“Gio, is The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30% In Silicone a dupe for Indeed Labs Vitamin C24? Should I switch?”
If I had a penny for every time someone asked me this question in the past few months, I’d be a millionaire.
I decided to settle the question once and for all with a blog post. Here’s my thoughts on which of these two Vitamin C products is worth your money:
What Ingredients Do They Have In Common?
ASCORBIC ACID TO FIGHT PREMATURE AGING
Both The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30% In Silicone and Indeed Labs Vitamin C24 use the pure form of vitamin C, L-Ascorbic Acid.
Ascorbic Acid is an antiaging powerhouse:
- It destroys the free radicals that cause premature aging
- It increases collagen production, keeping your skin firm
- It fades away dark spots
- It gives your complexion a lovely glow
- It boosts sun protection (especially when paired with vitamin E and ferulic – neither product has them… )
Ascorbic Acid is a powerful weapon against aging. And like all powerful weapons, it has a double edged sword.
For starters, Ascorbic Acid is super unstable. It oxidises (ie becomes useless) when exposed to light, air and water. This is why both products use a silicone instead than a water base. It makes your vitamin C last longer.
Ascorbic Acid is also the most irritating form of vitamin C out there. It’s not uncommon to experience tingling and irritation when you first start using it. For best results, use it a couple of times a week and build frequency from there.
If your skin is very sensitive, you may have to come to terms with the fact that it may not be able to tolerate it at all. Try one of its less powerful but gentler derivatives, instead.
Related: Types Of Vitamin C In Skincare
Want more dupes? Download the “Skincare Dupes” cheatsheet below for the most cost-effective skincare products and never compromise on results again:
SILICONES TO MINIMISE FINE LINES AND WRINKLES
Ah, the skincare family everyone loves to hate. If you really don’t get along with them, neither product is for you.
But if you’re reading this, I guess you’re cool with silicones. 🙂 As I said, they help keep your precious Vitamin C stable and effective for longer.
But can Vitamin C reach the skin when it’s trapped inside silicones? Yes. Silicones have a particular molecular structure that’s made up of big molecules with wide holes between them.
That allows silicones to create a protective barrier on the skin that traps moisture in and allows actives to get through. But, there’s a chance that NOT all of the Vitamin C will reach your skin.
I guess that’s why The Ordinary has upped the Vitamin C dose. So a huge dollop can still get through.
But, more isn’t always better. Ascorbic acid can be irritating in higher doses, remember?
One more thing: silicones allow active ingredients to get through, but in a smaller amount. For best results, don’t use serums on top of either product.
I keep most of my actives for night time use. In the morning, I only use cleanser, vitamin C and sunscreen (in winter when my skin feels drier, I may throw in a hyaluronic acid serum underneath or a moisturizer on top).
Related: Do Silicones Allow Active Ingredients To Reach Your Skin?
What Else Is In These Vitamin C Products?
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30% In Silicone keeps things simple. It only has vitamin C and three silicones.
Indeed Labs Vitamin C24 has more silicones and a few drops of hyaluronic acid, a humectant that draws moisture from the air into the skin. But while Hyaluronic Acid is super hydrating, this product isn’t.
Both have the same smooth finish of a makeup primer and make a good base for makeup. I’d say The Ordinary has a more powdery texture so if you have dry skin, you’d definitely need a moisturizer on top.
Related: My Full Review Of Indeed Labs Vitamin C24
What’s The Texture Like?
Both have a thick, silky, siliconey texture.
What’s The Packaging Like?
They both come in opaque tubes that make application easier and keep Vitamin C stable. The Ordinary is a boring grey, while Indeed has a hint of orange that makes you think of Vitamin C.
How To Use Them
At night, after cleansing. Don’t forget to pile on sunscreen in the morning.
Which Of The Two Should You Go For?
Vitamin C is a powerful ingredient so, in my humble opinion, it’s best to start with the lowest concentration. That means Indeed Labs Vitamin C 24.
I get this can be frustrating. You want maximum benefits from the start. But more benefits mean more irritation.
The internet is full of women who gave The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30% In Silicones a negative review because it stings their skin like crazy.
But, if this is the first Vitamin C product you use in your life, of course it’ll sting like crazy. If you have sensitive skin and go anywhere near this, your skin will get all dry and red. And that sting!
That doesn’t mean the product sucks. You’re just not using it properly.
Be smart. If you’re new to vitamin C or have only used derivatives, go with Indeed Labs Vitamin C24. Start using it a couple of times a week and build frequency from there.
Only when your skin tolerates daily use well, switch to The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30% In Silicone, if you so wish. But, as you’re upping your vitamin C dose, you may experience that stinging again. Again, cut back for a while and increase frequency slowly.
If you have dry or sensitive skin, staying with Indeed Labs Vitamin C24 may be the better option. If your skin is particularly sensitive, you may not be able to tolerate either serum.
One of my best friends has sensitive skin and she adores the new Vichy LiftActiv C Brightening Skin Corrector, which has 15% Ascorbic Acid.
But, the first time she used Indeed Labs Vitamin C24, she complained it stings. I told her what I told you: cut back to once or twice a week and, if the stinging doesn’t stop soon, go back to Vichy.
Sorry for making this so long, but I can’t emphasize this point enough. More isn’t always better. Start small. Work your way up. Slowly.
Listen to what your skin, not marketing departments, tell you.
Availability
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30% In Silicone: £5.80 at Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty and Feel Unique
Indeed Labs Vitamin C24: £24.99 at Feel Unique and Ulta
Is The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30% In Silicone A Dupe For Indeed Labs Vitamin C24?
I wouldn’t call it a dupe. The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30% In Silicone is a more powerful version than Indeed Labs Vitamin C24. It’s for vitamin C pros only. Those new to vitamin C or with dry/sensitive skin will do well to stick to Indeed Labs Vitamin C24.
Indeed Labs Vitamin C24 Ingredients
Dimethicone, Ascorbic Acid, Polysilicone-11, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Silica Silylate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30% in Silicone Ingredients
Dimethicone, Ascorbic Acid, Polysilicone-11, PEG-10 Dimethicone
Hello Gio,
I have a question. Is it possible to layer The Ordinary Vitamin C suspension with The Ordinary Lactic acid? Also, since you say that Vitamin C is more effective with Vit E and Ferulic Acid, would it be possible to apply a layer of that after the vitamin C?
One more concern: I’m positive you apply sunscreen on your eyelids, do you use the same you use for your face or do you buy some eye cream with SPF?
Thanks a lot for your answer!
Thanks a lot for your answer!
Monica, you may be able to layer lactic acid under vitamin C IF your skin isn’t sensitive. That Vitamin C serum is quite powerful so if you’ve never used such a high concentration before or your skin is sensitive, it’s best to alternate them or use them at different times. If you decide to use them together, do wait a few minutes between application.
Yes, I definitely recommend using a separate antioxidant serum with ferulic acid and vitamin C with The Ordinary Vitamin C suspension.
Yes, I do. It depends on the sunscreen. I don’t like to use anything too thick on my eyes because it may travel down and end up in my eyes during the day. If you find the texture of your sunscreen absorbs quickly, go with that. Otherwise, this is a case where a cream with SPF will do the job.
Thank you for your answer, Gio!
So the order would be:
1) Lactic acid
2) Vit C
3) Ferulic Acid
I was applying lactic acid as a third step. Does it matter?
I don’t have sensitive skin and am quite an advanced acid user.
Monica, yes, that’s the correct order. Lactic acid dissolve all the dead cells on the surface of the skin that could interfere with vitamin C absorption so it makes sense to apply that first.
I have The Ordinary Vitamin C Serum and it does sting quite a bit when I first put it on, I have been debating just throwing it out because I don’t really reach for it that often due to the sting and the fact that it feels powdery on my face and pills up when I put moisturizer over the top of it. I only use it at night so it isn’t the biggest deal but it’s still annoying, I will push through and finish it and maybe try the Indeed Labs one next, I have a terrible time with retinol/retinoids so I really want something to work! 🙂 You have such a great website, I found it while searching for some rational explanations of skin care items and I love it. I have purchased some of your recommendations already (thank you so much for the Acne and Anti-Aging post, that is what I am currently dealing with) and they are working marvelously. My skin looks great, thanks again!
Vicky, so glad to hear my blog and that post are helping you. That’s why I’m doing all this. 🙂
The Ordinary Vitamin C serum is good but I agree the texture is a pain. Also, the concentration of vitamin C is so high, it can take skin a while to get used to. Indeed Labs is still quite powerful so you may experience some tingling too but the texture is much better. If you find even that too much for your skin, try something like Vichy Vitamin C Corrector, which has “only” 10% vitamin C and build up concentration from there.
Hope this helps.
Does the silicone prevent sunscreen from absorbing?
Sabeen, only a little. I’ve written more about this here: http://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/do-silicones-prevent-other-ingredients-from-sinking-into-the-skin/
Hi Gio,
Will the vitamin c in Indeed Labs Vitamin C24 go bad, when it is in silicone, or will it last like any other cream? I am thinking of getting it along with Indeed Labs Retinol Reface Retinol Skin Resurfacer and then use them at night 2-3 times a week under my The Ordinary rosehip seed oil and finishing of with a moisturizer (I get pretty dry skin, especially when the summer ends). Would you recommend using them together, and if yes, in what order? Or do you think it is better to use them on alternate evenings? I am a beginner with retinol, and I have only used a little vitamin c in the past. Should I use one of them in the morning instead? Thank you so much for an amazing blog!! Your work has helped me so much with my skin concerns 🙂
Sofie, so glad to hear my blog is helping you! Yes, vitamin C goes bad in silicones too BUT not as quickly. It should last you a few good months in this vehicle. Use it in the morning to boost the effectiveness of your sunscreen and the retinol at night.
Keep in mind that both products are very strong so start small. Use them both 3 times a week, vit C in the morning and retinol at night. If all goes well, you can increase frequency.
I am using The Ordinary Vit C suspension in silicone and yes does sting. I use it at night and add moisturiser, Clarins. I am 64 and feel that my skin texture is smoother and plumper. BUT, my best friend, who gifted it to me and has been using it for about 5 months looks amazing. She has a fair skin that in the distant past was prone to ezcema etc. She is 55 and the results are fantastic!
Debbie, this much vitamin C does work wonders for the skin. But if it stings badly, use something with less vitamin C and work your way up gradually. You won’t get the same results as your friend if your skin isn’t ready for it.