Vitamin C serums are everywhere right now, all promising brighter, healthier-looking skin. But with so many options — and plenty of them to choose from — it can be hard to know which ones are right for you (and which ones actually deliver).
And while vitamin C has become a staple in skincare routines, it's not always the easiest to introduce, especially if you have sensitive skin.
So, that's where NIVEA's Cellular Expert Filler Vitamin C Radiance Renewing Serum ($41) comes in.
Packed with a powerhouse blend of anti-ageing actives — including vitamin C, vitamin E and amino acids — this serum is designed to boost radiance, even out skin texture and smooth the appearance of fine lines.
But what really sets it apart? It's dermatologically approved and formulated to be gentle on all skin types. Yep, even the sensitive-skinned girlies.
Of course, claims are one thing — experiencing the results is another. That's why we had three women test it, to see how it works across different skin types. After two weeks of use, here's what they noticed.
Before and after. Image: Supplied.
I've always loved using vitamin C in my routine, but the price tags on my favourites? Not so much.
Then, NIVEA's Vitamin C Serum landed on my desk. And eager for it to be just as good as its expensive peers, I applied it in the morning and at night post-cleansing then locked it in with a moisturiser.
And honestly? It melted into my skin — no stickiness, no weird residue, just a smooth finish that played very nicely with the rest of my routine. I love how easily it layered between products and that it gave my skin a soft and supple look under my makeup.
But my favourite part? The instant refreshed look it gave my skin — like a little wake-up call in a bottle that helped brighten the appearance of dullness under my eyes.
Fast forward a week, and I started noticing visible improvements. My usual redness? Lessy shouty. My complexion? Appeared fresher, glowier and overall healthier — it was like a quiet overachiever getting the job done without any fuss.
Okay, to be brutally honest, I'm a little wary of vitamin C. I'm a sensitive-skin girlie and one time, I unwisely dabbled in a high-concentration vitamin C powder, combined it with other actives and... let's just say, I had regrets.
Thankfully, my fears were unfounded when I heard that NIVEA's was extremely gentle and suitable for sensitive skin. I was thrilled because I'd been hearing about the benefits of vitamin C for yonks and I wanted in on the brightening and hydrating action.
Image: Supplied.
So, how did I go with it? First up, the smell is pleasant but not overpowering with notes of citrus leaving my face feeling fresh, zesty and ready to girlboss through the day.
The formula is light, non-greasy and fast-absorbing so I could easily work it into my morning routine. I applied it each morning before my sunscreen.
The serum made my skin feel hydrated and gave it a bit of grip, making it an amazing alternative to primer but with far superior skincare ingredients. I found that my foundation didn't budge for most of the day and my skin looked extra dewy and healthy.
Overall, I could see the skin benefits within a few days. My skin appeared smoother and more even and my complexion looked glowy and radiant. I could tell my skin was much more hydrated as it looked plump and soft.
I highly recommend giving this serum a go, especially for those with sensitive skin. Huge fan!
Image: Supplied.
I get excited about skincare, even though I really only cleanse my face, moisturise and apply sunscreen. I'd like to do more, but I've always been scared that adding extra products would break me out.
Serums have always seemed like too much for my brain to comprehend. For example, which kind of serum should I use? What brand should I choose? I've always felt a bit clueless.
But for the past two weeks, I've added the NIVEA Vitamin C Serum to my skincare "routine" and it's definitely brought a fresh, revitalised feel.
It has such a nice milky texture and feels hydrating and gentle on the skin — even my breakout-prone skin, so that's a win.
After a few days of using it, my skin looked more radiant and even-toned and I noticed a healthy glow that wasn't there before.
I've tried a few vitamin C serums before — gifts from friends, most of them far too pricey for me to buy myself. But this NIVEA one? It offers great quality at a price that actually feels reasonable for the amount you get.
So, now that this new serum is part of my routine, you can bet your bottom dollar it'll be in my cart as soon as I run out.
Shop NIVEA's Cellular Expert Filler Vitamin C Radiance Renewing Serum online or at your nearest pharmacy.
Feature Image: Supplied.
