Is Vitamin C Good For Acne Prone Skin?

We all agree. Acne breakouts are the WORST. 

Nothing kills your confidence faster than bumpy red patches or a giant white-capped pimple. It can feel like NOTHING will get rid of it or cover it up, so instead of going out, you just stay in & watch reruns of The Bachelor. 

Also, who tf said that acne is only for teens??? It seems like we were all told that, but it’s 100% not true. And, acne is more common in women than men, so those of us that really care about our healthy glow are the ones who have to deal with the pizzaface. GREAT. 

Acne can be seriously difficult to manage. You get zits when oil from your skin plugs hair follicles, and this excess oil can come from a few places. Hormonal changes, genetics, periods, PCOS, pregnancy, and more can fuck with your skin and give you pimples.

Even if you treat acne when it flares up, the pimples can cause scarring, which reminds you for-ever of of your insecurity. 

One solution for acne-prone skin is using products with vitamin C. Vitamin C is also known as l-ascorbic acid and it's a water soluble vitamin. All that means is it’s a natural and safe ingredient to try for acne

. . . but does it really work????

In this post, we’re gonna get the answer to that question. Here’s the DL on whether vitamin C is good for your acne:

Is Vitamin C Good For Acne Prone Skin?

Vitamin C is so fucking good for your skin—especially for acne. It’s THE key ingredient to having youthful and radiant skin. 

You may have heard that vitamin C can stimulate collagen production and fight free-radicals, which can erase signs of aging and keep you looking FRESH!!! But, studies also show it can help prevent and treat acne and hyperpigmentation.

This is such fucking good news, because vitamin C is a natural ingredient that you can easily include in your skincare routine—no appointment required!! 

Unlike a lot of product claims to treat acne prone skin, vitamin C is actually proven to improve all types of acne. So, if you feel like you’ve tried every method out there to prevent pimples, def try a vitamin C skincare product! 

What Does Vitamin C Do For Acne?

• Evens skin tone and improves redness 
• Reduces swelling
• Fades acne scars 
• Heals acne lesions
• Improves post inflammatory hyperpigmentation
• Brightens skin tone

9 Best Vitamin C Products For Acne Prone Skin

The Vitamin C 23 Serum

If other products on this list stop your acne breakouts, but you still have sad brown spots, you NEED this serum. The vitamin C inside acts as a powerful antioxidant that brightens your skin right back up. 

However, you need a high concentration of vitamin C to face those dark spots. So, our founder, Lauryn Evarts Bosstick, co-created this special serum to include 20.5% vitamin C.

The product was inspired by Korean skincare for acne, and we've found it’s a super effective serum for acne scars. 

Three Ships Dew Drops

It’s so important that EVERYONE adopt a good skincare routine and treat skin conditions like acne. Yes, that means your sister, your mother, and your man!!! 

I know some men are challenged by the idea of skincare but in “Get the Fuck Out of the Sun”, Lauryn has a whole chapter on “How to Manipulate Your Man Into Skincare.” And, it starts with a good moisturizer!

A simple product that isn’t way over-feminized (even though we love pink here) will be best to get your man into the vitamin C game. See if you can get him “on-board” with the Three Ships Dew Drops serum (get it?). It’s easy to use and you see results FAST. 

Alpha Beta Peel Pads

Exfoliation is a big part of your acne-fighting skincare routine. 

Don’t exfoliate every day, but doing it 1-2 times each week (depending on your skin type) will make sure your pores don’t get clogged as often! 

We don’t love aggressive exfoliants. They can irritate your skin further and worsen acne. Instead, grab our fave peel pads from our friend Dr. Dennis Gross. 

The pads are gentle, easy, and EFFECTIVE. 

Vitamin C Lactic Oil-Free Radiant Moisturizer

We’re just going to say it, you’re going to see a lot of products from Dr. Dennis on this list. That’s because we LOVE him and his products include an additional ingredient that raises the bar for vitamin C products.

His research says lactic acid makes vitamin C more effective, which makes his products extra helpful. He’s one the only people out there so far adding this super important ingredient into his skincare line. 

This oil-based treatment has lactic acid and three forms of vitamin C, of course, but it also has B3 and squalane. All these ingredients together smooth wrinkles, even out your skin tone, and reduce acne! 

Vitamin C Lactic Biocellulose Brightening Treatment Mask

Damaged and dry skin could use a facelift! Not a literal facelift, lol, but your skin def needs some help. 

This brightening treatment mask revives your skin to keep it hydrated and healthy to fight off acne. It has vitamin C, lactic acid, and B3. AKA: all good shit. 

The mask IMMEDIATELY brightens your skin and restores your moisture barrier. (If your skin is irritated by most products and you’re getting a lot of zits there, that’s your sign your moisture barrier needs HELP.)

You can also pair this mask with Dr. Dennis’s LED FaceWare Pro Max which is ah-maz-ing for regular skin maintenance. Just 3 minutes a day for better skin. 

You guys! Did you see that?? Just 3 minutes! You can do that while you meditate. 

Vitamin C Lactic Dewy Deep Cream

We love the Dewy Deep Cream from our main-man Dr. D. It’s not the best product on the list for treating acne, but it’s great for getting rid of scars afterward. 

It also has anti-aging benefits, so your skin can stay plump and hydrated. Who doesn’t want that??? Get on this dewy deep cream game. 

Vitamin C Lactic 15% Vitamin C Firm & Bright Serum

This is Dr. Dennis’ premier serum with that high concentration of vitamin C at 15%. 

Remember it’s not just the vitamin C that matters, though. This serum ALSO has lactic acid, which gives the product extra punch and power. 

Dr. Dennis’ vitamin C serum can help with acne, hyperpigmentation, and overall skin brightness and strength! You can hear Lauryn discuss this serum with Dr. Dennis in this episode of the Him & Her podcast.  

ICE QUEEN FACE OIL

Lauryn Evarts Bosstick, The queen herself, created the ICE QUEEN FACE OIL combining all of her favorite parts of the BEST skincare products out there. 

It’s made with vitamin C, of course, as well as pomegranate seed oil, raspberry seed oil, blueberry seed oil, and antioxidants. All natural ingredients that are vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and synthetic fragrance free. (Don’t worry, it still smells SOOO good.) 

Apply the ICE QUEEN FACE OIL daily with our HOT MESS ICE ROLLER for the best results. You’ll probably see reduced acne breakouts, better hydration, and stronger skin overall.

Step into your most snatched skin with the ICE QUEEN FACE OIL and the HOT MESS ICE ROLLER. 

Vitamin C is the fucking BEST ingredient for your skin. 

If you’re sick of acne, get vitamin C in your skincare routine. Actually? You should include vitamin C into your routine no matter what, even if you don't have acne. It has SO MANY benefits and there are a ton of great products out there. 

For more skincare recs and our full line of The Skinny Confidential products, check out The Skinny Confidential Shop. We’ve got the best high-quality products for your morning routine and beyond—Oh, and they’re pink too. Doesn't get better than that!