Beauty Skin-Care Tips

The Ordinary’s $7 Vitamin C Serum Is Flying Off Shelves—Here’s Why Derms Love It

Zoe Weiner

November 12, 2020

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Photo: Getty Images/ Constantine Johnny

As our lives have moved largely indoors, our skin-care needs have shifted. We're now more worried about the impact blue light and indoor air pollution will have on our skin than we were in the pre-pandemic days. On top of that, we've also got mask-ne to contend with. However, amidst these behavioral shifts, one skin-care ingredient remains a constant to help us deal with all these issues: vitamin C. The potent antioxidant fends off free radicals caused by pollution and blue light, while leaving skin brighter, and thanks to The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30% in Silicone you can add it to your routine for $7.

Experts In This Article

Caren Campbell, MD, board-certified dermatologist in Northern California
Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology and associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital

The gentle price tag along with a reputation for being effective have caused sales of this particular serum to spike 161 percent. "This vitamin C serum contains 30 percent L-ascorbic acid, which is among the highest concentrations of vitamin C on the market," says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York. L-ascorbic acid is one of the most potent forms of vitamin C you can get. Plus, according to the brand, it works to visibly target uneven skin tone, dullness, textural irregularities, and signs of aging. "I recommend vitamin C be used during the day, which is when we are exposed most to oxidative stressors like sun and pollution," says Caren Campbell, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in San Francisco.

Unlike many vitamin C serums, which have a watery or oily texture, this formula is water-free, and according to Dr. Zeichner, it goes on feeling sort of slick, which makes it really easy to apply makeup over. Because it feels more like a primer than a serum, however, you'll want to consider the order in which you apply this product in your skin-care regimen. It should go on as the last serum, right before your moisturizer. Because it has silicone, it will make it harder for ingredients applied after it to sink into skin, so if you wear chemical sunscreen or use hyaluronic acid (or any other treatment product, for that matter) apply those first. Then, smooth just a pea-sized amount over skin and watch the $7 vitamin C do some A-plus work on your complexion.

Shop now: The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30% in Silicone, $7

Shop now: The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30% in Silicone, $7

For everything you've ever wanted to know about vitamin C (and why it should be a staple in *everyone's* a.m. routine), check out the video below.

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