Vitamin C Serum — Reddit Reviews
by Trader Joe's
Updated October 7, 2026
15% L-ascorbic acid with ferulic acid and vitamin E; pricey dupe energy.
What the community says
A 15% L-ascorbic acid serum with ferulic acid and vitamin E, aimed at people chasing brightening and tone-evening on a budget. It fits AM routines, especially under moisturizer and sunscreen. The texture runs thick, sticky, and pilling-prone.
What this means for you
Backed by 25 threads from r/40plusskincare, r/30PlusSkinCare and 3 more.
Read the threads ↓What people love
- $10 CE Ferulic dupe energy
- 15% L-ascorbic acid plus ferulic acid and vitamin E
- Brightens dull, uneven tone
Watch out for
Product details
Use caution
Skin Type
Key Ingredients
Where to buy
What the science says vs. what Reddit says
Hyperpigmentation
Some evidence
Vitamin C: 7 studies tested it on its own. See all 24 studies
On Reddit: Vitamin C from Trader Joe’s specifically tackles uneven skin tone with noticeable fading of dark spots. 4 mentions
What the studies found
- Most studies found vitamin C helped fade dark spots or patches
- In melasma, vitamin C put on the skin often made patches look lighter over time
- Used with other treatments, vitamin C often faded patches more than the other treatment alone
- It worked about as well as glycolic acid in one large review
- One study in sun spots found only modest fading, with mixed results across skin-darkness checks
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
Real Reddit threads — 57 mentions across 25 threads
Trader Joe's Vitamin C Serum on Reddit, in one place — 25 threads from r/40plusskincare, r/30PlusSkinCare and 3 more, summarized.
“there r plenty of skin ceutical dupes out there even Trader Joe's has one”
Mentioned
“Trader Joe's has one”
Mentioned
“daytime vit c”
Mentioned
“Formulated for us by dermatologists, this Serum includes 15% L-ascorbic acid (AKA Vitamin C), 1% tocopherols (AKA vitamin E), and 0.5% ferulic acid”
Mentioned
“I took a chance on this one and it is the clear color you would expect from a fresh product.”
Mentioned
“TJ will take a bit longer to absorb as it’s a bit thicker whereas most of the comparable ones are more watery.”
Mentioned
“Trader Joe's just released a Skinceuticals CE Ferulic dupe!”
Positive
“I've only been using it a few days, but I already prefer the feel of it to the Skinceuticals version.”
Positive
“OMG I’ve been using this and I absolutely LOVE it.”
Positive
“Trader Joe's just came out with a phenomenal C E + ferulic. It's only $9.99.”
Mentioned
“Trader Joe’s has a dupe for $9.99.”
Mentioned
“Both are great and exactly the same as the $185 bottle of Skinceuticals.”
Mentioned
“I agree with recs on Vitamin C (try Trader Joe’s one - I love it) and SPF 50 or higher at all times.”
Positive
“try Trader Joe’s one - I love it”
Positive
“You can get it to fade”
Positive
“another super affordable ( $10 ) dupe from trader joe’s.”
Mentioned
“Trader Joe’s”
Mentioned
“Vitamin C”
Mentioned
