8 Vitamin C-Infused Products That Will Actually Improve Your Skin

"It can take your skin some time to tolerate high percentages of vitamin C," Dr. Goldberg explained. "When you first start using it, it can cause tingling and slight redness until your skin gets used to the ingredient."

He recommended starting with a lower percentage and working your way up to higher concentrations or sticking with the lower percentage if you have very sensitive skin. A gentle, but effective, introductory product is Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum ($45). It delivers a 7.5 percent vitamin C concentration that noticeably brightens the skin, reduces pore size, and corrects discoloration. Because it contains aloe leaf juice, cucumber extract, and ginseng root extract, it also helps soothe irritated, angry skin, while hyaluronic acid and collagen plump and improve elasticity.

For a step above the 7.5 percent concentration — and for an antiaging boost — reach for Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum ($80). This beauty-guru fave quickly brightens skin thanks to its antioxidant complex, which includes 15 percent vitamin C, one percent vitamin E, and ferulic acid (an antioxidant that helps stabilize vitamins C and E).

It also contains an antiaging ingredient called chronocyclin, which promotes cell turnover and mimics vitamin D skin benefits, as well as pumpkin ferment extract and pomegranate enzyme to slough off dead cells. Finally, C-Firma contains a hyaluronate crosspolymer for an instant dose of moisture that reduces the appearance of fine lines.

Once your skin has acclimated to a vitamin C concentration between seven percent and 15 percent, you can finally graduate to a higher potency for even more results. One of the most potent on the market is a new collaboration between Soko Glam and Korean beauty brand CosRx.

Together, they created a powerful 20.5 percent concentration vitamin C serum they've appropriately dubbed Triple C Lightning Liquid ($27). It's combined with 72 percent chokeberry, which helps to stabilize the vitamin C while hydrating and smoothing, as well as hyaluronic acid to hydrate and licorice root extract to soothe.

Unlike the serums, Youth to the People's Age Prevention gel cleanser ($36) only has trace amounts of vitamin C, but it still serves as another way to incorporate a little extra C into your skincare regimen. Its star ingredient is kale, which boasts high amounts of vitamins A, C, E, and K, as well as phytonutrients to prevent premature aging.

It's also infused with spinach to further prevent aging, green tea to help repair already-existing sun damage and help lock in hydration, and alfalfa to nourish the skin. Because it's all natural — and free of added dyes, fragrance, and fillers — this one's ideal for sensitive skin types.

For a spa-worthy facial in the comfort of your own bathroom, throw a coat of Murad's Intensive-C Radiance Peel ($55) onto freshly cleaned skin. Once applied, you'll feel a slight cooling and tingling sensation as the glycolic acid exfoliates and gives damaged cells the one-two boot. Meanwhile, vitamin C penetrates the skin to help brighten and repair damage, and myrtle extract promotes cell turnover and improves elasticity. After about 10 minutes, you can rinse to reveal noticeably brighter skin.

Korres Wild Rose Vitamin C Active Brightening Oil ($54) boasts an impressively light formulation with an even more impressive payoff. The base is Wild Rose Oil, an antioxidant-rich oil that's high in omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids, as well as vitamins A and C. It is lightweight and melts quickly into the skin to soften, even pigmentation, and reduce signs of aging. It also contains bits of real rose petals, which are both pretty to look at and skin-nourishing.

The oil has been infused with Super C, a stabilized version of vitamin C that brightens, protects, and repairs. It also contains camapu, bisabolol, and ginger root extracts, which soothe, promote collagen protection, and shield the skin from free radical damage. You should apply your cleanser, toner, and serum before applying the oil. Afterward, you can follow up with a moisturizer.

Speaking of moisturizers, Shiseido's top-selling Ibuki Beauty Sleeping Mask ($40) is an overnight gel cream rich in vitamin C and E that will noticeably improve the clarity and brightness of your skin as you catch your zzz's.

"Using L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and tocopherol (vitamin E) is even more powerful than vitamin C alone," Dr. Goldberg said. "They work together for sustained benefits."

In addition to vitamins C and E, the mask contains what the brand calls a "PhytoTarget Complex," which helps the skin retain moisture and defend itself against environmental stressors. It has also been infused with phytoplankton extract, which further adds to that plumped, "definitely got my beauty sleep" visage.

Yes, you can cover your dark under-eye circles with makeup — or you can take it a step further by using a product that actively works to reduce that darkness. Try Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Circle Perfector ($38) to do that job. The formulation is super sheer and dries to a powder-light, crease-free finish that instantly brightens that telltale blue/gray hue. Meanwhile, a powerful duo of activated vitamin C and licorice root extract join forces to correct the darkness so you have to use less and less over time. This one gets bonus points for having an SPF 30, too.