La Roche-Posay vs. The Ordinary vs. CeraVe vs. Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum: Which is the Best?

• The Difference & Reviews

| La Roche-Posay 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum

Google Users Rating: 4.5/5

La Roche-Posay: $39.99/30ml (up to 8% cashback)

CVS: $36.99 (up to 2% cashback)

SkinStore: $39.99 (up to 8% cashback)

What Is It?

This anti-aging vitamin c face and neck serum leaves skin more radiant, softer, and hydrated. As a result, wrinkles look visibly reduced and skin texture and tone are more even and refined. This serum combines concentrated 10% pure vitamin C, salicylic acid and neurosensine for optimal effectiveness while also being suitable for sensitive skin.

Key Ingredients:

- 10% Pure Vitamin C is known for antioxidant and visible anti-aging properties.

- Salicylic Acid helps clear and refine the appearance of pores.

- Neurosensine helps skin feel soothed.

- Hyaluronic Acid helps maintain the skin's moisture.

- Glycerin moisturizes and hydrates the skin.

Good for: All skin types, especially combo/oily skin prone.

Texture: Whilst slightly richer than the average serum in terms of texture, it goes on smoothly and instantly absorbs into the skin without leaving a greasy residue in its wake. Also important, it doesn't pill up under sunscreen and there's no burning sensation when applied.

Fragrance: A noticeable, slightly artificial, citrus scent. Fades once serum is applied.

Review: Whilst it's true that anyone new to using a Vitamin C product may feel a slight tingle on application, the good news is La Roche-Posay have formulated this product with a pH of 5.5, making the ascorbic acid non-irritating and meaning that it doesn't upset the skin barrier.

One shopper said: "Who doesn't love a good Vitamin C serum that works. This is a great product, it has a nice dropped that allows you to use the amount needed, the serum goes on very smooth and absorbs well into the skin. It can be used under other products and layered without it getting cakey or starting to pill. After using it every day for a couple of weeks I definitely noticed the difference, my skin was smoother and had a lot less visible lines. Definitely a product I would use again, and it‘s a very good price point. Make sure you use SPF with this product though.”

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| The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%

Google Users Rating: 3.8/5

Sephora: $7.00/30ml (up to 4% cashback)

Selfridges: $6.50 (up to 7% cashback)

Feelunique US: $7.20 (up to 13% cashback)

What Is It?

Vitamin C products are typically hard to stabilize and lose efficacy quickly. The extremely fine powder used in this formula (which is suspended in liquid) is meant to ensure that the skin receives the most direct exposure to vitamin C, making it extremely potent. The system is supported with addition of dehydrated spheres of Hyaluronic Acid to offer visible surface smoothing alongside the benefits of Vitamin C.

Key ingredients: 

- 23% pure L-Ascorbic Acid: A pure, powdered L-ascorbic acid suspension visibly brightens the skin and helps to fade dark spots and discoloration while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improving the skin's overall texture.

- 2% Dehydrated Spheres of Hyaluronic Acid: Not only does hyaluronic acid help smooth the skin's surface, but it's also wonderful for hydration, drawing moisture into the skin, and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Good for: Those looking for solutions for uneven tone / signs of aging / antioxidant support.

Texture: It is a lightweight, runny white cream that gets absorbed into the skin quickly. However, you can feel the powder under your finger tips and on your skin. The first couple of applications cause your skin to tingle and feel like a slight burning sensation. This goes away in due course.

Fragrance: This formula is fragrance-free and doesn't have much of a scent at all, which is welcome considering that most vitamin C serums have a pretty funky smell.

Review: One shopper said: "I personally diluted this with a different serum or cream w/very simple, basic ingredients when I first started incorporating into my routine and gradually transitioned to applying the suspension by itself (I still only use this about once a week). I personally use this for combating any dark spots or hyperpigmentation since it's done a great job fading those concerns for me as well as combating any overall dullness. "

The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension has a thin liquid consistency and a slightly greasy, gritty, and powdery feel that takes some getting used to. If this vitamin C product is too strong for your skin, you can mix it with your moisturizer or another cream-based product to dilute its strength until your skin can build a tolerance. While this product is intense and not the best option for sensitive skin types, if your skin can tolerate it, it's a transformative product. 

| CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum

Google Users Rating: 4.2/5

Walmart: $20.97/30ml (up to 4% cashback)

Walgreens: $24.99 (up to 4% cashback)

Rite Aid: $25.99 (up to 10% cashback)

What Is It?

CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum features 10% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) for antioxidant benefits, while also helping to visibly brighten your complexion and promote a more even skin tone. Potent, yet gentle and lightweight, this vitamin C serum is also formulated with three essential ceramides, moisturizing hyaluronic acid and soothing vitamin B5 to help improve texture, restore the skin's protective barrier and enhance hydration for soft, radiant, healthy-looking skin. 

Key ingredients: 

- 10% Pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid): As the purest form of vitamin C, this ingredient helps visibly brighten and even skin tone.

- Three essential ceramides: Locks in moisture and helps maintain the skin's natural barrier.

- MVE Technology: Continually releases moisturizing ingredients for all-day hydration.

- Hyaluronic acid: Attracts hydration to the skin's surface and helps your skin retain moisture. 

Good for: All skin types, including sensitive.

Texture: Most Vitamin C serums come in a very liquid form. But this one has a more emulsion-like texture. However, it leaves quite some residue on your face. You need to wait a while for it to dry.

Fragrance: If you're sensitive to strong scents in your skincare products, then this face serum is for you!  It's completely odorless so there's nothing to worry about in that department.

Review: This is a lightweight serum that works well under a moisturizer, but people with oily skin may want to skip the moisturizer altogether. Ideal for any skin type, even sensitive skin.

"This was the first-ever vitamin C [serum] I'd ever tried and I saw results within two or three days," said one shopper. "My skin looked brighter and I had this 'natural glow.'

| 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."

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