The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% Review

The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
5.6
/ 10
Moisturizing
1.3 Humectancy icon Humectancy
10.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
2.5Anti-wrinkle icon/ 10
Anti-wrinkle
Rich
in Antioxidants
Review

Does The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% has to offer:
 
✅ Strong occlusive moisturizing. This exceptionally occlusive moisturizer, ideal for dry and very dry skin, has a moderate moisturizing rating of 5.6 out of 10, impaired by the lack of humectants.
✅ Modest anti-wrinkle efficacy: The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% has an anti-wrinkle rating of 2.5 out of 10 so you may expect some, although limited, effect on wrinkles.
✅ Antioxidant protection

  

Key Benefits of The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%:
 

🔵🔵🔵 Exceptionally Rich Moisturizer with the Right Occlusivity for Very Dry Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% is quite moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 5.6 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Significantly more occlusive. It has a low Humectancy of 1.3 out of 10 and a maximum Occlusivity of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Squalane (est. ≈22.9%).

This type of product, when used as a standalone moisturizer, can deliver an exceptional level of occlusive hydration that is adequate for dry to very skin. The occlusive profile of The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% suggests a rich, thick texture, making it perfectly suited for dry skin.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

🟣 Modest Anti-Wrinkle Efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% has a modest level of anti-wrinkle efficacy, rated 2.5 out of 10.

It contains one ingredient with proven anti-wrinkle efficacy: Ascorbic Acid (est. ≈23.0%),
 or Vitamin C, a popular ingredient, yet with moderate anti-wrinkle efficacy, as confirmed by a single clinical study involving 20 participants (Humbert et al.). This study showed that a cream with a relatively high concentration of 5% ascorbic acid reduced the average wrinkle depth by 7% after 6 months of use, compared to a vehicle (the same formulation without ascorbic acid).
 
📌 Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, can deliver some additional anti-wrinkle effects through its moisturizing action.
 

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

🍀 Rich in Skin-Protecting Antioxidants

We estimate that The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Ascorbic Acid (est. ≈23.0%).

A key benefit of antioxidants is their ability to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals and therefore prevent accelerated skin aging. Studies also show that antioxidants can protect against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution, and help reduce inflammation and skin redness.

📌 Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our AI model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% to your skincare routine:
 

⚠️ Best for Very Dry Skin - May Be Too Thick for Other Skin Types

With exceptional occlusivity, this product is optimal for moisturizing dry and very dry skin but may be too thick for other skin types, including normal, and especially combination and oily skin.

If you have oily, combination, or normal skin and are considering purchasing this product for the first time, it might be a good idea to try a sample before buying.

⚠️ Needs to Be Paired with Extra Humectants for Optimal Moisturizing Efficacy

An ideal moisturizer for any skin type should balance the right level of occlusivity (depending on skin type) with a significant amount of humectants, while The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% contains a low level of humectants.

People with dry skin would definitely benefit from adding more humectants to their moisturizing routine beyond what this product offers. If this is your only moisturizer, it may be worth including a humectant-rich product, such as a serum, in your skincare routine.

Pros & Cons of The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

🟩 Pros:

Exceptionally rich moisturizer with the right level of occlusivity to moisturize dry to very dry skin
Offers modest anti-wrinkle efficacy
✅ Rich in antioxidants that combat oxidative stress associated with accelerated skin aging and defend against environmental damage
 

⭕ Cons: 

⚠️ May feel too rich and thick on skin types other than dry
⚠️ Only if used as a standalone moisturizer - needs to be paired with extra humectants for optimal moisturizing efficacy
   

Summary: The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%

 
Based on the ingredient list analysis, CreamScan AI suggests that The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
, as a moisturizer, provides an exceptional level of occlusive hydration that is adequate for dry to very skin, delivered in a rich, thick texture.
 
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% contains ingredients with proven evidence of anti-wrinkle efficacy that may provide a modest anti-wrinkle effect. As a result, you can expect a positive, though not very significant, impact on wrinkles.
 
With its high antioxidant content, The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% helps protect against free radical damage and offers multiple benefits for all skin types, including preventing premature aging, defending against environmental damage, and calming inflammation.
 
That said, there are some things about The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% worth noting.
 
With its high occlusivity, The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% is ideal for dry skin but may feel too thick on other skin types. If you have oily, combination, or normal skin, it’s a good idea to try a sample before purchasing.
 
If you use this product as your only moisturizer in a routine, please note that it contains only a small amount of humectants. Regardless of your skin type, adding extra humectants can enhance optimal moisturizing efficacy. Therefore, it may be worth pairing The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% with a humectant-rich product, such as a serum, in your skincare routine.
 
📌 Fact check. At CreamScan, we are committed to accuracy and fairness. If you spot any errors or something that doesn’t seem right, please click here to let us know. We regularly update the ingredient lists and monitor the latest research on ingredient efficacy to ensure that our information remains as complete and precise as possible. The information provided here is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional advice. We do not guarantee the efficacy or safety of any product, as individual results may vary.

 

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
23
22.9
20.5
11.2
7.5
5.6
3.7
2.8
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Ascorbic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Squalane
Function:
Origin:
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
Function:
Origin:
Isononyl Isononanoate
Function:
Origin:
Coconut Alkanes
Function:
Origin:
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Function:
Origin:
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Function:
Origin:
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hyaluronate
Function:
Origin:
Glucomannan
Function:
Origin:
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Function:
Origin:
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Function:
Origin:
Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Function:
Origin:
Trihydroxystearin
Function:
Origin:
BHT
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
1.3
1
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
23.2
22.9
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.6
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 1.3 10
1.3
1
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 23.2 20
10.0
22.9
0.3
Moisturizing rating
5.6
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
1
0.3
All humectants 1.3 10
1.3
All humectants
1.3
1
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
22.9
0.3
All occlusives 23.2 20
10.0
All occlusives
23.2
22.9
0.3
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
2.5 /10 5 23 2.5
Total
2.5
Ascorbic Acid
2.5
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
2.5 /10
when present at, %
5
in this formula, est. %
23
Anti-wrinkle rating
2.5
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
23
1
0.3
All antioxidants 24.3 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
24.3
Ascorbic Acid
23
Sodium Hyaluronate
1
BHT
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
0.3
All soothing 0.3 5 No
All soothing
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Ascorbic Acid
Est. %23
Function
Origin
Ascorbic Acid

Also known as vitamin C, this multi-benefit ingredient has proven anti-wrinkle, antioxidant, and anti-pigmentation efficacy. It degrades easily when exposed to air and light, so it requires proper packaging to maintain its stability.

Squalane
Est. %22.9
Function
Origin
SqualaneAn occlusive moisturizing and emollient compound that forms part of the skin’s sebum. The main source of squalane had always been shark liver. Now, however, it is manufactured synthetically or derived from plant oils, such as olive and peanut oil.
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
Est. %20.5
Function
Origin
Isodecyl NeopentanoateA super lightweight ester that softens the appearance of skin.
Isononyl Isononanoate
Est. %11.2
Function
Origin
Isononyl IsononanoateAn ester of a branched fatty acid with a branched fatty alcohol. It is an easily spreadable emollient that has a silky, dry, non-greasy feel on the skin.
Coconut Alkanes
Est. %7.5
Function
Origin
Coconut AlkanesAn occlusive moisturizing and emollient mixture that is similar to paraffin. It is produced from coconut oil and can allegedly form a soft, non-greasy film on the skin’s surface. It can be used as an alternative to silicones.
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Est. %5.6
Function
Origin
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Est. %3.7
Function
Origin
Ethylhexyl PalmitateA rich emollient without the oily after-feel, making it a popular replacement for mineral oil. It is derived from natural sources such as palm oil and palm kernel oil. Ethylhexyl palmitate is listed as a common comedogenic ingredient by acne.org.
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
Est. %2.8
Function
Origin
Silica Dimethyl SilylateA synthetic 'filler' powder primarily used as a formula helper. It is added in skincare products to adjust their consistency and thickness.
Sodium Hyaluronate
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Sodium Hyaluronate

A sodium salt of famous hyaluronic acid. A potent humectant that hydrates the skin, supports collagen function, and fills out small wrinkles. Sodium hyaluronate also offers soothing and antioxidant properties.

Glucomannan
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
GlucomannanA polysaccharide of plant origin that is used as a gelling, water binding, and thickening agent. It is able to moisturize the skin’s surface and aid in the healing process. It is also an excellent prebiotic for skin microflora.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Coco-Caprylate/CaprateA naturally-derived emollient ester. It is a blend of caprylates and caprates and, relative to other emollients, is lightweight and dry on the skin. As a result, coco-caprylate/caprate serves as a natural alternative to volatile silicones.
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Trihydroxystearin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Trihydroxystearin
BHT
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
BHTAn antioxidant ingredient that naturally occurs in green algae and some bacteria or fungi but, for commercial use, is created synthetically. BHT is also used occasionally as a fragrance, where it presents a sweet, camphor-like odor.