Updated on July 18, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 0 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin C
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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% 15 ingredients
Minimalist Vitamin C + E + Ferulic 16% 19 ingredients
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% 15 ingredients
Minimalist Vitamin C + E + Ferulic 16% 19 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
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Ingredients Side-by-side
Antioxidant 6 Benefits
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.
Isononyl Isononanoate is a synthetic skin-conditioner and texture enhancer. It is created from nonanoic acid, a fatty acid found in cocoa and lavender oil.
Coconut Alkanes is created from the fatty-acids of coconut oil. It is volatile, meaning it evaporates from the skin.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid. It is a fatty acid ester.
This silica is mainly used to thicken oils and suspend particles in oils. It is not water soluble.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Glucomannan is a fiber created from the Konjac plant. It is an emulsifier and thickener.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
This ingredient comes from Hydroxystearic Acid, a fatty acid, and glycerin. It is used to thicken oils.
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.
Ascorbic Acid, Squalane, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Coconut Alkanes, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucomannan, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Trihydroxystearin, BHT
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.
5 Benefits
You might know this ingredient as Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a more stable version of ascorbic acid.
Dimethyl Isosorbide is a solvent and helps deliver actives into your skin. It is created from sorbitol.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
4 Benefits 2 Concerns
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.
This is the synthetic salt of gluconic acid, a form of PHA and mild exfoliant.
Helps with Anti-Aging
Ferulic Acid is a plant based antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. Ferulic Acid can help reduce the formation of fine lines and hyperpigmentation.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
Antioxidant Helps brighten skin
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
Not safe for Fungal Acne
Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is derived from castor oil and polyethylene glycol (PEG). It is used as a emollient and emulsifier.
Pvp is a water-soluble synthetic polymer and common hairstyling ingredient. It is a film-forming ingredient and used to "hold" specific shapes of hair.
Water, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Butylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Gluconate, Ferulic Acid, Coceth-7, Phenoxyethanol, Ppg-1-Peg-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, Fullerenes, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Pvp, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
When to use
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% 15 ingredients
Minimalist Vitamin C + E + Ferulic 16% 19 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% 15 ingredients
Yawnkun
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....
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.
