Buying guide
The best medical-grade vitamin C serums
The morning antioxidant routine
Three steps. Antioxidant under sunscreen, every morning.
- 1
Cleanse
Cleansing Gel 8oz
skinbetter scienceA mild gel cleanser.
$48 - 2
Antioxidant
Alto Defense Serum
skinbetter scienceA morning antioxidant serum with a broader blend than a single-ingredient vitamin C, and a good choice for sensitive or redness-prone skin.
$165 - 3
Protect
HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF36
AlastinAntioxidants work alongside sunscreen, never instead of it.
$79
How they compare
| Product | Best for | What it is | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alto Defense Serum skinbetter science |
Sensitive or redness-prone skin, first antioxidant | Broad antioxidant blend rather than vitamin C alone | $165 | |
| Alto Advanced Defense and Repair skinbetter science |
Already using an antioxidant and want more | skinbetter's more concentrated antioxidant serum | $190 | |
| C-Radical Defense Antioxidant Serum Alastin |
Pairing with treatments | A novel form of vitamin C plus 14 antioxidants, per Alastin | $199 | |
| Pro Heal Serum iS Clinical |
Blemish-prone or reactive skin | iS Clinical's vitamin C antioxidant serum | $103 |
What makes a vitamin C serum medical-grade
Medical-grade lines are sold through licensed practices rather than retail counters. They generally carry higher concentrations of active ingredients, and buying through a practice means you know the product is authentic and in date. Vitamin C in particular degrades with heat and light, so where it has been stored matters.
Vitamin C serum for sensitive skin
Pure L-ascorbic acid at high strength can sting. If your skin is sensitive, a multi-antioxidant blend such as Alto Defense is the easier way in. Patch test, and use it in the morning only to start.
How to use a vitamin C serum
Morning, after cleansing and before moisturizer and sunscreen. A few drops or one pump covers the face. Pair it with a retinoid at night rather than using both at once. After a laser, peel or microneedling, wait for your provider's go-ahead before restarting.
Questions people ask
What is the best medical-grade vitamin C serum for sensitive skin?
Of what we carry, skinbetter Alto Defense, because its antioxidant blend is gentler than high-strength vitamin C alone.
Is Alto a vitamin C serum?
Alto contains vitamin C as part of a broader antioxidant blend, which is why people search for it as the skinbetter vitamin C serum.
Should I use vitamin C in the morning or at night?
Morning, under sunscreen. That is when antioxidant protection is most useful.
Can I use vitamin C and retinol together?
Use vitamin C in the morning and the retinoid at night.
Treatment at BHRC
IPL photofacials
Antioxidants pair well with in-clinic treatments for sun damage and dullness.
Keep reading
Products are dispensed by Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Center, an authorized retailer. This guide is general education, not medical advice. Follow the aftercare instructions from your own provider.
