🇬🇧United Kingdom

The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% for dry skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%

Average

  • AverageDry Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for dry skin; other serums fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 dry skin due to the presence of Ascorbyl Glucoside, a stable vitamin C derivative that helps to even skin tone, and Propanediol for humectant action.
  • While it provides general skincare benefits and hydration, it lacks sufficient emollient and occlusive ingredients for optimal hydration for your dry or flaky skin.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your dry skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Apply this serum PM, starting 3×/week and working up to daily use as your skin adjusts.
  • Place the serum after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the serum on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra moisture.
  • Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.1Overall rating based on 200+ reviews

Users 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 dry skin?

This treatment works moderately well for your dry skin by providing some brightening and hydration, though it is unlikely to cause any irritation. Because it lacks enough rich, softening ingredients and skin-protecting sealants, a product for this skin type needs extra nourishing components like ceramides, soothing plant extracts, and barrier-supporting ingredients to lock in moisture.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Journal of Periodontology, 2009

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for dry skin?

This serum works for dry skin thanks to Ascorbyl Glucoside for brightening and Propanediol for hydration. Because it is an average fit for dry skin, a product of this type needs rich softening and sealing ingredients like ceramides, propolis, and niacinamide to lock in moisture.

Journal of Periodontology, 2009International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024

What does Ascorbyl Glucoside do for dry skin?

Ascorbyl Glucoside helps brighten dark spots and protects dry skin from daily damage while keeping it smooth. Because dry skin often needs extra protection and help staying soft, products with this ingredient also benefit from added hydrating ingredients like glycerin or ceramides.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2021

What does Vitamin C do for dry skin?

Vitamin C helps improve moisture and keeps skin hydrated. It is unlikely to cause irritation while supporting smoother and healthier skin.

Experimental Dermatology, 2008Skin Research and Technology, 2008

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for dry skin?

This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before your moisturizer. Putting it in the evening keeps things simple and adds extra safety around sun exposure. A product of this type for dry skin needs rich, softening, and sealing ingredients to provide optimal hydration.

Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first in your evening routine and following it with your retinol product, or by using them on alternate nights to keep your dry skin calm. This product is unlikely to cause irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients.

How often should I use this serum?

This treatment is used in the evening as part of your routine for dry skin. To get the best results for dry skin, this product needs rich softeners and sealing ingredients to lock in moisture.

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?

This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts for dry skin, as it has a safe profile with no harsh ingredients. However, a product of this type needs rich, softening oils and barrier-locking ingredients to truly comfort dry skin.

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.

    Journal of Periodontology, 2009

  • 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, 2024

  • Treatment 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, 2024

  • A 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, 2023

  • Glycerol crosslinked vitamin E loaded xanthan gum and gellan gum nanoemulgels scavenged 88.5% of free radicals, reduced transepidermal water loss by up to 33.3%, and improved moisture content and skin structural characteristics in a murine dry skin model.

    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2025

  • Topical 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, 2003

  • Topical 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, 2022

  • Topical 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, 2008

  • A 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, 2021

  • Sustainable 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, 2017

  • Biodegradable 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, 2022

  • Dense 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

  • Topical curcumin-loaded hydrogels formulated with xanthan and Schizolobium parahybae galactomannan demonstrated chemical stability, non-cutaneous irritation, stratum corneum to dermal skin permeation, and 63.2% to 76.8% inhibition of topical inflammation.

    Carbohydrate Polymers, 2015

Why other serums fit dry skin better

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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Prices checked 10 Oct – 16 Oct 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for the United Kingdom.

How does it fit your skin?

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