This five-star vitamin C serum gives you a perfect summer glow

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Ride-or-die skincare lovers know all the ways vitamin C serums can act up. The skincare staple can be sticky, have an unpleasant smell and may turn brown over time. However, the brightening benefits of vitamin C are darn near unmatched. And after testing out the Ghost Democracy Lightbulb Vitamin C Serum, I think I’ve found the holy grail.

When it comes to applying skincare, I’ve always struggled with how to layer the actual products. I’ve often experienced product pilling, an annoying problem that happens when products ball up on the skin. Over the years, I’ve realized skincare ball-up is often attributed to incompatible ingredients or over-applying too many thick, sticky products.

Although vitamin C is often sold in serum form — and should be layered on after toner — it is sometimes thicker and sticker than, say, a hyaluronic acid. And that can lead to product ball-up. Thankfully, within my current skincare routine, this lightweight vitamin C serum soaks into my skin without residue or pilling, even though it’s completely waterless.

This lightweight vitamin C serum has more of an oily texture, but thankfully it’s not greasy. But its brightening ingredients include 18 percent tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, otherwise known as a more stable form of vitamin C. Helping to brighten the skin and battle free radicals, the serum also features vitamin E to enhance its brightening properties as well as bakuchiol, a vegan retinol alternative.

Shop: Lightbulb Vitamin C Serum, $34

Credit: Ghost Democracy

Credit: Ghost Democracy

This product is a little pricey, ringing in at $34. If it’s too much for your wallet, you can snag the ever-popular Ole Henrikson vitamin C set for $10 less or this popular $20 vitamin C serum on Amazon with over 24,000 reviews.

But with over 140 reviews on the brand’s website, buyer say Ghost Democracy’s Lightbulb Vitamin C Serum helps smooth out skin and adds a sought-after glow.

“I love the lightweight feel to this serum,” one customer wrote. “It absorbs quickly into the skin and makes my skin feel and look amazing. It definitely helped smooth out my skin and is slowly getting rid of my dark spots.”

Another shopper, who explained they had combination skin, also said they loved the serum, even though it is oil-based.

“I have combination skin, so I was worried about using this product,” they said. “I’ve been using it for 3 weeks now and I love it. I apply it in the morning after washing my face and the glow literally lasts all day long.”

If you enjoyed this story, you may also like this moisturizer that has over 10,000 likes on Sephora.

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