The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%
Evidence-led ingredient analysis, a transparent clean score out of 100 and cleaner, effective alternatives at three price levels.
Best for
Brightening
Why Selenssa recommends it
A stable, water-soluble vitamin C derivative that offers gentle brightening without the irritation or rapid oxidation associated with pure L-ascorbic acid. It is an affordable and low-risk option for gradually restoring natural radiance.
Key actives
Ascorbyl Glucoside (12%)
Clean highlights
Fragrance-free · Alcohol-free · Vegan & Cruelty-free · Oil-free
Selenssa Score 92/100 · £12.70
Want to see how this compares? See The Selenssa 3 →The Ordinary
Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%
Brightening · Budget: £12.70
4.4 (1,850 reviews)· across Boots, LookFantastic, Cult Beauty, The Ordinary
Ingredients: AI-inferred — not yet verified
A gentle, water-based vitamin C serum analyzed using its standard published ingredient list.
Hazard categories
Estimated score out of 100
Formulation score is fixed across Selenssa · Community effectiveness awaiting more reports
Based on publicly available ingredients, following our methodology. Not medical advice — always check the physical label, especially for allergies. How we score →
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Highly recommended as an affordable, mild vitamin C serum suitable for daily brightening.
Be cautious if
Users with reactive skin sensitivities to synthetic preservatives or pH adjusters.
Against your clean standard
Yes, meets standard clean beauty criteria with minimal processing cautions.
Where this score comes from
- Source
- No source record on file yet
- Source page
- —
- Retrieved
- —
- Evidence snapshot
- Not captured
Score history
No score changes have been recorded for this product yet.
Think something here is wrong? Report a correction · How we score
Does The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% contain parabens, sulfates or fragrance?
A straight yes or no for the ingredient groups people most often want to avoid, checked against this product's published formulation.
Free from parabens
Preservatives; the longer-chain ones (propyl, butyl) carry the endocrine questions.
Free from sulfates (sls / sles)
Strong cleansing agents that can strip a compromised barrier.
Free from silicones
Slip and occlusion; cyclic silicones (D4/D5/D6) are the environmentally restricted ones.
Free from fragrance / parfum
Undisclosed fragrance blends are the most common trigger for sensitised skin.
Free from essential oils
Naturally derived, but among the most frequently reported contact allergens.
Contains drying alcohol
Found: triethanolamine, phenoxyethanol. Fine in small amounts for texture; high up the list it can dehydrate.
Free from formaldehyde releasers
Preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde.
Free from chemical uv filters of concern
Restricted or debated filters with endocrine or reef-persistence questions.
Is The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% non-comedogenic?
No ingredients in this formulation appear on Selenssa's common pore-clogger list, so it is unlikely to be the cause of congestion for most people. Comedogenicity is still individual — texture, occlusion and how much you use all play a part.
Is The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% safe for sensitive skin?
Generally a reasonable choice for sensitive skin.
- No fragrance or parfum in the list
- Contains a drying alcohol
- No ingredients flagged for irritation risk
The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% full ingredients list
12 ingredients analysed, in the order Selenssa assessed them. Concentration generally falls as you move down the list.
Aqua (Water), Ascorbyl Glucoside, Propanediol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Triethanolamine, Isoceteth-20, Xanthan Gum, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ethoxydiglycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.
The actives doing the work: Ascorbyl Glucoside (Provides effective antioxidant protection and gradual skin brightening without high irritation.).
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