Vitamin C is one of the few skincare products that benefits all ages and skin types. Known for its ability to protect skin from environmental damage and sun damage, Vitamin C is an antioxidant that also brightens, reduce hyperpigmentations, and lighten sunspots. You can find Vitamin C in many different skincare formulations - serums, oils, moisturizers, and more - and it’s important to find the right formulation for your skin type because while there are many benefits to Vitamin C, it can also cause cause itching, redness, dryness, and overall irritation if you’re not careful.

As someone with dry, sensitive skin, I’ve struggled to find the right Vitamin C products that brighten my skin without burning, stinging, or causing dry patches. It’s taken a lot of trial and error over the years, and I’ve tried it all - medical grade serums, drugstore, and top Sephora picks - in the hopes of finding a product that would give me all of the benefits of Vitamin C without the harsh side effects. Below are the Vitamin C oils and serums that provide real results, don’t irritate my dry, sensitive skin, and are actually worth the money.

best vitamin c oils and moisturizers for dry, sensitive skin

Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil - Not everyone loves this, to be completely honest, but it’s been a game-changer for my skin. This is the first face oil I ever tried, and it’s extremely hydrating without clogging pores. While it does not provide the most dramatic results as far as reducing hyperpigmentation and dark spots, I found that this oil really helped my skin acclimate to Vitamin C and made it much easier to incorporate stronger products after a month or two of consistent use. I apply it every night, and it absorbs well (and quickly). I’ve repurchased this clean-beauty product over 15 times over the years, and always stock up when Biossance runs a sale - definitely get this directly from Biossance or through Amazon Subscribe & Save as opposed to Sephora; you’ll save more money that way. Skip this oil if you want dramatic results, but if you have dry, sensitive skin and want to slowly incorporate Vitamin C into your skincare routine, I highly recommend it.

Paula’s Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer - This moisturizer contains 5% Vitamin C, so it’s mild enough for those with sensitive skin to use daily and you get a lot of product for $49. It also contains Hexapeptide-5, which deeply hydrates the skin; my dry skin loves it. This gives you an overall brighter tone, but I wouldn’t say that it deeply corrects hyperpigmentation and dark spots. If you want overall brightening, this would be great, but you’ll need to pair it with a Vitamin C serum if you have deeper dark spots that you’re trying to clear up.

Dr. Idriss Major Fade Active Seal Dark Spot Vitamin C Gel Moisturizer - As far as moisturizers go, this is one of the few that I believe really provide noticeable results. It’s not the cheapest at $58 per jar, but it layers beautifully under makeup and deeply hydrates your skin (even with a lightweight gel formula). If you gravitate towards a really simple skincare routine with minimal steps, this would be a great addition.

I’ve personally been recommended the Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C & Turmeric Face Oil a lot over the years and finally tried it, so I want to mention it here. I initially loved it, but after a couple weeks, it became way too harsh and irritating for my dry sensitive skin, especially if you’re using any other actives (like retinol or lactic acid, which is found in the beloved Sunday Riley Good Genes Serum). Long story short, using the Vitamin C oil with the Good Genes Serum freaked out my skin and it took months to calm the irritation, dryness, and sensitivity. Some people love it and their skin legitimately glows, so it may be worth testing out - just be careful if you do.

best vitamin c serums for dry, sensitive skin

Obagi Medical Professional-C Serum - This is a medical grade skincare product that you can find in dermatologist or esthetician offices, rather than Sephora or other beauty stores. It’s extremely effective, and comes in three different strengths - 10%, 15%, and 20% - so there’s something for everyone. I recommend dry, sensitive skin types start with 10%; Vitamin C is a strong skincare product, and even if you only use it once or twice a week, the 20% can still be too intense and cause irritation/ damage your skin barrier, which is a nightmare to deal with. Over time, I’ve acclimated my skin and now use the 15% about five times a week (closer to 3x a week during the dry winter season). This noticeably brightens discoloration and dark spots, and you may feel a slight tingle/ burn when you first apply it. The scent itself is not great, but it fades quickly and I’d rather deal with that than have a brand add fragrance to their product, since fragrance is unnecessary and generally irritating to all skin types. The serum also feels a little sticky; follow-up with moisturizer and it’ll go away. While the serum has a yellow/ orange tint to it, it’s also easy to cover with makeup and the results make it worth it, even at around $110 per bottle. PS - Dermstore does put this on sale pretty regularly, so that helps you save a little.

KORA Organics Kakadu Plum Brightening Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid - The KORA Organics brand is really underrated in my opinion; it’s one of the few celebrity-founded brands with high-quality products. I love their turmeric mask as well this Vitamin C serum. It soaks into the skin quickly, leaving you so hydrated and with a subtle glow (no shine, for those who don’t love the extra-dewy look). It’s gentle enough to use daily, and I did have a noticeable improvement in the overall tone and texture of my skin after just a few weeks of consistent use. $75 isn’t cheap, but the ingredients are vegan, cruelty-free, and it also contains hyaluronic acid, so it’s also anti-aging and helps regenerate the skin.

Just a note - another really popular Vitamin C serum is the Summer Fridays CC Me Vitamin C + Niacinamide Serum. I mention it only to suggest you be careful before trying this out (please patch test!) because niacinamide can irritate sensitive skin; it’s very much a “love it or hate it” skincare ingredient. My skin has gotten a little less sensitive over the years, but I don’t think i’ll ever be able to handle niacinamide. However, some of my friends definitely love the Summer Fridays serum, so if you know that your skin isn’t as sensitive to niacinamde as mine, it may be worth trying.

how to apply vitamin c oil to dry, sensitive skin

Because Vitamin C reduces hyperpigmentation and can actually make you more sensitive to skin damage if you don’t apply SPF, I used to think it was best to apply it at night. Instead, you should apply Vitamin C as part of your morning skincare routine, especially since it helps protect against environmental pollution and free radicals. Here’s when to apply it, as well as tips and tricks to get the most out of it:

Apply your Vitamin C serum/ oil after cleansing and toning.
Let the Vitamin C fully dry/ absorb before continuing on with moisturizer.
If you’re using Vitamin C as part of your morning skincare routine, don’t forget to use SPF!
Sensitive skin types should stick to applying Vitamin C only once a day.
- The Biossance Oil I mentioned above is really gentle, doesn’t contain much Vitamin C, is really hydrating, so I can still apply this nightly without worrying about overdoing it. But not all Vitamin C skincare products are created equally, so be sure to patch test or start slow (1-2x a week) until your skin acclimates.
It’s okay if your skin tingles or burns slightly upon application of a Vitamin C oil or serum; if your face feels hot or the burning sensation doesn’t subside after a few minutes, you may be having an adverse reaction and it’s best to wash it off to avoid further irritation.
If you’re brand new to using Vitamin C oils or serums and have dry, sensitive skin, I recommend mixing a few drops with your moisturizer (or applying after moisturizer) to slowly acclimate your skin. Dermatologists and estheticians might disagree with me or argue that it makes the Vitamin C less effective, but my skin is extremely sensitive, and if I did things “their way” my skin never would’ve been able to handle Vitamin C. I’d rather start slow, get my skin used to it, and work up it than risk damaging my skin barrier.
Speaking of that.. one time I did overdo it and applied too much Vitamin C serum because I had spilled it and didn’t want to “waste” any product. Big mistake - my skin felt fine in the moment, but then peeled for days. Don’t overdo it! You may think more product = more results, but it’s more like more product = more irritation. Like all good things, skincare results take time, so be patient and know that slow and steady wins the race (and the prize is glowy skin with even texture and tone.. everyone’s dream).