Vitamin C’s ability to improve and rejuvenate skin makes it an anti-aging skin care darling. Vitamin C is useful in acne-related skin care products as well as skin care products for a variety of other indications.

For answers to these and other questions, we asked Drs. Joel and Daniel Schlessinger, board-certified dermatologists, Mohs surgeons and cosmetic surgeons, to answer some frequently asked questions on this topic, including:

• Does vitamin C help with acne?

• Does vitamin C help with acne scars?

• Can vitamin C serum cause acne?

• What are the best vitamin C products for blemish-prone skin?

Does vitamin C help with acne?

“Vitamin C reduces inflammation in skin, which is why it can help improve inflammatory skin conditions such as acne and rosacea,” says Dr. Daniel Schlessinger, LovelySkin Medical Director. “Vitamin C also improves overall skin texture by promoting the production of collagen, a protein that provides your skin its structure.”

Does vitamin C help with acne scars?

“A vitamin C serum for acne scars is something I find helpful for my patients,” says LovelySkin CEO Dr. Joel Schlessinger. “Vitamin C helps improve mild acne scarring by brightening skin and effectively reducing the dark ‘shadow’ that can be left behind on your skin after a breakout has healed. Part of this is due to the antioxidant properties, which reverse some sun damage.” Topical vitamin C helps reduce the appearance of discoloration by inhibiting melanin synthesis in the skin.

The use of vitamin C in a serum or cream is helpful for minor scarring, but it won’t have an appreciable effect on severe scarring so if you have severe acne scarring, consider visiting a board-certified dermatologist. They will determine whether you might be a good candidate for prescription options such as Accutane or in-office procedures such as resurfacing lasers, subcision, fillers or chemical peels. “For severe acne scars that aren’t flat spots but rather dimensional pits in the skin, I recommend laser treatments such as HALOⓇ or MOXIⓇ,” Dr. Daniel Schlessinger says.

Can vitamin C serum cause acne?

“I’ve found that most of my patients tolerate vitamin C well, and there are many vitamin C products formulated specifically for acne-prone skin,” Dr. Joel Schlessinger says. “However, if you notice any redness, irritation or an increase in breakouts after using vitamin C, I would discontinue use and then gradually reintroduce it into your regimen. If that still doesn’t help, you may be sensitive to vitamin C, but that is very rare.”

Our best vitamin C products for blemish-prone skin

Whether you’re on the hunt for a vitamin C serum for acne scars or an exfoliating scrub to help curb body acne, there are lots of options out there. Here’s a detailed look at some of our favorite dermatologist-recommended vitamin C products for acne-prone skin.

LovelySkin LUXE Acne Essentials Duo: Clarifying Gel Cleanser + Acne Care Gel 9%

The starring ingredient behind this two-piece acne care set is afaLUXE, a dermatologist-developed blend of amino-based filaggrin antioxidants, vitamin C and Dead Sea minerals. The clarifying gel cleanser combines afaLUXE with acne-taming glycolic and salicylic acids, while the acne gel contains 9% afaLUXE.

“Using afaLUXE is a gentle yet effective way to address acne as well as acne scarring,” Dr. Joel Schlessinger says. “It helps remove the dead skin cells and oil that can lead to clogged pores while also stimulating collagen production and balancing your skin’s moisture barrier.”

The LovelySkin Luxe Acne Care Gel is a step-up product, meaning you can start with the 9% concentration and then graduate to the next-highest concentration, LovelySkin LUXE Exfoliating Gel Mild 11%. After that, there’s LovelySkin LUXE Exfoliating Gel Plus with 15% afaLUXE and LovelySkin LUXE Exfoliating Gel Max with 19% afaLUXE.

SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF Vitamin C Serum

SkinCeuticals is known for its robust line of antioxidant serums, and this one is specifically formulated for oily and acne-prone skin. Silymarin CF features 15% L-ascorbic acid, the purest form of vitamin C, along with 0.5% ferulic acid and 0.5% salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid that helps unclog pores by gently exfoliating your skin. Its namesake ingredient, silymarin, is an antioxidant derived from milk thistle that helps prevent a process called oil oxidation that can lead to acne.

Glo Skin Beauty Acne Spot Treatment & Oil Free Camouflage Duo

For days when you’re contending with active breakouts, this two-piece kit from Glo Skin Beauty has you covered—literally. It features a spot treatment and oil-free concealer to treat and then conceal pimples while they heal. In addition to vitamin C, the spot treatment also contains salicylic acid and sulfur, two active ingredients that help reduce the size and severity of acne breakouts. The concealer comes in several different shades, from Sand to Tawny, so you can find the right match for your skin color.

iS CLINICAL Pro-Heal Advance+

Specifically formulated for acne-prone and rosacea-prone skin, this face serum makes a powerful player in your skin care routine if you struggle with both concerns. It helps reduce redness, irritation and breakouts with vitamin C (15% L-ascorbic acid), vitamin E and retinol. It also contains arbutin, an ingredient that helps fade discoloration and dark spots.

Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum

Retinol, a form of vitamin A, is also known for its abilities to address acne, uneven skin tone and fine lines. That’s why we love that it’s included as a sidekick to vitamin C in this rejuvenating face serum from Augustinus Bader. This formula helps address acne at the root and reduces deep wrinkles as well as acne scars with retinol, vitamin C, niacinamide and TFC8, a proprietary complex that works to help repair damaged skin.

Eminence Organics Monoi Age Corrective Exfoliating Cleanser Duo

If you like the feel of a grainy face scrub but need something slightly gentler, this exfoliating cleanser made with finely ground olive seeds could be your new favorite. Vitamin C helps brighten skin while fruit enzymes from pineapple, passionfruit, grape and lemon work together to dissolve dead skin cells on the surface of the skin for smoother, more even-looking skin.

It also contains monoi, a fragrant oil made from Tahitian gardenia petals, to help firm and hydrate skin. This duo features two pump bottles, so you can use one and stash a back-up in your bathroom cabinet for when you run out.

Natura Bisse C+C Vitamin Scrub

If you’re looking to address body acne as well, this vitamin C scrub for both face and body can pull double duty in your skin care routine. It helps prevent clogged pores with dual-action exfoliation thanks to alpha hydroxy acids (specifically citric and malic acid, which acts as chemical exfoliants) and rosehip seeds, a gentle physical exfoliant.

Are you ready to soak in some more skin care intel? You can learn about what active ingredients best complement vitamin C on the LovelySkin Blog.