The Ordinary
Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
face serum
The Ordinary
face serum
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Fit by skin type
General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.
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Take the skin testA water- and silicone-free stable suspension of 23 percent pure l-ascorbic acid
Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% is a cushioning serum from The Ordinary, a brand based in Canada. The formula is built mainly around hydration. The ingredient list runs to 15 ingredients, each broken down in full below.
By its ingredient list the formula reads as moderately cushioned — emollient enough to feel like a cream, without the heaviest occlusives near the top. Hydration is handled by Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane and Isodecyl Neopentanoate, humectants that pull water into the upper layers of skin rather than sealing it there.
Hydration: High. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Isodecyl Neopentanoate and Coconut Alkanes.
Soothing: Moderate. Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity, and here that comes from Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Isononyl Isononanoate and Sodium Hyaluronate.
Antioxidant support: Moderate. Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution, and here that comes from Ascorbic Acid.
Brightening: Moderate. Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks, and here that comes from Ascorbic Acid.
On richness alone it suits Balanced skin best, and is the least natural fit for Dry, Combination (dry), Combination (oily) and Oily skin. Nothing in the list is flagged as a common irritant, which is a reasonable starting point for reactive skin — though a patch test is still the only way to know.
The formula contributes little or nothing on cell renewal and firmness signalling. That is not a fault — most products are not meant to do everything — but if one of those is your priority, this is not the product that will address it.
Reading the full list, the formula is fragrance-free, essential-oil-free, no drying alcohol, paraben-free, silicone-free and sulfate-free. Those claims come from the ingredient list itself, not from the packaging.
It can be used morning and evening. In a routine it goes after toner, before moisturiser. Apply to clean, dry skin and give it a minute to absorb before the next layer. Introduce one new treatment at a time so you can identify what is working.
This summary is generated from the product's ingredient list. It is not a review, it is not the brand's own marketing claims, and it does not replace advice from a dermatologist.
Drawn purely from the ingredient list
Scored on how rich or light the formula reads from its INCI order.
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.
Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy
Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Fades hyperpigmentation and evens out dark spots over time
Brightens and balances complexion for a more uniform appearance
Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation for sensitive skin
None of the ingredients in this formula are associated with these benefits. This is not unusual, as most products are designed to target a limited number of concerns.
The actives, UV filters and benefit-carrying ingredients in this formula, in the order they are listed.
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 10–40% of the formula.
Ascorbic acid
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
2,6,10,15,19,23-Hexamethyltetracosane
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Propanoic acid, 2,2-dimethyl-, isodecyl ester
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Coconut Alkanes is the product obtained from the complete reduction and hydrogenation of a mixture of fatty acids derived from Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Hexadecanoic acid, 2-ethylhexyl ester; Octyl palmitate
9th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Hyaluronic acid, sodium, salt
10th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Glucomannan is the polymer of Mannose containing side chains of glucose
14th on the list, which puts it at an estimated under 1% of the formula.
1,2,3-Propanetriyl tris(12-hydroxyoctadecanoate)
Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.
Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin
Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity
Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution
Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine
Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks
Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity
Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover
Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support
"Active" here means an ingredient carrying a recorded active type or a recognised UV filter.
Solvents, emollients, texture agents and preservatives — the formula that carries the actives.
Read from the full ingredient list. A brand's own claim may differ.
Ethylene/propylene/styrene Copolymer, Butylene/ethylene/styrene Copolymer
Judged by the same curated rules our routine checker uses. It reads the ingredients, not the label.
Best kept to separate routines — one in the morning, one at night, or on alternate days.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
This product is the "Treat" step.
Flags to check, not verdicts. None of this is medical advice — if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a skin condition, ask a doctor.
Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 15 ingredients on the label.
Softens and smooths by filling gaps between skin cells
Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula
Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels
Neutralises free radicals from UV and pollution
Draws water into the upper layers of skin
Forms a film that slows water loss
Sets the acidity the formula needs to work
Dissolves and carries everything else
Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 10–40% of the formula.
Ascorbic acid
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
2,6,10,15,19,23-Hexamethyltetracosane
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Propanoic acid, 2,2-dimethyl-, isodecyl ester
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
3,5,5-Trimethylhexyl 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoate
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Coconut Alkanes is the product obtained from the complete reduction and hydrogenation of a mixture of fatty acids derived from Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer is a polymer of ethylene, propylene and styrene monomers that has been terminated by hydrogenation
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Hexadecanoic acid, 2-ethylhexyl ester; Octyl palmitate
8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Silane, dichlorodimethyl-, reaction products with silica
9th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Hyaluronic acid, sodium, salt
10th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Glucomannan is the polymer of Mannose containing side chains of glucose
11th on the list, which puts it at an estimated under 1% of the formula.
Alcohols, coco, mixed esters with octanoic and decanoic acids
12th on the list, which puts it at an estimated under 1% of the formula.
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer is a polymer of butylene and ethylene and styrene monomers terminated by hydrogenation
13th on the list, which puts it at an estimated under 1% of the formula.
Copolymer of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate and one or more monomers of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or one of their simple esters, crosslinked with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate
14th on the list, which puts it at an estimated under 1% of the formula.
1,2,3-Propanetriyl tris(12-hydroxyoctadecanoate)
15th on the list, which puts it at an estimated under 1% of the formula.
2,6-Di-tert-butyl-p-cresol
Products in the same category that share this formula's distinguishing ingredients.
Dr.Melaxin
Shares 4 key ingredients with Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%: Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid
ma:nyo
Shares 3 key ingredients with Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%: Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid
Isntree
Shares 3 key ingredients with Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%: Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid
NEOGEN
Shares 3 key ingredients with Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%: Squalane, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate
APLB
Shares 3 key ingredients with Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%: Ascorbic Acid, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate
COSRX
Shares 3 key ingredients with Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%: Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane
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.
ASCORBIC ACID, SODIUM HYALURONATE.
-Apply a small amount to face in the AM or the PM (PM preferred). Precautions: -A strong but non-irritating tingling sensation can be expected after application. If the sensation is too strong to tolerate, the formula can be mixed on each application with other creams or serums of your preference. -Due to the powder form of l-ascorbic acid used, this formula feels gritty for a few seconds after application. If you prefer to avoid this gritty feel, use the Vitamin C Suspension 30% in Silicone formula.
Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits Balanced skin best. It is the least natural fit for Dry, Combination (dry), Combination (oily), Oily skin.
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
One ingredient could feed malassezia: Ethylhexyl Palmitate. That describes the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that it will cause a breakout.
Nothing in this formula is on the standard pregnancy-caution list. That is not medical clearance — check anything you use daily with your doctor or midwife.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is fragrance-free.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is no drying alcohol.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is silicone-free.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is essential-oil-free.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is paraben-free.
It layers well with Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), PHAs (gluconolactone), Azelaic acid, Copper peptides, Bakuchiol, Niacinamide. Take more care combining it with Benzoyl peroxide, Retinoids (retinol, retinal), AHAs (glycolic, lactic), BHA (salicylic acid) — use them in separate routines or on alternate days.
Use it morning and evening, after toner, before moisturiser.
It lists 15 ingredients, of which 2 are recorded as actives.
The Ordinary, a brand based in Canada.
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