Vitamin C & antioxidants

One of the great value plays in the vitamin C aisle: the studied antioxidant trio, openly dosed, for the price of a couple of coffees. You give up the stability testing and long shelf life of the prestige names, and 20% is more than reactive skin wants. Used fresh and stored cool, it is hard to beat on active per dollar.

A strong-evidence retinoid at a disclosed 1%, the assertive end of the range, in packaging that actually protects it. You pay a mid-prestige price for the transparency and the polish, and 1% is not a beginner strength, so ease in.

A pharmacy-standard L-ascorbic acid serum at a fair mid-range price, with a disclosed 12% and a touch of salicylic acid for texture. The dropper packaging means it browns over time like most pure vitamin C. A sensible, widely available option if you want the acid form without the prestige markup.

A genuine C, E and ferulic serum for a fraction of the prestige price, doing the well-evidenced antioxidant job without frills. The amber dropper still browns over time like any L-ascorbic acid serum. For the money it is one of the easiest vitamin C picks to recommend.

A straightforward two-active brightening serum that actually discloses its numbers. 5% niacinamide and 4% tranexamic acid both sit in the studied range and do the bulk of the appearance-of-tone work. Glutathione gets the marketing spotlight, but with no disclosed level it reads as a halo ingredient rather than the reason this works. A solid, fairly priced pick for the niacinamide-tranexamic acid combination.

The value story of the vitamin-C aisle: the same strong-evidence antioxidant trio as the category benchmark for around a sixth of the price. It is not the identical formula and it will still brown on you eventually. As a first serious vitamin C, though, it is very hard to argue with.

A budget vitamin C that leans on the stable SAP form with a splash of the acid, aimed at the appearance of brightness. The derivative evidence is lighter than pure vitamin C and the percentages are undisclosed, but at this price the formula is thoughtful. A tidy, low-cost brightening option.

A well-formulated 15% L-ascorbic acid serum with the classic antioxidant trio and packaging built to protect it, which is the right priority for this active. The small 20ml size and mid-tier price make it dear per ml. On formulation and stability, it is one of the stronger vitamin C picks.

The strong-evidence anchor of the whole category, the antioxidant combination with the deepest published record for the appearance of brightness and environmental defence. It also costs like a flagship, and the tinted-glass dropper means the clock starts ticking the day you open it. You are paying for the original and for genuinely strong evidence. The dupes exist for a reason.

The mix-it-yourself format is a real answer to the oxidation problem that dogs L-ascorbic acid, and the antioxidant trio has strong evidence behind it. You pay a prestige price and you have to use it within a few months of mixing. For a fresh, well-packaged 15% vitamin C, it delivers.

A well-packaged, disclosed 15% of a stable vitamin C ester for skin that finds L-ascorbic acid too sharp. The derivative carries a thinner evidence record than pure vitamin C, and you pay a prestige price for one active. On comfort and packaging it is a strong pick.

A gentle, low-irritation vitamin C for reactive skin, using the stable SAP form with supporting antioxidants. The evidence for the derivative is lighter than for L-ascorbic acid and the level is undisclosed. As an easygoing daily antioxidant at an indie price, it is easy to recommend.

A low-strength, low-drama introduction to L-ascorbic acid for sensitive or first-time users. The 5% dose is gentle by design, so it is a comfort pick rather than a potent one, and the clear packaging means using it fresh matters. For easing in, it does the job at a budget price.

A well-evidenced antioxidant serum aimed squarely at oilier skin, with the salicylic acid earning its place rather than padding the label. It costs like the SkinCeuticals name, and the tinted dropper still browns over time. If your skin does not get on with the richer C E Ferulic, this is the version to reach for.

A multi-form vitamin C aimed at the appearance of brightness and even tone, with niacinamide doing real supporting work. The stacked C derivatives read as thorough rather than fairy-dusted, but the undisclosed levels and prestige price are the trade. Pleasant to use and sensibly packaged.

A pleasant vitamin C face oil for the appearance of a dewy, brighter-looking finish, built on the stable THD ascorbate ester rather than the sharp acid form. The derivative carries a thinner evidence record than pure vitamin C and the level is undisclosed, so it earns its place on feel and glow more than on proven potency. An easy oil to like at a prestige price.