Is an expensive vitamin C serum actually worth it?

We compare a £49 stabilised vitamin C with a £6 alternative and look at what you are really paying for.

Noui Collective · · 5 min read

Is an expensive vitamin C serum actually worth it? — Noui Collective editorial

Vitamin C is one of the best evidenced antioxidants in skincare, but price and performance are not the same thing. What matters most is the form used, the concentration, the packaging and whether you will actually use it daily.\n\nStabilised derivatives such as tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate tend to sting less and keep better, which is why they appear in higher priced formulas. Pure L-ascorbic acid can be more potent but oxidises faster.\n\nOur view: buy the vitamin C you will finish. A well packaged mid-price serum used every morning beats a luxury one used twice a month.

From the Noui catalogue

Products worth comparing

Prices come from our live retailer comparison, not from this article. Some pricing is still placeholder data while retailer feeds are connected.

Medik8 C-Tetra Vitamin C Serum

Medik8

C-Tetra Vitamin C Serum

30ml · 4.6★ (4,300)

Brightens · Gentle vitamin C

Coming soon

We're onboarding retail partners for this product.

Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster

Paula's Choice

C15 Super Booster

20ml · 4.5★ (9,100)

Brightens · Antioxidant defence

Coming soon

We're onboarding retail partners for this product.

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