Want glowing skin? An iron-clad immune system? Better cardiovascular health? Experts will steer your toward vitamin C—more specifically, liposomal vitamin C. “Oral vitamin C (from supplements or food) supports immune function, helps collagen production throughout the body, improves iron absorption, and supports antioxidant defense systemwide,” explains Amy Shapiro, MS, RD, a registered dietician and the founder of Real Nutrition.
Vitamin C is essential for one’s immune system among other things. Those of us who regularly eat fruits and vegetables aren’t likely to be deficient in vitamin C—natural sources of vitamin C include citrus, kiwi, strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli, and more. But liposomal vitamin C supplementation can help in certain instances. “Think of it as a tool to help bridge the gap when diet alone isn’t enough or when higher doses are needed for a specific health goal,” adds Taylor Fazio, MS, RD, SPN, a registered dietician and wellness adviser for The Lanby.
Vogue’s Favorite Liposomal Vitamin C Supplements:
Standard vitamin-C supplements—think plain ascorbic acid—can be poorly absorbed at higher doses and are a common culprit for digestive discomfort. “Because liposomal vitamin C is wrapped in tiny fat-based spheres called liposomes that are structurally similar to our own cell membranes, our bodies recognize them more easily,” says Fazio. “That means it can bypass some of those absorption issues and deliver more of the active ingredient into our bloodstream and tissues.”
That means a bigger payoff for you when it comes to your vitamin-C intake. “Because liposomal vitamin C is absorbed more efficiently, a daily dose can go a long way in supporting immune resilience, antioxidant protection, and skin health over time,” adds Fazio.
With the help of experts, we’ve narrowed it down to five ultra-powerful liposomal vitamin C supplements to consider adding to your routine—read on, below.
In This Story:
- Is liposomal vitamin C actually better?
- The Benefits of Liposomal Vitamin C
- What to Look for in a Liposomal Vitamin C Supplement
- Should I take liposomal vitamin C every day?
- How We Tested
- Meet the Experts
Best Overall Liposomal Vitamin C: LivOn Labs Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C
- Why We Love It: If you want your vitamin C to work from the inside out, this potent vitamin-C gel is incredible for immune support. It’s also best in class in terms of premium ingredients and efficacious nutrient absorption. It delivers 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C wrapped in liposomes: little packages of membranes that can help shuffle their contents into cells more easily. “This is one of the most trusted brands for liposomal supplements,” says Fazio. “The quality of the liposomal encapsulation ensures high bioavailability, and it’s great for people looking for an effective, high-dose vitamin-C supplement.” The result is an easy-to-swallow “goo” designed and optimized to support a healthy immune system. Not to mention, this formula is beloved by some of Vogue’s favorite tastemakers—from makeup artist Gucci Westman to Neada Deters, founder of skin-care brand Lesse.
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, choline, sodium
- Dose: 1 packet
- Form: Gel
- Size: 30 packets
Best Liquid Liposomal Vitamin C: Quicksilver Scientific Liposomal Vitamin C
- Why We Love It: A favorite of both Shapiro and Fazio, this liquid delivers all the benefits for skin, collagen, immunity, and more without the usual gastrointestinal upset. “Known for its commitment to advanced delivery systems, Quicksilver offers a high-quality, bioavailable form of vitamin C that is gentle on the stomach and highly effective for supporting immune function and skin health,” says Fazio. “To minimize GI discomfort, liposomal vitamin C is often gentler on the stomach, as it’s less likely to cause irritation or digestive upset compared to regular vitamin C during these scenarios.”
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, sodium
- Dose: 1 tsp
- Form: Liquid
- Size: 4 oz
Best-Tasting Liposomal Vitamin C: Cymbiotika Vitamin C
- Why We Love It: If you’re looking for a gentle and potent way to supplement your vitamin-C intake, this liposomal gel-like liquid is a brilliant choice. Convenience is its middle name, thanks to the individual predosed packets it comes in (it even has an easy-to-tear top—no scissors required). Shapiro likes this option in particular because of the sachet delivery and how great it tastes (perfect for those who struggle with flavors and textures). “I recommend looking for the phospholipid source (sunflower or soy lecithin; I opt for sunflower) that has been third-party tested, just like all supplements should be,” says Shapiro. This liposomal vitamin C delivers on all fronts—it is made with a sunflower-derived liposome, and we love that the company publishes its third-party-testing results right on the purchasing page, making it super transparent.
- Editor’s Experience: “This is my preferred liposomal vitamin C supplement because of how convenient Cymbiotika makes taking it. I couldn’t recommend it more!” —Kiana Murden, beauty shopping editor
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, biotin, sodium, potassium
- Dose: 1 packet
- Form: Liquid gel
- Size: 30 packets
Best Liposomal Vitamin C Capsule: Codeage Liposomal Vitamin C+
- Why We Love It: Want more from your vitamin C? These capsules from Codeage deliver just that thanks to a supercharged formula of vitamin C cushioned with immune superstar zinc and bioflavonoids to amplify potency, boost absorption, and extend antioxidant activity. “Capsules are a good option for people who dislike liquid textures, and they’re convenient for travel,” says Shapiro. It also comes in a totally opaque container, ideal for preservation and ingredient integrity. “Vitamin C is an antioxidant and therefore is sensitive to oxygen, light, and heat,” says Shapiro. “So you want to purchase vitamins that are in dark or opaque containers”—it’s a similar premise to that of vitamin-C serums.
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, zinc, quercetin, rose hip extract, elderberry powder
- Dose: 3 capsules
- Form: Capsule
- Size: 180 capsules
Best Liposomal Vitamin C for Immunity: Beekeeper’s Naturals Propolis Liposomal Vitamin C
- Why We Love It: Free of artificial colors, preservatives, fillers, alcohol, gluten, GMOs, and refined sugars, this sachet is loaded with liposomal vitamin C, raw honey, and propolis for reinforcing your immune system. Propolis, what bees use to insulate the walls of their hives to protect against outside germs, is brilliant for soothing sore throats, bolstering our immune systems, and protecting against free radicals. It also has 1,000 mg of liposomal vitamin C in the form of sodium ascorbate and ascorbic acid—something Fazio says to look for. “Sodium ascorbate and ascorbyl palmitate tend to be well tolerated and bioavailable,” she says. “I typically recommend 1,000 mg twice daily—which is considered a high dose— when someone is acutely ill.”
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, raw honey, propolis
- Dose: 1 sachet
- Form: Powder
- Size: 30 sachets
Everything You Need to Know
Is liposomal vitamin C actually better?
“Research shows liposomal vitamin C can produce 20% to 30% higher blood concentrations, higher uptake into immune cells, and greater overall bioavailability compared to standard ascorbic acid,” says Shapiro, by way of the unique liposomal technology. “It can also be helpful if someone needs higher doses, has GI issues with standard vitamin C, or wants more efficient delivery.” However, it is worth noting that traditional vitamin C is already well absorbed at normal doses. “The evidence that liposomal forms produce better long-term health outcomes is still limited,” adds Shapiro.
The Benefits of Liposomal Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, playing a vital role in immune function and minimizing damage caused by free radicals. It’s water soluble and required for the synthesis of collagen and certain neurotransmitters.
Absorption Efficiency
“Liposomal advantages are that it may have improved absorption efficiency, decreases GI upset at higher doses, and allows for higher circulating vitamin-C levels with smaller doses,” says Shapiro.
Immune Resilience
Vitamin C supports immune function. “When someone is acutely ill, a higher dose of vitamin C is often recommended because the body’s demand for immune support increases,” says Fazio. “It enhances the immune response, helping reduce the severity and duration of illness, and supports the body’s healing process.”
Collagen Production
“Vitamin C is crucial for maintaining youthful, glowing skin by promoting collagen synthesis, which supports elasticity and reduces the appearance of fine lines,” says Fazio. “Liposomal vitamin C has been shown to improve absorption efficiency, allowing your body to better utilize the active vitamin C for these benefits.”
Antioxidant Protection
Vitamin C functions as a potent, water-soluble antioxidant. “It can neutralize harmful free radicals and protect cells from oxidative damage,” says Shapiro.
Helps With Iron Absorption
“Vitamin C can help with iron absorption,” says Fazio. By helping maintain iron solubility in the small intestine, it prevents the formation of insoluble, non-absorbable compounds.
What to Look for in a Liposomal Vitamin C Supplement
There are a few key indicators that a liposomal vitamin C supplement is high quality and worth your purchasing power. "First and foremost, look for a brand that’s transparent about its manufacturing process and uses quality liposomal encapsulation technology, because not all liposomal products are created equal, and the encapsulation method really matters for efficacy,” says Fazio.
You also want to check the form of vitamin C used—according to Fazio, sodium ascorbate and ascorbyl palmitate tend to be more well tolerated and bioavailable. Beyond that, both Shapiro and Fazio recommend looking for supplements with “minimal fillers, no additives, and no artificial ingredients.”
Should I take liposomal vitamin C every day?
Consistency is where you really see the benefits with any supplement—and that includes liposomal vitamin C. But an analysis showed that regularly consuming at least 200 milligrams of vitamin C could help support a healthy immune response in both adults and children. “Since vitamin C is water soluble, it doesn’t accumulate in the body like fat-soluble vitamins, so regular, daily intake is important to maintain its levels and ensure ongoing benefits,” says Fazio. “That said, the right dose and frequency really do depend on your individual health goals and circumstances, so I always recommend working with a health-care professional to figure out what’s right for you specifically.” We recommend consulting a trusted provider before taking any dietary supplements.
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations—we take all the more care when discussing supplements like liposomal vitamin C, using a comprehensive, science-backed approach to ensure product efficacy. Our process begins by consulting with health-care professionals—doctors and longevity experts—who provide expert insights into the most effective, evidence-based supplements currently available. We combine their clinical expertise with rigorous product testing and our editorial standards to create well-researched, trusted recommendations.
Meet the Experts
- Taylor Fazio, MS, RD, SPN, is a New York–based registered dietician and wellness adviser for The Lanby.
- Amy Shapiro, MS, RD, CND, is a registered dietician, nutritionist, and founder of Real Nutrition.