11 Best Drugstore Korean Vitamin C Serums For Women

1. Best Lightweight: Cos De Baha VA Vitamin C 15 Serum

The Cos De Baha VA Vitamin C 15 Serum is an all-in-one solution that targets multiple skin concerns to make your skin healthy and younger-looking. This Korean formula fades hyperpigmentation, reduces melanin production, enhances skin elasticity, offers sun protection, and soothes redness. The blend of pure vitamin C with botanical hyaluronic acid and vitamin E boosts collagen production and increases skin firmness while targeting wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, and sunspots. This serum is rich in antioxidants that offer excellent damage protection against free radicals and lock in the skin’s natural moisture. It can also be used as a spot treatment to eliminate breakouts, blackheads, and acne. Pros

Lightweight Non-greasy Non-oily Non-sticky Cruelty-free Paraben-free Alcohol-free Fragrance-free Sulfate-free Artificial colorant-free

Cons

May not suit oily skin

2. Best Fragrance: Seoul Ceuticals Day Glow Serum

The SeoulCeuticals Day Glow Serum is a 98% natural formula that visibly reduces wrinkles, dullness, and dark spots. This serum is formulated using vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid, and hyaluronic acid that work together to deliver exceptional anti-aging benefits. These benefits include evening out skin tone, brightening the complexion, shrinking large pores, reducing breakouts, and diminishing acne scars while also doubling as a makeup primer. This video helps you know more about the product. Pros

Lightweight 98% natural 72% organic Pleasant fragrance Gets absorbed quickly Cruelty-free

Cons

May cause breakouts

3. Best Non-Sticky: Mizon Real Vitamin C Ampoule

The Mizon Real Vitamin C Ampoule is a fast-absorbing formula that moisturizes your skin, evens out the skin tone, and improves elasticity. This serum is ideal for people struggling with pigmentation, blemishes, saggy skin, dryness, roughness, and dullness. It is created using 19% of pure vitamin C without any water dilution that helps deliver the active ingredients directly into your skin. This serum also contains organic moisturizing ingredients that nourish the skin with essential nutrients while providing vitality to your skin. Pros

Non-sticky Lightweight Gets absorbed quickly Natural ingredients

Cons

May cause a tingling sensation

4. Best Vegan: I Dew Care Bright Side Up Brightening Vitamin C Serum

The I Dew Care Bright Side Up Brightening Vitamin C Serum is your go-to solution to re-energize dull skin and get an intense dose of essential nutrients. This lightweight serum makes your skin appear plump and dewy. It is packed with vitamin C that boosts radiance, evens out the skin tone, and protects against oxidative stress-causing environmental aggressors. Its antioxidant-rich grapefruit extract is enriched with vitamin C and has been known to brighten the skin, reduce signs of aging, and prevent premature aging. Additionally, the vitamin E and vitamin B5 infused in this serum condition the skin and restore moisture while alleviating dryness. It also contains glycerin that hydrates the skin and seals in moisture and niacinamide that aids in improving the overall skin texture. Pros

Vegan Lightweight Small amount required per use Pleasant fragrance Cruelty-free Paraben-free Sulfate-free Phthalate-free Silicone-free

Cons

Sticky formula May cause breakouts on sensitive skin

5. Best Fragrance-Free: Purito Pure Vitamin C Serum

The Purito Pure Vitamin C Serum is designed to make your skin clearer while adding a subtle radiance to it. It is formulated with 10% pure vitamin C in the form of L-ascorbic acid that enhances skin texture, reverses UV damage, and brightens your skin tone. The 84% sodium hyaluronate infused in the serum attracts moisture into the skin and locks in hydration to prevent water loss. It restores your skin’s natural moisture balance while preserving collagen to reduce hyperpigmentation and acne marks. The other ingredients include niacinamide (or vitamin B3) that minimizes pigmentation and brightens your skin to reduce dark spots. Vitamin E, ginseng root extract, and curcuma longa root extract enhance skin elasticity and reduce the signs of aging like wrinkles. Check out this video to know more about this product. Pros

Non-sticky Non-oily Vegan Essential oil-free Fragrance-free Cruelty-free Paraben-free Ethanol-free Surfactant-free Artificial color-free Triethanolamine-free Phthalein-free Triclosan-free Petrochemical-free Benzoyl peroxide-free

Cons

May cause a stinging and burning sensation

6. Best Fast Absorbing: Klarmed Vitamin C Serum

The Klarmed Vitamin C Serum is an all-natural super antioxidant serum that is designed to hydrate your skin while improving the signs of aging and reversing sun damage. It is packed with potent ginseng berry extract that contains 20 times more vitamin C than oranges and 60 times more than lemons. It protects the skin from the sun, reduces wrinkles, and provides anti-aging benefits. Additional ingredients include bakuchiol that acts as natural retinol for boosting skin elasticity and brightness, and hyaluronic acid that hydrates the skin while reducing inflammation. It also contains the soothing organic aloe vera extract and vitamin E that lend it antioxidant benefits for targeting environmental pollutants and boosting hydration. Pros

Gets absorbed quickly Non-sticky Vegan Environmentally sustainable Fragrance-free Cruelty-free GMO-free Gluten-free Caffeine-free

Cons None

7. Best For Skin Smoothening: Tia’m My Signature C Source

Tia’m My Signature C Source is a Korean vitamin C serum designed to give you a clear complexion and a strong skin barrier. It is formulated with 20% of pure vitamin C that purifies your skin, vitamin B12 that provides soothing benefits, and glutathione for brightening the skin tone. Pros

Artificial colorant-free Calms redness Smoothens the skin Reduces acne scars

Cons

Short shelf life Contains alcohol

8. Best Hydrating: The Creme Shop What Acne? Hydrating & Healing Serum

The Creme Shop What Acne? Hydrating & Healing Serum is a thick formula designed to penetrate the skin layers to balance and rehydrate it deeply. It is infused with glycolic acid that exfoliates dead skin cells for a glowing complexion and vitamin C that protects against external aggressors, fades dark spots, and diminishes acne scars. Pros

Small amount required per use Smoothens the skin Diminishes breakouts Cruelty-free

Cons None

9. Best For Sensitive Skin: Dear Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop

Dear Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop is an all-in-one serum that clears breakouts, minimizes pores, prevents hyperpigmentation, fades dark spots, and soothes irritated skin. This serum is skin rejuvenating, energizing, and non-irritating, which makes it ideal for everyday use. It uses 5% L-ascorbic acid for brightening the skin and evening out the skin tone along with a blend of Centella asiatica extract and hyaluronic acid for deeply nourishing and hydrating the skin. Before buying, have a look at this video for more details. Pros

Gets absorbed quickly Non-comedogenic Hypoallergenic Safe for sensitive skin Paraben-free Sulfate-free Alcohol-free Paraffin-free Allergen-free

Cons

Low vitamin C concentration Contains silicone Prone to faster oxidization

10. Best Non-Greasy: By Wishtrend Pure Vitamin C 21.5% Advanced Serum

By Wishtrend Pure Vitamin C 21.5% Advanced Serum is a nourishing and hydrating formula designed to prevent and fade hyperpigmentation. It contains 21.5% pure vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid that helps eliminate dead skin cells to give you an even skin tone and bright complexion. This non-sticky Korean vitamin C serum is formulated with 70% sea buckthorn water. This ingredient acts as a highly concentrated vitamin ampoule containing vitamin E for an instant antioxidant boost and intensifies vitamin C’s effects. In addition, sodium hyaluronate and panthenol work together to exfoliate uneven and textured skin, thereby leaving it silky smooth. Pros

Gets absorbed quickly Lightweight Exfoliates dead skin Non-sticky Non-greasy Does not oxidize fast Vegan Cruelty-free Ethanol-free Silicone-free Artificial color-free Artificial fragrance-free Paraben-free Sulfate-free Alcohol-free

Cons

May cause a tingling sensation

11. Best Natural Ingredients: Goodal Green Tangerine Vita C Dark Spot Serum+

Goodal Green Tangerine Vita C Dark Spot Serum+ is a lightweight gel-based serum ideal for daily use and suitable for all skin types. It is formulated using 70% green tangerine extract that nourishes the skin and brightens your complexion. The fresh and concentrated vitamin C helps reduce blemishes, melanin, and dark spots while revitalizing dull skin. This Korean vitamin C serum can be used as a day and night treatment. Additionally, the organic ingredients like lavender oil, lemon peel extract, and orange extract infused in this serum give you visibly smoother, brighter, and naturally glowing skin in a matter of 2 weeks. Pros

Natural ingredients Lightweight Dermatologist tested Non-irritating Non-greasy

Cons

Expensive

These are th ebest-selling Korean vitamin C serums available on the market. But, why are these serums so popular? Find out in the next section.

Why Are Korean Vitamin C Serums The Best Choices For Healthy Skin?

When it comes to vitamin C serum, Korean formulations are the most skin-friendly in terms of concentrations, additional ingredients, results, and the overall feel. There are many options available, depending on your skin type, concerns, and the kind of results you are looking for. Vitamin C is often referred to as an all-in-one solution for most skin concerns, regardless of your age. Let us look at some of the benefits that make vitamin C work for all ages and skin conditions.

Reasons Vitamin C Works For All Ages And Skin Conditions

Anti-Aging Benefits: Vitamin C helps fight various signs of aging, and if you are someone struggling with wrinkles, fine lines, crow’s feet, etc., then vitamin C is a must-have addition to your skin care routine. This is because it provides damage protection and boosts skin regeneration by neutralizing free radicals.

Hydrating: Vitamin C is a nourishing ingredient that provides thorough hydration to dehydrated skin. It attracts water and impedes transepidermal water loss, thereby improving moisture retention.

Healing Properties: Vitamin C can boost the production of fibroblasts in your skin, which are imperative for healing wounds.

Protects Against Sun Damage: Sun exposure is the leading cause of dehydration, flakiness, discoloration, rosacea, and sunspots. Vitamin C helps restore photodamaged skin over time when applied daily.

Improves Elasticity: Vitamin C is known to boost collagen production which, in turn, helps improve skin elasticity and firmness. This helps prevent sagginess and gives your skin a more toned and tightened effect.

There are a few things to keep in mind before you buy a Korean vitamin C serum. Let us take a look at the ways to choose the best vitamin C serum for your skin.

How To Choose The Best Korean Vitamin C Serum

Form Of Vitamin C Vitamin C is available in various forms – L-ascorbic acid, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, ascorbyl palmitate, and sodium ascorbyl phosphate being the most common. However, not all are similar in terms of efficiency, absorption, and stability. Most professional brands offer clinically-tested serums to prove their effectiveness. So, make sure you select the proper form of vitamin C for your skin type and concern.

Concentration Vitamin C serums are usually formulated with a concentration between 5% to 30%. The concentrations are recommended based on the form of vitamin C and its effectiveness. For instance, the recommended L-ascorbic acid concentration is at least 10%. However, there are formulations available with 20% as well.

Ingredients While vitamin C on its own is good enough, there are other potent ingredients that will increase the benefits of the serum. Vitamin E and ferulic acid are the most common ingredients found in most vitamin C serums. They provide exceptional antioxidant benefits, strengthen the skin barrier, and prevent free radical damage.

While vitamin C is a highly beneficial ingredient for your skin, it can also leave your skin feeling worse if you do not take precautions while applying and introducing vitamin C serum into your skin care routine. Let us look at some pointers to keep in mind when using a Korean vitamin C serum.

Precautions To Follow For Regular Use Of Vitamin C Serums

Use Vitamin C In The Daytime: Vitamin C is designed to give you antioxidant protection against damage from free radicals. So, you can make the most of it in the morning. But, make sure that it is fully absorbed before you step out for your day as light tends to render it less effective.

Layer It With A Sunscreen: Using sunblock or SPF is imperative if you are incorporating vitamin C into your skin care routine. This is because most potent forms of vitamin C are highly sensitive to light exposure. So layering a broad-spectrum sunscreen on top of your vitamin C serum is a must. Additionally, when used with SPF 30 or higher, vitamin C protects the skin even better.

Don’t Go Overboard With Concentrations: Though it sounds tempting to go higher in terms of concentration to get more benefits, it may end being a nightmare for your skin. Choose the concentration based on your skin type and concerns.

Don’t Use Vitamin C With Other Actives: On its own, vitamin C is known to be advantageous and stable for most people. However, if you have sensitive skin, it may sting initially. So, if you use it in the same part of your routine as a scrub, actives like benzoyl peroxide and niacinamide, or AHAs and BHAs, vitamin C may get oxidized and end up causing redness and irritation. So, it is best to reserve vitamin C for mornings and other actives for the nighttime routine.

Store It Properly: Unlike other active ingredients, vitamin C is highly vulnerable to light and air. When exposed, it oxidizes into dehydroascorbic acid, making the formula less stable and less effective. So, vitamin C should be stored in air-tight opaque or amber-colored container and kept in a dark and cool space. If the solution has become cloudy, dark, yellow, or brown, it has likely become oxidized, and while you may still use it, the serum will not be as effective.

Be Cautious When Using With Retinol: Retinol and vitamin C are both highly potent ingredients and must not be used together. Vitamin C is best used during the day, while retinol is most effective at night, and experts strictly advise against using the two at the same time.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

Shiboli Chakraborti, the author of this post, is a certified skin coach who reviews and writes about various beauty products for her readers. After going through numerous user feedback and skincare expert recommendations, she has curated this list of the best drugstore Korean Vitamin C serums for women. These serums are lightweight and made of natural ingredients that nourish and repair the skin, effectively combating skin concerns such as uneven skin tone and wrinkles. Does the Dear Klairs vitamin C serum work? Yes, the Dear Klairs vitamin C serum works effectively to minimize pores, reduce breakouts, and eliminate hyperpigmentation. The formula also works wonders on sensitive skin. Which is the strongest vitamin C serum? Try the Cos De Baha VA Vitamin C 15 serum to improve skin texture and elasticity, and enjoy sun protection. Which Korean company’s vitamin C serum is the best for your face? Korean companies like Cos De Baha, Seoul Ceuticals, and Mizon offer great facial serums. How do I know if my vitamin C serum is real? To confirm that your vitamin C serum is real and the formula has not oxidized, make sure that the serum is transparent, white, or has a light champagne color. Dark or cloudy serums indicate that the product might have expired. Does Korean vitamin C lighten the skin? Yes. Korean vitamin C serums lighten and brighten your skin. They also treat blemishes and reduce the appearance of aging signs.