10 Best Vitamin C Supplements Reviewed & Compared
By Mike Valverde
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In order to stay healthy, it’s important to consume a diet of foods rich in vitamins and minerals.
Having a balanced diet is the best way to promote good health and avoid a plethora of illnesses and injuries. One of the most important vitamins for proper body functionality is Vitamin C.
Vitamin C is also commonly known as Ascorbic acid. Maintaining proper levels of Vitamin C in the body will help to prevent the onset of cardiovascular diseases and counteract some forms of bodily degradation that come with aging. In some cases, high dosages of Vitamin C has been linked to reducing the severity of cancer in the body.
Although Vitamin C can be found in many fruits and vegetables, some individuals may not consume enough of these foods to get the necessary amount in their diet. For that reason, several nutrition products manufacturers have designed supplements that provide individuals with the necessary daily amount of Vitamin C.
Vitamin C supplements are extremely popular, and many different forms of it are available for purchasing. With so many options, it can be difficult finding the best product.
This buyer’s guide covers the ten best supplementary forms of Vitamin C on the market in order to help you come to a final purchasing decision.
Tried and tested this list holds strong but do revisit, we keep an eye open for any new top products and will add them.
- Bulk Supplements
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Our rating - High purity
- Price: See Here
- Nutribiotic
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Our rating - Pleasant taste
- Price: See Here
- Twinlab C-1000
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Our rating - Easy to swallow pill
- Price: See Here
10 Best Vitamin C Supplements
Bulk Supplements
The pure ascorbic acid used as the key ingredient in a Vitamin C supplement is at its most potent in this specific product’s powder. A perfect 1:1 ratio of Vitamin C to formula is tough to beat, and the benefit of the powder format makes it easy to measure out specific dosages.
Purity
The only ingredient you are going to find in this powder is ascorbic acid. No effort has been made to purify it, which does limit its total potency. However, this lack of additional chemicals such as sodium helps to keep the formula pure.
Taste
It’s true that the high concentration of acidic substances in this powder will have a strong sour taste. This taste will disgust the majority of individuals who take it, but it can be mitigated to a degree if you mix it with a strong-tasting liquid such as juice.
Affordability
This is the most expensive supplement on this list, which is bound to turn off many individuals who are just looking for a bit of extra Vitamin C to help them get through flu season. However, if you’re looking for enough Vitamin C to last you for the next few years, this is the package to buy.
Popularity
In addition to being the most expensive product on this list, Bulk Supplements’ Vitamin C powder is far and away the most popular. Thousands of customers have purchased this supplement and the overwhelming majority of feedback has been extremely positive. If you’re looking to make a decision based on the product with the highest popularity, this would be the one for you.
- Very potent
- High purity
- Enormous volume per package
- Extremely popular
- Strong taste
Nutribiotic
With one quarter of a teaspoon containing just over 1,100 mg of sodium ascorbate, this is an extremely potent Vitamin C formula. In fact, such a high potency can be a negative, as it is much easier to take a considerably greater dosage than you may originally intend to.
Purity
Nutribiotic’s formula is made of Sodium Ascorbate, a substance derived from a combination of salt and ascorbic acid. Using the salt as a filtration method, this formula has extremely pure Vitamin C crystals packed in each serving. However, some residual salt is left in the formula to the detriment of its overall purity.
Taste
Since the ascorbic acid used to synthesize the Vitamin C in this supplement was filtered, no bitter or tart taste is present when consuming this formula. Instead there is a mild salty taste, which is due to the sodium filtration method used to get pure crystals. According to customers, this taste is considerably better than other supplements on the market.
Affordability
It’s true that this pack of supplements is on the more expensive side of the spectrum for Vitamin C prices. However, one year’s worth of servings are contained in just one bottle, thanks to the extremely high potency of this formula. Because of that, this ends up being one of the most inexpensive supplements once you account for volume.
Popularity
This supplement doesn’t have an overwhelming amount of reviews left for it online, suggesting that it isn’t the most popular Vitamin C product around. However, there is still a decent amount of feedback left by customers, and the general consensus is a very positive experience. Customers have taken this powder in tea, water, and juice without problems, and one even puts some in his dog’s water dish!
- Extremely high potency
- High volume per package
- Pleasant taste
- No acidity
- Mild salt content
Twinlab C-1000
Twinlab’s supplement contains 1,000 mg of Vitamin C, as the name implies. The source of this nutrient is difficult to discern due to a lack of information offered on the back of the bottle or on the publisher’s website. All that is stated is that the capsules contain crystallized concentrations of the substance.
Purity
Regardless of where the Vitamin C is derived from in this supplement, the fact remains that it is highly pure. Some mild bonding agents are inactive ingredients used for the construction of the capsules that contain this supplement, but the only other ingredient present is pure crystallized Vitamin C.
Taste
Since no acid or citrus was used in the making of this formula, there isn’t any strong bitter or sour taste that accompanies it. However, it is still a good idea to take this pill without breaking the capsule in order to avoid choking. For the most part, there isn’t any significant taste to speak of.
Affordability
While a few other capsule-based supplements will offer similar size and potency capsules for a better price, Twinlab’s Vitamin C supplement is still one of the most affordable ones available for purchase. It can be a greater value according to volume if you purchase a powder-based supplement, but this is the perfect compromise between a low initial price and a high volume.
Popularity
This supplement isn’t very popular, based on how many people have purchased it and left reviews online. However, the few people who have taken the plunge with this product have nice things to say about it. The general consensus is that these pills are easy to swallow and quick to work, without any frills or gimmicks.
- Unparalleled purity
- No taste
- Terrific price
- Not very popular
NOW
In addition to having the standard 1,000 mg of Vitamin C derived from ascorbic acid, this supplement also contains a small amount of rose hips powder. This is another common source of Vitamin C that is natural, but the amount contained is insignificant when compared to the acid-derived portions of the formula.
Purity
Other than the vegetable based coating used for manufacturing the capsules, this supplement only carries ingredients that provide the body with Vitamin C. The purity of NOW’s formula is slightly weakened due to the addition of rosehips, since it offers a less pure source of the nutrient.
Taste
The addition of rosehips to the formula give these capsules a sour or tart taste. This difference is subtle, however, and easily overpowered by the bitter-tasting ascorbic acid. For the most part, you should be able to avoid tasting these supplements at all if you swallow them whole with the aid of some liquid.
Affordability
Despite containing a few extra ingredients, the affordability of these Vitamin C supplements are easily comparable to many simpler products on the market. In many cases, these are actually more affordable than most tablet or capsule-based formulas, since one bottle can last for several months if taken at the minimum dose.
Popularity
Aside from the fact that these pills are a bit on the larger side, the vast majority of customers who have left reviews for this supplement online have nothing negative to say. Many of them praise the time-release natures of these pills, which help to ensure that the full amount becomes absorbed in the bloodstream.
- High potency
- Additional natural ingredients
- Very affordable
- Slightly diminished potency
Doctor's Best
1000 mg of ascorbic acid is used to supply the Vitamin C in this supplement. Some individuals may be turned off by the synthetic nature of this chemical, but the fact is that this is the purest and easiest method of supplying great deals of this nutrient to your body.
Purity
The only other ingredient present in the formula for this supplement is cellulose in order to form the outside of each capsule. This means that you will only be ingesting Vitamin C from an extremely pure, albeit synthetic, source. The only way this supplement could be purer is if it came in a powder.
Taste
Fortunately, the cellulose lining used to make the capsules for this supplement do not have any particular taste to them. This means that you can take these pills with water and experience no negative taste whatsoever. There isn’t even an aftertaste, which is something most Vitamin C powders can’t say.
Affordability
Thanks to its no-frills approach to supplying the body with Vitamin C, there isn’t a great deal of cost to the production of these capsules. This allows Doctor’s Best to sell them at a very competitive price, providing an extra benefit to the customer. One package costs half as much as many competing brands and offers nearly double the amount of servings.
Popularity
It’s a shame that these supplements aren’t as popular as many others on the market, as the few customers who have tried them have left extremely positive reviews. Some customers take double the dosage without experiencing any negative effects, and others attest to this supplement’s ability to clear up their skin and improve their eyesight.
- High purity
- Terrific value
- Adequate potency
- Less popular
American Health Ester-C
While each capsule only contains 500 mg of Vitamin C, a comparable dose to most other formulas available for purchase can be achieved by simply doubling the dose. In fact, this seeming lack of potency can make it easier to fine-tune your dosing to fit specific dietary needs.
Purity
Instead of using the most common and most pure form of Vitamin C, ascorbic acid, American Health Ester-C uses a slight variation on this synthetic formula called Calcium Ascorbate. It’s very similar to ascorbic acid but also contains a small amount of calcium, which provides further nutritional value but does detract from the overall purity of this supplement.
Taste
The taste for this supplement isn’t as noticeable as most others since it comes in capsules instead of powders. However, people who have taken these capsules as intended say that the taste is decent, especially when compared to other formulas on the market. Grinding it up for whatever reason will result in a bitter taste.
Affordability
At roughly 7 cents a capsule, these are some of the most affordable supplements on the market, second only to bulk ascorbic acid powder bags. For the cost of one month’s supply for a competing brand, you can get enough American Health Ester-C to last you roughly 4 months.
Popularity
Many complaints levied by customers about Vitamin C supplements that come in capsule form are the adverse effects the more acidic formulas can have on their skin and the size of the pills. Due to the diluted formula used for this supplement, and due to the reduced size from a smaller dosage, neither of these complaints can be found in the numerous positive reviews for this product online.
- Terrific value
- Variable potency
- Decent taste
- Lackluster purity
Lypo-Spheric
In addition to containing 1,000 mg of Vitamin C, this powder supplement utilizes liposomal encapsulation and delivery technology to increase its potency. What those big words mean is that the manufacturers of this supplement used liposomes, or tiny spherical containers, to bypass the membrane layer and directly provide your bloodstream with Vitamin C.
Purity
Although the majority of this powder formula is made from ascorbic acid, an incredibly pure synthetic source of Vitamin C, there are a few other ingredients added that dilute the purity of this product. One additional element that is prominently featured is soy lecithin, the source of the lipids used to facilitate the liposomal delivery technology.
Taste
Some customers have noticed no taste when taking this formula, while others have noticed a strong unappealing taste. In any case, you shouldn’t expect this powder to taste good. One recommendation to dilute this strong taste is to mix this formula in with a tastier liquid such as orange juice.
Affordability
This container of Vitamin C comes at a higher cost than many others of its kind, and it doesn’t balance out when looking at the volume per container either. However, the increased price is justified due to the liposomal delivery technology that was implemented in this formula. This ensures that all of the Vitamin C becomes absorbed in your body, as opposed to other highly-concentrated supplements that your body will usually filter out.
Popularity
One of the reasons why this Vitamin C supplement has so many extremely positive reviews left by satisfied customers is how quickly these customers noticed results. One customer mentioned it only took two days of dosing before they felt an improvement in their health. While one or two cases of this occurring can be chalked up to the placebo effect, numerous recorded accounts of this happening suggest that there is more to this than simple coincidence.
- High potency
- Cutting-edge delivery technology
- Near-perfect reviews
- Disappointing purity
Bronson
Containing 1,000 mg of Vitamin C in roughly a quarter of a teaspoon, Bronson’s Vitamin C powder supplement is extremely potent. This ensures that each package contains a high volume and offers a good value, but it also increases the risk of developing adverse effects from ingesting too much.
Purity
This supplement is made solely of Ascorbic acid, a chemical that is used to synthesize Vitamin C. Adding the fact that it comes in powder form and thus doesn’t require gelatin or rice flour to contain it, this is one of the purest sources of Vitamin C you can buy.
Taste
The unfortunate downside of this supplement being incredibly pure is that nothing has been added to make the taste more appealing. Expect a very bitter taste when mixing this solution with water. Because of this, you may want to mix it with a tastier liquid or add some sugar.
Affordability
The base price for this powder supplement is pretty high when compared to many others listed here, but this evens out once you account for the volume factor. If you’re looking for a supply of Vitamin C that will last you for months, this is the absolute best value for your money.
Popularity
Nearly every single customer who has left a review for this powder online has given it a perfect score. Due to its powder form, customers have remarked that they can take it orally or mix it into a topical solution. The only downside from customers is the uncomfortable taste.
- High volume
- Perfect purity
- Excellent value
- Bitter taste
Nature's Way Alive!
This Vitamin C powder doesn’t have the same potency per serving as some other powders. This is because it derives its key ingredient from natural fruit-based sources instead of Ascorbic acid, which is the most common source. Despite this diminished potency, more Vitamin C can be added easily and safely by doubling the dosage.
Purity
Some individuals may see the fact that the Vitamin C in this supplement is derived from multiple sources as a lack of purity. However, the fact that Nature’s Way uses goji and kiwi fruit extract instead of the standard Ascorbic acid, this lack of purity is made up for with the quality of its ingredients.
Taste
Despite the composition of this supplement being derived mostly from sweet fruits, the taste of this Vitamin C powder more closely resembles chili powder, according to one online reviewer. It’s not the most unpleasant-tasting powder on the market, but the taste can take you by surprise if you aren’t careful.
Affordability
The cost for one package of this powder is low, but this initial affordability doesn’t stack up when accounting for volume. One package contains enough servings for roughly a month, but when you consider the diminished potency, this really translates to two weeks of double servings. However, if you’re interested in a more natural supplement and don’t need 1000 mg with each serving, this is a fine price.
Popularity
Nature’s Way doesn’t have a great deal of reviews left online for its supplement, but the few reviews it does have are overwhelmingly positive. Customers don’t seem to mind the slightly off taste or lower potency, instead appreciating the fact that this formula isn’t synthetic.
- Natural ingredients
- Easy dosing
- Tolerable taste
- Diminished potency
Serumtologie
It’s difficult to determine exactly how potent this Vitamin C product is, since it is administered in a very different way than all other products on this list. As a topical serum, five to seven drops are rubbed into the skin, purportedly helping to promote healthier and clearer skin. It won’t fulfill the nutritional requirements that other Vitamin C supplements will, but it does provide some nutritional value.
Purity
Being designed primarily to aid in repairing damaged skin, this serum is mixed with several other chemicals intended for this purpose. Because of this, the purity of this product is low, but it still manages to accomplish the task it sets out to with the aid of these additions. In addition, this serum is vegan, despite these extra chemicals.
Taste
Since this product isn’t taken orally, taste shouldn’t be an issue. In order to achieve the highest effectiveness, you should avoid putting any of this substance in your mouth and instead put in on your skin. However, some customers have noticed a strange metallic taste in their mouths as a side effect, so be wary of this possibility.
Affordability
When compared to other skin care products and topical creams, this Vitamin C supplement is quite affordable. However, when compared to the multitudes of oral Vitamin C supplements that aren’t intended for skin care, these cost a great deal more than most. However, the specific features offered by this package make them worth this higher price.
Popularity
Customers expressing their opinions through reviews left on online retailers have been very receptive to this serum, offering very high marks. One reviewer even recommended it as a nutrition consultant, saying it is very effective at treating conditions like Rosacea.
- Excellent skin care properties
- High effectiveness
- Substantial popularity
- No nutritional value
The Criteria We Used to Determine the Best Vitamin C Supplements
It’s important to exercise some thought when deciding what kind of supplements you want to put into your body. You only have one, after all! The criteria used in this buying guide for determining the best Vitamin C supplements was chosen based on scientific research, personal experience, and the general consensus of other customers. Here are some of the factors considered when choosing the best of the best:
Potency
When picking out any supplement, the first thing to look out for is how much of the key ingredient is present in each supplement. The majority of these products have around 1,000 milligrams of Vitamin C in each serving, but serving sizes can vary. This determining factor evaluates how potent one serving is in order to find the supplements that require the least volume in order to consume the required nutrients for proper bodily health.
Purity
Some supplements are marketed as multivitamins, containing multiple different nutrients in one serving. These can be helpful for some individuals who wish to further supplement their diet while taking fewer pills, but that is not the focus of this buying guide. In the case of Vitamin C supplements, any additional ingredients that aren’t sources of Vitamin C are considered superfluous and take away from the product’s purity. In order to judge the purity of each project, the amount of active ingredients is weighed against any extra chemicals.
Taste
Whether it’s taken in a powder or a pill, supplements can have a particular taste to them. They are often intended to be taken with water, which can serve to either enhance or dull the overall taste. In any case, the taste of a supplement can often be disgusting to an individual if it is too strong. This category determines the taste of each product based on the form it is administered as well as the general consensus of customers who have tried it.
Popularity
It can be scary taking a new medicine or supplement. It is always a good idea to consult a doctor or medical professional before taking any new medication in order to make sure that it is safe for consumption. However, another good way of determining the effectiveness of a supplement is to seek out the opinions of those who have already tried it. This section evaluates how many customers have tried each product, whether their experience with it was positive or negative, and what particular aspects of the product stood out to them.
Affordability
When taking into account how affordable each product on this list is, more than just the base price was considered. One product could cost less than another but end up having a less potent formula and fewer total servings. This is why the total volume and number of servings were evaluated while determining this important factor.
Other Important Factors to Consider
Although the criteria listed above is enough for the vast majority of customers to consider when deciding on the right product for them, there are some special cases worth mentioning. Some customers may have other factors that they want to consider that aren’t listed above, even if they don’t necessarily determine whether or not one product is objectively better than the other. For the sake of these individuals, here are some additional things to mull over when making a final decision:
Lifestyle
Individuals who consume a vegetarian or vegan diet will want to avoid any supplements that use gelatin in their manufacturing. Some pills will use this animal-derived product as a coating, so people who object to the consumption of animals will want to find pills that use vegetable-based cellulose instead. There are also some people who prefer organic sources of vitamins and minerals over synthetic ones. These individuals will want to seek out Vitamin C supplements that are derived from natural sources, such as citrus fruits and rose hips, over pure ascorbic acid supplements.
Release Time
Depending on the form and ingredients of the supplement, the key ingredient can be released either gradually over time or immediately after dosing. This is why some supplements will recommend you take them with a meal. Although this isn’t a major concern with Vitamin C supplements, it’s still a possibility that instant-release versions can cause some discomfort to individuals with sensitive stomachs. If you fall into that category, you may want to consider finding a supplement with a slower release.
Certifications
The most obvious course of action to ensure you are taking safe supplements is to consult a doctor or medical professional before doing so. They will be able to evaluate if any ingredients present in the formula are dangerous or if they conflict with other medications that you are taking. However, another way to ensure supplements purchased online are safe is to look for certifications on the bottle. Important certifications to look for are those from the FDA and GMP.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I take these supplements instead of food?
A: You cannot eat nutritional supplements and multivitamins in place of regular food and maintain proper bodily health. The body requires a certain amount of calories to function properly which cannot be provided by simply taking vitamin supplements. In addition, healthy foods offer high concentrations of other important nutrients, such as fiber and protein, that are very difficult to replace with the aid of supplements.
Q: Can I overdose on Vitamin C?
A: It is physically impossible for a human to take a lethal dose of Vitamin C due to the sheer amount they would have to take in order to reach it. However, negative effects can occur in the body if you take too much of it. Some minor overdose symptoms include nausea and digestive issues such as diarrhea, and more severe symptoms include the development of kidney stones.
Q: How much Vitamin C should I take every day?
A: The daily recommended dose of Vitamin C as prescribed by nutritionists is around 75 milligrams. However, it is safe to take much higher amounts than this daily, and many individuals have noticed positive health benefits to their skin and immune system when taken in higher dosages. 1,000 milligrams is a common serving size, but you can take up to 2,000 a day before experiencing negative effects.
Q: Will Vitamin C cure a cold?
A: Since Vitamin C has properties which help to boost the body’s immune system, it can protect you from the onset of sicknesses such as the common cold or the flu. In some cases, individuals have been able to reduce the amount of time a cold has affected them by taking high doses of Vitamin C. However, there is no scientific evidence at this time that taking Vitamin C will cure a common cold.
Q: Will Vitamin C keep me awake?
A: Vitamin C is not a stimulant and will not keep you awake, even if you take it right before going to sleep. On the other hand, correcting a Vitamin C deficiency by taking it regularly can help you achieve longer periods of restful sleep at night.
Sources
- , Vitamin C buying guide, Website,
- , The scoop on vitamins and supplements, Article, May 01, 2012
- , Supplements: Nutrition in a pill?, Article,
- , Where to Find the Best Vitamin C Supplement?, Website,
- , Advances and Challenges of Liposome Assisted Drug Delivery, Journal, Dec 01, 2015
- , Rosehips Powder, Storefront,
- , Vitamin C and Health, Website, Feb 11, 2016
- , Vitamin C Overdose, Website,
- , Vitamin C and colds, Website,
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