Next to retinol, vitamin C is one of the most effective ingredients in skincare. In 2024, you can also find plenty of vegan vitamin C skincare.
When used in vegan serums, this potent antioxidant can improve your skin tone, boost collagen production, and protect you from free radical damage.
The good news is that vitamin C skincare can easily be made vegan. And we have listed the best vegan vitamin C serums on the market.
Best Vegan Vitamin C Serums In 2024
Here are the best vegan vitamin C serums for every type of skin. From Root Science to Glow Recipe – discover vegan and cruelty-free vitamin C serums for radiant skin.
Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C Energy Serum
Our favorite vegan vitamin C serum includes three stable forms of vitamin C: Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, and Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate.
Paired with caffeine from Yerba Mate and Guayusa tea extracts, this gorgeous C serum will brighten, depuff and hydrate your skin. Read our full review here.
Vitamin C type: ethyl ascorbic acid, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate
Key ingredients: yerba mate, guayusa, passion & dragonfruit
Skin type: normal, oily, combination, dry, acne-prone
Maelove Glow Maker Antioxidant Serum
Maelove Glow Maker uses 15% ascorbic acid – the purest and most effective form of active vitamin C. It’s the perfect vegan C vitamin serum for dry skin.
This vegan vitamin C serum with ferulic acid is double-awesome. Ferulic acid is an excellent ingredient that boosts the effects of other antioxidants.
Maelove serum also includes hyaluronic acid and vitamin E for essential hydration. The vegan C serum is made in the USA. It is free of gluten, parabens, SLS, dyes, and fragrances.
Vitamin C type: 15% ascorbic acid
Key ingredients: ferulic acid, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E
Skin type: normal, dry, mature, combination
Root Science Arctic-C Vitamin C Brightening Serum
We love this organic vegan vitamin C serum from Root Science. The serum is natural, vegan, cruelty-free, and handmade in Portland, Oregon in small patches.
In addition to using the most potent stable form of vitamin C, this vegan serum is made special by a complex of vitamin-rich Nordic berries such as Arctic blackcurrant and sea-buckthorn.
This powerful antioxidant cocktail gives your skin a boost of radiance, evens your skin tone, reduces dark spots and signs of aging. All in the form of silky dry oil.
Vitamin C type: 10% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
Key ingredients: Nordic antioxidant complex, vitamin E, bisabolol
Skin type: all skin types
Avalon Organics Vitamin C Radiance Serum
The oil-free vegan vitamin C serum is great for oily skin. It is lightweight, absorbs quickly, and does not include potentially pore-clogging vitamin E.
The organic vegan vitamin C serum combines powerhouse ingredients to make your skin visibly brighter and smoother. The serum is also dermatologist tested and safe for sensitive skin.
It has 3 different types of vitamin C along with olive squalane, Kakadu plum, turmeric, licorice root, and milk thistle – all to load up your skin on replenishing antioxidants.
Vitamin C type: ascorbyl glucoside, ascorbic acid, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
Key ingredients: olive squalane, Kakadu plum, turmeric, licorice root, milk thistle
Skin type: all, especially oily skin
Naturium Vitamin C Complex Face Serum
If you are looking for a vegan vitamin C serum for sensitive skin, we recommend the natural Naturium Vitamin C Complex Face Serum. You’ll get the glow without the tingle.
This fragrance-free vegan vitamin C serum is biocompatible, PH appropriate, and made without using harsh chemicals or major allergens like gluten.
The serum uses the safest and least irritating vitamin C form – Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate along with a small concentration of Ascorbic Acid.
On top of antioxidant protection, sensitive skin will enjoy hydration and nourishment from hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. The serum also works great for dry and dull skin.
Vitamin C type: sodium ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbic acid
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, vitamin E
Skin type: sensitive, dry, mature, combination
Derma E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum
This vegan vitamin C serum with hyaluronic acid and aloe brightens the skin, boosts collagen health, and has strong anti-aging benefits.
It’s an ideal vegan vitamin C serum for combination skin. It delivers essential hydration for your dry areas while being lightweight enough for oily areas.
The Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate form of vitamin C is recommended for combination and oily skin. The potent serum is clinically recommended and also safe for sensitive skin.
Vitamin C type: sodium ascorbyl phosphate
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, vitamin E
Skin type: all, especially combination skin
TruSkin Vitamin C Serum For Face
Hands down, TruSkin has made the best affordable vegan vitamin C serum. The raving reviews speak for themselves – it’s a go-to serum for a brighter and fresher face.
The vegan vitamin C serum with aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, and witch hazel protects, nourishes, soothes, and hydrates your skin.
The stable vitamin C encourages collagen health and fights free radicals night and day. The serum is free of parabens, sulfates, PEGs, GMOs, synthetic colors, and fragrances.
Vitamin C type: sodium ascorbyl phosphate
Key ingredients: aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, jojoba oil, witch hazel
Skin type: normal, dry, mature, combination
Eva Naturals Skin Clearing Serum
Eva Naturals Skin Clearing Serum best vegan vitamin C serum for acne-prone skin. This powerful potion fights acne, reduces inflammation, and prevents future outbreaks.
This vegan vitamin C serum with niacinamide and salicylic acid gently exfoliates, hydrates, and repairs acne-prone skin. The serum is made with a non-irritating stable form of vitamin C.
The super serum also includes retinol which cleanses your pores and makes them appear smaller. The powerful ingredients are balanced with organic dandelion and other calming botanicals.
Vitamin C type: sodium ascorbyl phosphate
Key ingredients: niacinamide, salicylic acid, retinol, hyaluronic acid, MSM
Skin type: acne-prone, oily, combination, dry
Glow Recipe Pineapple-C Brighten Serum
Glow Recipe’s vegan vitamin C serum fights acne scars, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation like no other serum out there. And it looks so cute.
This alcohol-free vegan vitamin C serum includes 22% Pineapple Juice which is one of the most powerful forms of natural vitamin C.
Together with Ascorbic Acid and Ethyl Ascorbic acid the serum visibly evens your skin tone and leaves it beautifully glossy. Dry skin will love it since it also includes hyaluronic acid.
This beautiful serum is certified vegan and cruelty-free. It is also safe for sensitive skin and free of parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, and drying alcohol.
Vitamin C type: ascorbic acid, ethyl ascorbic acid
Key ingredients: pineapple juice, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E
Skin type: normal, dry, mature, combination, sensitive
Juice Beauty Anti-Wrinkle Booster Serum
If you are looking for vegan vitamin C serum for mature skin, go for the Anti-Wrinkle Booster Serum from Juice Beauty – one of the most vitamin C-rich skincare brands.
This certified organic vegan vitamin C serum reduced the appearance of wrinkles and improves skin texture. In this serum, vitamin C meets fruit stem cells and resveratrol-rich grape seed oil.
The Mg vegan vitamin C serum is very natural and free of parabens, sulfates, petroleum, propylene, silicones, talc, PEGs, TEA, DEA, GMO, and synthetic fragrances.
Vitamin C type: magnesium ascorbyl phosphate
Key ingredients: fruit stem cells blend, grape seed oil, jojoba oil
Skin type: mature, dry, combination, sensitive
Revolve Hyper Clear Vitamin C Serum
This clarifying vegan vitamin C serum fights acne scars and clears up blemishes. The serum is safe for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
This vegan serum features Ethyl Ascorbic Acid – a stable and non-irritating vitamin C that drastically lightens dark marks, age spots, and acne scars.
In this serum, vitamin C is paired with vitamin E. Together the antioxidants fight free radicals, reduce UV damage in your skin, and make your skin generally happier and healthier.
Vitamin C type: ethyl ascorbic acid
Key ingredients: vitamin E, fruit enzymes, bearberry, turmeric, kojic acid
Skin type: all skin types, including sensitive
The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%
Sometimes, all you need is vitamin C – no other ingredients. If that’s the case, try out the Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% from The Ordinary.
This simple vegan vitamin C serum is a great way to get started with C serums. It uses a stable form of vitamin C that improves your skin tone, fights dullness, dark spots, and signs of aging.
This vegan vitamin C serum is alcohol-free and water-based making it suitable for all skin types. If you are a seasoned vitamin C user, you can also try their 100% L-Ascorbic Acid Powder.
Vitamin C type: 12% ascorbyl glucoside
Key ingredients: water, ascorbyl glucoside
Skin type: all skin types, including sensitive
Pacifica Sea & C Sheer Face Serum SPF 55
Pacifica has made this beautiful vegan vitamin C serum with SPF 55. It not only fights sun damage in your skin but also protects you from harmful UVA and UVB rays.
This lightweight vegan vitamin C serum with aloe vera is refreshing and easy to apply. It loads your skin with healthy antioxidants and nutrients from sea minerals.
The natural serum gives your skin a healthy glow and replaces your sunscreen. It is also reef-safe and free of parabens, silicones, phthalates, octinoxate, oxybenzone, and nanoparticles.
Vitamin C type: ascorbic acid
Key ingredients: vitamin C, sea minerals, aloe, ashwaganda
Skin type: dry, dull, tired, combination
U Beauty Resurfacing Compound Serum
This is another excellent multitasking vegan vitamin C serum for dry and dull skin. Made with a variety of powerhouse ingredients, this might be the only serum you will need.
The vegan vitamin C serum with retinol, peptides, and AHAs gently exfoliates your skin and reveals a much brighter and healthier skin tone.
The serum is safe for all skin types and skin tones. It is made from natural non-GMO ingredients without any fillers or harsh chemicals.
Vitamin C type: sodium ascorbyl phosphate
Key ingredients: retinol, peptides, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, AHas
Skin type: all, especially dry skin
OZNaturals Vitamin C Facial Serum
This bestselling OZ vegan vitamin C serum with hyaluronic acid is a good one. Made with 98% natural ingredients and a stabilized vitamin C – it is a safe bet for all skin types.
The facial serum reduces dark spots and hyperpigmentation while illuminating your skin. Plant-based hyaluronic acid hydrates your skin and reduces the look of wrinkles.
Together with vitamin E and rosehip extract, this vegan vitamin C serum effectively repairs, protects, and regenerates your skin.
Vitamin C type: sodium ascorbyl phosphate
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, rosehip extract
Skin type: all skin types, including sensitive skin
Pixi Skintreats Vitamin-C Serum
Pici Skintreats vegan vitamin C serum with ferulic acid, aloe vera, and citrus extracts is the refreshing serum you will want to start your day with.
Ferulic acid and ascorbic acid will give you a powerful antioxidant boost. The serum encourages collagen production and prevents collagen breakdown from environmental stressors.
The vegan vitamin C serum is also paraben-free and made in the USA.
Vitamin C type: ascorbic acid
Key ingredients: ferulic acid, lemon, orange, and grapefruit extracts
Skin type: normal, dry, mature, combination
The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost Instant Smoother
If you are looking for a simple vegan vitamin C serum with Ascorbic Acid, try the Vitamin C Skin Boost Instant Smoother from The Body Shop.
By using a potent form of vitamin C, this vegan serum invigorates your skin. Your skin texture will look a lot smoother, softer, and more radiant.
The whole vitamin C range of The Body Shop is pretty great, so you can combine this beautiful serum with face masks and lotions.
Vitamin C type: ascorbic acid
Key ingredients: Amazonian Camu Camu berries
Skin type: normal, dry, dull, tired
Vitamin C Benefits In Vegan Serums
For your skin health, vitamin C is most effective when applied topically. Oral ingestion does not have nearly the same benefits are applying vitamin C directly to your skin.
There are numerous ways your skin can benefit from vegan vitamin C serums. Vitamin C:
- Blocks environmental damage – vitamin C neutralizes damage from environmental stressors like pollution and sun
- Boosts collagen production – vitamin C maintains collagen levels and prevents collagen breakdown from external damage
- Improves skin tone – vitamin C brightens your skin, lightens dark spots, and helps to even out pigmentation
- Recuses signs of aging – vitamin C reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and prevents the loss of firmness
Vitamin C Types In Vegan Serums
In vegan serums, vitamin C comes in two forms: active and inactive.
The active forms of vitamin C are potent and water-soluble but also highly unstable. The active vitamin C serums need to be protected from air, light, and high temperatures.
The inactive forms of vitamin C are oil-soluble and much more stable. They activate only on your skin and thus penetrate the skin better.
- Ascorbic Acid (L-Ascorbic Acid): the purest biologically active form of vitamin C, most potent and effective but unstable. Sensitive and acne-prone skin should be careful and opt for lower concentration (8–10%)
- Ethyl Ascorbic Acid: an etherified stable form of ascorbic acid, soluble in oil and water, known to boost collagen synthesis along with skin-lightening properties
- Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate: the most stable form of vitamin C, boosts collagen production and does not irritate the skin, good for sensitive skin
- Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate: a stable oil-soluble form of vitamin C, less potent than ascorbic acid but better for oily and acne-prone skin, helps even prevent and treat acne
- Ascorbyl Glucoside: a stable form of C that is paired with glucose, similar benefits to ascorbic acid but less potent, good at fading dark spots
- Ascorbyl Palmitate: a fat-soluble form of vitamin C, should have the same benefits as ascorbic acid but more research needs to be done, works well in supplements
- Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate (Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate): the newest and most stable form of vitamin C, as effective as ascorbic acid but it might irritate sensitive skin
What Makes A Vitamin C Serum Vegan?
Vitamin C itself is usually vegan. The vitamin is either naturally derived from fruits and vegetables or synthetically derived from GMO corn.
Still, vitamin C serums may contain other animal-derived ingredients such as glycerin, squalene, or stearic acid. Vitamin C serums can also be tested on animals which makes them not vegan.
In order to be sure your vitamin C serum is vegan, look for a vegan sticker or a certified vegan label on the packaging. That way, you can be sure your serum is vegan and cruelty-free.
FAQ About Vegan Vitamin C Serums
Vitamin C is usually vegan and derived from fruits, vegetables, and GMO corn. Just make sure your vitamin C product is not animal-tested or includes other animal-derived ingredients.
The best vegan serum to buy is Root Science Arctic-C Vitamin C Brightening Serum. It includes a stable form of vitamin C and is suitable for all skin types.
You can use vitamin c and retinol together – just make sure the concentration of both ingredients isn’t too high. For best results, we recommend using vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night.
No. Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum includes collagen which comes from animals.
Yes, Melixir Vitamin C Serum is vegan. All Melixir products are vegan and cruelty-free.
Yes, DM Balea Vitamin C Serum is vegan.
You should use a vitamin C serum if your skin is dry, dull, or tired. Vitamin C serums also help reduce hyperpigmentation and lighten dark spots. You should be more careful with vitamin C serums if you have acne-prone or sensitive skin.
Summary
When shopping for a vitamin C serum, finding a reliable vegan option is easy. Just pick your preferred vitamin C type, see the other key ingredients, and you are good to go.
Our favorite vegan vitamin C serums come from Sunday Riley, Maelove, and Root Science. We also love the affordable vegan C serum from TruSkin.
Hope you found the right serum for your skin type. As we try out new cruelty-free vegan vitamin C serums all the time, we make sure to list the best options in this article.
See also: Best Vegan Skincare, Vegan Vitamin C Skincare, Vegan Serums, Vegan Moisturizers, Vegan Cleansers, Vegan Sunscreen, Vegan Retinols
Sources:
Harvard Health Publishing: “Why Is Topical Vitamin C Important For Skin Health?”
Indian Dermatology Online Journal: “Vitamin C In Dermatology”
Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss: “Let’s Get Intimate: Vitamin C”
Update on May 04 (2023): Fact checked and medically reviewed by MD Shimona Garg
Update on February 18 (2023): Added a reference to support vitamin c serum benefits
