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The Ordinary

Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution.

The Ordinary Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution
Serums

About this product

A water-free vitamin C serum containing 15% ethylated ascorbic acid, formulated to brighten skin, address signs of aging, and protect against environmental stressors.

Best for

Mature skin
Serums

The Guru Index verdict

74%

Approved

Approved · 74%
4Reviewers
3Approved
1Mixed
0Skip

What the gurus are saying

Experts praise this formula for its stability and gentleness compared to pure vitamin C, making it ideal for those who struggle to use vitamin C before it oxidizes. The trade-off is texture: the anhydrous (water-free) base feels noticeably greasy and oily on skin, and may not layer smoothly with other products, so those who prefer lightweight serums may want to test it first. It still delivers brightening and anti-aging benefits and works particularly well under the eyes for pigmentation concerns.
Synthesized from 4 expert reviews

Key actives & flags

Vitamin CFragrance-freeAlcohol-free

Full ingredients

Propanediol, Ethyl Ascorbic Acid 15.0%, Ethyl Ascorbic Acid

Every take, in full

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Approved only Skip only Mixed only Hide sponsored
Approved
"The ethylated ascorbic acid is a pure form of vitamin C as opposed to a derivative. It's shelf stable and will last for the longest time, and you're still getting that direct hit of vitamin C so you don't have to compromise on the results. I also find it slightly more gentle on the skin than pure form ascorbic acid, so I think it's just a great all-rounder. This is great if you're someone that always struggles to get through your vitamin C before it oxidizes. I tended to use it in the winter when my skin was a little bit more sensitive but I didn't want to forgo my vitamin C, this was perfect. My skin just loves this one."
All 2 takes from Mad About Skin
BEST VITAMIN C SERUMS - My Vitamin C Favourites
"This is The Ordinary Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution, great product which is half the strength of that Neostrata one so a lot less sensitizing still gives you great results. I prefer this one to the Neostrata one because I think it's more suitable for everyone, less likely to sensitize but I still didn't get the really quick results maybe I was expecting from a 15%. I think I would rather buy a fresh pure form vitamin C than rely on ethylated ascorbic acid which lasts longer but I still don't think you get quite the potency. It feels really nice on the skin and goes in, you get a gentle warming of the skin which is normal with vitamin C's but it still is slightly greasy, just slightly greasy, it's fine. If you're the sort of person that doesn't use your vitamin C's before they oxidize and they turn that vivid yellowy orange color, then invest in this because it'll last a lot longer."
THE ORDINARY DISCONTINUING SERUMS - Is Your Favourite Gone?
"The ethylated ascorbic acid is a pure form of vitamin C as opposed to a derivative. It's shelf stable and will last for the longest time, and you're still getting that direct hit of vitamin C so you don't have to compromise on the results. I also find it slightly more gentle on the skin than pure form ascorbic acid, so I think it's just a great all-rounder. This is great if you're someone that always struggles to get through your vitamin C before it oxidizes. I tended to use it in the winter when my skin was a little bit more sensitive but I didn't want to forgo my vitamin C, this was perfect. My skin just loves this one."
~Mixed
"The ethylated ascorbic acid 15% solution is still wonderful it can still help to brighten up your skin address signs of aging and protect your skin from everyday pollution but this is a water-free serum this has that anhydrous serum so it might feel a little oily because there's no water in the formula so if you like that and you don't mind that type of texture then you might really enjoy this serum but some people may not like it because it might feel too heavy on the skin and then sometimes depending on the other skincare products that you're using things may not layer up as nicely. I was never consistent with this serum so I can't really touch too much on it but the texture was okay but I didn't exactly love it either."
Approved
"The Ordinary is the winner again."
Approved
"If you don't want or don't have that kind of money to spend, especially on a vitamin C serum that you don't know if you're gonna like, try this one. This is an oil soluble version from The Ordinary, and as you can see it leaves my skin a little bit greasy, but this is an anhydrous solution, meaning not or without water. It's fragrance free, really simple ingredients, and it has this active but stable form of vitamin C. Yes, this can help with brightening, it can help with pigmentation, it works really great under the eyes if you tend to have pigmentary issues, but this can also help with fine lines and wrinkles if it can get into the skin and help you stimulate that collagen over time. This vitamin C being oil soluble is a great way to do so. This is the isolated ascorbic acid at 15, so 15 is pretty potent, but this soaks in so well and this is a great choice for anybody who wants to build collagen topically, especially with something they can use during the day."
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