I’ve always wondered about the aging process.
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?
Shouldn’t we have another decade or two of boundless energy and not panicking when we only get six hours of sleep?
Although the aging process is inevitable, the face wrinkles, fine lines, and dark eye circles don’t have to be. Sure, we all end up looking like a leathery walnut at some point, but good skincare practice can push this inevitability farther down the road.
One of your best tools to do this is Vitamin C serum.
Vitamin C serum is—you guessed it—made from Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid. These serums are formulated with other beneficial skincare ingredients, like Vitamin E, B5, and Ferulic acid, to make an anti-aging product that helps promote collagen production and keep your skin bright and youthful.
No, you can’t just squeeze oranges and lemons on your face.
As expected, the skincare market is flooded with competing Vitamin C serums, but I’ve selected the top six products across a variety of categories so you can find the best fit for your skincare needs.
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Why Should You Consider Adding Vitamin C to Your Skin Routine as a Man?
Apart from washing your face and moisturizing in the morning and evenings, Vitamin C serum is one of the most potent skincare routine additions for maintaining healthy, smooth skin.
The serum stimulates collagen production in your skin, and collagen keeps your skin full and plump, rather than deflated and sallow. Take Anton Ego, the hard-to-please food critic from Ratatouille, for example. There’s a guy who could use some Vitamin C serum.
Besides stimulating collagen production, Vitamin C is great for fighting fine lines and wrinkles and it also brightens your skin complexion.
It’s more or less the cure-all of skincare ailments, and it’s almost effortless to add it to your skincare routine.
6 Best Vitamin C Serums for Men in 2023
Best Overall: Geologie Vitamin C+E Ferulic Serum
Geologie has made a name for itself in the world of men’s skincare by creating effective products with simple ingredients.
The brand serves you up a detailed skincare quiz to help guide you to the products and formulations you need most, and has won quite a few awards for their skincare solutions.
Sticking to the ethos of simple, effective ingredients, Geologie recently released the Vitamin C+E Ferulic Serum. As the name suggests, besides offering a potent dose of Vitamin C this serum also brings Vitamin E and Ferulic acid to the mix.
Vitamin E helps to replenish the fatty acids in your skin that keep your skin young and bouncy, while Ferulic acid targets wrinkles and enhances the powerful effects of Vitamin C and E.
This serum also contains hyaluronic acid, which helps to keep your skin deeply hydrated.
To top it all off, these essential skincare ingredients are whipped up with an aloe-based gel that spreads evenly across your face and encourages absorption.
What I Like
- The roll-on pen container makes it easier than ever to target problem areas of wrinkles, fine lines, and redness.
- The pomegranate extract helps keep skin relaxed and smooth after the Vitamin C has brightened the skin and fought off wrinkles.
- The serum is affordable and can last for up to two months.
What I Don’t Like
- The serum is scented, which may bother those with sensitive skin.
What Other Reviewers Say
The reviews for the Vitamin C+E Ferulic Serum are overwhelmingly positive. Many satisfied customers reported loving how the serum applied to their face, while others reported brighter complexions in a matter of days.
Several reviewers mentioned that the serum’s scent took some time to get used to, but overall they didn’t mind it and it wasn’t an irritant to customers with sensitive skin.
The Verdict
Geologie takes the already-impressive potency of a basic Vitamin C serum and turns it up to 11. Considering the high-quality ingredients used throughout, the serum is easily affordable and is a great place to start leveling up your skincare routine.
If you want to see big improvements in your skin with minimal effort, it’s hard to beat Geologie’s Vitamin C+E Ferulic Serum.
Geologie takes the already-impressive potency of a basic Vitamin C serum and turns it up to 11. Considering the high-quality ingredients used throughout, the serum is easily affordable and is a great place to start leveling up your skincare routine.
Best Targeted Treatment: Lumin Anti-Wrinkle Serum
If you need targeted treatment for some pesky fine lines and crow’s feet, Lumin has you covered. This men’s skincare brand makes impressive formulations with sleek packaging, and the Anti-Wrinkle Serum is no exception.
Formulated with Vitamin C, Hyaluronic acid and pomegranate extract, the simplicity of this product does nothing to diminish its effectiveness. Pomegranate extract helps to defend your skin against puffiness, wrinkles, and redness after the Vitamin C has treated any problem areas.
The serum comes in a convenient roll-on pen container, which makes it exceptionally easy to apply quickly.
What I Like
- The roll-on pen container makes it easier than ever to target problem areas of wrinkles, fine lines, and redness.
- The pomegranate extract helps keep skin relaxed and smooth after the Vitamin C has brightened the skin and fought off wrinkles.
- The serum is affordable and can last for up to two months.
What I Don’t Like
- Lumin doesn’t tell you how potent the Vitamin C is in this serum.
What Other Reviewers Say
The Anti-Wrinkle Serum has good reviews overall. Happy customers loved the smooth distribution of the roll-on system and how it enabled them to pinpoint problem areas. Many reviewers reported a quick reduction of wrinkles and fine lines, and a more even skin tone overall.
Of the negative reviews I could find, several customers had issues with shipping, while others didn’t notice any improvements after several weeks of use. These reviews were few and far between, however.
The Verdict
Lumin’s Anti-Wrinkle Serum is a great targeted treatment for fine lines, wrinkles, redness, and irritability. Vitamin C, Hyaluronic acid, and pomegranate extract work together to soothe, rejuvenate, and relax skin.
If you’re looking for a quick, targeted skin treatment for fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, or redness, give Lumin’s Anti-Wrinkle Serum a shot.
If you’re looking for a quick, targeted skin treatment for fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, or redness, give Lumin’s Anti-Wrinkle Serum a shot. Vitamin C, Hyaluronic acid, and pomegranate extract work together to soothe, rejuvenate, and relax skin.
Best Premium Pick: Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster
Looking for a super-powered Vitamin C serum? Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster has one of the highest potency Vitamin C concentrations on the market. Most generic Vitamin C serums have a 5-10% potency, but this Super Booster has 15%.
While this serum can deal some serious blows to skin discoloration, wrinkles, and fine lines, be cautious if this is your first run with Vitamin C. Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is, well, acidic. At high potencies it can be irritating for those with sensitive skin.
If you’re a Vitamin C serum first-timer, it might be best to start with a gentle, low potency serum like Geologie’s Vitamin C+E Ferulic Serum.
The C15 Super Booster is also formulated with Vitamin E and peptides, both of which promote collagen and fatty acid production, and help your skin maintain a youthful volume.
Such a high concentration of Vitamin C entails a higher price for the product, but if you know your skin can handle it the results will be well worthwhile.
What I Like
- The 15% Vitamin C potency can do some serious work when fighting fine lines, wrinkles, skin discoloration, dark spots, and post-acne marks.
- Vitamin E and peptides help enhance the benefits of Vitamin C.
- The C15 Super Booster is made without parabens or fragrances, which makes it safer to use for all skin types.
What I Don’t Like
- In some cases, the 15% Vitamin C potency will likely be too acidic for those with sensitive skin.
What Other Reviewers Say
The C15 Super Booster has great reviews overall. More than one reviewer called it the “Holy Grail” of skincare products and cited a brightened skin tone and less wrinkles. Some reviewers who historically had sensitive skin said that this is the first Vitamin C serum they’ve been able to use without breaking out.
Of the negative reviews I saw, most focused on the 15% Vitamin C potency being too strong. Strong products like these can be hit or miss when it comes to skin irritation, so take these reviews with a grain of salt.
The Verdict
Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster packs one heck of a punch. A 15% Vitamin C potency is formulated with Vitamin E and peptides to powerfully fight fine lines, wrinkles, and a host of other skincare ailments.
If you’re looking for a hefty Vitamin C serum and don’t have a history of sensitive, irritable skin, check out the C15 Super Booster serum.
With its 15% potency, Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster packs one heck of a punch. If you’re looking for a hefty Vitamin C serum and don’t have a history of sensitive, irritable skin, check out the C15 Super Booster serum.
Best Budget Pick: CeraVe Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid
CeraVe is a dermatologist-recommended skincare brand that’s known for its gentle and effective products and the .
Besides Vitamin C, this serum is formulated with three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Ceramides are healthy fats found in skin cells on the outer layer. Research has found that as we age, our ceramide production decreases, which means our skin is less protected from environmental factors like UV rays, dirt, and other irritants.
These ceramides help restore and maintain your natural skin barrier. The hyaluronic acid and Vitamin B5 deeply hydrate multiple layers of skin and also calm irritation.
And the best part? You get all these benefits for just $20.
What I Like
- Alongside a high Vitamin C potency, the essential ceramides help restore and maintain the skin’s natural barrier, which makes the benefits of Vitamin C more pronounced.
- The Vitamin B5 helps calm irritation in the skin, along with hyaluronic acid.
- The CeraVe serum is formulated into a gel which spreads evenly and doesn’t leave a greasy feeling.
What I Don’t Like
- The volume of serum you get is a bit less than competing serums.
What Other Reviewers Say
CeraVe’s Vitamin C Serum has excellent reviews. Many customers who have historically had sensitive, acne-prone skin reported that their acne went away and they never experienced irritation with this serum. Lots of other happy customers reported a brightened skin tone and more even complexion.
There are very few negative reviews, and several of these mentioned the small tube size. Apart from this, several customers experience irritation after using the product, but these reviews were few and far between.
The Verdict
CeraVe’s Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid brings together an impressive lineup of skincare benefits at a small cost. Besides the powerful 10% Vitamin C concentration, the serum helps to moisturize, restore, and maintain your skin’s natural barrier with essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and Vitamin B5.
If you’re looking to try out a potent Vitamin C serum but don’t want to spend an arm and a leg, CeraVe is a good place to start.
CeraVe’s Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid brings together an impressive lineup of skincare benefits at a small cost. If you’re looking to try out a potent Vitamin C serum but don’t want to spend an arm and a leg, CeraVe is a good place to start.
Best All-Natural Pick: TruSkin Vitamin C Serum
For those with sensitive skin, it’s often best to use products that are plant based or use all natural ingredients. TruSkin’s Vitamin C Serum is an easy pick here due to its high concentration of potent, natural ingredients.
Like many other Vitamin C serums we’ve seen, TruSkin’s serum includes Vitamin E, but also adds witch hazel and jojoba oil to the mix. Witch hazel is a toner that primes the skin for the benefits of Vitamin C, and jojoba oil helps to moisturize and repair damaged or tired skin.
TruSkin’s plant-based formulation leaves out fragrances, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and GMOs to create a no-frills, non-irritating serum.
If at any point you decide that TruSkin’s Vitamin C serum isn’t for you, the company offers a 90-day money-back refund. This is a great feature for someone who’s trying Vitamin C serums for the first time and is worried about irritation after use.
What I Like
- The plant-based formulation includes witch hazel and jojoba oil, which help to prime, hydrate, and repair the skin.
- There are no fragrances, parabens, sulfates, or other irritating additives.
- The company offers a 90-day money-back guarantee in case you’re unsatisfied with the product.
What I Don’t Like
- TruSkin doesn’t tell you the Vitamin C potency, which may be restrictive if you know your skin is sensitive to a certain level of Vitamin C.
What Other Reviewers Say
TruSkin’s Vitamin C Serum has a massive number of positive reviews. Satisfied reviewers said they had never used such an effective skincare product, and many reported seeing results in just a few days.
Most of the negative reviews had to do with bad reactions to sensitive skin, which at this point, I’m sure you can see is normal for a Vitamin C serum. That said, at least TruSkin allows you to return the serum within 90 days.
The Verdict
TruSkin’s Vitamin C Serum is everything you want in a plant-based, all natural serum. It includes no fragrances, parabens, or other common irritants, and uses powerful, natural ingredients like witch hazel and jojoba oil to soothe and restore your skin.
If you’re in the market for an all-natural Vitamin C serum, TruSkin’s products over deliver at an affordable price point.
TruSkin’s Vitamin C Serum is everything you want in a plant-based, all natural serum. It includes no fragrances, parabens, or other common irritants, and uses powerful, natural ingredients like witch hazel and jojoba oil to soothe and restore your skin.
Best for All Skin Types: Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum
While some of us have dry skin and others are perpetually oily, the majority of us are some combination.
If you want a Vitamin C serum that takes your skin type out of the equation, I recommend Ole Henriksen’s Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum.
Bananas, you say?
Ole Henriksen made a name for his brand by including his secret banana powder in his skincare products. While banana powder doesn’t have a direct benefit to the health of your skin, it lends a brightened tone and smooth texture that makes your skin look younger.
This serum moisturizes with hyaluronic acid, while the 15% Vitamin C concentration cleans up your wrinkles, blemishes, and discolorations.
What I Like
- The use of banana powder helps even and smooth the skin tone and any discolorations or dark spots you may have.
- This serum is great for dry, oily, and combination skin.
- The 15% Vitamin C concentration ensures that this will be an effective serum.
What I Don’t Like
- The banana powder doesn’t have a direct, healing benefit to your skin, and the serum is slightly expensive.
What Other Reviewers Say
There are only a few reviews for the Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum, but happy customers reported that their skin looked more bright, smooth, and even after just a few uses.
The only negative reviews I could find had to deal with the smell. Several customers complained of an overly strong chemical smell, but most customers seemed to not mind it.
The Verdict
If you’ve struggled in the past to find the right Vitamin C serum for your skin type, Ole Henriksen’s Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum will make that struggle a thing of the past. A high-potency Vitamin C concentration and hyaluronic acid powerfully combine to restore, smooth, and even your skin tone.
Key Thing to Consider When Choosing a Vitamin C Serum
Your level of skin sensitivity is the crucial factor. If you have a history of sensitive, irritable skin, go for a serum with a lower concentration of Vitamin C, like 5 or 10%.
If you’ve never used a Vitamin C serum before and aren’t sure how you’ll react, consider purchasing a product that has a money-back guarantee to protect your wallet if you’re not satisfied.
Spread Those Serums
Although there’s a bit more to consider when choosing a Vitamin C serum than immediately meets the eye, these six serums have something for everyone.
If you’re looking to get started with a great Vitamin C product and want the benefits of Vitamin E, Ferulic acid, and an aloe-based gel formulation, I recommend Geologie’s Vitamin C+E Ferulic Serum.
Geologie takes the already-impressive potency of a basic Vitamin C serum and turns it up to 11. Considering the high-quality ingredients used throughout, the serum is easily affordable and is a great place to start leveling up your skincare routine.
If you’re a guy and you’d prefer targeted spot treatment of fine lines and wrinkles, you’ll do well with Lumin’s Anti-Wrinkle Serum.
If you’re looking for something premium and powerful, I recommend Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster. On the other hand, if you’re on a budget, CeraVe’s Vitamin C Serum is effective and easy on the wallet.
If plant-based, all natural products are more your jam, you’ll be well-served by TruSkin’s Vitamin C Serum.
Lastly, if you’d prefer a serum that’s appropriate for all skin types, you can’t go wrong with Ole Henriksen’s Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum.
Know a guy who needs some help with their skin? Share this article with them—they’ll thank you when they look ten years younger.
FAQs
Is Vitamin C serum good for men?
Vitamin C serum is great for men. It helps eliminate fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, and dark spots.
Which face serum is best for men?
Vitamin C serum is best for men, and I recommend Geologie’s Vitamin C+E Ferulic Serum.
