The true test of determining whether or not a skin-care product is a winner is if you use every last drop and know you'll be restocking your supply as soon as it runs out. As an editor with access to new serums, creams, and cleansers on a regular basis, this is a rarity for me. However, I'm happy (and a little sad) to report that I just reached the bottom of my bottle of La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Serum, a gift from the brand I received at an event last summer that — now that it's gone — I'm not ready to start my mornings without.
A staple in any skin-care enthusiast's medicine cabinet, vitamin C is an antioxidant that can repair and protect the skin against free radicals caused by sun and environmental damage when included in a serum, Beverly Hills-based dermatologist Naissan O. Wesley, M.D. previously told Shape. The powerful ingredient can also help skin produce collagen, she added. ICYMI, collagen is a protein your body makes naturally that gives skin that youthful, plump appearance (hello, jello skin!). Unfortunately, production of this skin-firming protein slows down with age. That's why adding a vitamin C serum, like my current favorite from La Roche-Posay, can be beneficial to your complexion over time.
Over the last year, I've gotten into the habit of applying a few drops of the orange-tinted serum onto my face first thing in the morning. I give my skin a major cleanse in the evenings, so I don't typically wash it in the morning. Instead, I simply apply a few spritzes of a toning mist followed up with the La Roche-Posay serum, and I feel ready for the day — whether I plan to wear makeup or not.
The serum offers an instant dose of brightness and has a smoothing effect that I notice right away, especially around my eyes. I often wake up with dark, puffy under-eye circles exacerbated by my stomach-sleeper ways, and this serum helps deflate them enough for me to confidently hop on an early Zoom call without concealer. However, you'll want to avoid getting the product too close to your eyes, notes the brand.
Along with 10 percent pure vitamin C, the serum contains salicylic acid to prevent acne by refining pores (a major plus for those with oily skin). It also includes neurosensine, a synthetic dipeptide that offers a soothing effect for the skin, and hyaluronic acid, a humectant that helps moisturize the skin. Finally, you'll find the brand's signature thermal spring water on the bottle's ingredient list — it's a key inclusion in most La Roche-Posay products. The water is actually sourced from the French town of La Roche-Posay, and it's packed with minerals, trace elements, and a natural antioxidant called selenium, according to the brand's site.
You can even rest easy knowing the serum has been tested by dermatologists and ophthalmologists. It's okay to use on sensitive skin and is oil- and paraben-free (a must for those who prefer "clean" beauty products).
Want to give your skin a hydrating, brightening, smoothing treat? Grab a bottle of La Roche-Posay's Vitamin C Serum for $40 at Amazon to perk up your morning routine.