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Best vitamin C serums in Australia

We’ve read hundreds of customer reviews to choose the top vitamin C serums available in Australia for a variety of budgets.

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Mem Davis
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The best vitamin C serums in Australia

How did we pick this list?

Our editorial team carefully selected parameters for vitamin C serum based on price. We reviewed actual customer reviews for a range of products and selected those with the highest rating.

Read more detail on our methodology below.

Best vitamin C serum for most people: Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum

Pros

  • Contains a stabilised form of vitamin C
  • Rich in plant antioxidants

Cons

  • Can be a little greasy to touch
  • Does not reduce pigmentation spots
Price (RRP): $57.95
eBay Price: From $32.77
Buy at eBay
Buy at iHerb
Buy at Lucky Vitamin

Why we chose it

The Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum has over 3,588 ratings on Amazon, and most of them are 4-5 stars. The all-natural vegan formula scored a top rating for safety and uses a stabilised form of vitamin C, to prevent product oxidation.

The serum contains a variety of rejuvenating ingredients and is designed to protect the skin from environmental pollution, repair damaged or blemished skin, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. This makes it perfect for mature skin, scarring or for minimising signs of ageing.

Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum also contains ferulic acid for an antioxidant effect, and hyaluronic acid for naturally plumping up the appearance of the skin. The inclusion of konjac root is ideal for softening and protecting the skin, while chamomile extract helps to calm any redness or irritation.

This gentle serum also contains clary sage extract, which can balance dry or oily skin by acting as a toner and astringent.

But perhaps our favourite part of the serum is the packaging, which is completely recyclable and comes with unique designs that add to your glowing smile.

Best vitamin C serum under $200: M3 Naturals Premium Vitamin C Serum

Pros

  • Contains a combination of antioxidant and astringent herbal extracts
  • Available with a multibuy discount on Amazon

Cons

  • Some users noticed an unpleasant smell from the product
  • Several reviewers didn't notice a marked difference from using this
Average online price: $170
Amazon Price: Check site for current pricing
eBay Price: Check site for current pricing
Buy at Amazon

Why we chose it

At the luxury end of the market, M3 Naturals leads the way. This unisex bottle boasts a combination of herbal extracts and a patented Fision WrinkleFix formula for protection against ageing. WrinkleFix is a special protein blend that's designed especially to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and age spots. The formula also includes hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, thus covering all bases for skin smoothness and antioxidant protection.

M3 Naturals Premium Vitamin C Serum contains green tea and grapefruit extracts. These potent antioxidants are ideal for reducing the impact of free radicals, helping to even the skin tone and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. It's also great for brightening the skin, improving elasticity, and the company also claims it can help reduce hyperpigmentation.

Only 2-5 drops are needed per application, so a little will go a long way with this top-of-the-range serum. All of the carefully selected ingredients are natural and not tested on animals.

Best vitamin C serum under $100: Ole-Henriksen Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum

Pros

  • Fragrance-free formula, ideal for those with sensitive noses
  • Contains 15% vitamin C – more than most other formulas

Cons

  • Can increase sensitivity to UV rays – wear sunscreen where necessary
  • One customer experienced skin redness and irritation
Price (RRP): $96
eBay Price: From $39.12
Buy at eBay
Buy at Sephora

Why we chose it

This deliciously named product has over 50 reviews on Sephora, and most of them are 5-star. Rich with more vitamin C than most competitors (15% in fact), this juicy serum is suitable for all ages and skin types.

As a vitamin C serum, this product does more than just brighten the skin. It also contains polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) that gently exfoliate the surface of the skin and help to remove dead skin cells and even the skin tone.

On top of chemical exfoliation and potent antioxidant content, Ole-Henriksen has added hyaluronic acid for hydration, for plumper skin cells and a smoother appearance. Plus, there's a good level of vitamin E to help protect the skin through its antioxidant action.

What really sets this product apart from the others is the inclusion of natural pigments for skin brightening. It's called Banana Bright for a reason, and this vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free serum is perfect for transforming tired skin to its beautiful, glowing potential.

For more information, check out our full review.

Best vitamin C serum under $50: Derma E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum

Pros

  • Vegan-friendly formula
  • Does not contain parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, lanolin, gluten or GMO ingredients

Cons

  • May leave an oily residue on the skin surface
  • Some customers experienced use-related acne
Price (RRP): $35.47
Amazon Price: From $27.74
eBay Price: Check site for current pricing
Buy at Amazon
Buy at Kogan
Buy at iHerb
Buy at eBay

Why we chose it

Top of the customer reviews on Amazon for vitamin C serums under $50, Derma E is an all-natural formula that is fast absorbing and ideal for brightening the appearance of your skin.

The addition of aloe vera provides a soothing action for dry and damaged skin, while vitamin E and hyaluronic acid help to hydrate and smooth the skin's appearance. Vitamin E is also a great antioxidant, and combined with green tea extract and rosehip oil, Derma E has created a rich and moisturising serum.

Green tea is both antioxidant and gently astringent, while rosehip oil is deeply moisturising and healing for skin scarring, blemishes and discoloration. It's perfect for mature skin, dry and irritated skin, or skin that's seen a little too much sun.

The Derma E formula uses a stabilised form of vitamin C. This ensures its antioxidant effects are kept safe and it has maximum impact on the brightness and integrity of your skin.

Derma E is very proud of its natural range, and rightly so. This antioxidant-rich formula is not only vegan-friendly, but also GMO-free, gluten-free, soy-free and completely recyclable.

Best vitamin C mask: Frank Body Brightening Vitamin C Mask

Pros

  • Plant-based, natural formula
  • Exfoliates at the same time as hydrating

Cons

  • Can be hard to get product from the bottom of the tube
  • Skin can feel tight after use
Price (RRP): $19.95
Buy at Cult Beauty

Why we chose it

Our pick for the best vitamin C face mask is the Frank Body Brightening Vitamin C Mask that we reviewed earlier this year.

Frank Body uses native Australian ingredient Kakadu plum for its vitamin C content. Kakadu plum has one of the richest levels of vitamin C, and as a natural fruit extract, it also contains high levels of antioxidants. This makes Frank Body Brightening Vitamin C Mask a perfect choice for brightening and repairing tired or damaged skin.

In addition to its potent antioxidant action, this face mask contains papaya and pineapple extracts, lactic acid, glycolic acid and salicylic acid. Combined, these help to dissolve the top layer of skin. By removing the dead, dull, damaged top layer, you can reveal your bright, glowing, vitamin C-enriched skin beneath.

Because of its multi-action formula – repair, exfoliate, enrich – Frank Body claims this mask is great for hyperpigmentation and scarring.

Best vitamin C serum for anti-aging: YEOUTH Vitamin C & E Serum

Pros

  • Customers say it's easily absorbed
  • Comes with a handy pump dispenser

Cons

  • Some customers claimed it didn't do anything for their pigmentation spots
  • One person noted their skin was flaky after use
Average online price: $23
Amazon Price: From $53.29
eBay Price: Check site for current pricing
Buy at Amazon
Buy at iHerb
Buy at eBay

Why we chose it

The YEOUTH Vitamin C & E serum contains hydrating hyaluronic acid, it is designed to plump the skin and inhibit signs of ageing. Both vitamin C and vitamin E are potent antioxidants, and act to protect the skin from the effects of pollution and UV rays. It's also a super hydrating formula, perfect for skin that has been overexposed to the sun and other damaging elements.

Because one of the many signs of ageing is related to dehydration, the addition of hyaluronic ensures that skin cells are plumped up from the inside out, while the vitamin C acts to diminish age spots and restore damaged skin.

The aloe vera added to this hydrating formula helps to soothe irritated or reddened skin, making it ideal for sunburn, rosacea or sensitive skin. Aloe vera is well known for its calming properties, and combined with vitamin C and vitamin E, this truly is a soothing formula.

The cruelty-free formula is proudly all-natural and non-toxic, and doesn't contain parabens, sulphates, phthalates, siloxanes, fragrances, mineral oil, triclosan, polyethylene glycol, formaldehyde, hydantoin and urea, DEA, MEA and TEA, or GMO ingredients.

Amazon prices last updated on 5 December, 2021 at 09:01 pmeBay prices last updated on 5 December, 2021 at 03:08 pm

Methodology

12
Brands considered
18
Products compared
6
Best products chosen
  • We've compared 18 products from a list of online reviews.
  • Real customer reviews were studied alongside product ingredients and price (as of December 2020).
  • The products on this list are chosen by our editorial team and are not selected based on commercial relationships.

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