Vitamin C has long been a chosen beauty ingredient simple for these 3 benefits that it offers the skin: lightening, tightening and brightening. It’s perfect for a myriad of problems including sun damage, acne scaring, and aging concerns. I love vitamin C because, similar to the reasons that you take it for your body – to prevent and cure the common cold, it is ideal in curing my uneven skin tone due to lack of luster and overall sun damage from my preteen years. If you are lucky enough to have a flawless complexion (not I, sadly), I’d still recommend vitamin C products for their preventative abilities. After all, even the most porcelain of complexions can use a bit of brightening – and tightening -, am I wrong?

What a better time to discuss my favorite Vitamin C products then in the height of summer, when we should all be giving our skin some TLC (and a pause from the sun).

Murad Intensive C Radiance Peel ($49.50 for 1.7 oz) – I love this product so much I literally did a count down until it was launched. You use it like a mask, 1-2 times per week, but it acts as an enzyme peel so it doesn’t harden on skin. The result is instantly brighter and tighter skin that glows.

Sanitas Vitamin C Serum ($89 for 30 ml) – I am having such a love affair with serums and this Vitamin C one is my serum of choice. It makes my skin feel quenched and look dewy without any greasy residue or breakouts. And I have noticed a significant decrease in my uneven skin tone and sunspots along with an overall healthier glow to my complexion.

Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate ($58 for 1.7 oz) – With 10.5% vitamin C, the brand boasts that this product is as potent as a retinoid but without the sensitivity. This is a fabulous cream to add to a more mature or damaged complexion’s skin routine. They say that results were noticed in 8 weeks on tone, texture and lines and wrinkles.

Philosophy Turbo Booster C Powder ($35 for 0.25 oz) – I wrote about this product years ago (here), but it’s still a favorite. It’s vitamin C powder (literally!) that you can combine with your favorite serum or moisturizer for a potent lightening, tightening and brightening effect. It may sting a bit at first, but I always believe that means the ingredients are working. And skin will definitely look and feel tighter after just a few applications.

Murad Essential-C Day Moisture SPF 30 ($60) – Vitamin C takes care of sun damage, but you’ll need an SPF to prevent future damage. Murad’s Essential-C line is all that — and more. The moisturizer is hydrating and medium to thick while the benefits of vitamin C will give skin a healthy glow and the added SPF protects against UVA and UVB rays. Multitasking!

Avalon Organics Vitamin C Vitality Facial Serum *drugstore find* ($23 for 1 fl oz) – This is a fantastic organic face serum at a moderately lower price point. It targets hyperpigmentation, sagging skin and fine lines with a combination of vitamin C and white Tea to promote cellular renewal. The formula is more watery and less thick than Sanitas.