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The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% Versus Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment

Serum
Facial Treatment
Canadian Brand Canada
American Brand United States

Updated on May 16, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe . They have a total of 0 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, silicones or sulfates

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

Ingredient Info

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What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

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Key Ingredients

Benefits

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

When to use

531 Routines
69% use in am
31% use in pm
89% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
3,523 Routines
7% use in am
92% use in pm
69% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

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

3.4 /5
from 5 ratings
Clover's avatar

Clover

2 years ago
Review

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 Show more

mickey_432's avatar

mickey_432

2 years ago
Review

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

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients

4.6 /5
from 36 ratings
Works Well (18) Absorbs Well (17) No Scent (16)
christychen's avatar

Christy C

25 days ago
Review

Honestly I was skeptical because it took my skin the FULL 12+ weeks to adjust to this. It was my first time using a retinoid and the purging was rough, but genuinely I’ve never seen my skin look so good after the purging ended. It absorbs well and a little goes a long way. I had to stop using it because I got too crazy with actives and I messed up my skin barrier super bad, but I’m hoping I can go Show more

#great value
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent
jazzzzz1's avatar

jazzzzz1

1 year ago
Review

I've been using this on and off for around 2 years. I thought this was going to help my acne, but looking back at pictures I actually think it's made my acne worse! It's made my acne areas really inflamed and red with angry spots. Think it's time to cut it out of my routine... Given it 2 stars as it soaks in pretty fast and is hydrating.

#irritating
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent