Are you worried about blemishes? Do you want a brighter skin? Vitamin C is the best active you can include in your skincare routines. In my review of The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% serum I’ll tell you everything about this cosmetic so that you can start enjoying it right away!
Hi! How are you doing? Today I’m sharing with you a new review, in this case of another product by The Ordinary (I really love this brand!). This one is a vitamin C and hyaluronic acid based serum, those two being great active ingredients with antioxidant and antiaging properties. Lately it seems that every new product contains vitamin C, so I wanted to try this one and give you my opinion on this Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%.
BRAND: THE ORDINARY
PRODUCT: VITAMIN C SUSPENSION 23% + HA SPHERES 2%
SKIN TYPE: ALL SKIN TYPES, NOT RECOMMENDED FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
RECOMMENDED FOR: UNISEX
You can get the serum The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% on DECIEM (recommended) and on SkinStore.
I have told you about The Ordinary and DECIEM and how I love their philosophy in previous posts (such as this one about the EUK 134 0,1%). This company was created in Canada in 2013 aiming to create a brand that would clearly differ from the rest of mainstream skincare brands through high quality and economic products. DECIEM has developed several brands ever since its creation, such as The Ordinary, NIOD or The Chemistry Brand. So far I have just tried The Ordinary products, but I’m really looking forward to trying the rest of its brands, considering its great quality.
You know that serums are a fundamental part of our beauty routines to provide our skin with all the nutrition it needs. They give us with some extra dose of antioxidants, hydrating and antiaging ingredients on a much more effective way that other products. I use them daily, in all my routines, although I switch among serums depending on my skin’s needs. This way, some days I give my skin an extra dose of retinoids, peptids, vitamins, etc. In this particular case, vitamin C gives us some extra antioxidants to obtain a much more even skin tone and texture.
Of course, if we want serums to be effective we need to use them at the right time. And when’s the right time? You should be applying them right after your moisturizer, so that your skin properly absorbs all nutrients. So, as you should be doing daily, you will begin your skincare routine by cleansing your face to take away all the excessive oil, dead skin and the different particles that get on your skin. After that, the toner will help you rebalance your pH levels. In this moment you will be able to give your skin all the nourishment it needs, starting with a lighter serum to reach its deepest layers. If you apply more than one serum at once be sure to check that they’re compatible, for instance you shouldn’t be combining vitamin C and other strong actives if your skin doesn’t have a great tolerance. To conclude, the moisturizer helps us keep our skin barrier well protected, avoiding dehydration. And, of course, on your morning routines, you will be finishing with a proper sunscreen.
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% is a very lightweight cream with amazing antiaging and antioxidant properties. You can use it on its own or mixing it with the serum or the moisturizer. Now that vitamin C is everywhere I wanted to try it to check the results and sensations it gave me. You can read my guide on vitamin C to learn more about this amazing skincare active.
The brand recommends adding the Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% to our night routines, although you can use it in the morning too. I prefer using it exclusively in my night routines, since I don’t really like its texture for morning routines. When I first used it I was pretty surprised about its texture, since it leaves a lightly tingling sensation on the skin, pretty similar to the Kiehl’s Powerful Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate. Right after that, I felt some kind of heat (not very intense, but still) that got progressively reduced. To be honest, that first time I used it on its own, but considering this is a very acidic product, I don’t think it’s really suitable for sensitive skins. Ever since that first time I have been combining it with my moisturizer and that tingling sensation faded away.
It’s interesting to know that this product does not contain water or silicon among its ingredients, something that minimizes the risk of oxidization. Vitamin C (or ascorbic acid) is a strong antioxidant that helps reduce spots and obtain a more even texture and tone. Squalane helps maintain the skin’s elasticity and hydration. The hyaluronic acid is a strong ingredient to keep the skin well hydrated and firm, helping reduce wrinkles and fine lines. This product does not contain fragrance.
The packaging is very similar to the rest of The Ordinary products, with a white, minimalist cardboard box. Inside, we find a grey tube. It should be easy to obtain a small amount of product, but its light, liquid texture makes you get more than you need. In my case, without even squeezing the tube I usually get more amount of the product than needed.
This product, which is one of the most iconic from The Ordinary / DECIEM, is a pretty interesting addition to my routines. It’s true that I wasn’t really convinced about it the first time I used it, but after a couple more uses I got addicted. Maybe the worst part about it might be its tingling sensation, so I wouldn’t recommend it for sensitive skin.
HOW TO USE:
Once you have washed your face and applied the toner, you can combine this product with your serum or moisturizer or you can apply it on its own. I would recommend to start combining it with the serum and, after that, trying it on its own. You can use it on your morning and night routines, but the latter is a better choice.
This graphic aims to help you understand in which part of your skincare routine you should use each product.
You don’t need to do all the steps from this routine (but you should always cleanse, moisturize and use sunscreen).
Remember it’s key to do a patch test every time you consider adding new products to your skincare routine.
You can get the serum The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% on DECIEM (recommended) and on SkinStore.
What’s your favourite The Ordinary serum? And your favourite DECIEM product?
Did you like this post? Do you want to keep on learning about beauty, cosmetics and skincare? Then you’ll enjoy reading these:
Do you want to learn to take better care of your skin? You can see an index of all my informative posts here.
SHARE IT:
● Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Pinterest.
● Share, comment and like my posts on social media.
● Shop through my links to help me keep up with this blog.
I’m Nacho and I’m passionate about skincare. I really enjoy learning and sharing my knowledge about skincare and I read scientific papers so you don’t have to. I want to break stereotypes because I believe skincare has no gender: skin is skin.
Hey I’ve been using the vitamin c suspension for a week now.. but every time after the suspension when I put my “Lotus white beauty gel cream” moisturizer its turns into water.. there is no moisturizer left but only a transparent liquid.. how does it happen? Even when I let the vitamin c absorb for hours and then use the moisturizer the result is same what should I do?
Hi Diksha!
I haven’t used that specific moisturizer, so I can’t tell you about my experience using it and regarding its texture. However, as I share on my guide on the topic, gel moisturizers tend to be lighter formulas, often developed for those with combination or oily skin, so maybe that could be the reason why the product doesn’t leave the finish of more occlusive or emollient moisturizers.
Have you checked the product’s PAO and expiration date? If you have noticed a change on the moisturizer’s texture and the product isn’t expired you should contact the brand and tell them about your situation, they can certainly give you a clearer insight on this issue.
Besides that, you can check this list of all my informative posts, I’m sure you will find it helpful 🖤
Remember to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok and to like, comment and share my posts so that I can help more people take care of their skin 😉
Have a great day,
Nacho.
Hi! Thank you for your very detailed articles. I want to layer vit C 23% with resveratrol. Can you tell which goes first and why please?
Hi Margie!
You should apply first the Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% serum and the vitamin C Suspension afterwards, thus going from a lighter formula (as the resveratrol serum has a propanediol base) and towards the thicker one. You can take a look at my guide on how to combine skincare actives, you’ll find it useful!
You can check this index of all my informative posts, I’m sure you will find it helpful 😉
Remember to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok and to like, comment and share my posts so that I can help more people take care of their skin 🖤
Have a great day,
Nacho.
Does really the vitamin c suspension has weird or unusual smell?
Hi Anna! 😊
The product does have a quite particular scent, but I wouldn’t consider it weird (it didn’t feel like an odd smell to me). However, this is relative, since after all, we all feel different about scents 🖤
Have a lovely day,
Nacho.
Plz can i use hyaluronic acid niacinamide and vitamin c suspension 23 + ha 2 at the same time
Hi there! 😊
I speak in greater detail about this topic on my post about combining skincare actives, check it out! 🖤
Remember to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok and to like, comment and share my posts so that I can help more people take care of their skin 😉
Have a great day,
Nacho.
Hi Nacho,
Was wondering whether this vit C suspension is non-comedogenic?
I have lots of milia on my face and don’t want this product to compound the problem if it is indeed non-comedogenic.
Thank you.
Hi Phang! 😊
Analyzing whether a product is comedogenic or not isn’t easy, since you must take into consideration several factors such as the presence of particular ingredients that tend to be comedogenic and their percentage, how they interact in the global formula and how this works along with your skin, so I cannot give you a clear answer regarding how it will work on your skin 🖤
Remember to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok and to like, comment and share my posts so that I can help more people take care of their skin 😉
Have a lovely day,
Nacho.
Thank you for reply, Nacho!
Rgds,
Phang
Hi Thanku so much for your wise knowledge this blog has been super informative I very much enjoyed it.
I have recently discovered the ordinary range which im totally addicted and transformed Im loving the products especially once Im confident enough with ingredients . I have so many good ones now after doing lots of researching that is mostly a little bit confusing as I’ve no use such active ingredients I’ve got myself completely lost . I’m hoping you can pls guide me on what and when to use together or on there own. My morning routine is cleansing with Squalane By ordinary Followed by Ascorbyl Glucoside solution 12% followed by azelaic acid suspension 10% Every few days I use the Peeling solution on these days I use moisture lotion by ordinary Which seemed to make a difference in the dullness as I got more into the products i have since then purchased the vitimin c suspension 10 and the Rosehip oil cold press both by ordinary . Product arrived a couple days ago So am routine stayed the Same pm I finished off with just the vitimin c on its own felt the tingle didn’t feel any grainyness at all although my skin did purge but cleared by the morning. I would say i have combination skin occasionally get on pimple I do have a little bit of acne scaring from my teens on checks not too bad as I wasn’t a picker but it does bother me as it makes my skin un even also my skin started looking dull (Melbourne’s been in lock down for over 3 months)I exfoliate with microfoliant by Dermalogica every second day and have been using AHA30%*BHA2% Peeling solution every Few days followed by natural moisturising by ordinary. Only the last few days I started using vitamin c suspension 10 of evening after toning, abd cleansing then I put vitamin c just on it’s own I feel the tingle no grainy feeling and face feel le quite smooth. I’m hoping I can corporate rosehip oil and if I can or should use serum on your recommendations and or moisturizer after vitamin c. I would love to hear your thoughts as I am keen to make the most of the products and see some great results but I’m feeling a little overwheelmen and causions being such strong ingredients I really look forward to hearing from u thanks so much for your time
Hi Mary, welcome to my blog! 😊
I’d advise you to read these posts, since they will help you solve the questions you’ve asked me:
– How to create a skincare routine: basic guide.
– GUIDE: Why you should use acids in your skincare routine.
– Vitamin C: benefits for your skin.
– The 8 most common mistakes about sunscreen.
On them, I speak thoroughly about the different actives and how you should include the different products on your skincare routine. Of course, you must do a patch test before.
Also, since you use a variety of The Ordinary products, you can check all my reviews from the brand here, I’m sure you’ll find them useful to know how to use each product correctly.
Besides that, you can check this index of all my informative posts, I’m sure you will find it helpful 😉
Have a lovely day,
Nacho.
Hi which should i put first, the ordinary vitamin c suspension or the moisturizer? Thank you
Hi Angel! 😊
You should apply the Vitamin C Suspension first and, afterwards, your moisturizer, as you can see in this post 😉
Have a nice day,
Nacho.
Hi,
This was good to use, I tried the vit c today for the first time. I liked it but I did find it felt quite grainy, I was expecting it to be smoother. Did you also think this?
Thanks,
Vicki
Hi Vicki, welcome to my blog! 😊
I felt exactly the same, but after combining it with my moisturizer the experience was much better, have you tried using it like that? 😉
Have a lovely day,
Nacho.
Hi ,
Can I use vitamin c in the morning ?
Hi Alejandra, welcome! 😊
As I mention on my guide on vitamin C, it depends on the formulation (whether it includes ascorbic acid or a derivative), the pH of the product and its concentration. Some products are meant to be used in the morning and evening while others shouldn’t be used in your AM routines, so be sure to check the instructions on the product label 😉
Have a lovely day,
Nacho.
Thank you for your help, 🤗also the vitamin c that I’m using it’s from the brand ordinary
Thank you 🙏
Hi there Alejandra! 😊
If the one you’re using is this particular one (the Vitamin C Suspension 23%), I don’t especially recommend to use it in your morning routines, since it’s a pretty strong product. However, you’re the one who must seek what works best for your skin 😉
All the best,
Nacho.
Hi.
Can you please guide me how can I use the ordinary nicinamide, hylaurinc acid, vitamin c Suspension, azelic acid suspension and AHA BHA in my am/pm routine? I have a cleanser that contains salicylic acid 2%.
I am confused how I can accommodate all of these in my routines as most products do contradict with each other.
Please guide thanks.
Hi Kausar, welcome to my blog! 😊
I see that you want to try several strong actives, so I think you’d be interested in checking the article in which I explain how to create a basic skincare routine and include different products in it when they’re not compatible.
Also, my guide on vitamin C, my guide on hyaluronic acid and my guide on exfoliating acids may help you understand what each of them can do for you 😉
Have a lovely day,
Nacho.
Hi.
Can I use vitamin c suspension with the ordinary natural moisturizing factor??
I have oily and acne skin with a lot of pigmentation and dark spots.
Hi Kausar, welcome to my blog! 😊
There should be no issue at combining them. However, if spots worry you, I’d advise you to check my guide on that topic 😉
All the best,
Nacho.
Hey, does this product also reduces acne scars and hyperpigmentation? And can it be used with BHA’s ?
Hi Ansa, welcome to my blog! 😊
Vitamin C does play an interesting role at reducing hyperpigmentation (I’m going to share a comprehensive post on the topic soon), although, depending on your particular circumstances you may ask your dermatologist, in case you might need a stronger / prescription treatment 😉
Also, my approach on skincare actives is quite conservative, and unless you have grown a tolerance to both BHA and vitamin C I wouldn’t advise you to combine them, since you may experience irritation.
All the best,
Nacho.
Hi Nacho , can I use the Vit C in HA sphere with the EUK serum or the Ordinary buffet ? Thanks for the great review 🙂
Hi Shaaz, welcome to my blog! 😊
Those products cannot be combined, so use them on alternative routines 😉
Have a lovely day,
Nacho.
Hi.. Nice post.
Can I take The ordinary L Ascorbic powder..
And then add a bit of it to my moisturizer or serum.?? How should I do? My age is 28 and having a dry sensitive skin.
Just wanted to make my own vitamin as I am a bit allergic to harsh chemicals.
Hi there! Welcome to my blog! 😊
Yes, that particular product was developed to combine it to your moisturizer and/or serum. However, considering you mention having particularly sensitive skin I’d recommend you to use a milder product, so take a look at my guide on vitamin C, in which I mention some that are better suited to begin using ascorbic acid in your routines 😉
All the best,
Nacho.
What types of moisturizer and hyaluronic acid do you recommend? And in the picture you put exfoliator but what kind?, because you can’t combine vitamin c with retinoids or aha or bha, am I right?
Hi Nohemi!
Welcome to my blog, I’m happy to see you around! 😊
As for the hyaluronic acid, I really like this one by The Ordinary. Also, vitamin C works great with resveratrol, so this serum could be a great coupling for it.
To know which moisturizer suits you best I’d recommend you to have a look at this post, where I explain the types of moisturizers you may find and how to choose the right one for you.
It’s true that the picture shows a typical 10 step routine, being a guide to help you organize your thoughts and products by their correct order of application, not something to be thoroughly followed every single day. In this case, I considered this vitamin C suspension as an exfoliator considering its high concentration. Of course, there are exceptions, and as you mention you shouldn’t be using this vitamin C serum with retinoids, AHAs or BHA. You can read more about that topic on my comprehensive guide on vitamin C.
By the way, remember to always wear sunscreen. Everyday, no matter the weather. If you still have to find the right one for you, you can have a look at my comparison of sunscreens. And if you want to try the ones by Purito, you can check my comparison here too. 😉
All the best,
Nacho.
Hi,
I have been using this Vit. C suspension in my skincare routine daily for the past couple of weeks. It has done wonders for my complexion.
My question is, do you think it is a product that should be used daily over long periods of time or do you think this product would be best used only a few times a week?
Best,
Lauren
Hi Lauren! Welcome to my blog! 😊
I’m happy to read this is giving you such a great result! As I mention in my guide about vitamin C, it’s better to use this sort of products steadily, allowing your skin to grow tolerance to it to avoid damaging the skin barrier.
In my opinion, it’s best to use this serum around 3 times a week, since vitamin C’s effects are long-lasting.
All the best,
Nacho.
Will mixing it with moisturizer reduce it’s efficacy in anyway? It’s a little gritty and I want better spreadability too.
Hi Darshit!
Welcome to my blog! 😊
Well, I’ve been using this one combined with a moisturizer (or with a hyaluronic acid serum, which is one of my favorite combinations for it) and it works perfectly. Also, if you combine it with this resveratrol serum you’ll get an amazing antioxidant combo.
As you mention, the texture of this vitamin C serum isn’t my favorite, so by combining it with any of the products I mentioned will give you a much more comfortable experience and the results will remain the same 😉
All the best,
Nacho.