The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% for combination skin
Ascorbyl Glucoside- Vitamin C Derivative
Propanediol
Xanthan Gum
Dimethyl Isosorbide
Average
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for combination skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate brightening for your combination skin, as Ascorbyl Glucoside provides mild antioxidant protection and Propanediol offers humectant action.
- While the formula is generally hydrating and cleansing, its primary brightening benefit is mild and not directly targeted at your oily shine concerns.
- The product is safe for your combination skin, with no harsh ingredients that could cause irritation.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin likes it.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, and right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏳for it to soak in.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive.
- Always do a patch test before using the serum for the first time, and avoid the eye area .
People Say
★4.1Overall rating based on 200+ reviewsUsers frequently praise this serum for brightening dull complexions and evening skin tone, noting its gentle formulation suitable for sensitive or oily skin. While its lightweight texture and stable formula are appreciated, many users report a sticky finish and that results require patience compared to more potent alternatives.
Highlights
Affordable Often Mentioned
- “Absolute steal”
- “Great price point”
- “Unbeatable value”
Brightens & evens tone Often Mentioned
- “Skin looked noticeably brighter”
- “Evens out complexion”
- “Restores radiance to dull skin”
Gentle & non-irritating Often Mentioned
- “No adverse reactions”
- “Great for sensitive skin”
- “Less irritating than pure Vitamin C”
Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
- “Absorbs quickly”
- “Lightweight water-based”
- “Non-greasy finish”
Sticky/tacky finish Often Mentioned
- “Feels a bit sticky”
- “Leaves a tacky film”
- “Sticky until moisturizer is applied”
Stable formula Sometimes Noted
- “Does not oxidize”
- “Stays clear longer”
- “Great shelf life”
Slow results Sometimes Noted
- “Takes a bit to see results”
- “Not as potent”
- “Plateaued quickly”
Breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Caused whiteheads”
- “Skin broke out”
- “Did not help congestion”
Pilling Rarely Noted
- “Pills under makeup”
- “Balls up with sunscreen”
- “Hard to layer”
Unpleasant smell Rarely Noted
- “Dead fish smell”
- “Strong metallic scent”
- “Smells off”
Sources: lovi.care, theordinary.com, sephora.com, ulta.com, reddit.com, beautybay.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution work for combination skin?
This treatment works moderately well for combination skin by providing mild brightening and hydration, though it is not directly targeted at oily shine. Combination skin needs products with ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or zinc PCA that enhance radiance and regulate oiliness without irritation.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Journal of Periodontology, 2009
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?
Ascorbyl glucoside and propanediol make this serum a moderate fit for your combination skin by offering mild brightening and hydration. To better fit combination skin, a treatment of this type needs effective ingredients like niacinamide and zinc PCA to manage oily shine.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Journal of Periodontology, 2009
What does Ascorbyl Glucoside do for combination skin?
Ascorbyl Glucoside helps brighten dark spots and evens out skin tone while providing antioxidant protection for combination skin. It is generally well tolerated and may improve overall complexion and photodamage over several weeks of regular use.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016
What does Vitamin C do for combination skin?
Vitamin C helps brighten dark spots, smooth fine lines, and keep combination skin protected from daily environmental stress. It is unlikely to clog pores and may improve overall hydration and texture.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
Apply this treatment in the evening as part of your routine for combination skin. It is safe for your skin and offers mild brightening, but a product of this type for combination skin also needs oil-balancing ingredients to help with your oily shine concerns.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol, but it is best to apply this vitamin C treatment in the morning and save your retinol for the evening routine. This helps you avoid mixing strong active ingredients at the same time, which may lower the risk of skin irritation.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this treatment in your evening routine, as suggested by Lovi routines for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. Combination skin needs a product that balances gentle brightening with oil-controlling ingredients.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts for combination skin, as it is generally safe and free of harsh ingredients, though a few reviewers have mentioned mild breakouts. To prevent clogged pores on combination skin, a product of this type needs lightweight ingredients that hydrate without feeling heavy or sticky.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical application of 1,3-propanediol at various concentrations, alone or combined with butylene glycol and/or glycerol, increased skin hydration and reduced trans epidermal water loss in 30 healthy female subjects over an 8-hour period, with the 15% concentration and the addition of glycerol providing greater benefits.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Treatment with ascorbyl glucoside-arginine complex lotion significantly decreased pigmentation scores and melanin index while increasing lightness in solar lentigos of Japanese females compared to placebo over 24 weeks.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Topical treatment with 5% vitamin C and 0.1% madecassoside significantly improved clinical scores for wrinkles, suppleness, firmness, roughness, and skin hydration, along with functional and structural remodeling of the elastic fiber network in 20 female volunteers with photoaged skin after 6 months compared to baseline.
Experimental Dermatology, 2008A mixture of propanediol, xylitol, and caprylic acid demonstrated in vitro antimicrobial activity against C. acnes and S. aureus, reduced 5-alpha reductase expression, and decreased skin oiliness, porphyrin, and inflammatory lesions in participants over 28 days.
Molecules, 2021Sustainable cosmetic products formulated with renewable PDO-based emulsifiers showed equivalent performance in sensory and moisturization evaluations compared to those formulated with petroleum-derived PEG-based emulsifiers.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017Biodegradable wound dressings functionalized with silver nanoparticles showed >99% pathogen growth inhibition, bactericidal effects, free radical scavenging, reduced inflammatory response in macrophages, and accelerated wound healing in animals.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2022A topical xanthan gum nanogel containing gamma-oryzanol-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers and nanosized TiO2 and MBBT filters demonstrated high photoprotection with an SPF of 34 and no skin irritation or sensitization in a rat model.
Pharmaceuticals, 2023Dense chitosan-xanthan membranes associated with multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells accelerated wound healing in Wistar rats compared to untreated conditions, demonstrating safety and feasibility for dermo-epidermal wound treatment.
Journal of Biomaterials Applications, 2015
Why other serums fit combination skin better
Niacinamide and ferulic acid incorporated in a stable multiple emulsion successfully reduced melanin, sebum, and skin erythema while improving skin elasticity and hydration in human skin compared to a placebo.
BioMed Research International, 2022A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Propanediol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Triethanolamine, Isoceteth-20, Xanthan Gum, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ethoxydiglycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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