The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%
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£10.80
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Stripping back unnecessary packaging and misleading ingredients, The Ordinary offers an abundance of brilliant, high-performing products at surprisingly affordable prices. This potent formula combines two of the most powerful brightening agents in skin care: pure vitamin C and alpha arbutin, both solubilised in a completely water-free formula for perfect stability. Brightening skin tone and reducing signs of ageing, this formula is particularly adept at reducing the look of dark spots and uneven skin tone.
Perfect for brightening skin and minimising the appearance of uneven skin tone, The Ordinary’s Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% is optimised for ideal stability. Notoriously difficult to keep stable, vitamin C and alpha arbutin do not perform at their best when combined with water – hence, this formula is completely water-free. It may feel slightly ‘oily’ for a few seconds after application, despite the fact that it is completely free from oil. Vitamin C is an effective antioxidant that brightens the skin tone and reducing signs of ageing, while alpha arbutin is a highly purified biosynthetic active ingredient that reduces the look of dark spots and uneven skin tone. The Ordinary offers a host of vitamin C-based products to brighten skin – opt for this one if you’re looking for a ‘moderate’ option and a ‘light oil’ texture.
Propanediol, Ascorbic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin
For the latest information, it is recommended to review the ingredient list printed on the packaging of the product prior to usage or consumption.
Apply a few drops to face in the AM and PM as part of your skincare regimen. Use sun protection in the AM.
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Top Customer Reviews
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Please remember that results will vary from person to person. We're proud to say that all customer reviews are independent, authentic and do not represent the views of Cult Beauty or The Hut Group.
Burning skin and redness
I was very disappointed by this product. As soon as I applied it to my skin I felt like I was burning and my face became red.I had to quickly rinse my face and every other time I tried using it it had the same effect.I used vitamin C products in the past but never had this issue so if you have sensitive skin I suggest you try a different product.
by Bea
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The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid + Alpha Arbutin review
I have been using this product since the beginning of April 2 to 3 times per week. Unfortunately, it irritates my skin pretty badly and leaves my skin swollen and red on my cheek and chin area where I need this product the most (dark spots). I feel weird heat on my skin after applying it (when I use it AM I always use sun protection). I have tried mixing it with my everyday moisturiser, but it didn't help much. I have still no idea if this product does me good or bad. So, I decided to give up on this Vit C after 6 months of using this product.
by Christina
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Love it!!!!
I must say this has brought so much more glow to my face and it feels hydrated and fresh. In love with this one.
by jamey
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Still confused
Am i the only one who feels its warm on skin and as soon i apply it makes my skin red unlike the ordinary ascorbyl glucoside 12% . I used it for 2 weeks and got really bad acne . I really want to use this but i am really nervous if this makes my skin bad instead of good .
by Shilpi
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Clear and glowing!
Since buying this product I haven't actually used it regularly having said that whenever I do I start to notice a softness and a glow to my skin. I have only a few blemishes after a couple of spots and I think it's helping to minimise them. I really like the product. I didn't think it was sticky actually just moisturizes into my skin. Doesn't have any smell either. I really like it!
by Sobz
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Good for me
I have used Paula's Choice vitamin c serum but thought it worth trying an Ordinary one as I happily use other products from their range. It does have an odd vitamin c smell - but you can get over this - I use it at night so I can wash off any residual smell in the morning. Other reviewers are right in that it does not sink in immediately but given the price I can wait. I have dark spots which seem to have faded slightly and my skin is maybe a little brighter so I am very happy so far and will continue to use it.
by April
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Didn’t work for me
I’d been using the Sunday Riley CEO glow serum previously but was looking for a cheaper vitamin C alternative. Having previously tried and liked products from The Ordinary, I thought I’d give this a go. Sadly, I didn’t like it at all. It has a weird sickly smell, different from when VitC goes off, so I don’t think I just got a bad batch. The texture is kind of oily and it leaves an oily residue on my face, but without any moisturising properties (I normally love using oils on my face before bed). It just kind of sits on top of my skin, and everytime I’ve used it at night (three times in total) I’ve woken up with little white spots on my face. I can’t really comment on its effectiveness for hyperpigmentation or evening out skin tone, because I just can’t bring myself to use it often enough to see a difference! I’m starting to think (for vitamin C anyway) you really do get what you pay for. I have sensitive combination skin btw.
by Shu
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Amazing!
The amazing product would def recommend.
by Saf
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Fixed my dry skin
Bought this because my skin had broken out loads in lockdown and aside from a lot of uneven skin tone from old spots I was getting some weird redness on my cheekbones. I also permanently had dry, scaly feeling skin around my chin and nose (have had this for a couple of years). This product was like a miracle cure as soon as I started using it, it got rid of the dry scaly skin on my nose and made my skin generally so much softer, as well as calming the redness on my cheekbones and the breakouts. A couple of months in, I still have some sun damage on one cheekbone that I don't think it has really altered, and for a while, I thought it was making my blackheads worse, although this has gone back to normal now (i.e. I still have them all the time but they are not getting worse). My brother kept getting really bad flare-ups of red inflamed skin on his nose that he was treated with steroid cream and I persuaded him to buy this serum because of the impact it had had on my dry skin, and it has really sorted it out for him - he doesn't use the steroid cream anymore and has had no more flare-ups so far. So in conclusion - it isn't really what it is advertised to do but for dry, scaly skin or irritated dry skin I would massively recommend it! And I do feel like it has generally controlled my breakouts and improved skin tone. I should say that like other people have said it does feel a bit tacky for a while after application and is a bit shiny, but it eventually soaks in (I try to use it while my toner is still a bit damp, that way I can use less and spread it more easily). Also under foundation and powder (use the Ordinary serum foundation and NYX powder), it feels fine. I don't get any redness from it but I use glycolic acid toner so my skin is used to chemical exfoliants.
by Beki
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Love it
My first time trying vitamin C. It has an oily look/feel when you apply it, but it's not oil if that makes sense (you can run your finger under water and the product washes away completely). I have an oily T zone and often get acne. This hasn't stopped me from breaking out, but I do feel it has reduced it somewhat. I've been using it for almost a month now and I definitely feel like my skin has become more vibrant and translucent looking. Sits well under makeup.
by Ruru
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