No other skincare brand gets such a polarizing reaction like The Ordinary. They will either have your dream product at the best price possible or their product would be a huge letdown. In just 4 years, they have proved themselves to be the brand that is everywhere. You might have tried more than half of their products or just the one that you were seeing everywhere. I also recently bought their highly raved about The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%. After applying it for more than a month I have a lot of thoughts about this cult product.
First Impression
The Ordinary is famous for its sleek and no-nonsense packaging. The Ordinary Vitamin C Serum is also no different, it comes in white packaging with a grey tube inside. Both on the packet and the tube, only the details of the formula are given with instructions on how to apply. At the side of its areas of the target are written, which are:
- Aging Signs
- Uneven Skintone
This way you know exactly what the product is targetting so you won’t buy it for any other issue. If you are looking for something that would help with hyperpigmentation, dull & dry skin, and premature signs of aging then Ordinary Vitamin C is a good product to start.
Review
First of all the tube is a bit deceptive about the product inside. Looking at it you imagine it to have a consistency like a balm but it is actually a very runny lotion. So be careful while squeezing as you already need a very small amount to apply due to the concentrated formula.
The first thing you will feel after applying is a tingling sensation, if you have extremely dry skin then the itch and burn will be a bit stronger. This is why a patch test is a must with this product. This warning is also given on the package but if it gets too much then washing the face is the best option. If you have sensitive skin that can’t handle even slight itchiness then it is better for you to dilute The Ordinary Vitamin C in another serum or lotion.
I applied it directly and I only felt a tingling sensation for about two minutes, not itching or anything else. Another thing that was a bit surprising for me was that it didn’t absorb quickly. The product stayed on my skin as a lotion would. This is another reason for applying a small amount otherwise your skin will feel greasy like it does after a lotion. The product does not get 100% absorbed into the skin as it leaves a bit of residue behind. This also makes it difficult to use beneath makeup or any other product as it doesn’t let the skin grasp it.
This may work for those who prefer a dewy look throughout the day but if you like a completely matte finish then this won’t help you.
3 Main Ingredients
The Ordinary Vitamin C serum has three main ingredients; Pure L-Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin C, and Hyaluronic Acid. The formula is designed in such a way that no water or silicone should be added. This makes this Vitamin C serum one of the best on the market because most of the others would either have water or silicone in it.
Result After 1 Month
After using it for a month, I have seen a steady diminishing of hyperpigmentation. Due to this, my face also looks brighter and cleaner. It doesn’t help much with any aging signs except for age spots. In my experience, this product can only be used to target uneven skin tones. It didn’t hydrate my skin which I thought was a bummer.
Pro
- Affordable For Everyone
- Packaging Is Great
- Must-Have For Beginners
- High-quality Formulation (Possibly the best at this price)
- Brightens Skin Within Days
- Water & Silicone Free
- No Alchohol & Fragrance Added
- Reduce Texture & Helps Even Skintone
- Fade Dark Spots Without Damaging Skin
Cons
- Could Be Extremely Irritating & Itchy For Some
- Doesn’t Absorb Completely
- Not An A.M. Product
- Not At All For Sensitive Skin
- Burning Sensation Will Be Felt High On Damaged SkinFeels Greasy
Final Thoughts
I am a firm believer in not one product suiting everyone. From that point of view, The Ordinary Vitamin C serum is a great product that just isn’t well-suited for everyone. If your skin can tolerate it, then it is probably the best option in this budget for you. Since The Ordinary has set the standard high other budget-friendly Vitamin C serums won’t provide the same result. So if you don’t have sensitive skin and are looking for a good serum to apply at night then do buy this, it works great!