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You may not realize it, but the best vitamin C supplements have likely already made a quiet entrance into your wellness routine—perhaps in the form of a fizzy Emergen-C packet on a pre-dawn flight or a quick immune boost during the colder months. But this humble nutrient does far more than just soften the blow of jet lag or common cold sniffles. Daily intake is essential to skin vitality, immune resilience, and overall metabolic function—and no, levels of vitamin C can’t be maintained just from chugging a glass of orange juice every morning. When curating your daily dietary supplement lineup, this powerhouse ingredient deserves far more than a passing glance.
“Vitamin C is an antioxidant [and has] anti-inflammatory, wound healing, skin integrity, and iron-absorption [properties],” board-certified medicine physician Elizabeth Sharp previously told Vogue. “[It] is essential for the production and maintenance of collagen synthesis (which is vital for skin), cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels.”
Vogue’s Favorite Vitamin C Supplements
Featured in this article
While naturally abundant in citrus fruits, berries, and leafy greens, modern diets don’t always offer enough of these nutritional overachievers. Enter supplementation—a streamlined, efficient way to ensure you’re reaping the full-body benefits of this multitasking molecule.
“The roles of vitamin C supplementation can be especially beneficial during times of increased physical or emotional stress, after illness, or when skin health and collagen preservation are a priority,” says board-certified nurse practitioner Vanessa Coppola. “Clinically, I also see benefits in post-procedure recovery, as vitamin C supports tissue repair and healthy inflammation response.”
In other words: If glowing skin, a stronger immune system, and inner vitality are of importance to you, consider this your cue to look into the best vitamin C supplements. Scroll to find our favorite formulas, with expert medical advice along the way.
In This Story:
- The different types of vitamin C
- The benefits of taking vitamin C
- Who should take vitamin C supplements?
- Meet the experts
Best Time Release: Solaray Time Release Vitamin C
- Why We Love It: Your body gets a dose of vitamin C that’s spaced out with Solaray’s ingenious two-stage time-release system. It delivers half the 1,000 mg immediately and the rest gradually for up to 12 hours of steady, skin-supporting, immune-boosting nourishment. “This is a reliable, straightforward option for those who want a high-potency dose,” says Coppola.“This [works] well for general immune and antioxidant support, though large doses can sometimes cause digestive upset in sensitive individuals.” Meaning: Don’t consume it on an empty stomach. Enhanced with rose hip and acerola—natural vitamin C powerhouses—this formula is a quiet multitasker that helps support collagen, blood vessel integrity, antioxidant defense, and more.
- Type of Vitamin C: Ascorbic acid, vitamin C–rich rose hip, and acerola cherries
- Serving: 1,000 mg
- Serving Size: One capsule per day
- Form: Capsule
- More to Know: Vegetarian; soy-free
Best Vegetarian: Pure Encapsulations Ascorbic Acid Capsules
- Why We Love It: Meet your new immunity powerhouse—crafted for those who demand purity without the puff. Pure Encapsulations delivers a bold 1,000 mg of vitamin C in each vegetarian capsule, harnessing just the essentials to support vibrant skin, immunity, and collagen formation—no clutter, no compromise. It’s clean, it’s potent, and it quietly elevates your daily wellness ritual with the confidence of science-backed simplicity.
- Type of Vitamin C: Ascorbic acid
- Serving: 1,000 mg
- Serving Size: One capsule per day
- Form: Capsule
- More to Know: Vegetarian; soy-free; gluten-free
Best for Sensitive Stomachs: Dr. Mercola Liposomal Vitamin C
- Why We Love It: Dr. Mercola’s liposomal technology dresses pure ascorbic acid in a silky layer of sunflower-derived pill casing for more efficient digestion. The payoff: higher absorption of vitamin C with none of the usual gastrointestinal fuss, giving your skin, collagen, immunity, and cells a front-row seat to the benefits. “This is an excellent option for those needing maximum absorption and gentleness on the stomach,” says Coppola. “The liposomal delivery can be particularly helpful for individuals with digestive sensitivities or those looking for higher plasma vitamin C levels without GI discomfort.”
- Type of Vitamin C: Liposomal
- Serving: 1,000 mg
- Serving Size: One tablet daily
- Form: Tablet
- More to Know: Non-GMO; gluten-free; soy-free
Best Drugstore: Nature Made Extra Strength Vitamin C
- Why We Love It: Nature Made remains a tried-and-true supplements brand, available at most drugstores or supermarkets. Crafted without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, it gets a nod of approval from United States Pharmacopeia (USP) testing and pharmacists alike.
- Type of Vitamin C: Ascorbic acid
- Serving: 1,000 mg
- Serving Size: One tablet daily
- Form: Tablet
- More to Know: Gluten-Free
Best for Skin Health: Thorne Vitamin C with Flavonoids
- Why We Love It: Thorne fuses pure ascorbic acid with 75 mg of citrus bioflavonoids—nature’s own antioxidant entourage—to amplify potency. “I like Thorne’s vitamin C for its synergistic blend. Bioflavonoids help enhance absorption and extend antioxidant activity, making this a good choice for skin health and vascular support,” says Coppola. The formulation boosts free-radical defense while supporting collagen production, immune resilience, and even liver detox—all without the filler.
- Type of Vitamin C: Ascorbic acid
- Serving: 500 mg of vitamin C + 75 mg citrus bioflavonoids per capsule
- Serving Size: One capsule daily
- Form: Vegetarian capsule
- More to Know: Soy free; gluten-free
Best Liposmal Powder: Cymbiotika Liposomal Vitamin C
- Why We Love It: Cymbiotika’s pick isn’t your standard vitamin C intake —it’s a daily sachet engineered for both performance and pleasure. Each 1,000-mg dose—crafted from 80% ascorbic acid and 20% sodium ascorbate—comes in liposomal format to optimize absorption. The addition of biotin lends a beauty-first edge, supporting skin, hair, and nail resilience,. The citrus-vanilla flavor is refreshing, and the formula is entirely free of gluten, soy, and added sugar.
- Type of Vitamin C: Liposmal
- Serving: 1,000mg
- Serving Size: One 15-ml pouch
- Form: Powder sachets
- More to Know: Gluten-free; keto; plant-based; artificial-flavor-free, preservative-free; non-GMO; soy-free
Best Vegan: Sports Research Vitamin C
- Why We Love It: Another pick with robust antioxidant support? Each Sports Research capsule is crafted with a vegan-friendly, gluten-free, and soy-free formula, ensuring purity without unnecessary additives. Manufactured stateside in a Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) compliant facility, this supplement offers a straightforward option for those seeking a once-daily intake of vitamin C.
- Type of Vitamin C: Ascorbic acid
- Serving: 1,000 mg
- Serving Size: One capsule daily
- Form: Capsule
- More to Know: CGMP compliant; vegan-certified; non-GMO
Best Drugstore Powder: Emergen-C Vitamin C Powder
- Why We Love It: Emergen-C’s powder offers a potent daily dose of vitamin C—equivalent to more than 10 oranges—delivered in a fizzy, effervescent drink mix. Each serving is enhanced with B vitamins, zinc, and manganese to support immune function and energy metabolism. The formula is available in various flavors, including Super Orange, Raspberry, and Tangerine, and is free from artificial sweeteners, making it a convenient and flavorful option for anyone who needs a quick and effective vitamin C boost.
- Type of Vitamin C: Ascorbic acid, zinc ascorbate
- Serving: 1,000mg
- Serving Size: One packet (9.1 g)
- Form: Powdered drink mix
- More to Know: Vegetarian; gluten-free
Best High Dosage: Codeage Liposomal Vitamin C With Zinc
- Why We Love It: Codeage elevates your daily vitamin C ritual with 1,500 mg of pure, highly absorbable ascorbic acid paired with 15 mg of zinc for immune support. A blend of citrus bioflavonoids, elderberry, rose hip, quercetin, and alpha-lipoic acid adds antioxidant power and supports collagen health. Encapsulated in liposomes using sunflower-derived phosphatidylcholine, it’s designed for maximum absorption. “One thing to note is that some people report an upset stomach when taking high doses over 1000 mg a day of vitamin C,” says board-certified dermatopathologist Dr. Brendan Camp. Taking this pick with a hardy meal is recommended, though those with a sensitive gut should opt for a lower dosage.
- Type of Vitamin C: Liposomal
- Serving: 1,500 mg
- Serving Size: One capsule daily
- Form: Capsule
- More to Know: Vegan; non-GMO; free from dairy, gluten, and soy
Everything You Need to Know
The different types of vitamin C
“The quality, formulation, and bioavailability of vitamin C supplements vary widely,” says Coppola. “The source, manufacturing process, and delivery method all influence how much of the vitamin your body actually uses.” Below, she breaks down the varieties of vitamin C.
- Ascorbic Acid: “Standard ascorbic acid is the most common form; highly effective and affordable, but sometimes irritating to sensitive stomachs,” says Coppola.
- Liposomal: Encapsulated in fat-like phospholipids, Coppola explains this form of vitamin C offers superior absorption and is ideal for both higher-dose needs and those with GI sensitivity—though it comes at a higher price point.
- Vitamin C and bioflavonoids: “Bioflavonoids are plant-based compounds found in citrus and other fruits. They can improve absorption and provide additional antioxidant benefits, especially for skin and vascular health,” says Coppola.
- Buffered vitamin C: Formulas blended with minerals like calcium or magnesium. Coppola notes these offers a gentler alternative for those prone to digestive upset.
- Ester-C: A form of calcium ascorbate with vitamin C metabolites. “Ester-C is marketed as longer-lasting and non-acidic, appealing to those who want sustained benefits,” says Coppola.
- Food-based vitamin C: “Often sourced from acerola cherries, camu camus, or amlas, this provides a natural, plant-derived option complete with naturally occurring cofactors. It’s a gentle form of the vitamin, appealing to those seeking a holistic approach,” says Coppola.
The benefits of taking vitamin C
“Vitamin C has been found to support immunity, provide antioxidant protection, promote collagen production, and improve iron absorption. In regard to skin health, vitamin C is necessary for collagen production, and it provides antioxidant protection, which are both essential for antiaging,” says Dr. Camp.
Who should take vitamin C supplements?
It might be better to ask who shouldn’t take vitamin C supplements—because the experts rattle off plenty of people who would benefit from taking the supplement. Though they all advise consulting with your healthcare provider before adding anything new to your daily pill rotation.
Of course, there’s the obvious: those who have diets with typically limited fruit and vegetable intake should pop a vitamin C supplement daily. Then, of course, there’s the far less obvious categories of folks who could use a boost. “If you deal with iron deficiency, taking a vitamin C supplement can help with iron absorption,” says Camp. “Plus, according to the NIH, those who smoke require 35 mg more vitamin C per day than those who do not smoke.”
Coppola agrees, adding a few more categories to the mix. “Individuals under chronic stress, or those recovering from surgery or cosmetic procedures, may benefit most from a daily vitamin C dosage,” she says. “Older adults and women in perimenopause or menopause who often have increased oxidative stress may also find supplementation particularly helpful.”
Meet the experts
- Dr. Brendan Camp, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who sees patients in New York and Long Island.
- Vanessa Coppola, APN-C, FNP-BC, is a board-certified nurse practitioner, aesthetic expert, and founder of Bare Aesthetics Medspa Wellness in New Jersey.
- Elizabeth Sharp, MD, IFMCP, is a board-certified medicine physician and founder of Health Meets Wellness,
