and stabilise active ingredients in vitamin C with retinol formulations, for example.

• C15 Super Booster: suitable for all skin types, this water-light liquid treatment boosts glow, diminishes uneven skin tone and visibly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with a higher 15% pure vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and antioxidants ferulic acid and ergothioneine.
• 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum: our most potent dose, this vitamin C serum features a 25% concentration ideal for anyone wanting to target more advanced signs of ageing (think lack of elasticity, deeper wrinkles) as well as more persistent, stubborn and diffused discolourations.
• C5 Super Boost Eye Cream: suitable for all skin types, this specialised eye cream targets dark under-eye circles, fine lines and puffiness with three forms of vitamin C, as well as zerumbone and peptides.
• C5 Super Boost Moisturizer: suitable for all skin types, this lightweight moisturiser targets a dull complexion and early signs of ageing with stabilised vitamin C that's supported by peptides and acetyl zingerone.
• 5% Vitamin C Sheer Moisturizer SPF 50: suitable for all skin types and tones, this broad-spectrum sun cream not only protects from damaging UV rays, but also hydrates and brightens the skin with supercharged 5% vitamin C, acetyl zingerone and algae-derived amino acids.

Should I choose a vitamin C serum or a vitamin C moisturiser?

You can choose a serum if you already have a favourite moisturiser that is giving you good hydration results, but you'd like an extra step in your routine that specifically targets dullness or uneven skin tone. A vitamin C moisturiser, however, is a good choice if you would like one multi-functional step that both brightens and hydrates – even brightens, hydrates and protects if you need an SPF moisturiser with vitamin C.

Another option is to double up and use two or more vitamin C skin products in the same routine. For example, you can use the 5% Vitamin C SPF 50 in the AM and then apply the C15 Super Booster and the C5 Super Boost Moisturiser in the PM. By combining vitamin C skincare products, you get better free-radical protection and environmental defence, as well as improvements to discolouration, wrinkles and loss of firmness. Try using them in the morning, always following with SPF.

Is vitamin C better at night or morning?

Vitamin C products work well as part of an AM routine because it can level up the efficacy of your SPF protection by lessening oxidative stress and boosting the skin’s natural defences. That is why using an SPF moisturiser with this ingredient is such a smart move! In general, vitamin C skincare products can be used up to twice daily, in both your morning and night routines.

After cleansing, toning and exfoliating, apply the rest of your skincare from thinnest to thickest textures (usually treatments then moisturiser). During the day, always finish with an SPF moisturiser at factor 30 or higher.

Can you use vitamin C serum with rosacea?

The forms of vitamin C that we include in our formulations are known to be stable and gentle on the skin, but product effectiveness varies due to synthetic actives and potency. With vitamin C for sensitive skin, we recommend patch-testing on a small area to see how your skin responds to this new ingredient. If your main concern is your reactive or rosacea-prone skin, then we suggest trying our CALM collection first.

Beauty begins with truth

Since 1995, we’ve broken down the science of skincare, busted beauty myths and made products with ingredients that research proves can transform skin. Established by beauty expert Paula Begoun, the brand is deeply rooted in our founder’s commitment to education and customer advocacy. Our clinical-grade, science-backed products are designed to maximise the potential of every ingredient, delivering optimal efficacy while minimising irritation. Our formulations are non-irritating, never tested on animals and work exactly as promised.