Expert-Approved: 11 Best Drugstore Korean Vitamin C Serums For Women (2024)

Vitamin C serums are considered the holy grail of skincare as it combats problems like hyperpigmentation, formation of wrinkles, and uneven skin tone. But not any serum will do. You need to invest in the best drugstore Korean vitamin C serums for glowing, gorgeous skin. Why Korean serums, you ask? It is because Korean skincare focuses entirely on natural and organic formulations, and their vitamin C serums are no different. Regular use will help you achieve glass-like skin and is the perfect addition if you are looking for an anti-aging, damage-reversing, and brightening skincare product. To help you find your ideal match and upgrade your routine, we have made a list of the best drugstore Korean vitamin C serums that you must have in your beauty products collection right away. So, take a look!

Top Picks	CHECK PRICE
Best Lightweight: Cos De Baha VA Vitamin C 15 Serum	Price on Amazon
Best Fragrance: Seoul Ceuticals Day Glow Serum	Price on Amazon
Best Non-Sticky: Mizon Real Vitamin C Ampoule	Price on Amazon
Best Vegan: I Dew Care Bright Side Up Brightening Vitamin C Serum	Price on Amazon
Best For Soothing Skin: Meebak Cica Vitamin C Serum	Price on Amazon
Best Anti-Aging: SKIN & LAB Skin Science Solution Vitamin C Brightening Serum	Price on Amazon
Best For Skin Smoothening: Tia’m My Signature C Source	Price on Amazon
Best Hydrating: The Creme Shop What Acne? Hydrating & Healing Serum	Price on Amazon
Best For Sensitive Skin: Dear Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop	Price on Amazon
Best Non-Greasy: By Wishtrend Pure Vitamin C 21.5% Advanced Serum	Price on Amazon

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 is an ideal hyperpigmentation treatment and 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 scientifically formulated 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.

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  of the tester’s experience helps you get a better understanding of the product.

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 results-driven serum also contains organic moisturizing ingredients that nourish the skin with essential nutrients while providing vitality to your skin.

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 with skin hydration. This lightweight serum makes your skin appear plump and dewy. This scientifically formulated serum is packed with vitamin C and 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 which aids in improving the overall skin texture. Antioxidant-rich serums like this one offer additional benefits and are ideal for your AM skincare routine.

5. Best For Soothing Skin: Meebak Cica Vitamin C Serum

The Meebak Cica Vitamin C Serum is one of the most effective vitamin C serums that nourishes and rejuvenates your skin. This results-driven formula is infused with Cica (Centella Asiatica), a plant extract, that soothes and heals irritated skin by reducing redness and inflammation. It is also enriched with panthenol, adenosine, and green tea which help in replenishing skin cells, promoting collagen production that fights the signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. The vitamin C in this serum has potent antioxidants that can fight free radicals and protect the skin from environmental damage and pollution, keeping it more youthful. This Korean formula helps soothe damaged skin while correcting uneven skin tone and texture. It keeps the skin hydrated while boosting skin radiance and confidence.

6. Best Anti-Aging: SKIN & LAB Skin Science Solution Vitamin C Brightening Serum

The SKIN & LAB Skin Science Solution Vitamin C Brightening Serum is a powerful solution to brighten and tighten the skin. This dermatologist-tested serum is enriched with vita energy complex, which is a blend of vitamins, niacinamide, panthenol, and hyaluronic acid. The complex helps improve skin tightness and texture by reducing the appearance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles. This professional-grade serum is also infused with vitamin E bubble capsules, which fight signs of aging and fade dark spots and acne scars. This lightweight formula is packed with antioxidants and moisturizing skincare ingredients that brighten and even out the skin tone, boosting healthy, hydrated, and youthful skin.

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 without any skin damage. This results-driven serum 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.

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 active vitamin C that protects against external aggressors, fades dark spots, diminishes acne scars, and promotes skin rejuvenation.

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

Dear Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop is an all-in-one drugstore 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 of the reviewer’s experience for more details.

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. This professional-grade serum 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 in this hydrating serum work together to exfoliate uneven and textured skin, thereby leaving it silky smooth.

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. This dermatologist-tested serum is formulated using 70% green tangerine extract that nourishes the skin and brightens your complexion. The fresh and concentrated vitamin C in the ingredients list 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.

These are the best-selling Korean vitamin C serums available on the market that offer intense skin radiance. 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: A vitamin C product helps fight various signs of aging, and if you are someone struggling with wrinkles, age spots, fine lines, and crow’s feet, 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: Another benefit of vitamin C is that it 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. A good concentration of 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.

Aren’t these vitamin C benefits for skin amazing? But 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. Go through testers’ experience reviews to understand how the product reacts on different skin types.

• 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, offer brighter skin, 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 drugstore 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 up becoming 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 type, 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, most types of 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 an 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 simultaneously. You can also try using bakuchiol that works as a natural retinol and boosts skin elasticity and brightness.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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