What does Vitamin C do for my skin?

Vitamin C is the brightening powerhouse everyone talks about, and there's a good reason why. It's one of the most researched ingredients in skincare, and one of the few that tackles several concerns at once. Applied to your skin, it helps brighten a dull complexion, fade the look of dark spots and pigmentation, even out skin tone, support your skin's natural collagen and defend against everyday damage from UV and pollution.

So what is vitamin C? In skincare, it's ascorbic acid, a powerful natural antioxidant. Your body can't make or store it, and only a small amount from your diet (yes, even all those oranges) ever reaches your skin. That's why applying it directly, in a serum, makes such a visible difference. Here's everything it can do for your skin, which type really works, and how to get the most from every drop.

Which vitamin C serum works best?

Not all vitamin C serums are equal, and this is where most people go wrong. Here's what to look for, and why we made ours the way we did.

Pure vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Ascorbic acid is the most researched form, and the one your skin can use straight away. Many serums use gentler derivatives instead; they're more stable, but generally weaker, because your skin has to convert them first. Ours uses pure ascorbic acid.

The right strength. Studies generally look at 10–20% ascorbic acid. Ours is a high-strength 20%, the top of that range, for results you can really see. Going higher adds little extra benefit and more chance of irritation.

Ingredients that make it easy to use every day. A strong vitamin C on its own can feel harsh. We combined ours with niacinamide to help even tone and refine the look of pores, hyaluronic acid to hydrate and beta glucan to soothe, so it's comfortable enough to use every morning from day one, even on sensitive skin.

A lightweight texture. We deliberately made ours lightweight and water-based, so it absorbs in seconds rather than sitting on the surface, and sits beautifully under moisturiser, SPF and make-up. Great skincare shouldn't just coat your skin, it should become part of it.

Value you can trust. A 30ml bottle of our 20% Vitamin C Serum is £14.95 and lasts around 4–6 weeks of daily use. It's vegan, cruelty-free and free from parabens and sulphates, rated 4.7 out of 5 by our customers, and backed by our 30-day money-back guarantee.

How long does vitamin C take to work?

Vitamin C works in stages. The glow comes first, often within three weeks. A more even tone follows over the next few weeks, dark spots start to fade from around week six, and firmness keeps building with continued use. The key is using it every morning. Here's what most people notice:

Is vitamin C right for your skin?

Almost certainly. Our vitamin C serum works for every skin type, from your 20s to your 50s and beyond. It really earns its place if you're noticing:

• Dullness, or skin that looks tired in photos and natural light.
• Dark spots, sun spots, age spots or post-breakout marks.
• Uneven tone, patchiness or blotchiness.
• Early fine lines or a loss of firmness.
• Lots of time outdoors, in the sun or in a city.

Oily skin? The lightweight, water-based texture won't feel greasy, and niacinamide helps balance the look of shine. Dry skin? Follow with hyaluronic acid and moisturiser. Sensitive skin? Pure vitamin C can cause a slight tingle for the first few days; ours is buffered with beta glucan and hyaluronic acid to keep skin comfortable. As with any new product, try it on a small area first.

Vitamin C or retinol: which do you need?

They do different jobs, which is why they work so well together. Vitamin C is your daytime brightener and protector: glow, even tone, fading dark spots and defence against daily damage. Retinol is the anti-ageing powerhouse that works at night, tackling fine lines, wrinkles, texture and pores while you sleep. Our 2.5% Retinol Night Serum is clinically proven to increase collagen production by up to 5x.

If dullness and dark spots are your main concern, start with vitamin C. If lines and texture bother you most, start with retinol. For the best of both, use vitamin C every morning and retinol at night. Our 3 Serum Set gives you 20% Vitamin C, 2.5% Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid together, so your whole routine is covered morning and night.

Why choose Dermaworks Vitamin C Serum?

Because it's made to really work. Great skincare isn't about one hero ingredient; it's about a formula where every ingredient earns its place. Our Brightening 20% Vitamin C Serum combines pure vitamin C at full strength with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and beta glucan, in a lightweight serum that absorbs quickly rather than sitting on your skin.

We've formulated our own skincare since 2014, and we don't aim to be the cheapest. We make products that REALLY work, and our customers agree: "My skin feels so much softer and smoother. Age spots have nearly disappeared." Try it for yourself. If it's not right for you, our 30-day money-back guarantee has you covered.