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Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% Serum with Pure L-Ascorbic Acid
The Ordinary
$8.10
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Sodium hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance found in your skin that acts like a moisture magnet. In skincare products, it absorbs water from the environment and binds it to your skin, helping to hydrate and plump the skin's surface.
Benefits
- Delivers intense hydration to the skin
- Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines by improving skin moisture
- Supports skin barrier function
- Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and oily skin
Potential concerns
- In very dry climates with low humidity, it may draw moisture from deeper skin layers if not sealed with an occlusive product
- Rare allergic reactions are possible but extremely uncommon
Science: While the provided research focuses on intra-articular injections for joint health (showing good safety and efficacy), hyaluronic acid and its salt form are well-established in dermatology for topical hydration. The molecule's safety profile is well-documented across decades of use in medical and cosmetic applications, with severe adverse reactions being extremely rare.
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BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) is a synthetic antioxidant used in skincare products to prevent oils and other ingredients from oxidizing and going rancid. It's used at very low concentrations (0.0002% to 0.5%) to extend shelf life.
Benefits
- Prevents product degradation and extends shelf life
- Keeps formulations stable over time
- Allows use of beneficial oils without them spoiling
Potential concerns
- Can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals at higher concentrations
- May cause mild contact sensitization in some people
- Minimal systemic absorption when applied to skin, but oral ingestion studies show potential liver and kidney effects at high doses
Science: The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel concluded BHT is safe as used in cosmetic formulations at typical concentrations. When applied to skin, BHT remains largely in the skin with minimal systemic absorption, unlike oral exposure which showed some toxic effects in animal studies at high doses.
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Coconut Alkanes are lightweight oils derived from coconut that work as a silky emollient and texture enhancer in skincare formulas. They provide a smooth, non-greasy feel while helping to soften and condition the skin.
Benefits
- Lightweight moisturization
- Smooth, silky skin texture
- Non-greasy feel
- Helps improve product spreadability
Science: Limited peer-reviewed data available for this ingredient. Coconut-derived alkanes are generally recognized as safe in cosmetics and function similarly to other plant-derived hydrocarbons used in skincare.
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Squalane is a lightweight, skin-identical oil derived from squalene (a natural component of human sebum). It absorbs easily into the skin to lock in moisture and create a smooth, soft feel without leaving a greasy residue.
Benefits
- Hydrates and moisturizes skin
- Mimics skin's natural oils for better compatibility
- Lightweight emollient that doesn't clog pores
- Antioxidant properties
- Well-tolerated by most skin types
Science: The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel confirmed squalane is safe for cosmetic use at typical concentrations (2023). Research demonstrates skin hydrating and emollient activity, and squalane is naturally present in human sebum at ~13%, making it biocompatible with skin.
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Trihydroxystearin is a thickening agent and emollient derived from stearic acid (a natural fatty acid). It helps create a smooth, stable texture in skincare products and leaves skin feeling soft and conditioned.
Benefits
- Improves product texture and stability
- Provides light moisturizing and conditioning effects
- Helps create smooth, creamy formulations
Science: Limited peer-reviewed data available for this ingredient. It is generally recognized as safe in cosmetic formulations and functions as a structuring agent similar to other plant-derived fatty acid compounds.
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Ascorbic acid is vitamin C in its purest, most potent form. It works as a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radical damage from sun exposure and environmental stress, and also supports your skin's natural collagen production to improve texture and firmness.
Benefits
- Protects skin from free radical damage caused by UV rays and pollution
- Improves skin texture and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Brightens skin and may help fade age spots and uneven tone
- Supports collagen production for firmer, more resilient skin
Potential concerns
- Can be irritating, especially for sensitive skin, due to its low pH (works best below pH 3.5)
- Unstable and degrades quickly when exposed to light, heat, or air — products may lose effectiveness over time
- May cause redness, stinging, or dryness if used too frequently or in high concentrations
- Requires specific formulation to penetrate skin effectively; poorly formulated products may not deliver promised benefits
Science: Research shows L-ascorbic acid must be formulated at pH below 3.5 and at 5–20% concentration to effectively penetrate skin. A clinical trial demonstrated that 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved photoaged skin texture, reduced wrinkles, and promoted elastic tissue repair over 6 months. However, effectiveness is highly dependent on formulation quality and product stability.
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Silica Dimethyl Silylate is a silicone-based powder derived from silica (a mineral) that's been chemically modified. In skincare, it works as a texture enhancer and absorbent, helping products feel smoother on skin and reducing shine by absorbing excess oils.
Benefits
- Smooths product texture and application
- Absorbs excess oil and reduces shine
- Improves powder-based product performance
Science: Limited peer-reviewed data available for this ingredient. It is structurally related to commonly used silicones in cosmetics, which have a long safety history, though specific safety studies on this particular derivative are not widely published.
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Ethylhexyl palmitate is a lightweight oil derived from palmitic acid and alcohol. It works as an emollient, helping to soften and smooth the skin by forming a protective layer that reduces moisture loss.
Benefits
- Smooths and softens skin texture
- Reduces water loss from the skin barrier
- Lightweight feel compared to heavier oils
- Improves product texture and spreadability
Potential concerns
- May cause comedogenicity in acne-prone individuals (typical of occlusive oils)
- Potential for irritation in very sensitive skin, though generally mild
Science: Research shows ethylhexyl palmitate functions as an emollient that helps retain skin hydration by reducing transepidermal water loss. It is chemically stable and well-tolerated, with a safety profile consistent with other ester-based cosmetic oils commonly used in skincare formulations.
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Glucomannan is a natural polysaccharide (a type of complex carbohydrate) extracted from plant sources like konjac root and found in aloe vera gel. In skincare, it acts as a humectant and thickening agent, helping to draw moisture into the skin and improve product texture.
Benefits
- Hydration support by attracting moisture to the skin
- Skin soothing and conditioning
- Helps improve product texture and spreadability
Potential concerns
- Allergic contact dermatitis possible in sensitive individuals, particularly if product contains aloe latex contamination
- May cause irritation in people with known sensitivities to polysaccharides
Science: Glucomannan is recognized as a safe polysaccharide component in topical skincare formulations. While direct cosmetic studies are limited, related polysaccharides show antioxidant and skin-protective properties; however, most published data focuses on glucomannan in oral supplements or aloe vera's multiple active compounds rather than glucomannan in isolation for skincare.
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Isononyl isononanoate is a lightweight synthetic oil derived from fatty acids, used in skincare products as an emollient to soften and smooth skin. It provides a silky texture without a greasy feel, making it popular in moisturizers, serums, and foundations.
Benefits
- Softens and conditions skin
- Provides lightweight moisture without heaviness
- Improves product texture and spreadability
Science: Research shows isononyl isononanoate has a very clean chemical profile with minimal volatile compounds—mainly just the ester itself and traces of isononyl alcohol from synthesis. It is well-tolerated in cosmetic formulations and considered safe for topical use.
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Isodecyl Neopentanoate is a lightweight synthetic oil used as an emollient and texture enhancer in skincare products. It helps create a smooth, non-greasy feel while improving how products spread across the skin and absorb.
Benefits
- Creates a smooth, silky skin feel
- Helps products absorb without a heavy, oily residue
- Improves product spreadability and application
Science: Limited peer-reviewed data available for this ingredient. As a synthetic ester commonly used in cosmetics, it is considered safe by major regulatory bodies including the CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) and has a long history of use with no documented sensitization concerns in typical skincare formulations.
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