Index / Naturium / Vitamin C Complex Serum
Naturium

Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum.

#11 in SerumsSee the ranking →
About this product

A lightweight serum combining stabilized vitamin C forms with antioxidants, hydrators, and complementary actives to brighten skin tone, support collagen, and address multiple concerns.

Full ingredients

Aqua, Glycerin, Propanediol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbic Acid, Glutathione, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Pleiogynium Timoriense Fruit Extract, Podocarpus Elatus Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hydroxide, Betaglucan, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Xanthan Gum, Algin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Benzoic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Gold, Polysorbate 60, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbic Acid

More from Naturium 36 products · Guru Score 96% →

Guru Score

86%

Yay

11 experts · Strong agreement
Guru Certified
Broad expert consensus

What the gurus are saying

This serum earns consistent praise for its gentle, well-balanced formulation and genuine brightening results, especially for those with sensitive or dry skin who struggle with stronger vitamin C products. The stable vitamin C derivatives (L-ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbyl phosphate) work alongside glutathione, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid to fade uneven tone and support skin firmness without irritation. The higher pH limits potency compared to more aggressive formulas, so expect gentler results that reward patience, and those with truly sensitive skin will likely find it more comfortable than the pure L-ascorbic acid alternatives.
Synthesized from 11 expert reviews · most recent take July 2026

What they liked

  • Gentle for sensitive skin
  • Stabilized dual vitamin C forms
  • Hydrating serum texture

What they flagged

  • High pH limits potency
  • Lower concentration than premium products

Type

Key actives

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

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What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

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✓Yay
"The [...] Vitamin C Complex Serum is honestly one of my favorites so far, it's super gentle, it worked really well on my skin, and my skin barrier absolutely loved it, I used every single drop out of the bottle. The vitamin C forms are legit, but the pH issue [...] will limit the potency of that acid unless you have sensitive skin, in which case you would absolutely love this."
Top Pick: influencer vitamin c serum
All 3 takes from April Basi
I Ranked Dermatologist & Influencer Vitamin C Serums (As a Cosmetic Chemist)
"The [...] Vitamin C Complex Serum is honestly one of my favorites so far, it's super gentle, it worked really well on my skin, and my skin barrier absolutely loved it, I used every single drop out of the bottle. The vitamin C forms are legit, but the pH issue [...] will limit the potency of that acid unless you have sensitive skin, in which case you would absolutely love this."
Are You Wasting Money on the WRONG Vitamin C Serum for Your Skin Type? Naturium, Timeless, Maelove
"It's packed, [...] it has glutathione for brightening, salicylic acid for unclogging pores, retinol for retexturizing your skin especially those dry areas, niacinamide for oil control and for brightening hyperpigmentation, and hyaluronic acid to plump back the skin especially those dry areas. [...] This product is really well balanced, it has all the ingredients that are really required for the two skin types that you have, [...] and from my perspective as a chemist you can't go wrong."
Chemist BEST VITAMIN C SERUMS for your NEXT LEVEL GLOW | Hot Vitamin C Pairings ♡ April Basi
"Some products I love in this category is Nerium's Vitamin C Complex Serum. This one has vitamin C and glutathione to increase brightness in the skin."
✓Yay
"Naturium, which is very good for those with dry, dehydrated skin. Very hydrating. I love that airtight pump product, and it's probably my favorite product in the Naturium line."
All 7 takes from Dr. Daniel Sugai
How to Actually Choose a Vitamin C Serum (Dermatologist Guide)
"Naturium, which is very good for those with dry, dehydrated skin. Very hydrating. I love that airtight pump product, and it's probably my favorite product in the Naturium line."
The Only 5 Skincare Ingredient Categories You Actually Need
"Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum has been awesome, it's my favorite product in the whole Naturium line. I feel like the hyaluronic acid in it is very hydrating and plumping to the skin. It's a derivative, so it's theoretically potentially gentler, and [...] if you don't want anything with fragrance, go for Naturium's vitamin C serum with the derivative."
How to ACTUALLY Fix Dark Spots (Dermatologist No-BS Guide)
"I've had success with those light freckles being lightened by vitamin C serums. And I always say use it in the morning. You can use it at night, but it does boost the sun protection abilities of sunscreen. So I always say apply it in the morning and then apply your sunscreen after that to protect your skin from oxidative stress you might get from sunlight and pollution."
The Best Skin Care Routine for the Beach | Summer Sunscreen and Products for the Month
"You can do something very affordable like Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum that comes in a nice airtight pump, has a stable vitamin C with some gold and glutathione. I love the texture of this and you can find it at Target, Amazon, online."
Dermatologist Recommended Anti-Aging Essentials- Dermatologist Reviews
"If ascorbic acid is too irritating for you, or you worry about the instability of vitamin C, you can consider something like Naturium. This one is like 20 something bucks at Target, and it has glutathione and gold to stabilize it."
Dermatologist Reviews: Best Budget Vitamin C Serum Roundup
"Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum, this is my favorite product of the brand, and this is also a nice stable derivative of vitamin C. It has glutathione and gold to help stabilize it, and it also has hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. Vitamin E is another antioxidant that helps stabilize vitamin C, and they work together in brightening your skin. So big thumbs up to this one."
Dermatologist Explains: Three Ways to Glow Up Your Skin Today
"I've talked about Naturium's Vitamin C Complex Serum, very nice texture, very stable."
✓Yay
"But this one's still effective. It's going to help even out dull, uneven skin tone, support that collagen production, which is going to be ideal for that 40s and going into menopause skin that has lost some of its glow. I think it's perfect for your everyday vitamin C, especially if you have sensitive or redness-prone skin that can't tolerate the OG L-ascorbic acid serums. The key ingredient is a stable L-ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbyl phosphate, as well as glycerin."
✓Yay
"The Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum is really nice. This always brightens up my skin, it helps to even everything out, so when I'm experiencing post-acne marks or let's say I have some texture, this does the job. This formulation contains hyaluronic acid, it also contains retinol, niacinamide, ascorbic acid which is the purest form of vitamin C, as well as salicylic acid, so all of these ingredients will target multiple skin concerns. This serum truly never disappoints."
All 4 takes from Sincerely Miss Ash
IF I COULD ONLY PICK 1 PRODUCT FROM MY FAVORITE SKINCARE BRANDS | THIS WAS REALLY HARD!
"My favorite is the Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum. This is actually my second one of this and I love using it in my morning routines. Sometimes I will use it at night time if I'm not using prescription tretinoin. The reason why I like this one so much is because there's a lot of key ingredients in here that will target multiple skin concerns and all of these key ingredients are pretty much at the top of the ingredient list, which is a really good sign."
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"I was actually really impressed with this serum and I did purchase another one. I was using this in my morning routine but sometimes I would use this at night time if I wasn't using [tretinoin] or copper peptides. I liked the formulation because it has ascorbic acid, so the purest form of vitamin C, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid. It also has kojic acid and retinol, so it contains a lot of ingredients to really help improve texture and tone."
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"This serum contains other ingredients to target multiple skin concerns. I just recently started using this and I am really impressed with it. The reason why I chose to go with this vitamin C is because this one has the ascorbic acid, which is the purest form of vitamin C. It has niacinamide, which is a great antioxidant that will help with discoloration, post-acne marks, and it can help to brighten up your skin as well."
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"The Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum is really nice. This always brightens up my skin, it helps to even everything out, so when I'm experiencing post-acne marks or let's say I have some texture, this does the job. This formulation contains hyaluronic acid, it also contains retinol, niacinamide, ascorbic acid which is the purest form of vitamin C, as well as salicylic acid, so all of these ingredients will target multiple skin concerns. This serum truly never disappoints."
✓Yay
"I tried the Vitamin C Complex Serum from Naturium which also had pretty good results. It contains L ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbyl phosphate."
✓Yay
"The Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum is a wonderful serum, a fraction of the cost of the Allies of Skin one, but you have to bear in mind you might need to use this a little bit longer in order to get those results. Have a little patience because the concentrations used here aren't quite as potent. This uses vitamin C alongside glutathione for some great hyperpigmentation work."
All 6 takes from Mad About Skin
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"The Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum is a wonderful serum, a fraction of the cost of the Allies of Skin one, but you have to bear in mind you might need to use this a little bit longer in order to get those results. Have a little patience because the concentrations used here aren't quite as potent. This uses vitamin C alongside glutathione for some great hyperpigmentation work."
BESTSELLING VITAMIN C SERUMS - I Was Shocked
"I'm singing the praises of this, I love this so much. This ticks in every box. It's packed full of vitamin C, you've also got some calming and soothing ingredients. The formulation isn't going to be stripping and drying, and you've got glutathione in here. Glutathione and vitamin C used together is like the power couple when it comes to fading hyperpigmentation, glowing up the skin, giving that radiance boost."
Fastest Acting VITAMIN C SERUMS - Glowing Skin In The Shortest Time
"I love the fact that Naturium haven't decided to price gouge on this. One of the first brands to use glutathione alongside vitamin C and you can get this for twenty dollars, so it's super affordable. Really well formulated for the price point that you're paying. I think it takes that vitamin C, so kicks it up a notch with a little dose of that additional glutathione which will definitely work in super short periods of time on discoloration and hyperpigmentation."
BEST SERUMS 2023 - Multi-Active Face Serums (10/10 Anti-Aging Skincare)
"The Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum actually contains retinol, meaning it's a great multi-active for your evening skincare routine. [...] In here you've got ascorbic acid vitamin C, you've got niacinamide which is great at regulating oil levels in the skin and brightening the complexion, you've got glutathione which is the best pairing with vitamin C to even out your skin tone, and you've got retinol."
NEXT LEVEL VITAMIN C SERUMS - Glow Up Guaranteed
"Beautiful formulation, stunning price point, and for me, yeah, ticking an awful lot of boxes. Naturium is cruelty free, as are all of the products mentioned in today's video. I love this, definitely that glutathione as an ingredient in here is what makes this stand out and so special, and yeah, I would recommend it to each and every one of you if you're looking for a nice budget friendly vitamin C that's going to get you glowing to the gods in no time at all."
Top 5 ANTI-AGING SKINCARE PRODUCTS 2023 - How To Boost Collagen Fast
"The Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum has glutathione alongside vitamin C. It's easier to access, particularly if you're shopping from Canada or the States. You can now get it from Space NK here in the UK. It offers a more accessible glutathione option while still keeping it super affordable and drugstore. This is the one I go for, but it's a great option if you're struggling to find other products."
✓Yay
"Their Super C serum is also very good"
✓Yay
"Even their vitamin C serums, I think they do a really good job of formulating with vitamin C, because it can be very tricky to formulate really effective products with vitamin C."
✓Yay
"If it's a morning skincare routine, I'm always going to recommend a vitamin C serum. My favorite vitamin C serum to recommend for people with dry skin is from my own brand, Naturium, it's our Vitamin C Complex Serum. The reason why I think this is great for people with dry skin is, one, it's very gentle, and that's because we use a vitamin C that is conjugated with glutathione, which is another antioxidant, and also with gold, and it just helps create this stabilization of it."
SponsoredFounder's own brand
✓Yay
"There are amazing Vitamin C serums around nowadays. Naturium is one of them. I cannot deny their antioxidant effects. If I dedicate myself to these things a few times a week, I'm going to be fine. I'm going to age gracefully."
Sponsored
All 2 takes from James Welsh
Anti-Ageing Skincare Products That Actually Work 💜 James Welsh
"There are amazing Vitamin C serums around nowadays. Naturium is one of them. I cannot deny their antioxidant effects. If I dedicate myself to these things a few times a week, I'm going to be fine. I'm going to age gracefully."
My Honest Opinion On Skincare Best Sellers 🤔 Ultra Violette Sunscreen, Caudalie, Naturium, Tatcha
"The Ordinary of course you're never going to beat their prices, [...] but if you are after a well-formulated serum with every stable form of vitamin C, this is a really, really nice one to go for. [...] With other vitamin C serums I've used in the past, they almost felt a little bit stingy and wet. This doesn't feel like that. This feels like a nice hydrating serum, and you wouldn't think you're using an active."
✓Yay
"This is a great starter. I love the gorgeous texture of this. It's a little bit thicker but it doesn't feel sticky at all. This uses glycerin as its humectant, so it's really going to draw that moisture to the top layer of your skin. This also has glutathione in it, which is a nice skin brightening agent, and this still does have L ascorbic acid in it. I love that this is great if you have sensitive skin and I like that it has a more moisturizing component if you tend to be a little bit drier."
Sponsored
All 2 takes from Dr. Sam Ellis
Best Vitamin C for Sensitive Skin | No More Irritation! | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Another lisc corbic acid product that I really like and I have found works well for those who have sensitive skin is the narium vitamin Vin C complex"
Do You Need Vitamin C Serum? Dermatologist's Affordable Anti-Aging Morning Skincare Routine
"This is a great starter. I love the gorgeous texture of this. It's a little bit thicker but it doesn't feel sticky at all. This uses glycerin as its humectant, so it's really going to draw that moisture to the top layer of your skin. This also has glutathione in it, which is a nice skin brightening agent, and this still does have L ascorbic acid in it. I love that this is great if you have sensitive skin and I like that it has a more moisturizing component if you tend to be a little bit drier."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Vitamin C

Topical vitamin C is an antioxidant with reasonable evidence for dullness and uneven tone. It breaks down in light and air, so how a product is formulated and packaged matters as much as the percentage on the front.

Source: DermNet

Humectants and emollients

Ingredients like these draw water into the surface layers and slow how fast it leaves. The evidence is for comfort, softness and hydration rather than for changing the structure of the skin.

Source: DermNet

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant, and it is often in a formula to keep the other ingredients stable rather than as the active itself. It pairs well with vitamin C, though on its own the evidence for visible change is limited.

Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

Frequently asked.

What is Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum?

A lightweight serum combining stabilized vitamin C forms with antioxidants, hydrators, and complementary actives to brighten skin tone, support collagen, and address multiple concerns.

Is Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum worth it?

Yes. All 11 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 86%.

What is Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum's Guru Score?

Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum holds a Guru Score of 86%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 11 expert reviewers we have collected. It is also Guru Certified, our mark for products that hold broad approval across many expert reviewers.

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