Ursa Major Brighten Up Vitamin C Serum bottle and box. This brighten serum features edelweiss and rose hip, formulated to provide brightening benefits for the skin.

Brighten Up Vitamin C Serum

4.4
Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 Stars (1,541 Reviews)
This featherweight face serum contains a potent and long-lasting form of vitamin C that brightens and smooths skin’s tone and appearance, while providing instant hydration.
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Super Soother Skincare Bundle

4.5
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 Stars (7,156 Reviews)

Why It's Special

Lightens & brightens

If you’ve soaked up a little too much sun over the years, it might be time for a Vitamin C serum. Ours includes concentrated forms of Vitamin C, along other powerhouse natural actives that brighten dull-looking skin and lighten stubborn dark spots.

Balances tone & texture

Active ingredients like Aspen Bark (a natural source of BHA) add a conditioning and gently renewing effect, while Aloe and Rose soothe skin and reduce redness. You’ll start to notice smooth, even, and all-around radiant skin.

Effective to the last drop

Not all Vitamin C serums are created equal. In fact, most lose their potency by the time they get to your shelf. Ours features highly stable forms of Vitamin C, to ensure peak freshness and potency over time.


A step you’ll never skip

Its silky, featherweight texture (and heavenly scent) makes it easy to work into your routine. Add it as a hydrating layer under SPF in the morning, beneath your heavier moisturizer at night, or both. Whatever works best for your skin.

Refreshingly Different

Nothing to hide here. Just naturally awesome ingredients that help you achieve your healthiest, happiest skin.

Potent formula

Lightens dark spots

Evens skin tone

Clean ingredients

Certified Plastic Negative

Vegan & cruelty-free

“Instant hydration, relief from inflammation, and a radiant complexion.”

Byrdie

“Retains its potency far longer than traditional vitamin C.”

Allure

“No joke: This natural vitamin C is just as potent as the ones in a derm’s office”

Cosmo

“Your friends will notice a visibly ‘brighter’ complexion.”

GQ

“Combats dullness and hyperpigmentation like nobody's business.”

Elle

Pure, Powerful Ingredients

Formulated without petrochemicals, sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrances, or other suspect chemicals.

  • Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate & Ascorbyl Glucoside

    Stable forms of Vitamin C that help skin look brighter, firmer, and more even-toned

  • Edelweiss

    A stem cell complex with robust antioxidant properties to help combat the signs of aging

  • Rose Hip

    High in Vitamin C; hydrates skin and minimizes the appearance of dark spots, scars and fine lines

  • Aspen Bark

    Natural source of salicylic acid (beta hydroxy acid); gently exfoliates and soothes skin

  • Aloe

    Soothes and hydrates

  • Rose

    Reduces the appearance of redness

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  • ,
  • Apply 1 pump to clean, dry skin. Use alone as a lightweight moisturizer or layer beneath your favorite face lotion, sunscreen or night cream. 

    Q: Is Vitamin C, Mountain Glow, or Lunar Bloom (or all three) the serum for me?

    A: Good question! Whether you use one, two, or all three serums is totally up to your own skincare goals and routine preferences.


    Brighten Up Vitamin C Serum is our lightweight and layerable brightening treatment, designed to target hyperpigmentation, even out skin tone, and give dull skin that extra boost of radiance.


    Mountain Glow Golden Serum is our do-it-all super-serum designed to deeply nourish and restore lasting moisture to your skin, combat visible signs of aging, and reveal a healthy, dewy glow.


    For PM use only, Lunar Bloom Retinal Serum is a supercharged powerhouse that helps rewind the look of fine lines and wrinkles while you sleep. It works by promoting renewal and boosting collagen in mature or lackluster skin. 


    If you opt for using all three serums, our recommendation would be to use Vitamin C in the morning and layer Mountain Glow over Lunar Bloom at night, or alternate between these two serums every other night.


    If you want more help with your decision, check out our Skincare Quiz or drop us a message. 


    Q: How and when do I use this product? 

    A: For best brightening results and combating of free radical damage, apply this serum to clean, dry skin before moisturizing. 


    Pair Vitamin C with Force Field SPF 30 before heading outdoors to treat the skin you’re in, while protecting it against future harm.


    Q: Is this product suitable for sensitive skin?

    A: Because we decided to go just slightly below the maximum ingredient dosage, our Vitamin C Serum retains all the power without risking unnecessary irritation. Of course, as with any product, if you have extra-sensitive skin, we might recommend doing a patch test to check before applying to the full face. 


    Unlike other Vitamin C serums, Brighten Up Vitamin C does not cause photo-senstivity, but we absolutely encourage pairing with an SPF before heading outdoors!


    Q: Has this formula evolved since the last time I tried it?

    A: As of 2024, we’ve taken this beloved serum and upped the efficacy with new Vitamin C actives, while improving scent and texture. Brighten Up Vitamin C serum is just as delightful as ever, with a formula that packs a bigger punch, and an aroma that’s even more sublime!


    Q: Is there any chance of oxidation?

    A: We’ve conducted rigorous testing of this product efficiency and ingredient stability prior to launch to ensure that your serum is totally fresh when it reaches your hand. This serum is protected against any potential degradation thanks to opaque glass packaging. We also chose stable versions of Vitamin C (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate + ascorbyl glucoside) and added additional antioxidants like rosemary extract to further delay oxidation.


    Q: How do I recycle this product? 

    A: When you run out, just give the glass container a rinse and recycle it at home. The plastic pump is mixed material and cannot be recycled at this time. 


    Q: What is the aroma?

    A: Fresh-squeezed citrus topped with herbaceous rose hip and sour rose.



    Brighten Up Vitamin C Serum Reviews

    4.4
    Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars
    Based on 1,541 reviews
    1,541 reviews
    • Haley
      I recommend this product
      Rated 5 out of 5 stars
      1/13/25
      5 Stars

      The only vitamin C serum that works with my skin. Everything else has caused me to break out. I use this in the mornings for a sun kissed shine

    • Abby R.
      Verified Buyer
      I recommend this product
      AGE RANGE 50's+
      SKIN TYPE Dry
      SKIN CONCERN Dryness
      Rated 5 out of 5 stars
      1/6/25
      even skin tone

      I have not used it very long but so far so good!

    • Beth S.
      Verified Buyer
      I recommend this product
      SKIN TYPE Sensitive
      SKIN CONCERN Dryness
      Rated 5 out of 5 stars
      1/4/25
      It didn’t happen overnight but IT HAPPENED!

      sun damage

      Before (L) 77th birthday 2023

      18 mo after (R) Christmas 2024

      In the R picture, I have on only blush on my face

      Almost all brown sun damaged skin is gone

      Brown shadow between upper lip and nose is gone

      Once a day use of Brighten Up for approximately 18 mo.

      Ursa Major Skincare
      1/7/25

      So beautiful, Beth! Thank you for sharing!

    • Moira
      I recommend this product
      Rated 5 out of 5 stars
      1/2/25
      5 Stars

      I like pretty much everything. The after smell, and the way it is absorbed into my skin. Very refreshing. A little goes a long way. That’s reassuring!!!

    • Erin B.
      Verified Buyer
      I recommend this product
      AGE RANGE 40's
      SKIN TYPE Balanced
      SKIN CONCERN Dryness
      Rated 5 out of 5 stars
      1/2/25
      Liquid gold

      The Brighten Up Vitamin C Serum in part of my every day morning routine. I thought I could go without it and after a month I had to bring it back. It is so light, absorbs immediately, and I think does help to brighten my complexion and reduce my sun spots. I just love all of Ursa Major's products and feel good about putting them on my skin.

    Reviews LoadedReviews Added

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