For combination skin (dewy serums)<\/p>\n
We liked the cool, fresh feel of Clarins Bright Plus Face Brightening Dark Spot Serum<\/a>, but we were turned off by the floral fragrance and the fussy dropper.<\/p>\n Although we were intrigued by Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum<\/a>\u2019s gentle formula, it felt tight on our skin after it dried.<\/p>\n With both the L\u2019Or\u00e9al Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives12% Vitamin C + E + Salicylic Acid Serum<\/a> and the Olay Super Serum<\/a>, we loved how emollient the drops felt. But they were edged out by the Olay<\/a> and La Roche-Posay serums<\/a>, which also have other exfoliants (like salicylic or lactic acid).<\/p>\n While the Melano CC Essence<\/a> has longtime fans on our staff, we were frustrated by the fact that it took almost a month for our order to arrive.<\/p>\n The Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum<\/a> and the RoC Multi Correxion Revive + Glow Daily Serum<\/a> both had nice, plump consistencies, but we didn\u2019t love how sticky they felt as they dried. The TruSkin Vitamin C Facial Serum<\/a>, on the other hand, looked unappealing\u2014one tester likened it to snot\u2014and it remained tacky on the skin.<\/p>\n For oily skin (liquid serums)<\/p>\n In this category, we wanted to tamp down shine, not enhance it, but that\u2019s exactly what the Buttah Vitamin C Serum<\/a>, the Dr. Brenner C Serum<\/a>, and the Dr. Dennis Gross Vitamin C Lactic 15% Vitamin C Firm & Bright Serum<\/a> all ended up doing: They made our skin feel greasy.<\/p>\n We loved how affordable Geek & Gorgeous 101 C-Glow<\/a> was, but it left a lasting stickiness on our skin. Similarly, Maelove The Glow Maker<\/a> was also just edged out due to its tacky texture, as well as its medicinal smell.<\/p>\n We loved how quickly Obagi Professional-C Serum<\/a> absorbed\u2014but on the flip side, liquid dribbled all over the place, wasting (a pricey!) product. Testers were deeply split over the odor: Some found it to be fine, but others didn\u2019t want it anywhere near their faces.<\/p>\n Multiple testers said the Paula\u2019s Choice C15 Super Booster<\/a> made them look shiny, yet it also felt sticky. And the Prequel Lucent-C Brightening Vitamin C Serum<\/a> had a thin, adhesive feel and a musty\u2013meets\u2013chem-lab aroma that was deeply unpleasant.<\/p>\n SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF<\/a> has a cult following and over a decade of great online reviews, but we preferred the brand\u2019s CE Ferulic formula<\/a>. (Plus, we broke two fingernails trying to remove the stubborn shrink-wrapped plastic over its dropper.)<\/p>\n Nothing extraordinary stood out to recommend either The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%<\/a> or The Inkey List 15% Vitamin C And EGF Serum<\/a>. Both felt sticky, and The Ordinary\u2019s serum even seemed to accentuate redness and pimples, as opposed to minimizing them.<\/p>\n The formula for the Vichy Liftactiv 16% Vitamin C Brightening Serum<\/a> seemed fine, if a little greasy. And it really lost points due to its fussy bottle and odd detachable plastic nozzle.<\/p>\n YonKa Serum C20<\/a> was a hands-down favorite for fragrance, with a fresh, subtle smell. Testers liked the self-care aspect of the emollient serum, but they ultimately deemed it a bit too greasy for daytime wear.<\/p>\n For dry skin (sheer lotion serums)<\/p>\n Biossance Squalane and Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum<\/a> rubbed in easily, but it left behind a greasy film.<\/p>\n While its creamy texture felt hydrating at first, the CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum<\/a> triggered a mild tingling sensation and a little redness.<\/p>\n The Derma-E Vitamin C with Hyaluronic Acid<\/a> had an artificial scent, like old-school baby aspirin. While testers appreciated that the Drunk Elephant C-Luma Hydrabright Serum<\/a> had virtually no fragrance, they disliked that the smooth formula never seemed to fully absorb into skin, and it pilled under moisturizer. Kiehl\u2019s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate<\/a> also felt too heavy on skin.<\/p>\n A close runner-up to the Sunday Riley C.E.O.<\/a> serum, the Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Serum<\/a> has a sheer consistency and sinks into skin easily. For all of its refinement, though, it smells like a pile of rotting leaves.<\/p>\n