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If your skincare routine is anything like mine, you probably have a small army of serums living on your vanity. Brightening, hydrating, firming — each promises glowing results, but not all of them play nicely together.
That’s why I’m always excited when I find one that slides effortlessly into the lineup. Right now, the grace & stella Brightening Vitamin C Serum is only $9 on Amazon, and it’s one of those rare formulas that feels like it belongs in every routine.
I’ll admit it: I originally fell for grace & stella because of the brand’s cult-favorite under-eye patches. They’re the kind of product you try once and then suddenly keep restocking because they’re just that good. But over time, I’ve discovered that the brand’s other skincare layers deserve attention, too — especially its lightweight serums.
Amazon
This vitamin C formula is designed to brighten dull skin while delivering hydration thanks to ingredients like hyaluronic acid and peptides, the latter of which is *taking off* right now. As you can imagine, vitamin C is known for helping fade the appearance of dark spots and boosting radiance, while hyaluronic acid pulls moisture into the skin to keep it plump and dewy.
Victoria McDonnell
The result? A glow-boosting serum that feels (surprisingly) luxe for its price point.
What really sold me, though, is the texture. Some vitamin C serums can feel sticky, oil or heavy, and this makes layering them with moisturizer, SPF and makeup a gamble. This one is the opposite. It’s lightweight and absorbs quickly, making it easy to use under other skincare or cosmetics without pilling or leaving a greasy finish.
And as someone with a fairly extensive serum roster, that matters. My routine changes depending on the day: sometimes I’m reaching for bakuchiol, other days it’s a hydrating formula, and occasionally a barrier-repair treatment sneaks in. This grace & stella serum blends seamlessly with whatever else I’m using, on whatever day.
So, if you’re already a fan of grace & stella’s eye patches (welcome to the club), this serum is the perfect next step. It’s brightening, hydrating and refreshingly easy to layer — and at this price, it might just earn a permanent spot in your skincare rotation.
This article was written by Victoria McDonnell, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist, who has spent countless hours researching, testing hundreds of products and comparing the latest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends to determine what’s truly worth your hard-earned cash. She evaluates formulas, textures, ingredients and more, in addition to consulting medical and industry experts. Some of Victoria’s latest conquests include testing the best sheet masks on the market, and a rinse-and-repeat review of the best shampoos for all hair types and budgets. Victoria, who received a beauty industry essentials certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology, has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored.
