Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%

I'm a skincare junkie, and my skin is accustomed to powerful ingredients. On paper, this Vitamin C suspension should be the most effective and powerful formula you can buy, especially for the money. It contains 23% of l-absorbic acid which is the most effective form of vitamin c for skincare purposes. It's also very strong, much stronger than most other Vitamin c formulas available on the market, which means that you WILL feel this working when applied. That didn't scare me away because I already use a 22% vitamin c formula compounded by my pharmacist. However, this was different, and within 2 days I found myself treating chemical burns on parts of my face. It hurt and took a few weeks to heal completely. I don't even have sensitive skin. I have dry skin with no sensitivity or acne issues. I've certainly never had an issue with a skincare product burning thru my skin before this.

If you're not accustomed to a real l-absorbic acid suspension like this, it's very different than any other Vitamin c serum or cream you've likely used. This didn't bother me because I already used a product like this, but some of you may not like it. The l-absorbic acid powder doesn't fully dissolve in the cream suspension, making it very gritty when applied. I usually apply the cream, let it absorb for 20-30 minutes, and then apply another serum or moisturizer over it (mixed with 2 drops of a beauty oil) to help the remaining particles absorb into the skin. Don't try to wear this in the morning under makeup. It won't work! Only use at night before bedtime. It will feel very strong and likely burn for a few minutes. Some burning is ok, but if you feel it burning beyond 5 minutes or so, be careful or you may end up with actual burns like I did. I can't recommend this at all. Instead I recommend the Drunk Elephant C Firma or a cheaper product with l-absorbic acid is the Vitamin C by Timeless.

This is the cheapest and most effective Vitamin C product I have ever used, but it does take some getting used to! Since it is a suspension, it feels a little gritty and the water-free formula is weird to apply. I use this by wetting my face a little with thermal water (the water helps the Vitamin C to dissolve into the skin) then pat the formula - all you need is a little bit, less is more! - all over my face or wherever I need it. I typically have to wait ten minutes before it completely soaks in, but once it does I finish with moisturizer and I'm good to go! My skin has never been brighter, and my acne scars and dark spots are fading. Amazing for the price if you're willing to work with it! If not, The Ordinary has several other Vitamin C formulas you can check out!

For reference I run very dry and have sensitive skin.

I'm a longtime user of L Ascorbic, including a very high percentage only available through my Derm. Even so, this product stung beyond discomfort. I would describe it as burning. I do want to note, not everyone will experience identical issues; I can only speak from personal experience.

Vitamin C not only helps brighten skin and even skin tone while fading scarring and spots, but it also stimulates collagen. Collagen breaks down as we age and so C stimulates that collagen to help bring plumpness and firmness to skin...and a glow as it is cell communicative. It's a potent antioxidant. Yay for C!

This C is suspended in an oil base, making this extremely greasy, so you may want to take that into consideration. This suspension contains Coconut Alkanes, which is obtained by total reduction and hydrogenation of fatty acids derived from Coconut Oil. That may be something you need to take into consideration if you have sensitivities. Although initially it is gritty, you can easily mix this with your favorite moisturizer and that will take the grit way down and eventually it does absorb, but if you're in a time crunch, again, this may be something you'll need to plan for.

I feel that C is best used in the morning as it boosts sun protection and this formulation just feels like it would be best used at night; that's a drawback in my view. High concentrations of C CAN potentially bring on cystic acne in some individuals, so take note. I also feel that C is beneficial when used every single day, and because that's also not something I could with this, that further contributes to the 1 star.

Like any new skincare, I'd test patch on the neck, behind the ear (away from the skin fold) or on the delicate underside of the forearm and leave that overnight to see how skin responds.

I do recommend cutting this with a moisturizer, just be certain your moisturizer doesn't contain Niacinamide, as per The Ordinary's recommendation. (Many products successfully mix/contain C and Niacinamide with an effective pH and so I'd say this science of not mixing is highly debated, but you should follow their instruction in this instance/formulation.)

Because of this delivery system, your skin will not be actually absorb 23%; the percentage absorbed is much lower, but it's still a high concentration.

I think there are much better, affordable C options, such as Timeless Skincare with E and Ferulic Acid or Paula's Choice. Both are water-based, stable formulations with high concentrations of easily absorbed, non-oily, L Ascorbic Acid. (Placing it in the fridge will help keep it stable and extend shelf life.) Drunk Elephant is of course very pricy, but definitely worth looking into if budget permits it. I think all three are reliable, stable formulations.

If you really want to go with a C from The Ordinary, I'd recommend the lower percentage/alternate delivery system of their Ascorbyl 10% instead; that's a lovely product that is rapidly absorbing and quite enjoyable.

As other members have suggested, if you've purchased this and find it burns, don't lose faith. You can seriously cut it with a light moisturizer and use it as a mask or a treatment if regular use is too much. That's what I did with mine and then, burning was not an issue. I used it up so I didn't feel that it was a total wash.

I personally would not recommend this or repurchase this, but I am glad to see more access from The Ordinary to C options at an affordable price that some seem to enjoy very much.

The first time I ever use this product I used it all over my face in the morning per the instructions. I was able to apply my make up over this with no issues. That said the burning and sensitivity I experience with this product lasted literally all day! It was extremely uncomfortable and offputting. At that point I decided I would never use it again. A week later I decided to spot treat some dark spots left by acne and just areas over my cheeks where I have hyperpigmentation, and use it at night . I am pleased to say that was the key to tolerating this product and using it effectively. It really does work. This definitely is something that can cause irritation and strong tingling. It's not the smoothest cream around and has a gritty texture but if you can tolerate that and just use on small areas of the face for just a few minutes under the rest of your skin care you may see results with this product. for the most part my acne darkness has disappeared it took about a week of treatment and the hyperpigmentation on my cheeks is fading. because I have to use so small of an amount I expect this product to last quite some time so for just under six dollars it's a steal!

I'm a girl with rosacea so the thought of using this product was scary to say the least. Also I am on a very strict budget. I started building my tolerance to vitamin C with samples of the most non irritating, and most expensive product, Drunk Elephant. Love how that made my skin feel, no irritation. I advanced to samples of Algenerist and built up my tolerance further. Next I was able to purchase a bottle of Timeless Vit C serum, which is what I still use 50% of the time. I now alternate that with this very different Vit C product and I'm tolerating it very well. The grit is difficult to work with, but I have to use this in the morning, because I am in love with The Ordinary Retinol 2% (first Retinol product I can tolerate!). So, I take this and mix it with some Hoda Labo H.A. lotion. Mix it up for a few seconds in my palm and I feel no grittiness after applying. I follow this up with The Buffet and my moisturizing sunscreen. My make up goes on flawlessly and I now can breathe easy spending only $5.80 on, what I'm sure will be, my go to Vit C product. YAY for The Ordinary. I would give it 4.5, but the grittiness does need some work.

This is a really great product. I read the reviews before purchasing and was expecting gritty texture. When I used it for the first time, however, I found that the texture was initially VERY smooth and creamy. I did not find it to be gritty. When I applied it, I applied and quickly and did NOT try to rub it into my skin. I found that when I tried to rub it around (like we do with most moisturizers) it started to develop a texture. The more products you try to layer this on top of, the more texture you will develop. Just pat this quickly onto your skin and refrain from working it in. I do recommend using this at night because it does leave a nice greasy-looking sheen on your skin (OR you can use a piece of tissue to blot the excess oil off like I do). JUST DONT RUB THIS or you'll end up with gritty texture.

I have enjoyed using this product at night. Because it is water free the powder stays a little gritty on the skin for about 15 minutes and that is why I have chosen to use it at night instead of in the morning. If you have sensitive skin you may need to mix this with a plain moisturizer as it does have a strong tingle. I do recommend this though and would certainly repurchase

This is the only Ordinary product I've tried that I haven't loved. Not because it's not effective, but I'm just not a fan of the texture. It's kind of gritty & greasy feeling & I can't get it to work w/ my skin. When I try to use it by itself, it pills & balls up. I can mix it w/ a moisturizer but when I use it this way I can't rub it in like other products, I have to quickly place it where I need it & then just let it soak in on its own. Which it does after a while. It's a very effective vitamin C lotion, just not my cup of tea.

I have been loving this as well as all the products I have been trying out from Deciem. The first time I used it I did have a strong tingling, almost burning but not painful and I thought it may mean my skin would dry out but everything was fine. Subsequent use I have found I dont feel the tingling/burning anymore and my skin is more plump which is great. The only thing is that it cant be layered under anything, the grittiness didnt go away even after leaving it on my skin for a few hours. So I use it now as almost a mask a couple of times a week. Although it would be nice to have it all absorb, I love when it does for my skin. I may try the other Vitamin C variations though to see if I prefer them.

I tried this in the morning at first, but it didn't really sit well under makeup and the humid climate I live it. Switched it to night use, and I love the way it makes my face look all smooth and radiant in the morning. The low price point doesn't hurt either!