Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of La Roche-Posay 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum versus The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% .

Last updated on March 21, 2024. Published on June 26, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, oils, parabens or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Serum French Brand France
Serum Canadian Brand Canada

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum

Starts at $44.99
Shop

Buy Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%

Starts at $7.80

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

BHA
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Hyaluronic Acid (2)
Peptides

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (4)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (4)

Concerns

Drying (2)
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (4)

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Antioxidant, Buffering, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.

Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.

Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.

Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!

Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.

Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.

The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.

Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.

Read more about other types of Vitamin C:

Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.

Learn more about Ascorbic Acid

La Roche-Posay 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

La Roche-Posay 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum contains this as ingredient number 12.

The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% contains this as ingredient number 9.

3
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

BHT is a synthetic antioxidant. As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.

BHT also helps stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Many products are sensitive to air and light. BHT prevents them from breaking down when exposed.

La Roche-Posay 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.

The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% contains this as ingredient number 15.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

50% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
46% are disliked or very disliked
4% have no rating yet
27% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
40% are disliked or very disliked
33% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

La Roche-Posay 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum 24 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 6 reviews
Lapaki's Avatar'
Apr 17, 2023

This was my first vitamin C serum
I started using this because I was curious about Vitamin C and wanted to experience its benefits. This is a really good and gentle Vitamin C serum for sensitive skin. Mine got used to it and now...

This was my first vitamin C serum
I started using this because I was curious about Vitamin C and wanted to experience its benefits. This is a really good and gentle Vitamin C serum for sensitive skin. Mine got used to it and now tolerates stronger products.

Cashmaire_08's Avatar'
Jun 20, 2021

So far so good.
I have sensitive skin and this doesn't sting at all.

So far so good.
I have sensitive skin and this doesn't sting at all.

Marifsts's Avatar'
Sep 14, 2023

Love it
My first skin care product (besides cleasing gel and sunscreen) and it is my favorite, so easy to apply and gives you a glow. Love it forever

Love it
My first skin care product (besides cleasing gel and sunscreen) and it is my favorite, so easy to apply and gives you a glow. Love it forever

The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% 15 ingredients

2.3 /5
from 3 reviews
Yawnkun's Avatar'
Jan 19, 2024

This Vitamin C is not for beginners. I got a chemical burn because of this and had to take a break with some actives to restore my skin barrier. Turns out that I still had to dilute it with another cream / moisturizer so that my skin...

This Vitamin C is not for beginners. I got a chemical burn because of this and had to take a break with some actives to restore my skin barrier. Turns out that I still had to dilute it with another cream / moisturizer so that my skin doesn't get irritated. I think there are better Vitamin C products out there. I guess a good point of this Vitamin C is that you don't have to refrigerate it and it doesn't oxidize.

Irritating
sameteamdwight's Avatar'
Mar 9, 2021

Grainy
The graininess of this feels unpleasant on my face so I'm moving on to a different product.

Grainy
The graininess of this feels unpleasant on my face so I'm moving on to a different product.

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 41 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to La Roche-Posay 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 2 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%.

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