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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA versus The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% .

Last updated on March 27, 2024. Published on March 15, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 2 ingredients in common

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens, silicones 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 Canadian Brand Canada
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 Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA

Starts at $11.50
Shop

Buy Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%

Starts at $12.20

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

AHA

Benefits

Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Brightening

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C

Benefits

Redness Reducing
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Brightening
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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, Bleaching, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Alpha-Arbutin is made from hydroquinone and glucose. It may be derived from the fermentation of soybeans.

It is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may damage your skin cells.

Studies show this ingredient helps improve hyperpigmentation and fade discoloration.

Alpha-Arbutin may be used with other ingredients that help with hyperpigmentation. These ingredients include retinol, Vitamin C, niacinamide, and tranexamic acid.

Learn more about Alpha-Arbutin

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA contains this as ingredient number 2.

The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% contains this as ingredient number 3.

2
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Liked

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use.

It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA contains this as ingredient number 5.

The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% contains this as ingredient number 1.

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

42% are loved or liked
17% have mixed ratings
42% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
100% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
0% are disliked or very disliked
0% 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

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA 12 ingredients

3.6 /5
from 8 reviews
AshN.'s Avatar'
Feb 13, 2024

(Tried Nov 2022) This turned out to be one of those products that I had a bit of a hard time determining whether or not it worked even after a few purchases. If anything, I appreciated how budget friendly it was and the hydrating feel of...

(Tried Nov 2022) This turned out to be one of those products that I had a bit of a hard time determining whether or not it worked even after a few purchases. If anything, I appreciated how budget friendly it was and the hydrating feel of the serum, but I can't say it did much for my stubborn dark spots.

Great Value
Hydrating
Light
Absorbs Well
Doesn't Work
Qinasofree's Avatar'
Jul 11, 2022

LOVE THIS
I love TO products, and this Alpha Arbutin is def my skin favourites! It helps in reducing my hyperpigmentation and the added HA keeps my skin hydrated.

LOVE THIS
I love TO products, and this Alpha Arbutin is def my skin favourites! It helps in reducing my hyperpigmentation and the added HA keeps my skin hydrated.

The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% 3 ingredients

3.4 /5
from 5 reviews
Clover's Avatar'
May 9, 2023

I'm orange...
When I first started using this I was like, “great, a vitamin C that doesn’t burn”. So I began using it frequently. Slowly, I noticed my skin was turning orange, but just on my face. Turns out this product was oxidizing ON...

I'm orange...
When I first started using this I was like, “great, a vitamin C that doesn’t burn”. So I began using it frequently. Slowly, I noticed my skin was turning orange, but just on my face. Turns out this product was oxidizing ON MY SKIN. The serum itself was still pretty clear, so I wasn’t applying an old or bad product, but when exposed to oxygen while on my face it began to STAIN it as if I had applied self tanner only to my face.
Now to be fair— I am fair. As in I am very very pale. Honestly even if this product was oxidizing on other people I don’t think the majority of skin tones would even notice it. But if you are like me just be warned! Vitamin C can stain your skin and it’ll take like a week for the effects to go away.

Let’s just say I’ve given up on finding a vitamin C serum and I’ll be sticking to other brightening ingredients.

mickey_432's Avatar'
Jan 29, 2023

Reaction
My face has never been redder and hurt more in my life...

Reaction
My face has never been redder and hurt more in my life...

Zerx's Avatar'
May 8, 2023

Holy grail
This helped my skin so much when I was struggling through my hormonal acne issues

Holy grail
This helped my skin so much when I was struggling through my hormonal acne issues

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 39 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 17 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%.

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