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What is Vitamin C Serum & Why Should You Use It? (featuring 10 great serums available in Singapore!)
- Neil Furuno
- Jun 22
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 28
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Side Note:
Is your spinal health impacting your skin health? Find out with a CHIROPRACTIC SPINAL WELLNESS CHECK-UP!
Introduction
Vitamin C isn’t just that tangy vitamin in your orange juice anymore—it’s a skincare superhero. Topical Vitamin C serums have skyrocketed in popularity, and for good reason. But is it all hype, or does it really make your skin shine and support your health? Let’s dig in.
What Is Vitamin C Serum?
Think of Vitamin C serum as a superhero of skincare: it’s powerful in a concentrated form. Unlike vitamin C that you eat, topical serums—typically L‑ascorbic acid or its stable forms—go straight to work on your skin’s surface. They penetrate deeper than creams, delivering antioxidant and collagen-boosting benefits right where you need them.
Skin Benefits of Vitamin C Serum
1. Brightens and Evens Skin Tone
Vitamin C blocks melanin production, helping fade dark spots, acne marks, and sun damage. In one study, a whopping 73% of participants saw improved hyperpigmentation. The result: a more radiant, even complexion.
2. Boosts Collagen Production
As we age, collagen production declines. Vitamin C helps stimulate collagen production and stabilize its structure, firming skin and reducing fine lines. Science backs its collagen supporting role.
3. Protects Against Free Radicals and Sun Damage
Free radicals wreak havoc, whether from pollution, smoking, or UV rays. Vitamin C neutralizes them and enhances sunscreen efficacy—it’s like having a backup for your sunscreen.
4. Hydrates and Reduces Inflammation
Vitamin C helps calm redness, clear acne, and restore hydration by supporting your skin’s barrier. If your skin has mood swings, this serum is your peacekeeper.
Overall Health Benefits—Beyond Skin Deep
Supports Wound Healing
Vitamin C is essential to wound repair. It aids collagen formation and healing, even scars, though most research focuses on its effects via oral intake.
Reduces Oxidative Stress
By combating free radicals, vitamin C helps slow skin aging and maintains healthy tissue throughout your body.
May Boost Immune Function
While topical vitamin C does not ward off colds, it supports the skin’s immune defenses and reduces bacterial growth.
How to Use Vitamin C Serum for Maximum Benefits
1. Choosing the Right Serum
Concentration: Aim for 10–20% L‑ascorbic acid for effectiveness, though over 20% might irritate sensitive skin.
Formulation: Pairings with vitamin E and ferulic acid are superstar combinations—they stabilize vitamin C and improve antioxidant power.
Packaging: Choose dark bottles or airless pumps. Vitamin C oxidizes quickly when exposed to light and air.
2. Best Practices for Application
Use on clean, dry skin.
Apply in the morning, then follow with moisturizer and sunscreen, since Vitamin C helps enhance UV protection.
Introduce it gradually, especially with higher concentrations.
3. Common Mistakes
Toss out oxidized serums (if they turn yellow/brown, they are no longer good).
Avoid mixing with benzoyl peroxide and strong acids—stick to layering with vitamin E or niacinamide instead.
Less is more—a pea-sized amount is sufficient.
10 Best Vitamin C Serums available in Singapore 🌞
Here are 10 of the best Vitamin C serums you can find in Singapore—balancing efficacy, safety, and value: (Click on the titles for links to the products) Listed prices are as of June 20, 2025
Affordable, light serum
High ratings (4.9★)
Great for daily brightening under makeup
S$16.50 at Watsons
Clean, cruelty-free, and mid-strength.
Excellent value
S$18 from Amazon
From Watsons’ in-house brand, gunning to rival pricier options
Good ingredient list for the price
S$19.90 at Watsons
High-strength 23% vitamin C in a budget-friendly formula
It packs a great punch if you’re ready for it, but note that its texture can feel grainy on some skin types
S$9.80 promo from Shopee
Balanced 10% vitamin C with a stabilizing hit of ferulic acid—a gentle and effective option for beginners
S$20 from Amazon
Cult favorite with vitamin C + antioxidants
S$78.05 promo from Shopee
20% THD Ascorbate
Great for acne and tone correction
S$150 at Sephora
Collagen boosting
Gentle gel texture
S$86.08 promo from Shopee
Natural, clean formula with HA and ferulic acid
S$34.11 from iHerb
Contains moisturizing and anti-aging ingredients
Can help reduce wrinkles and even out skin tones and lines
S$19.95 from Lazada
This rounds out your top 10 Vitamin C serums available right here in sunny Singapore.
Conclusion
Vitamin C serums are dermatologist‑backed powerhouses for brightening, firming, protecting, and calming your skin—and they support wound repair and immunity. To make the most of them, choose a well‑formulated serum (10–20% L‑ascorbic acid, antioxidant boosts, dark packaging), apply it properly, and pair it with sunscreen. Vitamin C is a glow game-changer, whether you’re splurging on Peter Thomas and Drunk Elephant or going smart with Garnier and The Ordinary.
FAQ
Q: Can I use Vitamin C with retinol or niacinamide?
Yes! Just apply vitamin C in the morning, retinol at night, and feel free to layer niacinamide alongside it in your morning routine.
Q: How long to see results?
Skin improvements typically start to show after 4–8 weeks of consistent use. Consistency is the real secret to that citrus-charged glow.
Q: Should I patch test?
Absolutely—especially for those with sensitive skin or new to serums. Start slow and build up.
Q: How should I store my Vitamin C serum?
Store your serum properly—cool, dark, and sealed—so you don’t accidentally turn it into a sour science experiment.
Final Glow Tip
Did you know that the health of our skin is often a reflection of the overall general health of our body? While it's not a perfect diagnostic tool, the skin can give early warning signs of internal issues. And spinal health and skin health are connected in more ways than you might expect; especially, when viewed through the lens of nervous system function, posture, blood flow, and lifestyle habits. Therefore, taking good care of your spine is an often overlooked aspect of maintaining a radiant countenance!
A SPINAL WELLNESS CHECK-UP is a good next step if you want to learn more about your own spinal health and address any underlying issues that may be impacting the health of your skin.
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