While vitamin D is probably your go-to supplement during winter, your skin may actually be in dire need of a different one. You've probably heard about vitamin C serums — which can help brighten your complexion, increase collagen, and even out facial texture — and you don't need to spend more than $30 to see results. Though you may be surprised, the best drugstore vitamin C serums are affordable and powerful.
Like higher-end serums, the eb5 Vitamin C Serum Concentrate is packed with the antioxidant. The serum contains three stable forms of vitamin C — magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate — and a mix of free radical-fighting vitamin E and moisturizing sweet almond oil. The vegan formula is also cruelty free and made without phthalates, parabens, or added fragrance. But unlike luxury serums, eb5's is only $19.99 at Target.
The price isn't too good to be true: the Vitamin C Serum Concentrate has a 5-star rating on Target's website. And if you aren't on the face serum bandwagon, read the reviews customers have left behind for the product. Though patting on a serum may not be as instantly gratifying as applying cream moisturizers or dabbing on foundation, reviewers note that they do see results after a week, overnight, or even shortly after applying.
Retailing at Jet for $17.94, try InstaNatural's Skin Brightening Serum if you have breakout-prone skin. Reaping the vitamin C benefits from sodium ascorbyl phosphate, the serum also has niacinamide, a form of B3 vitamin which may fight acne. It's also a highly-rated product, scoring five stars on Jet and 182 perfect reviews out of 205 on InstaNatural's own website. The bold orange color and citrus smell may be more your speed than eb2's scent-free concentrate, too.
According to studies curated by the Linus Pauling Institute, research has seen that topically-applied vitamin C decreased wrinkling and increased collagen when used for at least 12 weeks. Continue scrolling for nine highly-rated drugstore vitamin C serums that cost under $30 per bottle — if you're going to be running your own 12-week test, you may as well save some money.
