It’s been a while since I last reviewed some skincare for you, but as you may know, due to my skin’s sensitivity I cannot change it up too much. So I like using up what I have before trying something new. Two years ago I decided to commit and become a bit more serious about my skincare routine. Part of that journey was an order from The Ordinary and part of that order was their Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% (Vitamin C Suspension from now on). I had yet to try it as I had so many other exfoliating products to try. By now I have been using it all throughout the month of January and so I feel I have some solid thoughts. So this is my review.
Review: The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
As we all know, The Ordinary was one of the first well-known brands to revolutionize consumer skincare. Not only are they affordable with many products under €10, but they were also part of the trend of not using products that have lots of active ingredients, but where each product does one thing. I have to say that at first, it made be feel so lost as it took some time to figure out what might work with my skin. In the end I decided to just go for it and at just €5.80 a pop this product certainly doesn’t break the bank.
What does The Ordinary’s Vitamin C Suspension have to offer?
Before we get into that, I want to tell you bit about my skin. My skin is dry to dehydrated/ normal with some texture from milia which I would dub my main skin concern. I struggled setting up even the most basic of skincare routines in my 20s as my skin ended up reacting badly to almost everything I put on it. My skin is therefore not only dry/ dehydrated (with texture the result of that), but also extremely sensitive.
I therefore always like trying skincare products at least a month as I just never know how things play out if I try something just once or twice. With active ingredients such as in The Ordinary’s products I have always been a bit nervous to try them. I have tried several of their products, with varying levels of success. Some I found simply too potent for my sensitive skin, leading me to only be able to use the product once a week, rendering the effects minimal. I can assure you though that this product has been a great success for me.
What does The Ordinary’s Vitamin C suspension do?
The Ordinary’s Vitamin C Suspension is one I wanted to try as it promises to be an antioxidant that brightens the skin tone and reduces signs of aging. I am in my 30s afterall, so I wanted to start that looking into that. This product is a topical Vitamin C with L-Asorbic Acid in a lotiony formula to keep the Vitamin C stable. According to the brand, this version is their most potent Vitamin C. Due to the powder this feels gritty at first and it can sting as it is so potent. Another reason why I wanted to try this product was because I had heard that topical Vitamin C can be great for reducing your texture too and it should be great with helping against milia.
Please note: this ingredient list was the list on the box from when I bought this 2 years ago. The Ordinary may have updated their ingredients since then.
What is my experience trying this product?
I saved this product for last as I was a bit nervous this would set my skin on fire. Yes, the first time I used this, by itself, it caused quite a strong tingling sensation. I wouldn’t call it a sting per se, but I quite enjoyed that feeling. It certainly wasn’t painful to me. The sensation mainly occurred on the areas of my face that have the most texture: around my nose and on the tops of my cheeks. I then read on the box that you could also use this to mix in with other serums or your moisturizer if you thought this might be too much of a good thing and ever since I have been doing that I have fallen in love.
I don’t fall in love with skincare easily, but I instantly saw results. After 3 – 4 weeks of nearly every day use, my milia have all but disappeared, while this skin concern has been an ongoing battle since my late 20s. There have been some products that manage to lessen the visibility but to make them disappear nearly completely in such a short period of time has never happened to me before. So the way I use this product is as follows: At night, I take about a dime size amount and add in two pipettes of Good Molecules’ Ultra-Hydrating Facial Oil. That was a product I liked, but struggled to use up as it was absorbed so quickly by the skin that I had to put it on straight from the pipette and it just got a little messy. This way I get the best out of both of these products as my skin no longer tingles and my skin feels supple and hydrated at the same time. I then top my skin off with a moisturizer to lock everything in and I have myself a great night time routine for the winter time.
My final thoughts
So far this has been my best find from The Ordinary’s line. I am loving this stuff so much that I have already repurchased a new one. Not only is it a cheap and cheerful product, but it also does exactly what I want it to do. Yes you can feel this and if I use too much I feel I wake up with gritty bits all over my face, but that’s nothing a good morning cleanse can’t solve. I have been using this almost daily and my skin has actually become less responsive to the product after the first 2-3 uses. The only times I don’t use this is if I am lazy and just want to go with moisturizer or once a week after a shower when I use a lactic acid exfoliant instead of this.
Would I recommend The Ordinary’s Vitamin C Suspension?
Well, would I have repurchased this if I wouldn’t? So the answer would be yes: I would recommend trying this product if like me, you struggle with texture in your skin. My skin feels great and I feel makeup sits on top of it more beautifully too. I still have some texture in my skin when I touch it, but the hard, noticeable bumps (that used to make my highlighter look so so obvious) have all but disappeared. My skin hasn’t felt this smooth and nice in a long time. If you have sensitive skin, I would recommend mixing it in with a serum, oil or moisturizer to lessen the sensation, but still get the effect. Since I have dry skin and we’re in the winter I have been mixing this in with a face oil, but you can anything else you already own.