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Vitamin C Echinacea

4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(611 ratings)
Vitamin C 500 mg
Product Image
Score77
A focused vitamin C and echinacea combination with meaningful amounts. Variable echinacea preparation quality and unbuffered vitamin C are the main uncertainties.
How scoring works
Capsule
Quantity:120 VegCap(s) • (120 servings)
Goals:
Immunity
General Health
Anti-Inflammatory Support
Skin Health

Score 77

A focused vitamin C and echinacea combination with meaningful amounts. Variable echinacea preparation quality and unbuffered vitamin C are the main uncertainties.
How scoring works
$19.59($0.16 per serving)
Vitacost
$ 19.59
iHerb
$ 19.59
Report prices

Analysis

The 500 mg vitamin C serving supports antioxidant defenses and normal immune-cell function. Echinacea adds a more situational immune component, making the formula broader than vitamin C alone.

Two echinacea species are named and the plant amount is meaningful, but no active-marker standardization is provided. Preparation quality can influence echinacea performance, while ordinary ascorbic acid offers no buffering advantage.

The combination best fits people seeking short-term or seasonal immune support rather than an all-purpose daily formula. It has limited relevance to vision and only indirect relevance to skin or inflammatory balance.

Who is it for
  • Adults seeking focused immune support
  • Users wanting vitamin C with echinacea
  • People comfortable with capsule supplements
Best for
  • Seasonal immune routines
  • Antioxidant support
  • Short, focused formulas

Pros

  • Meaningful vitamin C amount
  • Two echinacea species are identified
  • Clear immune-focused design
  • Active amounts are disclosed

Cons

  • Echinacea is not standardized
  • Evidence varies by echinacea preparation
  • Unbuffered ascorbic acid
  • Small support base lacks detail

Warnings

  • Echinacea may trigger reactions in people sensitive to plants in the daisy family.
  • People using immunosuppressive therapy should discuss echinacea use with their clinician because of its immune activity.
  • The ascorbic acid may cause digestive discomfort in sensitive users.

Nutrient quality

86 Highest impact

Vitamin C and two echinacea species provide meaningful, coherent immune support. Standard ascorbic acid and an undefined support base are the main formulation limitations.

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Ingredient transparency

69 High impact

Main active amounts and echinacea species are clearly identified. The hidden support base, missing directions, and absent excipients prevent full transparency.

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Customer satisfaction

70 High impact

The aggregate satisfaction signal is very strong and supported by substantial volume. Missing review details prevent assessment of recurring complaints or purpose fit.

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Value for money

84 Highest impact

Meaningful echinacea and vitamin C amounts support reasonable serving value. The undefined support base slightly weakens comparison with fully disclosed immune formulas.

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Report analysis

Goals

Immunity
Immunity
Impact
Highest effect
A- Goal FitB Strength of SupportB- CoverageA Formula Quality
Vitamin C · 500 mg

Vitamin C and echinacea create a direct, easy-to-understand immune-support combination. The vitamin C amount meets the targeted minimum, and the echinacea amount is large enough to be more than a token addition.

Neither echinacea extract is standardized to active compounds, and vitamin C uses basic ascorbic acid. Evidence for echinacea varies by species, preparation, and timing, so the disclosed plant identity does not fully resolve effectiveness.

Study evidence
Vitamin C Supportive 53 studies
General Health
General Health
Impact
High effect
B+ Goal FitB+ Strength of SupportC+ CoverageA- Formula Quality
Vitamin C · 500 mg

Vitamin C provides foundational antioxidant support, while echinacea adds a more situational immune role. Vitamin C has strong established relevance, whereas echinacea evidence is more variable and context dependent.

The 500 mg vitamin C amount and 300 mg echinacea amount are meaningful for the focused formula. Active amounts are clear, but ordinary ascorbic acid lacks buffering or an enhanced delivery system.

Study evidence
Vitamin C Supportive 56 studies
Anti-Inflammatory Support
Cellular Defense
Anti-Inflammatory Support
Impact
High effect
C+ Goal FitC+ Strength of SupportC CoverageB Formula Quality
Vitamin C · 500 mg

Vitamin C at 500 mg supplies antioxidant support, while two echinacea species add immune-modulating context. The combination is more relevant to short-term immune support than broad systemic inflammation.

Vitamin C lacks buffering or enhanced delivery, and echinacea active markers are not disclosed. The short formula remains reasonably coherent without extensive padding.

Study evidence
Vitamin C Supportive 50 studies
Skin Health
Skin Health
Impact
High effect
C Goal FitC Strength of SupportC+ CoverageB Formula Quality
Vitamin C · 500 mg

Vitamin C provides a useful but incomplete connection to skin health. Some relevant amounts are useful, while others are better suited to basic nutrition.

Coverage reaches collagen synthesis and oxidative defense. Some pathways remain less complete than the formula’s strongest area.

Study evidence
Vitamin C Supportive 53 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
 500 mg
Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea)
 300 mg
Vitamin C Support Base
13 mg
Adults 18–50 Vegan Dairy Free Vegetarian
Report overview
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) · 500 mg OverallScore62
F Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityA+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyD+ Value

The capsule provides 500 mg of ascorbic acid with echinacea and a small support blend. Its dose is well targeted, but the vitamin C lacks buffering or enhanced delivery. Cost efficiency is average when evaluated for vitamin C alone.

View ingredientView products
Loading alternative details
84 Performance

Ester-C 500 mg With Citrus Bioflavoinds

American Health
Ingredient and delivery quality improve with 1,000 mg of buffered Ester-C with a broad citrus bioflavonoid complex. Compared with the original 500 mg ascorbic-acid formula, the formula adds several named citrus compounds while maintaining a substantial vitamin C amount, although the repeated complex entries make the exact internal amounts difficult to interpret.
86 Performance

Ester-C Plus 1000 mg Vitamin C

Solgar
Ingredient and delivery quality improve with 1,000 mg of buffered Ester-C with 108 mg of calcium and 200 mg of citrus bioflavonoids. Compared with the original 500 mg ascorbic-acid formula, the substantial buffered dose and compatible bioflavonoids broaden support beyond plain ascorbic acid, although complete excipient details are not supplied.
86 Performance

C

Swanson
Ingredient and delivery quality improve with 1,000 mg of calcium ascorbate with 120 mg of calcium and 200 mg of citrus bioflavonoids. Compared with the original 500 mg ascorbic-acid formula, the buffered form and meaningful bioflavonoid amount offer a broader formula than plain ascorbic acid, although complete excipient details are not supplied.
89 Budget

Pure Buffered Calcium Ascorbate

NOW
A lower serving cost comes with 890 mg of vitamin C as buffered calcium ascorbate with 100 mg of calcium, compared with the original 500 mg ascorbic-acid formula. the mineral-bound form may be gentler than plain ascorbic acid and keeps the active formula focused, although the full inactive-ingredient panel is not supplied.
84 Budget

Ester-C 500 mg With Citrus Bioflavoinds

American Health
A lower serving cost comes with 1,000 mg of buffered Ester-C with a broad citrus bioflavonoid complex, compared with the original 500 mg ascorbic-acid formula. the formula adds several named citrus compounds while maintaining a substantial vitamin C amount, although the repeated complex entries make the exact internal amounts difficult to interpret.
88 Budget

Buffered Gold C

California Gold Nutrition
A lower serving cost comes with 1,000 mg of vitamin C as sodium ascorbate with 130 mg of sodium, compared with the original 500 mg ascorbic-acid formula. the simple buffered formula provides a full amount with no unrelated active ingredients, although the sodium contribution needs consideration on a restricted diet.
89 Value

C-500 Calcium Ascorbate-C

NOW
A stronger quality-to-cost balance comes from 500 mg of vitamin C as calcium ascorbate with 55 mg of calcium and 10 mg of citrus bioflavonoids. Compared with the original 500 mg ascorbic-acid formula, the buffered form supports stomach comfort while retaining a practical daily amount, while the bioflavonoid addition is small.
88 Value

Sodium Ascorbate

NutriBiotic Immunity
A stronger quality-to-cost balance comes from 1,100 mg of vitamin C as sodium ascorbate with 120 mg of sodium. Compared with the original 500 mg ascorbic-acid formula, the fully buffered powder provides a substantial, clearly disclosed amount, while careful measuring and sodium accounting remain important.
84 Value

Ester-C 24 Hour Immune Support 1000 mg

NatureSmart
A stronger quality-to-cost balance comes from 1,000 mg of buffered Ester-C with 110 mg of calcium and 102 mg of citrus bioflavonoids. Compared with the original 500 mg ascorbic-acid formula, the buffered form and bioflavonoids combine stomach-comfort potential with a focused vitamin C dose, while the supplied data do not include the complete inactive-ingredient panel.
Report alternatives

Sources

Published studies used for the product analysis and the top-ranked studies for each ingredient and goal.

  1. Mortality in randomized trials of antioxidant supplements for primary and secondary prevention: systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Bjelakovic G; Nikolova D; Gluud LL; Simonetti RG; Gluud C · JAMA · 2007
    Meta-analysis232,606 participants68 studies pooledGeneral Health forVitamin C
  2. Effect of Vitamin C Supplements on Respiratory Tract Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
    Keya TA; Leela A; Fernandez K; Habib N; Rashid M · Current reviews in clinical and experimental pharmacology · 2022
    Meta-analysis10 studies pooledImmunity forVitamin C
  3. Vitamin C supplementation in kidney failure: effect on uraemic symptoms.
    Singer RF · Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association · 2011
    Randomized trial99 participantsGeneral Health forVitamin C
  4. Vitamin C for the management of COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
    Abid H; Mushtaq I; Munir ABI; Shakil J; Vinjamuri S; Tadasare N; Kiran F; Muhammad Wali Mirza A; Fatima Khidri F; Shahid A; Ayyan M; Ehsan M; Cheema HA; Alsubari AMA; Sahra S; Siddiqi NI · Annals of medicine and surgery (2012) · 2026
    Meta-analysis9 studies pooledGeneral Health Immunity forVitamin C
  5. Serum vitamin C and spinal pain: a nationwide study.
    Dionne CE; Laurin D; Desrosiers T; Abdous B; Le Sage N; Frenette J; Mondor M; Pelletier S · Pain · 2017
    Cross-sectional study4,742 participantsGeneral Health forVitamin C
  6. Immunocompetence and oxidant defense during ascorbate depletion of healthy men.
    Jacob RA; Kelley DS; Pianalto FS; Swendseid ME; Henning SM; Zhang JZ; Ames BN; Fraga CG; Peters JH · The American journal of clinical nutrition · 1992
    Clinical trial8 participantsImmunity forVitamin C
  7. Vitamin C and contribution to the normal function of the immune system: evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
    EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) · EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority · 2026
    Guideline / consensusImmunity forVitamin C
  8. Vitamin C intake and multiple health outcomes: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
    Xu K; Peng R; Zou Y; Jiang X; Sun Q; Song C · International journal of food sciences and nutrition · 2022
    Meta-analysis76 studies pooledGeneral Health forVitamin C
  9. Therapeutic effects of high-dose vitamin C supplementation in patients with COVID-19: a meta-analysis.
    Sun L; Zhao JH; Fan WY; Feng B; Liu WW; Chen RQ; Ban C; Dang AG; Wang M; Luo KT; Zhou GY; Yu FF; Ba Y · Nutrition reviews · 2024
    Meta-analysis2,334 participants14 studies pooledImmunity forVitamin C
  10. Evaluating the effects of chlorhexidine and vitamin c mouthwash on oral health in non-surgical periodontal therapy: a randomized controlled clinical trial.
    Ozmeric N; Enver A; Isler SC; Gökmenoğlu C; Topaloğlu M; Selamet H; Altun G; Aykol Sayar S · Scientific reports · 2025
    Randomized trial60 participantsGeneral Health forVitamin C
  11. Intake of vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc and polyunsaturated fatty acids and upper respiratory tract infection-a prospective cohort study.
    Raposo SE; Fondell E; Ström P; Bälter O; Bonn SE; Nyrén O; Plymoth A; Bälter K · European journal of clinical nutrition · 2018
    Cohort study1,533 participantsImmunity forVitamin C
  12. Associations of Serum Biomarkers of Fruit and Vegetable Intake With the Risk of Cause-Specific Mortality and All-Cause Mortality: A National Prospective Cohort Study.
    Pu L; Zhang R; Wang X; Zhao T; Sun H; Han L · Frontiers in nutrition · 2022
    Cohort study12,530 participantsGeneral Health forVitamin C
  13. Dietary intake and supplement use of vitamins C and E and upper respiratory tract infection.
    Fondell E; Bälter O; Rothman KJ; Bälter K · Journal of the American College of Nutrition · 2012
    Cohort study1,509 participantsImmunity forVitamin C
  14. Ascorbate for Organ Dysfunction in Critically Ill Patients With Sepsis: The Phase 2b ASTER Trial.
    Files DC; Matthay MA; Ware LB; Brower RG; Aggarwal NR; Brown SM; Chang SY; Douglas IS; Duggal A; Gibbs KW; Fields S; Foulkes AS; Ginde A; Goodwin A; Harris ES; Hendey GW; Hibbert K; Hite RD; Hough CL; Huang W; Khan A; Lai P; Liu KD; Miller C; Moskowitz A; Riker R; Robinson BRH; Self WH; Tidswell MA; Yealy DM; Thompson BT; Fowler AA · CHEST critical care · 2026
    Randomized trial79 participantsGeneral Health forVitamin C
  15. Vitamin C supplementation and salivary immune function following exercise-heat stress.
    Carrillo AE; Murphy RJ; Cheung SS · International journal of sports physiology and performance · 2009
    Randomized trial12 participantsImmunity forVitamin C
  16. Relation between plasma ascorbic acid and mortality in men and women in EPIC-Norfolk prospective study: a prospective population study. European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition.
    Khaw KT; Bingham S; Welch A; Luben R; Wareham N; Oakes S; Day N · Lancet (London, England) · 2001
    Cohort study19,496 participantsGeneral Health forVitamin C
  17. Enhanced Vitamin C Delivery: A Systematic Literature Review Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Alternative Supplement Forms in Healthy Adults.
    Calder PC; Kreider RB; McKay DL · Nutrients · 2025
    Systematic review13 studies pooledImmunity forVitamin C
  18. Supplemental Vitamins and Minerals for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Treatment: JACC Focus Seminar.
    Jenkins DJA; Spence JD; Giovannucci EL; Kim YI; Josse RG; Vieth R; Sahye-Pudaruth S; Paquette M; Patel D; Blanco Mejia S; Viguiliouk E; Nishi SK; Kavanagh M; Tsirakis T; Kendall CWC; Pichika SC; Sievenpiper JL · Journal of the American College of Cardiology · 2021
    Meta-analysisGeneral Health forVitamin C
  19. The effect of macronutrient and micronutrient supplements on COVID-19: an umbrella review.
    SeyedAlinaghi S; Shahidi R; Mojdeganlou H; Akhtaran FK; Maroufi SF; Maroufi SP; Mirzapour P; Karimi A; Khodaei S; Pour MM; Mehraeen E; Dadras O · Journal of health, population, and nutrition · 2024
    Systematic review28 studies pooledImmunity forVitamin C
  20. Efficacy of Vitamin C as Glucocorticoid Substitute for Reducing Pain and Inflammation After Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
    Jiang W; Xu H; Jiang X; Zhan Y; Ju Y; Xie J; Huang Z; Huang Q; Pei F · The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume · 2025
    Randomized trial107 participantsAnti-Inflammatory Support forVitamin C
  21. The Impact of Vitamin C on Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, and Hemostatic Outcomes After Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
    Moftakhari Hajimirzaei S; Bagherzadeh Cham M; Dolikhani M; Tabatabaee SM; Ebrahimpour A · The archives of bone and joint surgery · 2026
    Meta-analysis1,162 participants10 studies pooledAnti-Inflammatory Support forVitamin C
  22. The impact of vitamin C supplementation on the perioperative outcomes after total hip and knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Liu X; Guo J; Li Y; Yang Y; Liu M; Gao Q; Yang Y; Wu X; Yue C · BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2026
    Meta-analysis852 participants8 studies pooledAnti-Inflammatory Support forVitamin C
  23. Therapeutic Impact of Ascorbic Acid on Oral and Periodontal Tissues: A Systematic Literature Review.
    Ruzijevaite G; Acaite E; Jagelaviciene E · Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2025
    Systematic review811 participants17 studies pooledAnti-Inflammatory Support forVitamin C
  24. Oral vitamin C administration reduces early recurrence rates after electrical cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation and attenuates associated inflammation.
    Korantzopoulos P; Kolettis TM; Kountouris E; Dimitroula V; Karanikis P; Pappa E; Siogas K; Goudevenos JA · International journal of cardiology · 2005
    Randomized trial44 participantsAnti-Inflammatory Support forVitamin C
  25. Dietary intake and blood concentrations of antioxidants and the risk of cardiovascular disease, total cancer, and all-cause mortality: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies.
    Aune D; Keum N; Giovannucci E; Fadnes LT; Boffetta P; Greenwood DC; Tonstad S; Vatten LJ; Riboli E; Norat T · The American journal of clinical nutrition · 2019
    Meta-analysis69 studies pooledGeneral Health forVitamin C
  26. Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to vitamin C and increasing non haem iron absorption pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
    EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) · EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority · 2026
    Guideline / consensusGeneral Health forVitamin C
  27. Vitamin C Depletion and All-Cause Mortality in Renal Transplant Recipients.
    Sotomayor CG; Eisenga MF; Gomes Neto AW; Ozyilmaz A; Gans ROB; Jong WHA; Zelle DM; Berger SP; Gaillard CAJM; Navis GJ; Bakker SJ · Nutrients · 2018
    Cohort study598 participantsGeneral Health forVitamin C
  28. Effect of micronutrient supplements on influenza and other respiratory tract infections among adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Abioye AI; Bromage S; Fawzi W · BMJ global health · 2021
    Meta-analysisImmunity forVitamin C
  29. New evidence for antioxidant properties of vitamin C.
    Vojdani A; Bazargan M; Vojdani E; Wright J · Cancer detection and prevention · 2001
    Randomized trial20 participantsImmunity forVitamin C
  30. Evaluation of the anti-wrinkle effect of an ascorbic acid-loaded dissolving microneedle patch via a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study.
    Lee C; Yang H; Kim S; Kim M; Kang H; Kim N; An S; Koh J; Jung H · International journal of cosmetic science · 2017
    Randomized trial23 participantsSkin Health forVitamin C
  31. Comparative Study on the Outcome of Periorbital Wrinkles Treated with Laser-Assisted Delivery of Vitamin C or Vitamin C Plus Growth Factors: A Randomized, Double-blind, Clinical Trial.
    Machado BHB; Frame J; Zhang J; Najlah M · Aesthetic plastic surgery · 2021
    Randomized trial149 participantsSkin Health forVitamin C
  32. Randomized trial of topical ascorbic acid in DMSO versus imiquimod for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma.
    Burke B; Bailie JE · Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie · 2022
    Randomized trial25 participantsSkin Health forVitamin C
  33. Vitamin C improves healing of foot ulcers: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
    Gunton JE; Girgis CM; Lau T; Vicaretti M; Begg L; Flood V · The British journal of nutrition · 2022
    Randomized trial16 participantsSkin Health forVitamin C
  34. Dietary nutrient intakes and skin-aging appearance among middle-aged American women.
    Cosgrove MC; Franco OH; Granger SP; Murray PG; Mayes AE · The American journal of clinical nutrition · 2007
    Cross-sectional study4,025 participantsSkin Health forVitamin C