The Ordinary Vitamin C Guide

A quick guide to The Ordinary Vitamin Cs, including polls/reviews by the Deciem Addicts.

• Ascorbic Acid & Alpha Arbutin 79% love it – Read More
• L-Ascorbic Acid Powder 72% love it – Read More
• Vitamin C 23% 64% love it – Read More
• Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 61% love it – Read More
• Ascorbyl Glucoside 59% love it – Read More
• Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate 58% love it – Read More
• Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 55% love it – Read More
• Vitamin C 30% 52% love it – Read More

Easy Guide to The Ordinary Vitamin C

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 The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside or Tetraisopalmitate.
• 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. If you already have water-based products in your routine, you may prefer something more oily or creamier.
• Check your current routine to see which ones will not conflict with your current products. The derivatives only conflict with Niacinamide, whereas the ELAA / LAA have many conflicts.
• When do you want to use vitamin C? In the morning or evening?
• You may choose based on price.

The Ordinary Vitamin C, Targets & Conflicts

You can find all this information on The Ordinary website under Guides – Formulations by Category.

The Ordinary Vitamin Cs & Polls/Reviews

The polls were taken by the #deciemaddicts on Instagram. Come and join The Ordinary & Deciem Chat Room Facebook Group to chat direct with over 200,000 members.

Vitamin C 23% Reviews

The Ordinary Vitamin C 30% Reviews

The Ordinary L-Ascorbic Acid Powder Reviews

Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution

Ascorbic Acid + Alpha Arbutin

Ascorbyl Glucoside

Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate

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!

Can I mix The Ordinary L-Ascorbic Acid Powder with The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin.

Yes, you may. It’s a great combination

If my skin can tolerate it, can I use The Ordinary Pure Vitamin C powder and Matrixyl 10% in the same routine?

We would recommend separating the products into two different routines for optimal results.

Can I mix L’Ascorbic Acid Powder with The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid serum?

Yes, you may.

The Ordinary 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!

NIOD Vitamin C Products

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 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 Guides

• The Ordinary Acid Guide
• The Ordinary Retinol / Retinols Guide
• How To Layer The Ordinary
• The Ordinary Conflicts
• The Ordinary Products You Can & Cannot Mix
• The Ordinary & NIOD Discounts