Dr. Brenner Vitamin C Serum Review + Dupes

I struggled with hyperpigmentation and choosing a good vitamin c for brightness myself. Either the products that worked were too expensive and not in the budget or they simply didn’t work.

Until I discovered Dr. Brenner’s Vitamin C Serum.

Some of you may have heard of and even tried it yourself, while for others this might be a new discovery.

Whatever the case, as a skincare enthusiast I feel committed to sharing with you things that have worked for me and have helped me enormously over the past few months.

So without further ado, hop on the Dr. Brenner Vitamin C serum review with me!

What is the Dr. Brenner Vitamin C Serum?

As Dr. Brenner describes it, this Vitamin C serum is “the most effective Vitamin C serum developed by dermatologists”.

I’ve put this in quotes as it’s exactly how the product has been marketed in Dr. Brenner’s shop but I couldn’t agree more with the statement.

In fact, it’s 99% similar to the popular and very expensive Skinceuticals CE Ferulic serum. And although Skinceuticals’ solution undoubtedly works, it costs $166 per oz, making it extremely pricey and certainly not accessible for all.

I am a fan of a good dupe or of more affordable alternatives, so I didn’t shy from testing several vitamin c serum products in the search for my “one and only”.

What does the Dr. Brenner C serum do?

Most of you who are interested in the Dr. Brenner vitamin C reviews are perhaps most curious to find out what this product can actually do for your skin.

In short, the serum helps with skin brightening. You can say goodbye to the dark spots that you’ve been worrying about and enjoy a nice, healthy-looking skin glow.

And there’s more.

Vitamin C is considered among the most powerful antioxidants and stimulates collagen production in the skin. It works towards smoothening out fine lines, brightening your complexion, and more. The product can also help eliminate acne scars, which is exactly what drove me to look for such a serum.

In other words, it’s definitely a serum you want to have around if you’re after any of these skin goals.

What is the pH of Dr. Brenner’s vitamin C serum?

Dr. Brenner’s vitamin C serum has a pH of 3.2, which is considered the perfect for people with normal skin.

What you have to know about vitamin C is that it’s most effective and absorbed by the human skin when it has a pH lower than 4.

The type of skin you have will also influence the pH level that you want to see in your vitamin C serum.

For example, people with normal skin ought to find a serum with a low pH of around 3.5 to get that maximum absorption. On the other hand, if you have sensitive skin, a serum with a pH of 5 to 6 will work better.

Why?

Because this is closer to the skin’s natural pH so irritation will be off the table for you.

What ingredients does Dr. Brenner’s Vitamin C serum contain?

I’ll share with you the full list of ingredients in a few seconds but here I want to get your attention to explore the key ingredients that truly make this product unique and special.

L-Ascorbic acid

Dr. Brenner’s vitamin C serum contains 20% pure L-ascorbic acid or pure vitamin C, unlike SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic, which only contains 15%.

This ingredient is a powerful rejuvenating vitamin that works miracles when it comes to tackling photodamage as a result of exposure to UVB rays. L-ascorbic acid is actively used in anti-aging treatments, and repair routines, and it can brighten the skin and provide skin firmness by inducing collagen formation.

Tocopherol (Vitamin E)

The product also contains 1% Tocopherol or Vitamin E. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin and an antioxidant. It protects the cells from potential damage and keeps them strong and healthy.

It naturally occurs in our skin’s oil (the sebum), which acts as a natural shield that moisturizes the body. The skin on the face needs more vitamin E to stay hydrated and healthy. Tocopherol is actively used in a lot of skincare products because of these properties.

Ferulic Acid

The third very important ingredient in Dr. Brenner’s vitamin C serum is Ferulic Acid. It’s another antioxidant that has the power to strengthen and boost the influence of other antioxidants. In fact, in this exact formulation, ferulic acid helps vitamin c penetrate the skin better and have a more potent effect.

It’s a common ingredient in high-quality skincare products as it guards the integrity of the skin by decreasing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid has a rich list of benefits but perhaps what it’s mostly known for is its ability to moisturize the skin and protect it against dryness. It’s also powerful in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles because it plumps the skin like nothing else. In general, it helps keep the skin looking young, healthy, and elastic.

Is Dr. Brenner’s vitamin C cruelty-free?

Many users are interested in more than just the ingredients of skin care products. For some, cruelty-free products are a top priority. Well, I have good news for you! Dr. Brenner’s vitamin C serum is completely vegan and cruelty-free.

Texture: A light texture that is closer to water when compared to SkinCeuticals.
Fragrance: No fragrance
pH: 3.2
Ingredients: Water, Ethoxydiglycol, L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) 20%, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Laureth-23, Tocopherol (Vitamin E) 1%, Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid ) 1%, Ferulic Acid .5%, Panthenol, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol.
Packaging: The serum comes in a dropper bottle.
Other features: Vegan, cruelty-free, fragrance-free, essential oil-free

How to use Dr. Brenner’s vitamin C serum

As with any other product, you can create your own personal routine that works best for your needs.

However, I would recommend using Dr. Brenner’s vitamin C serum in your morning routine.

In fact, any vitamin C-based serum is best to be in the mornings as it helps protect the skin against sun damage when applying an SPF after the serum. Since it’s a water-based product, it should come before any other heavier treatments, and definitely before the oil-based ones.

After you have the vitamin C serum on, you can continue with a moisturizer and sunscreen.

Once you’ve made a habit of using the vitamin C serum in the morning, you can also use it in the evening now and again for a nice boost for the skin.

Keep in mind that the product is quite potent due to the 20% L-ascorbic acid content. Gradually incorporate it into your skin routine and be patient. Once you feel that your skin is comfortable with it, you can make it a regular habit.

As a starting point, it’s best to mix in a couple of drops with your moisturizer to reduce any potential reactions.

Performance and personal opinion

Now let’s get to the bottom line – is Dr. Brenner’s vitamin C serum good?

My personal answer would have to be a definite yes.

I’m honestly amazed by how well this product works, especially considering that it’s nearly seven times cheaper when compared to SkinCeuticals. You can see the effect of the serum in just a couple of weeks when your skin will start looking glowier and brighter, and you’ll probably start to notice the reduction of dark spots and imperfections.

Its strength means that the effects will be visible in less time. It’s extremely easy to use, it fits in perfectly with any skincare routine, and is so accessible.

Because of these reasons, I’d give this product an extremely high rating in terms of performance.

Who is this for?

Dr. Brenner’s vitamin C serum is pretty much for any seasonal and novice user of vitamin C products. It’s also suitable for any skin type looking to give their skin a boost and enjoy a perfect complexion.

Who is this NOT for?

Although the product is not necessarily forbidden for anyone (all of you can enjoy its power), it could be too strong for people with sensitive skin.

This is because of the high amount of vitamin C found in the serum, which can cause a bit of stinging or skin irritation at first. Always test how your skin will react to the product and start implementing it into your routine slowly. Gradually increase use if you find that your skin adapts to the ingredients.

Packaging experience

Perhaps one of the drawbacks of Dr. Brenner’s vitamin C serum is the packaging. It comes in a dropper bottle, which is not ideal, considering that vitamin C degrades every time you open the bottle.

Over time, it’s bound to become less effective but it definitely won’t cause any harm. However, you can increase its durability by keeping it in a cool and dark place or in your refrigerator.

Does Dr. Brenner’s Vitamin C Serum live up to its claims?

Overall, the feedback and reviews that customers leave for Dr. Brennet’s vitamin C serum match the official product description provided on the Dr. Brenner online store. My experience has also been entirely positive.

However, one point of concern is the pH levels. Some users share that when they’ve tested the pH levels of the product they noticed a pH of 5 or even 6. Now, this may be a result of external factors but it’s still something to have in mind.

The majority of users share that the product is an exact match to SkinCeuticals and that it even exceeds their expectations. I completely agree with the claims that the skin becomes glower, brighter, firm, and like a clean canvas for makeup or any other skincare products.

Where to buy Dr. Brenner vitamin C serum

At last, we’ve come to my favorite part. The price for Dr. Brenner’s vitamin C serum is unbelievable at a glance, but it’s even harder to comprehend once you see the amazing results.

The price is around $25 per oz, but you can also find it for around $20 when on sale. This is astonishing, considering that Skinceuticals costs $160 per oz!

Despite the lower price, Dr. Brenner’s product makes no compromise with quality and offers the exact same results as Skinceuticals. This is why I always stockpile a few bottles of this baby.

And where can you buy Dr. Brenner’s vitamin C serum? There are plenty of online shops selling the product but you can also find it in Dr. Brenner’s online store.

Do you need the Dr. Brenner vitamin C serum?

Whether or not you need this product, it all comes down to what you want to achieve when it comes to skin health and skincare.

If you’re looking for a way to keep your skin healthy and naturally glowy and bright, you can without a doubt benefit from Dr. Brenner’s vitamin C serum. Let it work its magic and help you say goodbye to acne scars, spots, fine lines, and other imperfections.

Dupes & alternatives to Dr. Brenner’s vitamin C serum

Overall, I wouldn’t say that you need a dupe as the price point of Dr. Brennet’s vitamin C serum is unbeatable. It’s literally the one product that you need to have for your regular skin intake of vitamin C.

However, some popular dupes include:

Paula’s Choice C15 Booster – sells for around $65 per oz and contains similar ingredients to Dr. Brenner’s vitamin C serum and SkinCeuticals. It comes with a 15% Vitamin C formula and helps eliminate fine lines and wrinkles. The product is also completely cruelty-free.

Timeless Skin Care 20% Vitamin C Plus E Ferulic – sells for around $20 per oz, which is pretty similar to Dr. Brenner’s vitamin C serum. This alternative is fragrance-free and helps brighten the skin and boosts collagen production. It’s suitable for dry, normal, combination, and oily skin types. Unlike most other serums, it doesn’t contain any dye so it won’t cover up any oxidation from the vitamin C. It uses the formula of 20% Vitamin C, 1% Vitamin E, and 0.5% Ferulic acid and has a pH of 2.4. The product is not fungal acne safe due to its Polysorbate 80 contents.

Rohto Melano CC Anti-Spot Vitamin C – selling for around $36 per oz, this is my personal Dr Brenner vitamin C alternative as it’s in an airtight container that dispenses a regular amount of product without exposing it to deteriorating air and sunlight. Six drops are all you need for your entire face and neck, and I’ve noticed that the serum starts to turn brown from the fourth month onward of consistent use (I’ve used a single tube for up to 6 months). It doesn’t feature ferulic acid in the ingredients but boy is this potent — it lightens my hyperpigmentation like nothing else and it’s pleasant and easy to use all year round.

Some other alternatives of the Dr. Brenner Vitamin C serum that I haven’t personally tried and can’t attest to include the Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum for Face with Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E & Ferulic Acid and the SeoulCeuticals 20% Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid + Ferulic Acid.

Dr. Brenner Vitamin C serum vs SkinCeuticals Vitamin C serum

Frankly speaking, the two serums can’t possibly compare, as the SkinCeuticals’ is much richer, and the formula is better rounded than the Dr. Brenner vitamin C serum.

SkinCeuticals have the practice of sending their products for individual testing for results, which is why their efficacy is proven and they charge so much for their skincare.

Dr. Brenner Vitamin C serum hasn’t been tested, so any results reported are strictly anecdotal and from user experience. However, the lack of lab testing doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t invest in a product, as 99% of skincare products do not undergo any testing for results.

Dr. Brenner Vitamin C serum vs Timeless Vitamin C serum

In my experience, the Timeless Vitamin C Serum feels much more enjoyable to apply and it’s more easy to find it in shops, so I frequently buy this one when the Dr. Brenner Vitamin C Serum is out of stock.

Timeless’ product has an opaque package that just wins my trust more in comparison to the Dr. Brenner product, so I consider the first to be an overall better option.

So there we have it! These are the most important things to know about Dr. Brenner’s vitamin C serum.

If you’re interested in learning more about vitamin C, I’ve also done a Medik8 Vitamin C-Tetra review of their entire collection of products.

I’ve also tried and done a Naturium Vitamin C Super Serum review and exposed the truth regarding the controversy surrounding the product.

And I’ve also written about the best vitamin C alternatives for sensitive skin, if you happen to be too sensitive to handle pure l-ascorbic acid.