Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Brightening Skin Corrector Serum (15% formula)

What the experts use it for.

The concerns the experts tie this product to, in their own words. Paid and founder takes don't count.

Breakouts and acne1 expert

“it's also got a few nice extracts that are going to really help with making sure that you're not getting many breakouts as well”

Dr. Somji Skin, watch at 8:22

Excess oil and shine1 expert

“I believe with the price point if you're going through two bottles every month it kind of is similar to the skin suiticles but this is another great alternative that you can consider for those with normal to oily skin.”

Dr. Jenny Liu, watch at 19:17

Dark spots and post-acne marks1 expert

“you want that to touch your skin first to help reduce dark spots fight free radical damage.”

Dr. Daniel Sugai, watch at 3:59

Irritated or reactive skin1 expert

“this ensures that they are stable and great for sensitive skin because they do not contain a lot of extra filler or unnecessary ingredients that increase their risk of irritation or contact dermatitis”

The Budget Dermatologist, watch at 3:40

Skin barrier support1 expert

“it's got glycerin which helps with the skin barrier”

Dr. Somji Skin, watch at 8:22

Dull skin1 expert

“There are great ones over the counter, and Vichy's LiftActiv vitamin C is one of them, it's great for brightening and supporting collagen.”

Dr. Jenny Liu, watch at 10:30

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 Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

Dr. Daniel Sugai

723k subs

~Yay

"Vichy LiftActiv has 16% l-ascorbic acid, so it's higher than CeraVe, and instead of paying $35, we see a deal at $23 on Prime Day. [...] This is one of my favorite hydrating vitamin C serums. It's like taking the hyaluronic acid step and vitamin C and combining them, and you just plump up your skin and then follow up with a moisturizer and your sunscreen. If you're not using vitamin C serum and you want something hydrating, definitely keep an eye on this for the holidays."

All 7 takes from Dr. Daniel Sugai

How to Upgrade your Morning Skincare Routine!

"Most recently I've been bringing back Vichy LiftActiv into my routine. Dermatology vitamin C plus F is nice there's also higher price points like"

The Best Affordable Vitamin C Serums!

"They used to have those glass vials, those ampules that you would break off quite dangerous, and so they got rid of those and now they have ones in a dropper bottle or even one in this like plastic tip applicator. I can't find that product right now but I feel like that one has been giving me trouble, it has been if I have it tilted to the side it does leak quite readily so be careful with that one."

Unlocking The Secrets Of Layering Skincare Serums: Dermatologist's Layering Serums 101 Guide

"Vichy has the active ascorbic acid but it's very labile and you want that to touch your skin first to help reduce dark spots fight free radical damage. So I would say after cleansing apply Vitamin C first before going on to hyaluronic acid. If you end up switching the two that's fine, hyaluronic acid is a pretty neutral ingredient and so if you applied that first I'd say your vitamin C is still being put to work."

Dermatologist Reviews: Best Budget Vitamin C Serum Roundup

"This is the Vichy LiftActiv, and this is a vitamin C serum that I've been using since 2020. Really great brand, makes great retinols. [...] This has been so nice. It's 15% ferulic acid and vitamin E, so it's comparable to more expensive options, but [...] this is only 30 to 35 bucks, so it's a very affordable option that I've been using quite a bit. It also has hyaluronic acid and that nice 15% vitamin C serum that I feel is right in that sweet spot."

Dermatologist Explains: Three Ways to Glow Up Your Skin Today

"Another nice vitamin C option that I like a lot is Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C. It's 15% vitamin C. They don't make the vials anymore, those little ampules, but this one with the dropper is very good. But you also have to use it within 3 months because this will change color."

Best Affordable Skincare Routine Over 50 | Dermatologist’s Morning & Night Picks

"My favorite right now that's drugstore branded would be Vichy's 16% vitamin C serum. Their LiftActiv is very hydrating, plumping, almost replaces a hyaluronic acid step."

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"Vichy LiftActiv has 16% l-ascorbic acid, so it's higher than CeraVe, and instead of paying $35, we see a deal at $23 on Prime Day. [...] This is one of my favorite hydrating vitamin C serums. It's like taking the hyaluronic acid step and vitamin C and combining them, and you just plump up your skin and then follow up with a moisturizer and your sunscreen. If you're not using vitamin C serum and you want something hydrating, definitely keep an eye on this for the holidays."

Dr. Jenny Liu

324k subs

~Yay

"Aside from the C Ferulic, I think Vichy vitamin C is great, and you just want to make sure that you look for one that's been shown to clinically support the oxidative stress."

All 5 takes from Dr. Jenny Liu

Stop Wasting Money on the Wrong Vitamin C—A DERM Explains What Matters | Dr. Jenny Liu

"This is also watery and in a bottle I believe lasts two months. So once you open it you do want to use it up within two months versus the skin suiticles where once you open you want to use it up within six months. So it has a little bit longer time. I believe with the price point if you're going through two bottles every month it kind of is similar to the skin suiticles but this is another great alternative that you can consider for those with normal to oily skin."

Anti-Aging & Prevention Dermatologist Guide | Skincare In Your 30s

"They're Lift Active that I find to be a fairly good alternative to this Skinceuticals CE Ferulic as well as other ones that I've been trying this year and really been loving."

Viral Skincare Products I'd Never - A Derm's Honest Review | Dr. Jenny Liu

"You don't necessarily have to splurge to get a good vitamin C serum backed by science. [...] There are great ones over the counter, and Vichy's LiftActiv vitamin C is one of them, it's great for brightening and supporting collagen."

Ozempic Face Is Real | Dermatologist Explains How to Prevent & Fix It

"Vichy vitamin C I find is a very similar dupe. It has a watery texture, but the formulation is really wonderful and well studied, not comparable to SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic, but it does have more data compared to many brands out there."

You're Losing 1% of Your Collagen Every Year — Here's How to Slow It Down | Dr. Jenny Liu

"Aside from the C Ferulic, I think Vichy vitamin C is great, and you just want to make sure that you look for one that's been shown to clinically support the oxidative stress."

Dr. Aleksandra Brown

153k subs

~Mixed

"I have used this one. For some reason, this antioxidant left my skin almost orangish looking around the hairline. It could be the user. Somehow it did not sit amazing under my sunscreen and I really don't know if I applied it incorrectly or I used too much. I will try again. It didn't have that crazy smell like the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic did to me."

Dr. Mamina

283k subs

~Yay

"In terms of drugstore sunscreens, one of my favorites is the Vichy Vitamin C serum."

Top Pick: budget friendly vitamin c

All 3 takes from Dr. Mamina

Understanding Hyperpigmentation + Treat Dark Spots with these Products

"If you're looking for more budget friendly vitamin C's I love the Vichy Vitamin C serum"

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"If you want a more budget friendly vitamin C I really like the Vichy vitamin C serum"

Skincare for Your 30’s | Dermatologist-Recommended Steps

"In terms of drugstore sunscreens, one of my favorites is the Vichy Vitamin C serum."

208SkinDoc

2.11M subs

~Yay

"The Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C is a really great option that's a little bit higher price point but has a nice elegant feel to it. This is one that I enjoy using, and it's travel friendly, so I often keep it in my travel bag when I'm taking trips."

Tea with MD

115k subs

~Yay

"Another awesome L-ascorbic acid based product is the Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C serum. This contains 15% L-ascorbic acid, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and pine polyphenols which are just another class of antioxidants. I like this one because it is very lightweight but still hydrating and it comes out as a serum and it's really easy to layer over. It doesn't irritate my skin so I'm a big fan of this one."

Dr. Somji Skin

361k subs

~Yay

"You've got the Vichy vitamin C which is a nice example of a serum, it's got multiple different types of things in there as well so it's got things like vitamin E in there and [...] it's got glycerin which helps with the skin barrier and it's also got a few nice extracts that are going to really help with making sure that you're not getting many breakouts as well"

All 2 takes from Dr. Somji Skin

Doctor's Guide to Radiant Skincare: Crafting Your Routine

"You've got this Vichy vitamin C it's not my favorite vitamin C in the market"

Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing the Best Serum for Your Skin!

"You've got the Vichy vitamin C which is a nice example of a serum, it's got multiple different types of things in there as well so it's got things like vitamin E in there and [...] it's got glycerin which helps with the skin barrier and it's also got a few nice extracts that are going to really help with making sure that you're not getting many breakouts as well"

Doctorly

3.59M subs

~Yay

"I love the Vichy serums, the LiftActiv line is a real win for me."

HotandFlashy

1.23M subs

~Nay

"I did find one at the drugstore that is formulated at the right pH, and that is the Vichy Liftactiv Vitamin C Serum. However, as you can see, this is already brown, it has oxidized a bit already, probably because it's been sitting on the shelf in that CVS for a long time. So is this my top choice? Absolutely not."

Dr Dray

2.69M subs

~Mixed

"When we talk about vitamin C, I like to focus on ascorbic acid because that's really where the data lie, and this one by Vichy is an option. I [...] suggest going with bigger brands that have large R&D, like Vichy, which is a L'Oreal brand. But the packaging here is a dropper bottle, and [...] as the ascorbic acid is exposed to air each time you go in and out of that package, it is more likely that the ascorbic acid will degrade, so ideally airless pumps would be a better option."

The Budget Dermatologist

725k subs

~Yay

"I consider this just a best all-around product. It is a very good formulation. I love Vichy, it's a French skincare brand because so many of their products they have such simple straightforward formulations with just the quality ingredients, not a lot of fluff, and that is how I feel about this product. My favorite thing is this new and improved bottling packaging of it. It is a dropper bottle formula so the top just turn it over, a couple drops, and you put it on."

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

Humectants and emollients

Ingredients like these draw water into the surface layers and slow how fast it leaves. The evidence is for comfort, softness and hydration rather than for changing the structure of the skin.

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 Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Brightening Skin Corrector Serum (15% formula)?

A lightweight vitamin C serum with 15% L-ascorbic acid, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and antioxidants in a dropper bottle, designed to brighten and support skin firmness.

Is Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Brightening Skin Corrector Serum (15% formula) worth it?

The gurus mostly approve it, but with enough reservations to keep it in the middle at a Guru Score of 73%.

What is Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Brightening Skin Corrector Serum (15% formula)'s Guru Score?

Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Brightening Skin Corrector Serum (15% formula) holds a Guru Score of 73%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 11 expert reviewers we have collected. At least one expert has named it a Top Pick in its category.

Who is Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Brightening Skin Corrector Serum (15% formula) best for?

Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Brightening Skin Corrector Serum (15% formula) is generally suited to mature skin.

What is Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Brightening Skin Corrector Serum (15% formula) good for, according to the experts?

In their reviews, experts say Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Brightening Skin Corrector Serum (15% formula) is good for breakouts and acne (1 expert), excess oil and shine (1 expert), dark spots and post-acne marks (1 expert), irritated or reactive skin (1 expert), skin barrier support (1 expert) and dull skin (1 expert).