Versus

The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% Versus Garnier 3.5% Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Brightening & Anti Dark Spot Serum

Serum
Serum
Canadian Brand Canada
French Brand France

Updated on June 13, 2024

Overview

What they are

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

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin C

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for brightening skin, reducing pores and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any oils, parabens, 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
3.5% Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Brightening & Anti Dark Spot Serum

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

When to use

444 Routines
73% use in am
27% use in pm
90% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
136 Routines
74% use in am
26% use in pm
94% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% 12 ingredients

4.5 /5
from 4 ratings
Great Value (1) Light (1) No Scent (1)
Veema's avatar

Veema

8 months ago
Review

Great starter Vit C product. Would highly recommend for beginners as it's a derivative and not direct -> less irritation and interactions with other acids. Repurchased multiple times.

#great value
#light
#no scent
#works well

Garnier 3.5% Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Brightening & Anti Dark Spot Serum 35 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 5 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Expensive (1) Great Value (1)
bibalapau's avatar

bibalapau

1 year ago
Review

Hate it
My skin isn't even that sensitive, and my forehead was completely ruined. My pores got enormous, then i got an incredible amount of small red pimples or something. I know my skin is kind of sensitive, but this serum was too much. Might work for some people, i know, but for me this was a no-no.

Mirq's avatar

Mirq

2 years ago
Review

Definitely not for sensitive skin
I have combo sensitive skin and it absolutely destroyed my skin barrier. My face was red, tight and burning after second use. It smells like alcohol and have very strong scent. I will never ever use it not even on my neck or arms.