La Roche-Posay Vitamin C12 Serum Dupes & Cheaper Alternatives
From 16 Reddit threads · Updated October 10, 2026
12% L-ascorbic acid serum for brightness and daytime glow; strong and stingy. The catch: strong enough to sting or irritate sensitive skin. Here's what Redditors reach for instead.
The short answer
Best Overall AlternativeClose CE Ferulic dupe · $25.16 · 30 ml
Best Cheaper AlternativeCentella plus TXA for dark spots · $10.99 · 50 ml vs $35.29 for the original
Best for BrighteningTXA-glutathione brightening cocktail · $18.80 · 10.4 ml
#1
Best Overall Alternative
- Size: 30 ml
- Price per ml: $0.84/ml (original $1.18/ml)
The why
One minus
Can sting or burn on sensitive skin
Good forDry Skin
“timeless vitamin c (am)”
— Reddit, r/30PlusSkinCare
The original, at a glance
- Why people love it
- Brightening glow with real fan-club energy
- Price
- $35.29 · 30 ml · $1.18/ml
#2
Best Cheaper Alternative
Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Capsule Ampoule
Skin1004·Serum
See alternativesCentella plus TXA for dark spots
- Size: 50 ml
- Price per ml: $0.22/ml (original $1.18/ml)
The why
A brightening ampoule built around niacinamide, tranexamic acid, and centella, with a lot of people using it for dark spots or general glow. Reddit’s split: some see slow, subtle payoff, while others get stickiness or breakouts.
One minus
Sticky finish in humid weather
Good forSensitive Skin
#3
Best for Brightening
No.5 Glutathione TXA Advanced Dark Spot Ampoule Concentrate
numbuzin·Serum
See alternativesTXA-glutathione brightening cocktail
- Size: 10.4 ml
- Price per ml: $1.82/ml (original $1.18/ml)
The why
A dark-spot ampoule built around tranexamic acid, glutathione, niacinamide, and vitamin C. Redditors use it for PIH and general brightening, and many call it a gentler alternative to stronger vitamin C serums. Results are uneven if the marks keep getting re-triggered.
One minus
Won’t outrun fresh acne if breakouts keep coming
“i have dark spots from acne that i had ,ngl i seen some result with numbuzin no5 but still i can see some shadowy left”
— Reddit, r/koreanskincare
Other alternatives worth a look
Dark-spot fading staple · 231 mentions
Oily SkinCombination Skin
Gentler vitamin C for reactive skin · 32 mentions
Fragrance-FreeLightweight
10% azelaic acid for redness and breakouts · 713 mentions
Oily SkinCombination Skin
Alpha-arbutin + niacinamide for spot-fading · 67 mentions
Dry SkinLightweight
Stable vitamin C that doesn’t sting easily · 42 mentions
Cruelty-FreeGluten-Free
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