May 2023
A quick guide to The Ordinary Vitamin Cs, including polls/reviews by the Deciem Addicts.
- Ascorbic Acid & Alpha Arbutin 79% love it.
- L-Ascorbic Acid Powder 72% love it.
- Vitamin C 23% 64% love it.
- Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 61% love it.
- Ascorbyl Glucoside 59% love it.
- Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate 58% love it.
- Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 55% love it.
- Vitamin C 30% 52% love it.
Easy Guide to The Ordinary Vitamin C
UPDATE
There is a lot of confusion regarding Vitamin C derivatives & Niacinamide. Here´s a quick rundown;
- The Ordinary launched in 2016. The vitamin C derivatives had no conflicts.
- In 2020, when The Ordinary Niacinamide Powder was launched, this is when Deciem mentioned vitamin C derivative conflicts.
- In November 2020, Deciem said not to use any of their vitamin C derivatives in the same routine as Niacinamide.
- April 2022, The Ordinary website currently says do not mix vitamin C derivatives and niacinamide.
- April 2022, The Ordinary website says when using ethylated/pure/direct vitamin C to avoid copper peptides, peptides, EUK 134 0.1%, niacinamide, direct acids, pure/ethylated vitamin C and retinoids.
The Ordinary Vitamin Cs
There are numerous The Ordinary Vitamin C products and they vary in solutions, strengths and prices. There is also one vitamin c in the NIOD range. NIOD ELAN Ethylated Ascorbic Acid Network.
How do I choose which The Ordinary Vitamin C to use?
- If you’re new to skincare, I would advise starting with one of the derivatives like Ascorbyl Glucoside.
- You may choose a particular vitamin based on its solution. If you already use an oil in your routine, you may wish to go for a water-based vitamin C or emulsion.
- Check your current routine to see which ones will not conflict with your current products.
- When do you want to use vitamin C? In the morning or evening?
- You may choose on price.
The Ordinary Vitamin C Conflicts
You can find all this information on The Ordinary website under Guides – Formulations by Category.
| Vitamin C | Solution | Conflicts | Targets | When |
| L-Ascorbic Acid Powder | Powder | Niacinamide EUK 134 Direct Acids Peptides Retinoids | Uneven Tone Signs of Ageing Antioxidant Support | Ideally PM |
| Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% | Anhydrous | Niacinamide EUK 134 Direct Acids Peptides Retinoids | Hyperpigmentation, Dark Spots, Uneven Tone, Signs of Age, Antioxidant Support | AM & PM |
| Vitamin C 23% Vitamin C 30% | Suspension | Niacinamide EUK 134 Direct Acids Peptides Retinoids | Uneven Tone, Signs of Age, Antioxidant Support | Ideally PM |
| Ethylated Ascorbic Acid | Anhydrous | Niacinamide EUK 134 Direct Acids Peptides Retinoids | Uneven Tone Signs of Age Antioxidant Support | AM & PM |
| Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution (derivative) | Oil | Niacinamide | Dullness, Uneven Tone, Signs of Aging, Antioxidant Support | AM & PM |
| Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (derivative) | Emulsion | Niacinamide | Dullness, Uneven Tone, Signs of Aging, Antioxidant Support | AM & PM |
| Ascorbyl Glucoside (derivative) | Water-Based | Niacinamide | Dullness, Uneven Tone, Signs of Aging, Antioxidant Support | AM & PM |
The Ordinary Vitamin Cs & Polls/Reviews
Vitamin C 23% Reviews
The Ordinary Vitamin C 30%
- Targets
- Uneven Tone
- Signs of Age
- Antioxidant Support
The Ordinary L-Ascorbic Acid Powder
- Targets
- Uneven Tone
- Signs of Ageing
- Antioxidant Support
Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution
- Targets
- Uneven Tone
- Signs of Age
- Antioxidant Support
Ascorbic Acid + Alpha Arbutin
- Targets
- Hyper-pigmentation
- Dark Spots
- Uneven Tone
- Signs of Age
- Antioxidant Support
Ascorbyl Glucoside
- Targets
- Dullness
- Uneven Tone
- Signs of Ageing
- Antioxidant Support
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
- Targets
- Dullness
- Uneven Tone
- Signs of Aging
- Antioxidant Support
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
- Targets
- Dullness
- Uneven Tone
- Signs of Aging
- Antioxidant Support
Vitamin C questions answered by The Ordinary
Please note that there may be some contradicting answers here regarding conflicts. Please refer to the new chart above.
Can you mix The Ordinary Vitamin C 23% with The Ordinary Resveratrol & Ferulic Acid and Pycnogenol? Yes, you may!
I would like to know if I can mix The Ordinary L-Ascorbic Acid Powder with Alpha Arbutin. Yes, you may. It’s a great combination
If my skin can tolerate The Ordinary pure vitamin C powder (mixed in with an essence/toner product) and Matrixyl 10% in the same routine, is it still not recommended? Will they affect each other’s effectiveness? We would recommend separating the products into two different routines for optimal results.
Can I use the L’Ascorbic Acid Powder combined/mixed with the hyaluronic acid serum? Yes, you may.
More Faqs
Deciem advises using The Ordinary 23% as the last step as it’s a suspension. What does this actually mean? A Suspension means the active is not dissolved and suspended instead for maximum stability. We suggest using Suspensions as the final step in a routine as they are thicker than a moisturizer or oil. We hope this helps to clarify
Which of The Ordinary Vitamin Cs would be best for a first-time user? Which Vitamin C is preferred? You may wish to begin with The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%. This is a brightening, water-based serum with stabilized Vitamin C derivative to visibly target uneven skin tone, dullness, and signs of ageing.
Can I use The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha arbutin 2% and Lactic Acid 10% on the same routine? Ideally, the two should be separated into two different routines.
Is it ok to combine The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside solution 12% after direct acids (aha or BHA) in the same routine? And if yes, should there be a waiting period between the two as they differ in ph? You may indeed combine both products together. There is no need to wait a certain amount of time in between the application of products. As long as each product is massaged into the skin until absorption, you are welcome to apply the next product!
Other Deciem Vitamin Cs
The Ordinary Skincare Routines & Build Your Own Regimen
If you’re still confused, you can build your own skincare routine here or look through all these different regimens here.
