Brighten Up Vitamin C Serum

Brighten Up Vitamin C is our targeted brightening serum, designed to even skin tone, lighten the look of dark spots, and provide instant hydration—all in a silky, featherweight formula. It blends two stable forms of Vitamin C with other powerhouse plant actives to target dullness and hyperpigmentation for radiant, more even-toned skin. If your skin is looking lackluster, sun-spotted, or uneven, this is the serum to reach for.

The formula is built around two highly stable forms of Vitamin C—Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate and Ascorbyl Glucoside—which help skin look brighter, firmer, and more even-toned while maintaining peak potency from the first drop to the last. Supporting actives include: Edelweiss Stem Cells (a potent antioxidant complex that helps protect skin from visible signs of aging), Organic Rose Hip (high in Vitamin C and essential skin nutrients that minimize the look of dark spots, scars, and fine lines), Aspen Bark (a natural source of salicylic acid/BHA that helps gently exfoliate skin), Aloe Vera (soothes and hydrates), and Rose (helps reduce the appearance of redness). It’s formulated without sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrance or color, silicones, or PEGs.

Not all Vitamin C serums are created equal. In fact, most lose their potency by the time they reach your shelf. Brighten Up features two highly stable forms of Vitamin C—Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (oil-soluble, penetrates deeply) and Ascorbyl Glucoside (water-soluble, activates on the skin's surface). Together, they deliver brightening benefits at multiple levels of the skin while maintaining potency over time. No oxidized, orange-colored serums here.

Yes and yes. Brighten Up Vitamin C Serum is 100% vegan, Leaping Bunny Certified cruelty-free, and gluten-free. Ursa Major is also a Certified B Corp and Certified Plastic Negative.

A fresh-squeezed, sunny citrus aroma—bright, clean, and uplifting. It comes from essential oils (Orange Peel and Rosemary), never synthetic fragrance. The scent is subtle and fades after application.

Brighten Up Vitamin C works for all skin types, but it's especially well-suited for anyone dealing with dull skin, uneven tone, hyperpigmentation, or dark spots. It's lightweight enough for oily and combination skin, and hydrating enough for dry skin when layered under a moisturizer.

It’s formulated with soothing ingredients like Aloe Vera and Rose that calm the skin while the Vitamin C goes to work. The stable forms of Vitamin C used here are generally better tolerated than pure L-ascorbic acid, which can be harsh on sensitive skin. That said, we always recommend a patch test if you're new to Vitamin C serums or have very reactive skin.

Vitamin C itself doesn't make skin more photosensitive—in fact, it's an antioxidant that helps protect against environmental stressors. However, the Aspen Bark in this formula is a natural source of BHA (salicylic acid), which can increase sun sensitivity. We recommend wearing SPF daily when using this serum (which is good practice regardless).

We'd recommend avoiding application to the eye area. For targeted eye-area brightening, consider our Forest Alchemy Eye Cream or Sunny Start Eye Serum.

Brighten Up Vitamin C Serum does contain a very small amount of natural salicylic acid (a type of BHA) from Aspen Bark. While some healthcare providers recommend avoiding salicylic acid during pregnancy, it is included in this formula at a very low amount (less than 0.5%). That said, we always recommend checking in with your healthcare provider about ingredient lists and any new products during pregnancy.

Very much so. Brighten Up uses stable, well-tolerated forms of Vitamin C (rather than the harsher pure L-ascorbic acid found in many serums), making it a great entry point for Vitamin C newcomers. The silky, featherweight texture makes it easy to incorporate into any routine without fuss.

Apply 1 pump to clean, dry skin and follow with your favorite moisturizer (like Golden Hour Recovery Cream or Alpine Rich Cream) for added nourishment. For AM use, finish with your daily SPF.

Brighten Up Vitamin C works beautifully in the morning. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental stressors during the day, making it an ideal daytime serum. Apply it after cleansing and toning, before moisturizer and SPF. You can also use it at night if you prefer, but morning is when you'll get the most out of its protective antioxidant benefits.

Yes! Brighten Up Vitamin C layers well with our other serums. Our recommended approach: use Brighten Up Vitamin C in the morning (for brightening + antioxidant protection), and use Mountain Glow Serum or Lunar Bloom Retinal Serum at night (for nourishment or renewal). If you want to use Forest Water Hyaluronic Serum for extra hydration, apply it before Brighten Up Vitamin C to create a moisture base.

Most customers notice a brighter, more refreshed-looking complexion within the first 1–2 weeks of consistent use. More significant improvements in dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and overall tone evenness typically become visible after 4–6 weeks of daily use.

This is exactly what Brighten Up Vitamin C was built for! The dual Vitamin C complex, combined with Rose Hip (high in Vitamin C and known to minimize the look of dark spots) and Aspen Bark (gently exfoliates to promote cell turnover), works together to gradually lighten the appearance of sun-related hyperpigmentation and dark spots over time.

Everyone. Brighten Up Vitamin C is made for all genders. Sun damage, dark spots, and dull skin don't discriminate—and neither does this serum.

All ages can benefit from Vitamin C. Younger skin benefits from the antioxidant protection and brightening effects. Mature skin benefits from the dark spot lightening, firming support, and improved radiance. There's no wrong age to start using a Vitamin C serum.

With daily use (1 pump per application), the 1 oz bottle typically lasts 2–3 months. The concentrated formula means you don't need much per application.

At $56, Brighten Up Vitamin C sits well below many premium Vitamin C serums that can cost $100–$200+. What sets it apart: two stable forms of Vitamin C (most serums use only one), plus supporting actives like Edelweiss Stem Cells and Organic Rose Hip that you won't find in drugstore options. You can also subscribe for 10% off every order.

Many Vitamin C formulas use unstable forms of Vitamin C that oxidize and lose potency over time. Brighten Up Vitamin C uses two highly stable forms (Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate and Ascorbyl Glucoside) specifically chosen to maintain peak potency from the first drop to the last. Store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight for best results.

Brighten Up Vitamin C comes in an opaque glass bottle with a pump dispenser, which helps protect the formula from light degradation. As always, we're Certified Plastic Negative—we fund the removal of twice as much plastic as we produce.

Each serum targets different skin goals. Brighten Up Vitamin C Serum is for brightening dull-looking skin and targeting dark spots and uneven tone—best for dull or discolored skin. Mountain Glow Serum is our do-it-all superserum for nourishment, smoothing lines, and a dewy glow—best for dry or mature skin craving radiance. Forest Water Hyaluronic Serum is pure hydration and plumping—best for dehydrated skin. Lunar Bloom Retinal Serum is our renewing nighttime treatment for promoting skin renewal—best for mature skin. If you’re still not sure, you can always take our Serum Quiz

Brighten Up Vitamin C is a lightweight, targeted treatment focused on brightening, dark spot correction, and tone-evening. Mountain Glow is a richer, all-encompassing "superserum" focused on nourishment, firming, fine lines, and glow. Many customers use both: Brighten Up Vitamin C in the morning for brightening and antioxidant protection, Mountain Glow at night for deep nourishment and repair.

They're a natural pairing! Apply Brighten Up Vitamin C first (1 pump on clean skin), let it absorb for a moment, then follow with Golden Hour Recovery Cream to lock in moisture and add nourishing depth. The Vitamin C from the serum and the antioxidant-rich plant actives in Golden Hour complement each other beautifully.

We totally understand that skincare is not one-size-fits-all and that everyone’s skin is unique. If you are not satisfied with your Ursa Major products, you may return your product for a full refund or store credit within 30 days of receiving your order.

We happily offer free standard shipping via DHL/USPS for all domestic orders $40+ placed on our website. Orders below $40 will ship via DHL/USPS for a flat $7 fee. 

Super easy! Just head on over to our Returns Portal, where you’ll just need your order number (the one starting with UM) and your email address or zip code to get started.