This post will review the best non-toxic vitamin C serums that not only are made with safe ingredients, but also work well and are effective in improving the appearance of your skin.
Vitamin C serums are great for your skin. Most dermatologists will recommend that you add one to your skincare routine because of how powerful they are. The benefits of vitamin C serums include but are not limited to:
- Can help reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation and help protect against the development of new dark spots or hyper-pigmented areas (reference).
- They have powerful anti-aging effects (reference).
- They can help decrease acne and acne scarring.
- Can help defend skin from the damaging effects of environmental stressors such as pollution and smoke (reference).
- Help decrease melasma (reference).
- Supports the skin’s natural collagen production to help make skin appear more youthful (reference).
- Help decrease sun damage from both UVA and UVB rays (reference).
- Prevent sun damage by neutralizing free radicals (reference).
- They act as a potent anti-oxidant which helps protect the skin from oxidative stress and environmental damage (reference).
- They have anti-inflammatory effects which are helpful for treating many different skin conditions and can promote wound healing and help prevent scarring (reference).
- Vitamin C can help replenish the skin's vitamin E levels, which has anti-oxidant effects and helps prevent against oxidative stress and maintains the collagen network in the skin (reference).
- They can help brighten the skin, even skin tone, and improve skin radiance.
When considering which vitamin C serum to buy, you want to be sure to choose one that is not only effective, but is also safe and non-toxic.
Unfortunately, the personal care industries in many countries, including the USA and Canada are currently under-regulated, so that harmful ingredients can be used in skincare products (please refer to the reference section at the end of this post for further reading on this issue). And knowing that our skin is our largest organ, and that many of the ingredients that we put on our skin can be absorbed directly into the blood stream, it is very important that you avoid products with any potentially harmful ingredients in them.
Luckily, in recent years there have been more and more brands that are focused on producing safe, non-toxic skincare products, including vitamin C serums, so there are many safe vitamin C serums on the market to choose from.
In this post I have included a list of the 20 best non toxic vitamin C serums including organic, natural and vegan options and options at varying price points, so there should be something here for everyone. Here you will find vitamin C serums that are great for all ages including beginners and those over 50 who are more experienced and may require more concentrated and even more effective ingredients.
Disclaimer: some of the links in this post are affiliate links whereby I make a small commission if you purchase the product through that link. This does not cost you anything extra and helps me to keep this website running.
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And if you are looking to clean up your overall skincare and beauty routine you will also want to check out our posts on the best non-toxic face masks, the best clean deodorants the best non-toxic mascaras and natural alternatives to botox.
The 20 best non-toxic vitamin C serums:
Beautycounter All Bright Vitamin C Serum
The Beautycounter All Bright Vitamin C serum is my personal favourite vitamin C serum. I have seen such dramatic improvements in my skin since I started using it (see my before and after photos below).
Compared with most vitamin C serums on the market that are made with L-ascorbic acid which is an unstable form of vitamin C that starts to oxidize and lose effectiveness quickly when exposed to light, the Beautycounter All Bright C Serum is instead formulated with two ultra stable forms of vitamin C - 5% bis-glyceryl ascorbate and 5% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate.
This vitamin C serum is also made with turmeric root extract and camu camu fruit extract. These extracts are powerful antioxidants that help decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, reduce dark spots and improve signs of skin fatigue.
Ethics and certifications: Certified B Corp, EWG verified, natural and responsibly sourced ingredients, cruelty-free, vegan, made in the USA, tested for contaminants.
Ingredient highlights: Vitamin C, turmeric root extract, camu camu extract, almond and bergamot oils.
Price: $90 USD for 1 oz.
My before and after results from using the Beautycounter vitamin C serum:
MARA Chlorella + Reishi Sea Vitamin C Serum
The MARA Chlorella + Reishi Sea Vitamin C Serum is a clean a facial serum rich in vitamin C and age-defying ingredients. It is made with supercharged ingredients, including a stable form of vitamin C, as well as 14 additional vitamin C rich fruit extracts, herbs and botanicals to help further improve skin brightness. This serum also contains algae, which works to help firm skin and improve the appearance of dark spots and sun damage, as well as adaptogens, which work to calm and sooth skin, and moringa and squalane oil to deeply hydrate the skin.
Ethics and certifications: vegan, gluten free, soy free.
Ingredient highlights: vitamin C, algae extract, reishi extract, turmeric root oil, fruit extract.
Price: $96 USD for 1 oz.
Marie Veronique Vitamins C+E+Ferulic Serum
The Marie Veronique Vitamins C + E + Ferulic Serum is rich in antioxidants and can be used both day and night. During the day, this serum helps provide sun protection and at night, the combination of vitamin C and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate works to provide nutrients to help repair skin and rebuild collagen. This powerful serum promotes skin health and a radiant complexion, and replenishes the skin with antioxidants. It is great for all skin types and is gentle enough for sensitive skin.
Ethics and certifications: Ethically sourced ingredients, minimal packaging, recyclable glass containers and shipping materials.
Ingredient highlights: Green tea leaf infusion, vitamin C, ferulic acid combination, Co-enzyme Q, Astaxanthin.
Price: $115 USD for 1 oz.
Ursa Major Brighten Up Vitamin C Serum
The Ursa Major Brighten Up Vitamin C Serum is a lightweight facial serum that penetrates deeply into the skin to provide instant hydration while brightening and smoothing skin tone and its appearance. It can be used alone as a lightweight moisturizer, or layered beneath another face lotion, sunscreen or night cream. This clean vitamin C serum is rich in antioxidants and is good for all skin types including dry, mature, sensitive, blemish-prone, combination and normal skin.
Ethics and certifications: Vegan and cruelty free, clean ingredients, certified Plastic Negative
Featured Ingredients: Ascorbic acid polypeptide (a stable form of vitamin C), edelweiss, aspen bark extract, aloe, rose hips, rose flower oil.
Price: $56 USD for 1 oz.
Josh Rosenbrook C Bright Complex Vitamin C Serum
The Josh Rosenbrook C Bright Complex Vitamin C Serum is a potent vitamin C serum that harnesses two types of vitamin C complexes to visibly reduce dark spots and improve skin tone and texture. This clean serum is designed to transform the skin through the renewal of the skin's surface, provide deep hydration, and help fortify the skin barrier function. It's great for those with sensitive skin, acne (meaning it is non-comedogenic), rosacea, and eczema.
Ethics and certifications: gluten free, alcohol free, soy free.
Featured Ingredients: dual vitamin c complex, meadowfoam seed oil, rosehip seed oil, orange oil, vitamin E.
Price: $65 USD for 1 oz.
Alpyn Beauty Bearberry & Vitamin C Glow Serum
The Alpyn Beauty Bearberry & Vitamin C Glow Serum is a vitamin C and bearberry infused serum that provides an instant glow as it fades the look of dark spots for a visibly brighter, more even skin tone. This serum provides many skin benefits as the vitamin C and bearberry provide the brightening benefits, while bakuchiol and gentle, plant-based AHA resurface and smooth skin for added luminosity. Alpyn Beauty is the only skincare brand to sustainably harvest wild plants from the mountains of Jackson Hole, Wyoming use in their skincare products.
Ethics and certifications: gluten free, organic ingredients. The brand is committed to sustainability through partnerships like the Grand Teton National Park Foundation’s re-wilding project.
Featured Ingredients: vitamin C, bakuchiol, bearberry, gentle AHA acids.
Price: $59 USD for 1.5 oz.
Common Heir 10% Vitamin C Serum
The Common Heir 10% Vitamin C Serum is a gentle, vitamin C facial serum that has powerful skincare benefits and is also good for the planet. This award winning vitamin C serum is EWG verified and is formulated with a concentrated and deeply-penetrating blend of vitamin C, THD, licorice root and marshmallow root extracts. This facial treatment has been clinically proven to brighten skin and improve it's texture. It comes in biodegradable, plant-based capsules which can be composted, thrown out, or even melted down in hot water.
Ethics and certifications: EWG verified, vegan, fragrance free. The brand donates 1% of annual sales to Ocean Blue Project Partner. Plastic free packaging.
Featured Ingredients: 10% vitamin C serum, licorice root and marshmallow root extracts.
Price: $88 USD for 60 x 0.01 oz capsules
Goop Beauty GOOPGLOW 20% Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Glow Serum
The GOOPGLOW 20% Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Glow Serum is a two-part daily serum with L-ascorbic acid and hyaluronic acid. This serums also contains the antioxidant super fruit Australian kakadu plum in addition to three different molecular sizes of hyaluronic acid which allows it to penetrate different layers of the skin and to help brighten skin and improve firmness, tone and hydration. This is a vitamin C serum that you mix right before using to help it stay active.
Ethics and certifications: Vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free.
Featured Ingredients: L-Ascorbic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Australian Kakadu Plum.
Price: $169 USD.
Saint Jane Beauty The C Drops
The Saint Jane Beauty The C Drops is a potent brightening treatment packed with 20% active vitamin C to help create healthy, glowing skin. This C serum is great for dullness, dark spots and uneven skin texture. It helps to transform dull complexions and helps leave your skin balanced and visibly smoother.
Ethics and certifications: vegan, gluten free, soy free. Saint Jane is aligned with Girls Crushing It and Cancer + Careers to give back to the community.
Featured Ingredients: flower hemp extract, ferulic acid, Citrus oil, Fruit oil.
Price: $90 USD for 1 oz.
Evolve Organic Beauty Bio-Retinol + C Booster
The Evolve Organic Beauty Bio-Retinol + C Booster is an oil-based booster that can be used on it's own, or added to your favourite moisturizer to add additional nourishment and active ingredients to skin. It is made with vitamins A, C, F and E, all blended in a gentle base of rosehip oil, so this booster oil works to penetrate deep into the skin to deliver anti-aging benefits and hydration. This vitamin packed serum is great for all skin types, especially dull or tired skin.
Ethics and certifications: 100% naturally derived ingredients. Gluten free, organic, vegan and cruelty free. Made in England.
Featured Ingredients: Vitamins C and A, Vitamin E, Vitamin F.
Price: $38 USD for 0.5 oz/ 15 mL
Three Ships Dew Drops Mushroom Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin C Serum
The Three Ships Dew Drops Mushroom Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin C Serum is one of the more affordable vitamin C serums on this list. This is an award-winning hyaluronic acid serum that firms and brightens skin. It is made with a natural source of hyaluronic acid from the tremella mushroom and kakadu plum, which is 100x richer in vitamin C than oranges. This serum brightens the complexion and helps rejuvenate, firm, and hydrate the skin.
Ethics and certifications: vegan and cruelty free. Made with 100% natural ingredients.
Featured Ingredients: Tremella Mushroom (Hyaluronic Acid), Kakadu Plum (Vitamin C Blend), Red Algae Extract.
Price: $38 USD for 1 oz.
You can shop for the Three Ships Dew Drops Mushroom Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin C Serum here.
African Botanics Vita-C Corrector
The African Botanics Vita-C Corrector is a waterless booster serum that is used to help brighten skin and promote skin's radiance. This C serum is made with the most stable form of vitamin C, THD ascorbate, that works to penetrate deep into the skin and deliver brightening benefits. This serum combines a 20% concentration of vitamin C with marine blue micro-algae, as well as vitamin E and antioxidant rich marula oil to provide benefits including improving the appearance of hyperpigmentation, helping to brighten skin and helping to speed up cellular renewal. This vitamin C serum is great for all skin types including dry, mature, sensitive, blemish-prone, combination and normal skin.
Ethics and certifications: vegan, gluten free, fragrance free, soy free. Products are beautifully made in South Africa.
Featured Ingredients: marine blue microalgae, hemp seed oil, vitamin E, jojoba oil.
Price: $130 USD for 2 oz.
One Love Organics Botanical C Facial Serum
The One Love Organics Botanical C Facial Serum is a moisturizing vitamin C serum that is good for all skin types including dry, mature, sensitive, blemish-prone, combination and normal skin. It is made with natural ingredients and plant based ingredients including two potent sources of Vitamin C, plus organic green tea and Vitamin E. This serum can help increase skin's luminosity and nourish the skin for a more radiant, even complexion.
Ethics and certifications: ECOCERT certified. Natural, organic, cruelty-free, and made in the USA
Featured Ingredients: Jojoba seed oil, meadowfoam seed oil, green tea oils, fruit and plant extracts, vitamin C esters.
Price: $75 USD for 1 oz.
Marie Veronique C-Therapy Serum
The Marie Veronique C-Therapy Serum is a vitamin C serum that's meant for sensitive skin. It is made with 4 powerful derivatives of vitamin C that are better suited to sensitive skin but still help with collagen production, antioxidant protection, and skin brightening. This formula also includes the antioxidants glutathione and alpha-lipoic acid that help improve skin brightness and have anti-aging benefits. This vitamin C serum can also be used both day and night.
Ethics and certifications: Ethically sourced ingredients. Gluten free. Have no outer packaging and are packaged in only glass bottles to reduce waste and be better for the planet.
Featured Ingredients: Vitamin C, alpha-lipoic acid, glutathione, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, tetrahexydecyl ascorbate, and glyceryl ascorbate.
Price: $115 USD for 1 oz.
Maya Chia The Super Lift Vitamin C-More Treatment
The Maya Chia The Super Lift Vitamin C-More Treatment is a high-tech, concentrated, patent-pending facial serum that contains three types of bio-available vitamin C: tranexamic acid, ferulic acid esters, niacinamide peptides and stem cells to help improve brightness and the appearance of uneven skin.
This formula helps to firm the skin temporarily upon contact, as well as showing improvement in firmness over time. This gentle vitamin c serum is ultra lightweight and penetrates deep into the skin to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. You can also use this serum as a makeup primer thanks to ingredients that are clinically proven to extend the life of your makeup for up to 6 hours.
Ethics and certifications: Gluten free. Responsibly sourced ingredients.
Featured Ingredients: bio-available vitamin C, tranexamic acid, ferulic acid esters (plant source), niacinamide, peptides and stem cells.
Price: $110 USD for 1 oz.
Herbivore Botanicals Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum
The Herbivore Botanicals Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum is a potent brightening serum that combines 15% THD vitamin C with turmeric to help reduce dark spots and even out skin tone. This serum is great for those with normal, dry, combination, and oily skin. This naturally derived vitamin C serum also contains antioxidants which help tighten the look of pores.
Ethics and certifications: vegan and cruelty free.
Featured Ingredients: THD Vitamin C, turmeric, arbutin.
Price: $88 USD for 1 oz.
Blüh Alchemy Multi-C Serum
The Blüh Alchemy Multi-C Serum is formulated with many powerful ingredients. Made with Kakadu plum to to help brighten and revitalize the skin, while Kangaroo paw, tetra c, ferulic acid, and astaxanthin are used to offer a protection against UV damage and environmental stressors, reducing the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and discolouration. Prickly pear and green coffee seed help tighten and firm the skin, while sea buckthorn helps given the skin a healthy glow. This vitamin C serum can be used both day and night.
Ethics and certifications: Botanical skincare. Vegan.
Featured Ingredients: Aloe vera, argan, prickly pear, gotu kola, green coffee bean, hyaluronic acid, kakadu plum, kangaroo paw, mushroom, red raspberry, rosehip, squalane, tetra C, turmeric.
Price: $140 USD for 1 oz.
Odacite Vitamin C & E + Hyaluronic Acid Brightening Serum
The Odacite Vitamin C & E + Hyaluronic Acid Brightening Serum is a serum that is great for all skin types, but especially for those looking to target dark spots, uneven skin tone, dullness, and signs of aging. This serum has a soft, gel texture that quickly absorbs into the skin, and uses patented Advanced Encapsulation Technology to deliver maximum results without skin irritation. It is formulated with both Vitamin C and E which have proven benefits of fading pigmentation and promoting even and glowing skin. This vitamin c serums is also hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested.
Ethics and certifications: Made in the USA. Combines natural ingredients and clinical grade active ingredients.
Featured Ingredients: vitamin C, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, squalane, and orange blossom.
Price: $78 USD for 1 oz.
You can shop for the Odacite Vitamin C & E + Hyaluronic Acid Brightening Serum here.
Kora Organics Noni Bright Vitamin C Serum
The Kora Organics Noni Bright Vitamin C Serum is a lightweight vitamin C serum that is made with a superfruit complex, noni extract, and sodium hyaluronate to promote skin that looks supple, even-toned, and bright. This serum also has anti-aging properties, can help reduce the look of dark spots, help firm the skin and can help with dullness and uneven skin texture.
Ethics and certifications: ECOCERT certified. Organic, responsibly sourced ingredients, cruelty-free, eco-friendly packaging, climate-neutral certified. Allure Best of Beauty award winner.
Featured Ingredients: Aloe vera, red pepper and olive leaf extracts, hyaluronic acid, superfruit complex (contains Kakadu plum, acerola cherry, orange peel, lemon peel, and noni).
Price: $99 USD for 1 oz.
Amala Corrective Vitamin C Concentrate
The Amala Corrective Vitamin C Concentrate an ultra-concentrated serum rich in powerful skin-brightening actives. This vitamin C serum contains the optimal concentration of a highly stable, non-irritating form of Vitamin C combined with plant-based antioxidants. Together, these bio-actives help to even skin tone, reduce pigmentation, and protect the skin from free radicals and environmental stress. It is also great for softening fine lines and giving you a beautiful, dewy, glowing complexion.
Ethics and certifications: vegan, gluten free.
Featured Ingredients: vitamin C, kombucha, tonka bean pre and probiotics, magnolia bark extract, 23K rose gold, amla, and spirulina.
Price: $188 USD for 30 mL.
Ingredients to avoid in vitamin C serums:
If you are looking for a safe and non-toxic vitamin C serum, when you are reading labels there are a number of ingredients you will want to watch for and avoid including but not limited to:
- Fragrance (also look for the words "parfum" or "perfume" on ingredient lists)
- Phthalates
- Parabens
- Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives:
- quaternium ingredients
- DMDM hydantoin
- diazolidinyl urea
- imidazolidinyl urea
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- Petroleum-based ingredients:
- PEG ingredients
- petrolatum
- polysorbate ingredients
- propylene glycol
This is just a partial list, so if you are out shopping for skincare and beauty products I have put together a handy printable which includes a list of ingredients to watch for and avoid in skincare and beauty products. Of course, this is not a complete list so be sure you read product labels carefully and stick with brands that are committed to only using safe ingredients in their products. Ideally, you also want to choose brands who check their products for contaminants to ensure their products are truly safe and clean. To get the free printable list, simply leave your email below and it will be sent to you.
Frequently asked questions:
Yes, vitamin C serums are generally recommended to be used daily. If you have sensitive skin you may want to start gradually when you first start using a vitamin C serum and then build up to daily use to make sure that your skin doesn't have any reactions.
It is debatable whether the SkinCeuticals vitamin C serum would be considered to be non-toxic or not as it contains some ingredients that have potentially concerning health effects including triethanolamine and ethoxydiglycol. However it does rate a 3 on the EWG Skin Deep database which is reassuring.
Yes, the Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Vitamin-C Day Serum is another non toxic vitamin C serum.
Highly concentrated vitamin C serums can cause irritation so you want to be cautious with the highly concentrated formulas. If you have sensitive skin you would likely be better using vitamin C serums with a lower concentration of vitamin C. Vitamin C can also cause reactions when mixed with other active ingredients, such as retinol and other acids. It can also increase photosensitivity or sensitivity to sunlight, so it is a good idea to apply sunscreen after using a vitamin C serum.
You want to apply your vitamin C serum before your moisturizer and sunscreen (but you can use a face wash and toner before your vitamin C serum). The order you use your skin care products depends on their molecular size and vitamin C serums have smaller molecules than moisturizers, so they should be used first. A moisturizer can then help seal in the vitamin C serum.
Other posts you will want to read:
- The best non-toxic body lotions
- The best non-toxic hair products
- The best non-toxic laundry detergents
- The best non-toxic body washes
Our expertise:
Dr. Erin Carter, MD, FRCPC, is a physician with board certifications in internal medicine and rheumatology. She is passionate about environmental health and low toxicity living and has been doing research and publishing information in this area for years. She is also a self-trained chef and has been creating and publishing recipes since 2015. Her recipes have been featured on many different websites and online publications.
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