If you’re looking into incorporating a face serum in your skincare regimen and aren’t sure when exactly to apply one, we’ve got you covered. Because serums are so lightweight, they should be applied to clean and dry skin after you’ve washed your face. Also, if you use any form of moisturizer, you should apply a face serum beforehand since moisturizer creates a protective barrier on the skin and can work on the surface area while your face serum is working its magic in the interior. Long story short, wash your face to get rid of any surface dirt or grime, pat dry, and then apply the face serum of your choice before taking any other steps in your regimen. For those who don’t know, ‘lucent’ means to glow or give off light, like a radiant makeover for dull skin. A lightweight serum, Vitamin C and B3 help balance, replenish and soothe most skin types. Not sure what vitamin C is good for? We’ve already briefly touched on the main benefits, but if you’re up for a bit of an ‘at a glance’ recap, which we’re alwaysup for, then here you go:

Revive your complexion with this fully vegan, high-performance blend featuring vitamin C (sodium ascorbyl phosphate, a water-soluble form), vitamin E, hyaluronic acid and anti-inflammatory MSM (methylsulfonylmethane). It promises to brighten, reduce hyperpigmentation and promote elasticity to revitalize tired-looking skin. In particular, its five-star reviewers (there are more than 90,000 of them) rave about its ability to reduce dark spots and redness, decrease breakouts and minimize pore size. You just need three to five drops of this serum applied after cleansing, and it works well with or without makeup. Another standout feature for the brand: Reviewers say this company’s customer service is unparalleled. While vitamin C serums help with a variety of skin conditions, it's important to target a product that fits your specific skin care needs. For example, some serums may contain ingredients that irritate the skin, so if you have sensitive skin, consult your dermatologist to determine the best vitamin C serum for you. Time of application matters: skincare products are pricey and you want to make sure you are applying topical skin care products when and where they will make the most difference,” says Dr. Palm, who recommends vitamin C serum be used in the morning on freshly cleansed skin. This is to give the skin a “protective antioxidant shield,” she explains, to prevent environmental damage encountered through daily activities. Skin brightening serums: If your skin needs an antioxidant fix, a skin brightening serum is best. They can also help improve uneven skin tone.Advanced skincare doesn’t need to be expensive. This ridiculously affordable sheet mask contains Vitamin C, Yuzu and assorted plant extracts. It smells great, goes on easily and leaves skin feeling smoother and looking brighter – and it’s plastic free. Make it a frequent treat. As seasoned beauty reporters and skincare devotees ourselves, the Forbes Vetted team knows what it takes to find the best vitamin C serums for various skin types. Molly Calhoun, a regular contributor with experience covering a range of beauty topics, enlisted the help of Pritzker, dermatologist at Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology, for her take on key formulations, ingredients and the most important things to consider in this category. Senior beauty editor Jane Sung, who oversaw the publishing of this article, has more than a decade of beauty industry experience conducting product testing and extensive research. Having produced a variety of skincare stories, we also tapped into our deep market knowledge to highlight products and brands that offer innovative, effective formulas.

Why is it that we get 20-25 years of growth and maturation to our peak aesthetics and physical ability, only to have 50 years of slow decline and undesired atrophy?Vitamin C helps build collagen and delays skin from losing its structure, which is held in place by collagen.

Vitamin C is a sensitive ingredient, so it’s important you’re paying attention to not only the type of bottle the serum comes in, but also where you’re storing it daily. “Vitamin C is sensitive to light, heat, and air, so it must be stored in a UV-protected and air-tight bottle in a cool, dark place,” Dr. Alam says. Full of natural sources of Vitamin C, this face oil is a great hydrator that improves skin texture while reducing fine lines and protecting against ageing. For oily or acne-prone skin, look for serums labeled “noncomedogenic” so that they won’t clog your pores. Palm adds that she recommends that oily skin types use a vitamin C serum formulated with L-ascorbic acid, a more potent form of vitamin C. Dry skin Look for a formula with at least 10% vitamin C and a maximum of 20%. Anything less may not be effective. Anything over 20% could lead to irritation, and research says the benefits of vitamin C don’t increase after that threshold anyway.It’s also best to use an active like retinol before bed and a vitamin C serum during the day — paired with a good facial moisturizer and topped off with broad-spectrum SPF, of course! When it comes to skin care, vitamin C serum is a popular antioxidant, or free radical fighter, if you will. It’s also important to consider how vitamin C serum fits into the timeline of your skin care regime, especially if you use other products with certain ingredients. When shopping for a vitamin C serum, it’s important to look for a product made of a potent, stable type of vitamin C.

Vitamin C is a versatile skin care ingredient that may improve your skin’s appearance. Whether it’s worth it really to depends on your skin care needs and overall budget. How often should I use vitamin C serum? Just one Google of ‘Do Vitamin C serums really work?’ and you’re presented with no end of articles, containing comments from skincare professionals, all bigging up Vitamin C serums for a myriad of reasons.The most important ingredient in a vitamin C serum is the vitamin C, but other ingredients incorporated in the product can further boost the benefits. “Vitamin C works best when combined with vitamin E and ferulic acid, which together improve the antioxidant effects and stability of this ingredient,” says Murad Alam, MD, vice-chair and professor of dermatology at Northwestern Medicine. If you’re worried about how vitamin C may work with other skin care products in your routine, Palm says this really depends on your sensitivity to active ingredients. Did we mention that this serum also aids the skin by providing 32 hours of hydration? Because our skin faces a lot of stressors every day, we want to make sure we’re staying moisturized and nourished. In addition, this serum contains tsubaki extract, which means those pesky signs of aging and fatigue on your skin will be dealt with in no time! Ingredients to Look For in Face Serums When testing a new serum, Dr. Alam recommends first applying the product to a small area of the skin. “If no side effects occur, then transition to using the product more broadly a few days per week before progressing to daily use. If any side effects are noted, use of the product should be stopped,” he says.