Happy World Vitamin C Day! Yes, that’s correct – April 4th marks a day of celebration for one of the most loved skincare ingredients on the market.
Vitamin C has the ability to prevent and correct common signs of ageing, such as loss of elasticity, pigmentation, dullness and fine lines and wrinkles, so it’s no shock that the antioxidant skin saviour has a big following behind it, especially close to home.
A new study* conducted by department store chain, Myer has analysed Google search data for over 200 well-known skincare ingredients, to rank them according to the number of searches, and has identified the most searched skincare ingredient in each country.
Myer’s research reveals vitamin C is the most commonly searched ingredient in Australia, with an average of 327,670 searches for skincare guidance related to this ingredient.
Along with Australia, vitamin C ranked as the top searched ingredient in 63 countries, including New Zealand, China and the UK.
Myer suggests the popularity of vitamin C as a skincare ingredient in Australia can be attributed to several key factors.
"Discovering that vitamin C is the go-to skincare ingredient in Australia truly highlights our devotion to radiant, healthy skin," shared Myer Senior Buyer & Brand Manager, Elissa Bartuccelli.
"It perfectly aligns with our appreciation for its antioxidant benefits and brightening effects, fitting seamlessly with our love for natural beauty and the sun-kissed Australian glow."
Bartuccelli also added that Australia’s trend is following suit of what has been seen over the past couple of years in the UK.
"This trend is evident in the buying habits of our Myer customers, who are eager to delve deeper into this skincare phenomenon, with leading brands such as SkinCeuticals, Clinique and The Ordinary emerging as favourites," she shared.
"Furthermore, thanks to global skincare influences, particularly from the UK where vitamin C has been a staple for four to five years, we've witnessed a significant surge in Australians incorporating it into their skincare routines."
Because we’re not one to gatekeep, here are some of our top picks to take note of when it comes to the beloved antioxidant, vitamin C.
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum is a cult classic for good reason. This high potency serum is backed with a combination of powerful antioxidants to protect skin against atmospheric ageing – 15% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), 1% vitamin E (alpha tocopherol), and 0.5% ferulic acid. In addition to the benefits of these powerful antioxidants, this serum can help fight the signs of ageing by improving the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and skin laxity, while brightening the complexion for more radiant looking skin. ($242 at Myer)
Medik8 C-Tetra® Luxe is a nourishing vitamin C antioxidant serum, boosted with red ginseng that enhances skin's radiance. Using a super-stable lipid-soluble form of vitamin C called tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, the formula sinks deep into skin to provide powerful antioxidant protection against free radicals with minimal irritation. The complexion is left soft, protected from environmental damage and visibly brighter looking. ($140 at Adore Beauty)
Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum is formulated with an ultra-powerful form of vitamin C called THD ascorbate. Both highly stable and oil soluble, THD ascorbate rapidly absorbs into the skin for visible antioxidant benefits, including visual improvement in loss of firmness, the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and dullness. ($146 at MECCA)
mesoestetic age element® brightening complex plus is a concentrated solution containing 15% vitamin C in powder form, which is combined with the liquid phase of the product before application. The liquid phase combines hyaluronic acid and a trisaccharide to promote skin renewal and provide immediate and long-lasting hydration. It is an intensive 4-week treatment that acts on a deeper level, to visibly revitalise the complexion, restoring luminosity. ($139 at Adore Beauty)
Antipodes Diem Vitamin C Pigment-Correcting Water Cream is a high-performance peptide moisturiser to help correct uneven skin tone, prevent hyperpigmentation, and re-energise dull skin. Kakadu plum contains the world’s highest natural levels of vitamin C to aid in brightening skin tone and protecting against pollutants. Plant hyaluronic acid provides all-day hydration and bakuchiol, ‘nature’s retinol,’ promotes smoother, firmer skin. ($56 at Chemist Warehouse)
OLE HENRIKSEN Banana Bright+ Instant Glow Moisturiser is a lightweight, ultra-hydrating moisturiser that instantly illuminates and brightens over time. It firms, visibly reduces fine lines and wrinkles and preps skin for smoother make-up application, while giving skin an effortlessly warm, golden glow. This new addition from OLE HENRIKSEN is powered by gold-complexed vitamin C and banana pigments, that instantly brightens, delivers 24-hour hydration and improves and extends make-up wear. ($70 at Sephora)
Ilumae The Antioxidant Crème brightens, repairs and protects the skin. It is made with an advanced, less irritating form of vitamin C plus ferulic acid and vitamin E to help block free radicals and reverse visible signs of ageing. ($172 at Ilumae)
Glow Lab Rosehip Oil + Plus is a powerful oil blend with rosehip seed oil, rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants, nourishes, restores, and helps reduce the appearance of scars, fine lines, and wrinkles. Boosted with Beracare BBA™ to increase hyaluronic acid levels and deeply hydrate while, vitamin C evens skin tone for a brighter, more radiant complexion. ($25 at Woolworths)
Ultraceuticals Ultra C Firming Eye Cream visibly improves skin elasticity, firmness and instantly smooths the delicate eye area. The formula combines pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) in a CSIRO developed delivery system with the powerful peptides MicroElastin® and MicroCollagen. The Pro Collagen formula has also been enhanced with a potent cocktail of ingredients to help condition and hydrate the skin. ($120 at David Jones)
La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum is a unique anti-ageing renovating serum with a high concentration of 10% pure vitamin C, salicylic acid and soothing Neurosensine™. At a physiological pH it reveals sensitive skin's full radiance. Instantly, skin feels softer, more hydrated, and glowing. Wrinkles and fine lines are reduced, skin looks smoother. As if transformed, skin texture and tone appear more uniform, even and refined. ($74.95 at Chemist Warehouse)
Alya Skin Vitamin C Supercharged Serum gives an instant boost of antioxidants with a unique blend of Kakadu plum, desert lime, finger lime caviar and lilly pilly. These Australian natives are packed full of vitamin C to help brighten and even skin tone. ($39.99 at Alya Skin)
Skin Physics Vitamin C Brightening Daily Moisturiser is a powerful, antioxidant-rich cream that shields environmentally stressed skin. It’s made to protect skin from UVA/UVB rays and free-radical damage, while improving skin’s brightness, firmness and elasticity. Featuring Australian Kakadu plum to soothe and brighten uneven texture and tone. ($29.99 at Priceline)
SkinMTX® Potent C has a precise antioxidant formulation that helps protect and fortify skin from deep within. By utilising topical vitamin C in a reliable and stable concentration, SkinMTX® Potent C is able to help treat signs of skin photoageing – leaving the complexion looking smooth and glowing. ($129 at SkinMTX)
DMK Direct Delivery Vitamin C is a sophisticated serum used to stimulate collagen production, suppress pigmentation formation, protect against environmental damage, as well as regenerate healthy skin. One of DMK’s most powerful skin rebuilding tools, Direct Delivery Vitamin C is ideal for wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin, skin tone and texture, acne, darker skin tones, pigmentation, and scarring. (Pricing can be found in-clinic only)
Arbonne ImmunityFizz Vitamin C Fizz Sticks is an immunity support supplement with Arabinogalactin from the North American Larch Tree, clinically studied to support immune response. The on-the-go immunity support powder is also packed with vitamin C, D, zinc and elderberry extract to support immune function. ($105 at Arbonne)
*Methodology:
Myer conducted a skincare ingredient analysis using Byrdie's glossary as a reference. Myer analysed Google Search data for 207 skincare ingredients using Google Keyword Planner.
To ensure accuracy, Myer considered 10 different skincare-related keyword variations for each ingredient, such as ‘moisturiser’, 'toner' and 'cleanser.' The rankings were based on the total average monthly searches for each ingredient in each country over the past year, helping identify the most searched skincare ingredients.
The search trends data range is January 2023 to December 2023. The data is accurate as of January 2024.
