TruSkin vs. Timeless vs. Mad Hippie vs. Tree of Life: Which Makes the Best Drugstore Vitamin C Serum?

• The Difference & Reviews

| TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C Serum

Google Users Rating: 4.4/5

iHerb: $19.99/30ml (up to 5% cashback)

Walmart: $19.99 (up to 4% cashback)

CVS: $23.99 (up to 2% cashback)

What is it?

The product is designed to target the most common signs of aging, including brightness, firmness, fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots. And the serum features a ton of good-for-your-skin ingredients, like organic aloe vera, jojoba oil, vitamins C and E, along with botanical hyaluronic acid for added hydration, according to the brand. It's also made without added fragrance, parabens, phthalates and sulfates.

Key ingredients: 

- Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate): A powerful antioxidant known for evening skintone, boosting collagen, and neutralizing free radicals.

- Hyaluronic Acid: Botanical hyaluronic acid is a potent humectant recognized for its ability to attractand retain moisture for intense hydration.

- Vitamin E: A barrier-supportive antioxidant that may helpprevent damage from UV rays and other environmental stressors.

- Organic Aloe Vera: Well known for calming and hydrating skin,mineral-rich aloe vera is plentiful in antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E.

Good for: Oily, combination, sensitive, dry, normal skin types.

Texture: TruSkin Vitamin C Serum is thicker than a lot of other serums on the market. It applies to the skin as an almost milky, gel-like serum, but it melts down into a runny liquid that absorbs into the skin almost instantly.

Fragrance: As we all know, vitamin C products don't always smell the greatest, and TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C face serum is odorless, which is perfect for anyone who is sensitive to strong scents in their skincare products.

Review: For $20, you really can't go wrong with this serum. It's effective yet gentle, and most importantly, you can feel good about its formula. Recommend it to those whose skin can handle it, or those who have been using vitamin C. TruSkin's serum is great for all skin types, including more sensitive skin, and remains an effective glow booster. 

One shopper said: "I've been using this product for about 3months now and it has been really great!. I have really sensitive skin and acne prone. This has NOT caused any acne or irritation. This past year I've developed hormonal acne and scaring/pigmentation which has been horrible. While this product,I feel has helped made the spots lighter, I also don't expect I miracle overnight lol. This gives my skin a healthy glow and looks much more radiant. I truly love this product and will continue to use it!"

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| Timeless Skin Care 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum 

Google Users Rating: 4.8/5

Amazon: $22.99/30ml

Target: $22.99

YesStyle: $20.50 (up to 4% cashback)

What is it?

This 20% Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Acid serum brightens skin, builds collagen, and evens out tone. Enhanced with Vitamin E & Ferulic Acid, this serum is a great pick me up for dull, discolored, and stressed skin, while providing 24/7 protection against environmental pollutants.

Key ingredients: 

- L-Ascorbic Acid: The pure form of Vitamin C and primary water-soluble antioxidant in our skin's tissue. Plays a big role in the complicated process through which our skin creates skin-firming collagen. Anti-ageing, brightening and free-radical scavenging ingredient. Most well-researched antioxidant.

- Vitamin E & Ferulic Acid: Antioxidants that help fight signs of ageing and protect from environments damage. When formulated with ascorbic acid this trio enhances efficacy and stability, making this a powerhouse combination!

Good for: Suitable for any skin type including sensitive skin and oily skin.

Texture: The texture is quite watery and quite literally feels like water on the skin. The serum will almost immediately sink right into the skin, which is great for those who don't like having any skincare residue on their skin. Store product in the fridge or a cool, dark place to prolong its shelf life.

Fragrance: There is no noticeable scent, which is a relief as high percentage Ascorbic Acid products do have a tendency to stink.

Review: One of the most popular alternative to SkinCeuticals' C E Ferulic is Timeless' Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum. SkinCeuticals uses 15% L-ascorbic acid, while Timeless uses 20%. Any differences in ingredients or percentages most likely won't lead to any noticeable difference to the consumer, so there's no need to dwell on that 5% difference. In addition to this, Timeless's VC Serum also contains hydration-boosting hyaluronic acid for added anti-aging power. It is paraben, fragrance, and cruelty-free, nor are any colors or dyes added to it.

One shopper said: "I decided to try this vitamin C serum after doing a bit of research. It has everything I want in it, especially for the price and I'm very pleased with it so far. The serum is thin and clear, as one would expect with Vitamin C serum and I only need 3 drops for my face and neck. It would be unfair to give it definite results so soon but I honestly think that my skin looks brighter."

| Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum

Google Users Rating: 4.5/5

Walmart: $27.19/30ml (up to 4% cashback)

iHerb: $27.19 (up to 5% cashback)

Vitacost: $29.99 (up to 2% cashback)

What is it?

Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum is an uplifting antioxidant blend with 8 actives that have been formulated to brighten tighten and smooth the skin while reducing the effects of photoaging. 

Key ingredients: 

- Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate): a stable form of vitamin C, which means it's less prone to oxidation and is more tolerated by all skin types, including those prone to sensitivity. This less irritating form of vitamin C (because it's also not low in pH) is designed for those who have difficulty using higher-purity vitamin C serums.

- Vitamin E: protective antioxidant that has been shown to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and discoloration.

- Ferulic Acid: has been shown in studies to have a compounding antioxidant effect.

- Hyaluronic Acid: applied topically it can help increase the plumped-up look of the skin.

- Konjac Root Powder: rich in nutrients such as copper, zinc, phosphorus, fatty acids, protein, carbohydrates, lipids, potassium, magnesium, iron, niacin, folic acid and vitamins A, E, C, D & B.

- Grapefruit: rich in antioxidants and citric acid, grapefruit acts as a natural exfoliant.

- Chamomile Extract: provides a thin protective shield, while naturally soothing and calming the skin.

- Clary Sage: helps eliminate overly dry or overly oily skin and acts as natural toner and astringent.

Good for: It is suitable for all skin types, including those with sensitive skin and acne-prone skin.

Texture: The serum is a light gel which makes it easy to apply. It can feel slightly tacky even with a small amount, so be careful of overapplying. It absorbs into the skin but you can still tell the product is there, so it does not disappear – it simply forms a hydrating barrier on the skin. However, the greasy aspect of the serum doesn't come through when worn under makeup, which is a definite plus for this face serum!

Fragrance: For the most part, Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum is odorless, but if you want to be super specific about it, it does have a very slight "clean" scent.

Review: Because vitamin C serums are so active, many can cause a tingling or burning feeling upon application. However, Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum uses a derivate of vitamin C - Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, which is gentler than pure vitamin C. It's a stable form of vitamin C that's better known for its ability to treat acne. But it still fights wrinkles, brightens the complexion and all those things vitamin C is supposed to do.

One shopper said: "I'm about to finish my third bottle of this serum and I still like it… Im just happy to avoid inflammation. It has helped to smoothen and soften my skins texture. I was hoping for more of a brightening effect, but didn't see much of a difference. I probably need something more powerful to help with dark marks. Though my quest for more even-tone skin continues, this serum is a keeper."

| Tree Of Life Vitamin C Serum

Google Users Rating: 4.6/5

Walmart: $12.95 (up to 4% cashback)

CVS: $14.99 (up to 2% cashback)

Amazon: $10.76

What is it?

Tree of Life's Vitamin C serum is packed with antioxidants to visibly brighten skin and reduce the appearance of dark spots to give you that all over glow. Skin will be left looking hydrated, smooth, and positively radiant. 

Key ingredients: 

- The vitamin C that is used here is Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate which is a more convenient and tolerable form of vitamin C. This acid is best for acne prone and sensitive skin since it doesn't cause much irritation. 

- Prganic aloe and jojoba help moisturize the skin.

- Witch hazel helps minimize appearance of pores, dark spots, and redness.

- Vitamin E helps soothe skin.

Good for: All skin type, even acne-prone and sensitive skin.

Texture: Many Vitamin C Serums are like water or are similar to very thin gels, and this can result in over-application or loss due to spillage. This Vitamin C Serum is a thick formula ensuring you have less waste and better application, and allowing you to have complete control over how much Vitamin C Serum you apply at any given time.

Fragrance: If you don't like face stuff that smells this is a good option because there isn't a distinct scent but there is a slight smell. It isn't over bearing.

Review: There is really not much of a scent, it goes on easily, and you will notice the tightening effects as it absorbs into your skin. One shopper said: "I had never dealt with acne before but two years ago i broke out really bad and it was very painful on top of leaving me real insecure. Once it started healing up, my aunt bought me this product to help with clearing it up further and mostly to get rid of the acne scars that were being left behind. This product worked amazingly. Within a few weeks i noticed my skin not being bumpy, the becoming flat and smooth, and eventually a lot of the redness and acne was also going away."

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