Vitamin C serums are one of the most recommended skincare products—but also one of the most misunderstood.
Patients ask me all the time:
“Do I really need to spend over $100 on a vitamin C serum at the start?”
The answer is no—but there’s a reason some formulas perform better than others.
In this video, I break down:
• What vitamin C actually does for your skin
• Why L-ascorbic acid is the gold standard
• Why percentage alone doesn’t tell the full story
• The real reason some vitamin C serums irritate or don’t work
• How to choose a beginner-friendly vitamin C serum
• Affordable dermatologist-recommended options that actually perform
The biggest mistake I see in clinic?
People blaming vitamin C—when the real issue is the formulation.
If you’re new to vitamin C or struggling with irritation, this video will help you start the right way.
👍 If this helped, subscribe for evidence-based dermatology content every week.
Products mentioned:
CeraVe Skin Renewing Vit C Serum
Maelove The Glow Maker
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
Vichy 16% Ascorbic Acid Vitamin C Serum
Timeless 20% Vit C Serum
RoC Revive + Glow Daily Serum
Naturium Vit C Complex
Vanicream Vit C Serum
#VitaminCSerum #SkincareRoutine #Dermatologist #SkincareTips #Hyperpigmentation #AntiAgingSkin #SkinCareScience #LAscorbicAcid #Dermatology #DrSugai #NoBSSkincare #SkincareEducation #SensitiveSkin #AcneRoutine #SkinCareMistakes #drsugaiskincare
You can check out my recommended collections of products on Shop My Shelf-
Please check out my Amazon storefront for categorized skin care products that I recommend:
Please follow me on Instagram for more skin care tips and education:
and on
TikTok:
Disclaimer: This video is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment with your healthcare professional. This is for medical educational purposes only.
I am not sponsored by any of the companies mentioned in this video. As an Amazon Associate/Influencer, Shop My Shelf, Reward Style Affiliate, DRMTLGY and SkinStore Affiliate Partner I earn from qualifying purchases.
Dr. Daniel Sugai
Board Certified Dermatologist
Im going to look for a new Vitamin C brand. Ive been using CeraVe 10% for a year now, on the second tube.
And yes it oxidizes quickly, usually after 3 months. When i buy the new brand, I’ll use the rest of the CeraVe on my hands . They have sunspots too. Thank you Dr Sugai.
Can you review the new Remedy ‘s C vitamin serum/
Really appreciate the reminder to start slow — a few drops every other morning in week one saved my skin from that initial tingling phase.
love my cosrx c13… I started with melano cc premium essence….
The anhydrous vs water-based breakdown was so clarifying — finally understand why some L-AA serums feel so different. For sensitive skin that flushes with 20% L-ascorbic acid, would you recommend dropping to 10% L-AA or switching to a derivative like sodium ascorbyl phosphate for daily AM use under sunscreen? Curious whether the photoprotection boost holds up equally with derivatives.