Studies have proven there are benefits to applying it topically too; it can leave skin looking visibly brighter by helping to control the overproduction of melanin and strengthening the skin's barrier.

Basically, there’s a very good reason why vitamin C is among the most searched-for skincare ingredients of all time – and while you can get your fill of vitamin C through topical skincare products like moisturisers and toners, dermatology experts agree that vitamin C serums reign supreme as the most effective. Of course, there are several types of vitamin C – from tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbyl to ascorbyl glucoside – and many vitamin C face serums also contain a mix of other helpful ingredients such as vitamin E, glycerin, aloe vera, hyaluronic acid and retinol. It can be a tad confusing. But fret not: below is everything you need to know, plus an edit of tried and tested vitamin C serums by the likes of La Roche-Posay, CeraVe, Drunk Elephant, L'Oreal and The Inkey List. Brighter skin, incoming.Why we love it: Looking for a way to deal with skin dullness and hyperpigmentation? Say no more. This lightweight vitamin C serum contains 10% ethyl ascorbic acid, which helps even out your skin tone while also strengthening and protecting it against free radical damage. It even contains helpful, soothing ingredients such as liquorice extract, tazman pepper and grape seed oil.

We asked 270 beauty testers to test 18 different vitamin C serums. Using each for a four-week period, they rated the scent and texture, as well as reporting on any differences in the brightness, pigmentation, radiance, smoothness and hydration of their skin.The Ordinary’s no-nonsense serum formula is fragrance-free and gentle enough for all skin types; it’s also vegan and oil-free, making it particularly suitable for oilier skins. If your skin is on the dryer side, we’d recommend following the serum with a nourishing moisturiser to hold in the hydrating goodness. Part of Elizabeth Arden’s capsule collection, these biodegradable pods contain a luxurious dose of oil-soluble vitamin C, which is designed to hydrate skin. Why we love it: Firming and hydrating your complexion has never been easier. Made with L-ascorbic acid, a bioactive fruit blend and sodium ascorbyl phosphate, this potent product is suitable for almost all skin types, including sensitive, dry and acne-prone skin. It's hardly a secret that fermenting food is akin to supercharging it with nutrients — the benefits of ingredients are amplified and concentrated by the process. It follows, then, that adding powerful ferments to an already concentrated vitamin C serum will only enhance its effects.