The Ordinary - Robynrose review for Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%

🌱 The Ordinary is a sub-brand of the Canadian (yay!) company Deciem. They provide very minimal, one or two ingredient formulas in strong concentrations to mix together or supplement other skincare products. 🌱 Claims: Alcohol-free, Paraben-free, Silicone-free, Sulfate-free, Allergen-free, Cruelty-free, Fragrance-free, Pregnancy-friendly, Non-comedogenic, Oil-free, Fungal Acne-Safe, Eczema-Safe 🌱 Key Ingredients: This formula really only has the one active ingredient, ascorbyl glucoside at 12% strength, with a few stabilising and penetration ingredients to assist. Now, keep in mind, Ascorbyl Glucoside is NOT Ascorbic Acid. It is a water-stable derivative of vitamin C. This means that it is less powerful than pure ascorbic acid, but it will last longer and not simply die once you open the jar and expose it to oxygen. 🌱 Bad ingredients: None, but 12% concentration may cause irritation to sensitive or barrier-damaged skin. 🌱 Texture: A runny serum 🌱 Scent: None 🌱 Price/Amount: $14.10CA for 30ML, or $0.47/ML, very affordable 🌱 Application: This is a runny serum provided with a dropper, designed to be either used on its own as a strong treatment, or to supplement other water-based toners or moisturisers that may be lacking a vitamin C ingredient. As it is, it does this, but skincare newbies probably aren’t aware of the role that PH (acidity) plays in skincare. This has a 6.0-7.0 PH, so as an acid, it can interact with other ingredients in surprising ways. If you’re trying to min-max your skincare, this is definitely an affordable option, but skincare newbies may need to play around a bit to find a way to work it in. 🌱 Packaging: The ordinary packages most of their products in dark glass bottles with rubber droppers. This is one of the better ways to package active ingredients, and solves a lot of problems, but it also has its flaws. 1) Brown glass cuts out MOST UV light, but not all light. For extremely delicate formulations, total opacity is best. 2) Opening the bottle every time and removing the dropper, while better than a wide-mouth jar, still exposes unstable products to oxygen and bacterial contamination. Air-tight pumps would be best. That said, this is still leagues better than the Commonlabs jar, since it will keep your product stable, hygenic and active for much longer. 🌱 Accessibility: It’s about 50/50. While a pump jar would be more accessible, these are the best of an affordable brand. Sometimes lids can be a little tight if you close your bottle properly, so keep a towel or washcloth handy to re-open them. I wish The Ordinary would sell their #NIOD pumps that fit over the same bottles as a way for disabled people with muscle limitations to access their Ordinary formulas. This would be a good compromise and increase accessibility. 🌱 Sustainability: Where Deciem packaging falls short on maximum storage / hygiene, they make up for it in sustainability. The glass bottles are recyclable and refillable. Packaging is absolutely minimal and almost zero-waste. This really is a good compromise if you’re trying to sell by volume. Just, you know, keep your droppers clean and don’t dribble them on your face.