Vitamin C vs Vitamin E: Which Is Better for Brightness and Ageing?

Walk down any skincare aisle and you will see vitamin C and vitamin E everywhere, in serums, oils and moisturisers. Both have a strong reputation for helping skin look healthier, but they work differently, which is why the “vitamin C vs vitamin E” question keeps coming up.

“It’s important to appreciate the benefits of both vitamins, internally and externally. Both C and E act as antioxidants to manage free radicals in the system that damage our cells,” dietitian Meridan Zerner said.

So which one is better for your skin? It depends on your goals, your skin type and what your routine already includes.

Benefits of vitamin C for your skin

Vitamin C is best known for supporting collagen production, which helps maintain skin structure and firmness.

“[Collagen] is important for skin structure, wound healing and firmness,” says dietitian Marissa Beck. She adds that vitamin C “also helps protect against oxidative stress from UV light, and also pollution.”

Vitamin C can also support a brighter-looking complexion. Garshick says vitamin C “helps to brighten the skin and improve discolouration to even skin tone.”

Some research also suggests vitamin C may help reduce the appearance of fine lines and certain types of scarring, particularly when used consistently and paired with daily sunscreen.

Benefits of vitamin E for your skin

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a role in supporting the skin barrier. It is also found naturally in sebum, the oily layer that helps keep skin moisturised.

Because of that barrier-support role, vitamin E often shows up in moisturising products and can be especially helpful for dry or compromised skin. Some people also find it soothing when skin feels irritated or sensitised.

“Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, and because of this, it works primarily within the cell membranes of the skin by helping reduce UV-induced free radical damage and supporting the skin barrier,” Beck explains. “It might also help with inflammation as an antioxidant.”

Vitamin C vs vitamin E: which is better for skin?

It is hard to crown one as “better” because they overlap in some benefits while supporting the skin in different ways. Both act as antioxidants, but they do not do the same job, which is why many experts see them as complementary rather than competing.

“Both vitamin C and vitamin E are excellent antioxidants that help reduce free radical damage, and they often work well together, so while vitamin C may be better for mature skin, using both together can be helpful,” dermatologist Dr Marisa Garshick explains. “When vitamin C is partnered with vitamin E or ferulic acid, it has an enhanced benefit, helping to improve both stability and efficacy.”

Research also supports this pairing, with studies finding that combining vitamins C and E can improve protection against UV-related damage and support visible signs of ageing.

In general, vitamin C tends to be a strong pick when concerns include dullness and uneven tone, because it can support brightening and help with the look of discolouration.

Vitamin C vs vitamin E: how to get each via diet and skincare

Both diet and topical products can play a role in supporting skin health. “Our skin needs good nutrition for protection from the inside out so consuming foods that are high in C and E is a must!” Zerner says.

For vitamin C, she recommends oranges, capsicum, tomatoes, kiwi fruit, strawberries and broccoli. To increase vitamin E intake, Zerner suggests plant-based oils such as wheat germ oil, while Beck also points to nuts, seeds and avocados.

“With my clients, I focus first on dietary intake because even mild deficiencies can impair wound healing and immunity,” Beck says. “You can only get so many benefits from supplements; foods offer far more variety, better absorption, and there is stronger evidence for health benefits.”

Topical products can also be helpful. Vitamin E often appears in moisturising formulas because it supports the skin barrier, while topical vitamin C commonly shows up in serums designed to support brightness and firmness.

Dr Garshick says timing matters if you use topical vitamin C. “Vitamin C is best to use in the morning as it helps to protect against free radical damage that can occur from daily environmental stressors, and it’s best to use daily for optimal benefit,” she says. She also recommends pairing it with sunscreen for “ultimate protection.”

The bottom line

Skin needs can change across seasons and life stages, so it is normal for your routine to shift too. Many people benefit most when vitamin C and vitamin E work together, alongside the basics that keep skin functioning well.

“Skincare is complex, and these two vitamins are a few of the ingredients in the recipe for dewy, youthful skin,” says Zerner. “We also have to hydrate and get a good night of sleep and more!”