Best Budget Vitamin C Serums 2026 — Good Vitamin C Serums Under $25

TruSkin Vitamin C Serum – Best Established Budget

Overview TruSkin is the #1 best-selling vitamin C serum on Amazon — a hyaluronic acid + vitamin E formula at $19.99 that has thousands of verified reviews and a reputation built over years. 20% L-ascorbic acid is the active, paired with HA for hydration and vitamin E as a stabilizer.

TruSkin's longevity is the case for it — when a budget serum stays category #1 for years, it's because the formula actually works for the broad audience. The 20% concentration is on the high end for a budget pick, and the HA + E combo softens any irritation common with pure L-ascorbic acid.

Trade-offs: pure L-ascorbic acid oxidizes faster than newer forms (THD-Ascorbate, ascorbyl glucoside), so refrigeration extends shelf life. Bottle is opaque but not airless — some users transfer to dropper bottle for stability.

Pros

• Amazon's #1 best-selling vitamin C serum for years

• 20% L-ascorbic acid + hyaluronic acid + vitamin E

• Sub-$20 price tier

• Cruelty-free, vegan, made in USA

Cons

• L-ascorbic acid oxidizes quickly — refrigerate after opening

• Not airless pump — air exposure shortens shelf life

Best for Anyone testing vitamin C serums for the first time on a budget — the proven, safest pick.

LilyAna Naturals Vitamin C Serum – Best Long-Offer Budget

Overview LilyAna Naturals is a 20% vitamin C serum with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E at $16.99 — currently the cheapest established-brand option in the category. Active commission offer running to April 2027, so guaranteed availability long-term.

LilyAna is the value pick that doesn't compromise on formula — same 20% L-ascorbic acid + HA + E stack as TruSkin at a few dollars less. The brand has built a reputation in clean beauty without prestige pricing, and the 1 fl oz bottle lasts roughly 2-3 months of daily use.

Same downsides as all L-ascorbic acid formulas — oxidation over time, color change indicates degradation. Refrigerate to extend life.

Pros

• Cheapest established-brand vitamin C serum

• 20% L-ascorbic acid + HA + vitamin E

• Clean beauty brand with strong review base

• Cruelty-free, paraben-free, made in USA

Cons

• L-ascorbic acid oxidation

• 1 fl oz size is small

Best for Budget-conscious buyers who want a clean-beauty brand at the lowest credible price.

ArtNaturals Vitamin C Serum – Best Sub-$15 Pick

Overview ArtNaturals offers a vitamin C serum with hyaluronic acid at $12.97 — the lowest established-brand price in the category. Formula includes vitamin C, HA, vitamin E, and aloe vera in a 1 fl oz bottle.

For under $13, you get an honest vitamin C serum with the supporting actives (HA, E, aloe) that more expensive brands charge $25+ for. The trade-off is concentration — ArtNaturals doesn't publish the exact percentage, suggesting it's lower than TruSkin's 20%.

Best as a daily starter serum or for users new to vitamin C who want to test tolerance before committing to higher concentrations.

Pros

• Sub-$13 — lowest credible price in the category

• Vitamin C + HA + vitamin E + aloe vera

• Good for sensitive-skin starter serum

• Cruelty-free

Cons

• Concentration not disclosed — likely lower than 20%

• Less established than TruSkin/LilyAna

Best for Vitamin C newcomers and ultra-budget shoppers testing the category.

Timeless Skin Care Vitamin C Serum – Best Pure Formula Budget

Overview Timeless Skin Care 20% Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Acid serum is the budget version of the famous SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic formula at $23.76 (vs SkinCeuticals' $182). Same active stack — 20% L-ascorbic acid + vitamin E + ferulic acid for stabilization.

Timeless is the cult favorite — it's well-known in skincare communities as the "SkinCeuticals dupe" with the same vitamin C + E + ferulic acid active stack at 1/8 the price. Ferulic acid stabilizes the L-ascorbic acid, extending shelf life beyond what TruSkin/LilyAna offer.

Trade-offs: no fragrance, no fluff — utilitarian dropper bottle, refrigerate after opening, may sting on first application as ferulic acid is mildly acidic.

Pros

• SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic dupe at 1/8 the price

• 20% L-ascorbic acid + vitamin E + ferulic acid (stabilizer)

• Cult favorite in skincare community

• Longer shelf life than non-ferulic formulas

Cons

• May sting on first application

• Utilitarian packaging

• Refrigeration extends life

Best for Skincare enthusiasts who want the gold-standard C+E+Ferulic formula without paying $182.