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The Ordinary Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F
The Ordinary

The Ordinary Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F

Efficacy100/100IrritancyLow·100% recommend (5 reviews)
See all ingredients

Works for

Evens skin tone
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Ethyl linoleate
Works well
What the product description says
“Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F is a lightweight oil that helps reduce signs of aging by brightening and balancing uneven skin tone.”
Source: Deciem

This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate

The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: ethyl linoleate.

Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.

Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateKey activeEffect: HighBeing a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.~10–16%
Ethyl linoleateEffect: LowHelps reduce acne and blemishes. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce inflammation. Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and evening out the skin tone, but evidence of effectiveness in skin are lacking~5.3–7.9%
Anti-aging
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
Works well
What the product description says
“Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F is a lightweight oil that helps reduce signs of aging by brightening and balancing uneven skin tone.”
Source: Deciem

This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate.

Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.

Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateKey activeEffect: HighBeing a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.~10–16%
Anti-oxidation
Side benefit · Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
Works well

This product contains antioxidants (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).

Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateKey activeEffect: HighBeing a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.~10–16%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
4 flagged ingredients
Low risk
We flag 4 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Coconut alkanesAn emollient that helps soften the skinMedium~23–35%est.
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateBeing a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.Medium~10–16%est.
Ethyl linoleateHelps reduce acne and blemishes. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce inflammation. Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and evening out the skin tone, but evidence of effectiveness in skin are lackingMedium~5.3–7.9%est.
Simmondsia chinensis seed oilSoftens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.Medium~2.9–4.4%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Coconut alkanesAn emollient that helps soften the skin2/5~23–35%est.
Alternatives
The closest match we found
Vita-C Corrector
African Botanics Vita-C Corrector
Closest match59% match
$140.00
View all alternatives

User reviews

Would you recommend?
100%·yes

5 of 5 community members would buy it again.

100% would0% wouldn't
  • Hannanah· Sep 2024Recommends

    I find that after patting about 4 drops onto my face and giving it 5 to 10 minutes to set my redness decreases. There is a fairly noticable chemical scent, but it goes away quickly.

  • mil-brady· Jul 2024Recommends

    Great serum fr! Have been using this semi daily for couple months now. After couple days of pm use i already could notice brighter, more glowy skin. Think my blemish disappeared too i think. I highly recommend it!!

What reviewers noticed
Marker shows the average response

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Coconut alkanes~23–35%
Comedogenic 2/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin

More about Coconut alkanes
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~10–16%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Evens skin toneAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.

More about Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
Ethyl linoleate~5.3–7.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-blemishEvens skin toneAnti-inflammatory

Helps reduce acne and blemishes. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce inflammation. Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and evening out the skin tone, but evidence of effectiveness in skin are lacking

More about Ethyl linoleate
Coco-caprylate/caprate~4–6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture

More about Coco-caprylate/caprate
Simmondsia chinensis seed oil~2.9–4.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.

More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oil
Solanum lycopersicum fruit extract~1–1.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Solanum lycopersicum fruit extract
Squalane~1.6–2.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.

More about Squalane
Ingredient list view

Coconut alkanes, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Ethyl linoleate, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Solanum lycopersicum fruit extract, Squalane

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

Deciem
$17.80
Buy
Beautylish30 ml
$17.80 Out of stock
Check
SpaceNK US
$17.80
Buy
Sephora
$19.40
Buy
Sephora
$19.80
Buy

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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
The OrdinaryAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin FYOUR PRODUCTAfrican BotanicsVita-C CorrectorSKKN by KimOil DropsJosie MaranSérum illuminateur à l’argan et la vitamine C
Match—59%58%57%
Price$17.80$140.00+$122.20——
Shared key ingredients—3 of 43 of 42 of 4
Key difference—Cannabis Sativa Seed OilGlycine Soja OilMarshmallow Root Extract
Irritancy Low Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
View product Shop Shop Shop
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Product summary

"The Ordinary - Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F" is effective for: Evens skin tone and Anti-aging

About the brand

According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "The Ordinary" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.

Price

The product retails from 15.20£ up to 19.01£ in the United Kingdom, from 15.20$ up to 28.71$ in the United States, from 19.40CA$ up to 35.97CA$ in Canada and from 29.00A$ up to 30.16A$ in Australia.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 5 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Double-blind, half-face study comparing topical vitamin C and vehicle for rejuvenation of photodamagencbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Application of tetra-isopalmitoyl ascorbic acid in cosmetic formulations: Stability studies and in vivo efficacysciencedirect.com
  3. 3
    Ethyl linoleate inhibits α-MSH-induced melanogenesis through Akt/GSK3β/β-catenin signal pathwayncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of a lotion containing triethyl citrate and ethyl linoleate in the treatment of acne vulgarisonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  5. 5
    Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
The Ordinary Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F
The OrdinaryAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F
Buy at SpaceNK US$17.80$20.50as of 11/9 03:43 GMT

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Buy at SpaceNK US$17.80$20.50as of 11/9 03:43 GMT

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.