The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%, Vitamin C Serum
by The Ordinary · skin_care
Editor's Take
A 12% Ascorbyl Glucoside serum with a serious delivery system , Dimethyl Isosorbide and Ethoxydiglycol , but the base leans on Triethanolamine and an ethoxylated surfactant that stricter clean frameworks skip.
Four-pillar formula scores
- Performance: 7.5 / 10
- Innovative Ingredients: 6.0 / 10
- Clean Standards: 5.0 / 10
- Formula Sustainability: 9.1 / 10
The Verdict
The efficacy here is genuinely strong: a stable Vitamin C derivative at functional levels, backed by penetration enhancers that actually do the work of getting it into skin. The technology pillar reflects a thoughtful delivery formula, not just a high active percentage. But the clean score sits at 5.0 because the formula uses Triethanolamine and Isoceteth-20 , synthetic pH adjusters and ethoxylated surfactants that many clean-beauty shoppers actively avoid. If you want proven brightening performance and don't mind conventional chemistry, this delivers. If you're shopping by ingredient blacklists, the base will trip your radar before the active impresses you.
Full INCI list
Aqua (water), Ascorbyl Glucoside, Propanediol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Triethanolamine, Isoceteth-20, Xanthan Gum, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ethoxydiglycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol.