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Vitamin C Product Buyer’s Guide (updated May 2024)

How To Find A High Quality Effective Vitamin C Product

An image of the site's  Senior Editor - Sally Harper.
  Sally Harper
  Senior Editor
  Health & Wellness Advice

Vitamin C is an essential vitamin which the human body is unable to produce on its own, meaning that it must be ingested via food or supplement. Vitamin C provides incredible health benefits, but unfortunately the amount absorbed from your daily diet is minimal. When looking to increase your intake by taking a supplement, it is important to remember that while some products are highly effective and beneficial, others are not all they’re cracked up to be.

The bottom line is that there are supplements out there that will do exactly what they say they will. Many people have experienced incredible, fast results given a quality supplement. Our research has shown that given the correct dosage, form and potency of top-quality Vitamin C, you can achieve the results that you want.

The important things to look out for in a quality Vitamin C supplement are potency, type, dosage, absorption and bioavailability. A liposomal Vitamin C is the recommended option, as studies show that it is more bioavailable than regular Vitamin C. Liposomes are formed when phospholipids encapsulate the Vitamin C, protecting it and helping to deliver it efficiently to the cells.  Therefore, phospholipids must be included in the formula. It is also recommended that the Vitamin C is buffered, meaning that it is less acidic and hence gentler on the stomach. Quercetin is another ingredient to look out for, as it synergistically enhances the health benefits of Vitamin C and improves its absorption. As standard, we appreciate those supplement manufacturers who add a thermogenic enhancer such as BioPerine. 

An effective formula can work wonders, however, it can be beyond confusing for consumers, not knowing which Vitamin C products are worth buying and which are worthless fakes. We carefully examined which products are backed up with scientific support and real explanations as to why they have formulated their version of a Vitamin C supplement in the way that they have or how exactly they work to help improve overall health.

5 Things To Look Out For In An Effective Vitamin C Supplement

  • It should provide 1000mg daily serving of liposomal Vitamin C (the most effective form).
  • It should provide a buffered form of Vitamin C which is gentle on the stomach.
  • It should contain at least 100mg of quercetin for improved absorption.      
  • It should contain at least 100mg of phospholipids which increase the absorption of nutrients.
  • It should contain at least 5mg piperine to enhance absorption and speed up results..

What We Uncovered

Immediately, we were able to spot those manufacturers that were simply out to make a quick return and cash in on the latest health trend versus the products that we consider to be high-quality and effective products that bring positive results.

  1. In short, many of the Vitamin C supplements are not liposomal and therefore less effective due to inferior bioavailability. They also do not provide a 1000mg daily serving of Vitamin C or 100mg quercetin in their formula which will weaken the strength and results you experience. Many also exclude 100mg phospholipids and most neglected the importance of a thermogenic enhancer such as 5mg piperine to superspeed the results. Many do not have any scientific or clinical support as to how they will be effective.
  2. What’s more, they often include unnecessary ingredients that provide no benefit whatsoever. Some formulas do not contain the same potency as they claim on their labels, with many companies even hiding their supplement facts to prevent consumers from better understanding what is contained in the formulas.

This is disheartening and, quite frankly, misleading. Some companies think that by sticking a label on their bottle with the words, ‘Vitamin C Supplement’, without even stating exactly what is inside each capsule and why certain ingredients have been added or not, is enough for consumers to want to buy their products. Unfortunately, many consumers fall for this scheme and are later disappointed by a lack of results. Don’t become one of these disheartened shoppers; check the facts and read the labels before you buy.

 

Our Research

Our research identified key areas that we felt raised concerns when purchasing a Vitamin C supplement. With so many products out there, we felt that we needed clear parameters as to what to look out for when investing in a Vitamin C product.

  • Will it be effective? This is perhaps the main concern for consumers. After all, why waste your money on something that is useless? Unfortunately, there are many products that simply don’t work, which is a real concern for many potential buyers. Consumers need to be aware that there is a precise science to creating an effective formula.
  • Will it be too expensive for me to purchase? Our research uncovered many manufacturers selling liposomal Vitamin C  supplements for well over $100. People often think that by paying more, they will get better quality. This is not always the case. Don’t risk your hard-earned money on something that has an over-inflated and unrealistic price.  
  • Is the company open and transparent? For you to understand whether a company is simply exploiting the latest trends, or whether the manufacturer is all talk and no action, you need to be consumer savvy in order to establish which are the best companies to purchase products from and which ones to skip. This means manufacturers have to be transparent and open, providing you with as much information and guidance as they can.

Finding Effective, Quality Vitamin C Supplements

OK, so… there are several key elements to look out for that can pretty much guarantee the product’s authenticity:

  1. Monitoring By A Third Party: There are organizations that will independently monitor and track the reputation of a company and assess their customer satisfaction levels. A company’s reputation is incredibly important within the health industry, so make sure you select a top provider, one that has an impeccable reputation and is backed by an independent third-party monitoring organization.
  2. 100% Money-Back Guarantee: Many companies offer you a money-back guarantee if their products do not bring the results that you are looking for. Some are better than others. Choose a company that has a solid satisfaction guarantee. A strong guarantee demonstrates a manufacturer’s confidence that their product will deliver the desired results.
  3. External Testing: This is not the same as a monitoring company. Third-party testing substantiates and verifies the quality of the manufacturer’s product. It can be very expensive for manufacturers to undertake, and can even disqualify entire shipments of products that don’t reach the correct standards. That said, when manufacturers don’t have independent quality control and testing, there is no way of knowing if their products are effective, or indeed, safe.

Research On Vitamin C Products

Thorough research takes time and money, which most people don’t have an endless supply of. So, we did the work for you, saving you both. We researched numerous Vitamin C supplements to ascertain an in-depth analysis of what is out there on the market.  

To determine those products that we could rate as beneficial, we looked to see if they contained key ingredients, how potent they were and their grade of purity. We eliminated products that we found to contain synthetic fillers, unnecessary ingredients, and useless proprietary blends.

However, that was not all, we didn’t stop there. We understand that facts and figures don’t always tell the whole story. So, we looked for real consumers who had purchased and used the products and asked them for their feedback. Their testimonials helped us to establish a list of the best possible products currently available on the market.

Our Research Results

An effective Vitamin C supplement should contain a significantly potent dose of pure, buffered liposomal Vitamin C in a phospholipids complex to ensure high bioavailability for optimal health benefits. We also looked for quercetin as well as piperine, which are both top quality, clinically proven ingredients for increased absorption and faster results. Above all else, we looked for third-party testing and certifications such as GMP.

Most products failed to pass our specific criteria.

There are some manufacturers who actually include some good ingredients in their formulas, yet fail when they weaken the potency by adding an unnecessary blend of useless ingredients. Other manufacturers simply failed to use the proper ingredients. Others filled their supplements with binders, additives or preservatives. All but a few of them avoided quality control testing.

We are very confident in the brands that we did pick. Given our stringent parameters and reasons for choosing our top products, we are sure our top picks will help you achieve the results you are looking for.

Why Did We Select Our #1 Choice As Our Top Vitamin C Supplement?

Our top pick not only met all of our strict criteria for a quality Vitamin C supplement, but it also beat it!

Look at what it contains:

  • 1100mg Liposomal Vitamin C – Double the amount of most products.
  • 2 types of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbate) – Most products don’t have this.
  • Includes a buffered form of Vitamin C (sodium ascorbate) – To avoid a harsh effect on the stomach lining.      
  • 100mg Quercetin Dihydrate 95% – The most powerful form of quercetin to ensure optimal bioavailability of Vitamin C.
  • 100mg Phospholipids – Most contain less or don’t stipulate the amount.
  • 5mg BioPerine® – Almost no other liposomal Vitamin C complex contains this.
  • cGMP certification – Extra levels of certification that many products neglect to obtain. 

Our Top Vitamin C Product Choices

Our top choice stands above and beyond the competition, we think you will agree. The company’s excellent reputation, top quality product, external independent monitoring and testing, coupled with an incredible money-back guarantee policy, makes this an undoubted solid pick for our #1 choice.

Vitamin C Report
APPROVED

Rating: Excellent

5starsn

Effectiveness
Potency
Money Back Guarantee
Value
Consumer Feedback
Company Reputation

Editor’s Choice

Approved Science Liposomal Vitamin C

If you are looking to improve your overall health, support your immune system, and help slow down the signs of aging, then Approved Science Liposomal Vitamin C is something that deserves your undivided attention. Of all the Vitamin C supplements currently available on the market, this is the one that deserves a closer look and very likely, the one that will change your life!

It contains the highest quality, clinically-proven liposomal Vitamin C for enhancing the immune system, promoting cardiovascular health, providing the most effective antioxidant benefits, protecting cognitive function, boosting collagen production, supporting cholesterol levels, and maintaining overall health. It was the only product we found that contains 1100mg BioLipoC™, a hefty daily serving of this unique, trademarked complex consisting of 2 types of liposomal Vitamin C (ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbate). It includes phospholipids derived from sunflower lecithin, which encapsulate the Vitamin C and deliver it safely and efficiently to the cells; Quercet95™, a powerful form of quercetin that improves the absorption of Vitamin C and enhances its antiviral, antioxidant and immune boosting properties; and BioPerine®, a thermogenic bioenhancer for faster, more effective results. It does not contain any additives or preservatives and is 100% safe to use with no long-term side effects.

Quality: Approved Science Liposomal Vitamin C contains high-grade, natural, clinically-verified ingredients. This company’s commitment to the health industry is displayed by manufacturing all of their products in an FDA compliant facility with GMP certification.

Reputation: Approved Science’s reputation is top quality. This manufacturer has several third-party monitoring services, including buySAFE, Norton, and Trustee, as well as an A+ rating from the quality monitoring company QualityTrusted.

Money Back Guarantee: Every item sold is supported by a 60-day 100% money-back guarantee. Such guarantees from manufacturers show strong confidence in their products’ ability to deliver results. Great news for consumers.

What’s more, they are well known in the industry and an established company that provides great customer support service, secure and easy checkout as well as prompt, efficient delivery.

Their commitment to the health industry and consumers is excellent, providing further qualification of efficacy by producing their products in an FDA registered laboratory.

Bottom Line: If you are looking for a product that ticks all the boxes for an effective Vitamin C supplement, from an established, reputable company with an excellent money-back guarantee, this is the supplement for you.

It would be good to note that, due to high demand, Approved Science Liposomal Vitamin C is often sold out. To avoid having to back order, don’t hesitate to make that purchase when you see it in stock.

See The Full Review

 

Rating: Good

4-star-rating

 

California Gold Nutrition Liposomal Vitamin C

Promoted as a health supplement to help boost antioxidant and immune system support, California Gold Nutrition Liposomal Vitamin C is our next product up for review. This product contains 1000mg liposomal Vitamin C and 500mg phospholipids, but is that enough to make it a successful product? 

When reviewing this product, we were pleased to see a price tag that suggests quality – not cheap, but definitely affordable. We appreciated that this product is formulated with buffered liposomal Vitamin C as it is backed by clinical studies. However, it is unclear to us if this formula will actually be effective. Without quercetin or piperine to increase absorption, it is doubtful if the efficacy of this product can compete with that of our Editor’s Choice. 

Additionally, the individual packaging intended as a convenience to preserve freshness and provide precise portions seems unnecessary and wasteful, and some consumers found the natural orange flavor of this liquid Vitamin C to be unappealing. This product contains soy, so it is not suitable for individuals with allergies. If consumers would like to try this product, they should be aware that the return policy is for 60 days but does not include a money-back guarantee. Continue reading our review to see if this product is worth your time and money.

Click here to read the full review

 

Rating: OK

3-star-rating

BioAbsorb Nutraceuticals Liposomal C1000

BioAbsorb Nutraceuticals Liposomal C1000 claims to be an effective Vitamin C supplement that boosts the immune system and aids collagen production. It is vegan and GMP certified. The dose contained is 1000mg of liposomal Vitamin C which is more than found in many brands but still slightly less than the amount found in our Editor’s Choice product. 

The main issue with this product is that it doesn’t stipulate the amount of phospholipids used in its formula, which is one of the first things we look for when reviewing liposomal Vitamin C. It also doesn’t contain quercetin or piperine, which puts into question the efficacy of this product.

Another aspect we researched is the flavor of this supplement as well as the preservatives added to it. We did appreciate the fact that it doesn’t include soy as the source for phospholipids. Additionally, this product comes with a solid money-back guarantee. Continue reading our full review to see what this product has to offer. 

Click here to read the full review

What You’ll Discover:

Which Vitamin C supplement is the BEST BUY and comes with a great GUARANTEE!
Which formula and ingredients are the most EFFECTIVE and work the fastest?
How NOT to get ripped off! BE AWARE of poor quality and cheap products.

Top 6 Items to Consider:

  1. Ingredients
  2. Cost Per Serving
  3. Product’s Testing Results
  4. Company’s Reputation
  5. Consumer Reviews
  6. Return Policy & Satisfaction Guarantee

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