Which Ordinary Vitamin C
For an ordinary brand, The Ordinary sure likes to confuse people.
Take their Vitamin C products, for example. They have 8! How the heck are you supposed to pick the right one for you?!
Choose the wrong one and you may end up with a bad case of stinging, an acne flareup, or a gritty texture you don't want anywhere near your skin.
I'm not exaggerating. Each of The Ordinary Vitamin C serums/creams is a good product… for the right skin type. That's why they have so many. They know one size never fits all in skincare and have created as many options as possible to serve everyone.
If you don't know which one will get on better with your skin, don't fret. I've put together this quick guide to The Ordinary Vitamin C products to take the guesswork out of picking the right one for your needs:
But first,
What Is Vitamin C And Why Should You Use it?
Vitamin C is an anti aging superstar. It has several superpowers:
- It fights the free radicals that cause premature wrinkles
- It boosts collagen, the protein that keeps skin firm
- It brightens skin and fades dark spots
- It boosts sun protection (it does this better when paired with Vitamin E and ferulic acid)
The catch? There's not just one form of Vitamin C. There are a gazillion (I've written a post on the most popular here).
L-Ascorbic Acid, the pure form of Vitamin C, is by far the most powerful and the most effective. It's also the most irritating. It can cause stinging and burning. If you have sensitive skin, don't go anywhere near it.
Its derivatives, like Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate and Ascorbyl Glucoside, are gentler and better tolerated even by sensitive skin. But, they're less powerful. They work. You just won't be getting the full potency of Vitamin C. But for some skin types, they're the better choice.
Related: Why You Need To Use A Serum With Vitamin C
Confused about The Ordinary? Click on the image below to subscribe to my newsletter and get "The Ordinary Products Guide" Cheatsheet:
Now that you know why you need to add a Vitamin C product to your skincare routine, let's figure out which one is best for your needs, shall we?
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30% In Silicone (£5.80)
What form of Vitamin C does it use?:Pure Vitamin C, L-Ascorbic Acid. It gives dramatic results, but is very unstable. The Ordinary fixed that by removing water from the formula. (L-Ascorbic Acid goes bad within weeks when mixed with water).
What's the texture like?: Silky smooth. Vitamin C powder is suspended in the formula like in the original Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA 2%, but the addition of silicones makes the texture smooth rather than gritty. It also slows down the penetration of Vitamin C into your skin.
Are there any side effects?: Pure Vitamin C can be irritating and sting.
When do you use it?: At night. It may cause piling under sunscreen.
Who is it best for?: Vitamin C veterans who want dramatic and fast results but can't stand gritty textures.
Where to buy it: Asos, Beauty Bay and Cult Beauty
Related: Do Silicones Prevent Other Ingredients From Penetrating Skin?
To make this serum part of your The Ordinary routine I recommend following my scientist friend's course called Extraordinary Skin With The Ordinary – in it she's teaching you how to design a The Ordinary skincare routine to get makeupless skin you love. Click here to check it out now. (affiliate link)
The Ordinary Vitamin C Supension 23% + HA Spheres 2% (£4.90)
What form of Vitamin C does it use?: L-Ascorbic Acid, the pure form of Vitamin C. It's the most effective but the most unstable. To keep it stable, The Ordinary hasn't used any water in this serum.
What's the texture like?: Gritty. It feels like sandpaper. It's NOT pleasant to use. The only way I can use it is by mixing it with a separate hyaluronic acid serum. That dissolves the gritty particles so they don't scratch your skin (no, the hyaluronic acid in this serum isn't enough for that – but it'll hydrate your skin).
Are there any side effects?: It's the most powerful Vitamin C serum from The Ordinary but also the most irritating. If you have sensitive skin, go with one of the derivatives below.
When do you use it?: At night.
Who is it best for?: Vitamin C veterans who want dramatic and fast results and hate silicones
Where to buy it:Asos, Beauty Bay and Cult Beauty
Related: How Can You Tell If Your Vitamin C Serum Has Gone Bad?
| Vit C 23% | Vit C 30% | LAA 100% | AA8% + AA 2% | AG 12% | AT 20% | EAA 15% | MAP 10% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texture | Heavy & gritty | Heavy & smooth | Powder | Light oil | Light serum | Light oil | Light oil | Light cream |
| Potency | Very high | High | Very high | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Low | Low |
| Irritation | High | High | High | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Best for | Vit C pros | Vit C pros who want a smoother texture | DIY fans | Fading dark spots | All skin types, esp oily | Dry and mature skin | I don't recommend it | All skin types, esp sensitive |
The Ordinary 100% L-Ascorbic Acid Powder (£4.90)
What form of Vitamin C does it use?:Pure Vitamin C, L-Ascorbic Acid. It's the most effective, but goes bad super quickly when you add it to a product. If you don't like silicones and gritty texture, the only other option to ensure maximum freshness is to add Vitamin C powder directly into your fave serums or moisturisers.
What's the texture like?: It's a powder.
Are there any side effects?: Pure Vitamin C can be irritating and sting.
When do you use it?: Either morning and or night.
Who is it best for?: DYI fans. Women who want to use L-Ascorbic Acid, but don't want to buy an expensive serum every few weeks.
Where to buy it: Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, and Escentual
Related: Why Making Your Own Vitamin C Serum Isn't A Good Idea
The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% (£10.00)
What form of Vitamin C does it use?: L-Ascorbic Acid, the pure form of Vitamin C. It's the most effective, but needs to be in a water-free formula to stay stable and effective. The serum also contains Alpha Arbutin, a powerful skin-lightener that can fade away dark spots and discolourations.
What's the texture like?: Light oil.
Are there any side effects?: It has a smaller concentration of Vitamin C, so it's gentler than the other L-Ascorbic Acid products on this list. But if your skin is super sensitive, there's a small chance, this could irritate it.
When do you use it?: Morning and night, after cleansing.
Who is it best for?: Women who want to fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
Where to buy it: Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, and Sephora
Related: The Battle Of The Skin-Lighteners: What Is The Best Alternative To Hydroquinone?
The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% ($8.90)
What form of Vitamin C does it use?: Ascorbyl Glucoside, a water soluble derivative of Vitamin C. It's more stable than pure Vitamin C, but less effective. Its forte is brightening skin, but it fights wrinkles too. It's so popular because it works well in water, allowing for an elegant, smooth texture that's a pleasant to use.
What's the texture like?: A light serum. Out of all The Ordinary Vitamin C products, this one has the best texture. It absorbs quickly, too.
Are there any side effects?: If you have super sensitive skin that doesn't tolerate Vitamin C at all, it may irritate it.
When do you use it?: Morning and evening, after cleansing.
Who is it best for?: Everyone, even sensitive skin, can use it. But, because it absorbs so quickly into your skin, it's ideal for oily skin.
Where to buy it: Asos, Beauty Bay and Cult Beauty
Related: All The Types Of Vitamin C Used In Skincare: Which One Is Better?
The Ordinary Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% In Vitamin F (£14.90)
What form of Vitamin C Does It Use?: Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate. It's an oil soluble derivative that penetrates skin faster than all other forms of Vitamin C. It's especially good at brightening skin. I've written an entire post about the benefits of Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate here.
What's the texture like? It's a lightweight oil. It doesn't feel greasy on the skin. It's runny so be careful when you apply it!
Are there any side effects?: Vitamin F isn't really a vitamin. F stands for fatty acids, a group of ingredients that's super moisturising. That's great for dry skin. But for oily skin? They can clog pores and cause breakouts.
When do you use it?: Morning and/or evening.
Who is it best for? Dry and dehydrated skin types that want to moisturise skin and fight wrinkles at the same time.
Where to buy it: Asos, Beauty Bay and Cult Beauty
Related: The Best Skincare Routine For Dry Skin
The Ordinary Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution (£18.00)
What form of Vitamin C does it use?: Ethylated Ascorbic Acid. It's stable than L-Ascorbic Acid, but there's not much research on it. So far, studies show it helps fade away dark spots, but there's no data on how well it works as an antioxidant or collagen-booster.
What's the texture like?: A light oil.
Are there any side effects?: We don't have how effective it is.
When do you use it?: Morning and/or evening, after cleansing.
Who is it best for?: I don't recommend it. If you want to fade dark spots, you're much better off with any of the L-Ascorbic Acid products.
Where to buy it: Asos, Cult Beauty, and Feel Unique
The Ordinary Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 10% (£7.80)
What form of Vitamin C does it use?: Magnesium Ascorbyl Phopshate, a water-soluble derivative. It's less effective than pure Vitamin C but more stable. It's one of the most studied derivates of Vitamin C, so there's quite a lot of research confirming it works. It's particularly good at brightening skin.
What's the texture like?: A light cream.
Are there any side effects?: It's one of the gentlest forms of Vitamin C, but if you have super sensitive skin, it may still irritate it. (I mean, what would NOT irritate super sensitive skin?)
When do you use it?: Morning and evening after water-based serums.
Who is it best for?:Sensitive skin and Vitamin C newbies.
Where to buy it: Asos, Beauty Bay and Cult Beauty
Related: Can You Use A Vitamin C Serum If You Have Sensitive Skin?
VITAMIN C TIPS
High doses of Vitamin C can sting and irritate skin. Start with a derivative three or four times a week and increase frequency gradually.
If your Vitamin C is turning brown, toss it. It doesn't work anymore.
Vitamin C is even more powerful when used with Vitamin E and ferulic acid. Sadly, no The Ordinary product uses this combo. Supplement with a separate antioxidant serum.
The Bottom Line
Choosing the right The Ordinary Vitamin C product for your needs depends on your skin type, the type of Vitamin C it can tolerate and what texture it prefers. If you're a Vitamin C veteran, you can upgrade to pure Vitamin C. Everyone else, stick to a derivative for the time being. Pick the one with the better texture for your skin type and you'll make it a happy bunny.
The Ordinary Vitamin C Supension 23% + HA Spheres 2% Ingredients
Ascorbic Acid, Squalane, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Coconut Alkanes, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucomannan, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Trihydroxystearin, BHT.
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30% In Silicone Ingredients
Dimethicone, Ascorbic Acid, Polysilicone-11, PEG-10 Dimethicone.
The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% Ingredients
Aqua (Water), Coco Caprylate/Caprate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Dodecane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyglycerol-3 Diisostearate, Polyglycerol-3 Polyricinoleate, Glycerin, Hexamethyldisiloxane, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.
The Ordinary Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F Ingredients
Coconut Alkanes, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ethyl Linoleate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract, Squalane
The Ordinary Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 10% Ingredients
Aqua (Water), Coco Caprylate/Caprate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Dodecane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyglycerol-3 Diisostearate, Polyglycerol-3 Polyricinoleate, Glycerin, Hexamethyldisiloxane, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.
The Ordinary 100% L-Ascorbic Acid Powder Ingredients
Ascorbic Acid
The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% Ingredients
Propanediol, Ascorbic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin
The Ordinary Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Ingredients
Propanediol, Ethyl Ascorbic Acid.
About Gio
Hi, I'm Gio. I'm a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever - every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what's worth the splurge and what's best left on the shelf - using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.Source: https://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/guide-ordinary-vitamin-c-products/
