Paula's Choice

Vitamin C.

Serums

About this product

Paula's Choice Vitamin C is a vitamin C serum designed to brighten the skin and provide antioxidant protection.

Type

SerumsDrops & dropper

Key actives

Vitamin CVitamin ESPF

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Full ingredients

Avobenzone⁠, Octinoxate⁠, Octisalate⁠, Octocrylene⁠, Aqua/Water/Eau⁠, Glycerin⁠, Silica⁠, 3-O Ethyl Ascorbic Acid⁠, Ascorbyl Glucoside⁠, Dimethicone⁠, Propanediol⁠, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate⁠, Acetyl Zingerone⁠, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer⁠, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate⁠, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer⁠, Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract⁠, Hydrogenated Lecithin⁠, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil⁠, Sodium Hydroxide⁠, Tocopherol⁠, Xanthan Gum⁠, Ethylhexylglycerin⁠, Laureth-4⁠, Phenoxyethanol⁠, Potassium Sorbate⁠, Sodium Benzoate⁠, Titanium Dioxide⁠, Iron Oxides⁠, Entada Phaseoloides Bark/Seed Extract⁠

Guru Score

80%

Approved

Early verdict · Few reviews so far

2Gurus

2Approved

0Mixed

0Skip

What the gurus are saying

Paula's Choice Vitamin C oxidizes quickly (meaning the serum breaks down faster than more stable formulas) but still holds its own against pricier Skinceuticals and earns praise for its strong formulation and good value. For people seeking longer shelf life, experts recommend trying 3-O ethyl ascorbic acid, a more stable alternative form that cleaves in the skin and absorbs readily.

Synthesized from 2 expert reviews · most recent take July 2026

Where to buy

Find it at Amazon → Compare prices on Google Shopping →

How it works Independent by design. Every take comes from a creator we have no relationship with. We do not ask anyone to review, and affiliate links never move a score.

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Approved takes Critical takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

Dr. Jenny Liu

320k subs

✓Approved

"Paula's Choice Vitamin C is also a great option with good formulation."

Doctorly

3.58M subs

✓Approved

"The one from Paula's Choice is a good option."

All 3 takes from Doctorly

PART 2: 2025 BEST BLACK FRIDAY CYBER MONDAY SKINCARE AND DEVICE DEALS LIVE

"The one from Paula's Choice is a good option."

2025 BEST BLACK FRIDAY CYBER MONDAY SKINCARE AND DEVICE DEALS LIVE

"The Paula's Choice one is a really great analog of the one from Skin Ceuticals, and it's a lot less expensive, but it does oxidize pretty quickly. If you're looking for a Vitamin C that doesn't oxidize that's probably going to give you very similar results, look for something with 3-O ethyl ascorbic acid. It's an ethylated form of Vitamin C which that cleaves that ethyl group once it enters into the skin and it's more stable, absorbs easier into the skin and it will have a much longer shelf life."

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What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Vitamin C

Topical vitamin C is an antioxidant with reasonable evidence for dullness and uneven tone. It breaks down in light and air, so how a product is formulated and packaged matters as much as the percentage on the front.

Source: DermNet

Sunscreen filters

Sun protection is the best evidenced way to slow visible ageing, and the filters are what does the work. Mineral and chemical filters both protect when a product is applied thickly enough and often enough, which is where most people fall short rather than on the choice of filter.

Source: DermNet

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant, and it is often in a formula to keep the other ingredients stable rather than as the active itself. It pairs well with vitamin C, though on its own the evidence for visible change is limited.

Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

Frequently asked.

What is Paula's Choice Vitamin C?

Paula's Choice Vitamin C is a vitamin C serum designed to brighten the skin and provide antioxidant protection.

Is Paula's Choice Vitamin C worth it?

Yes. All 2 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 80%.

What is Paula's Choice Vitamin C's Guru Score?

Paula's Choice Vitamin C holds a Guru Score of 80%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 2 expert reviewers we have collected.