“Gio, is The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% In Silicone a dupe for Indeed Labs Vitamin C24? Should I switch?” If I had a penny for every time someone asked me this question in the past few months, I’d be a millionaire. I decided to settle the question once and for all with a blog post. Here’s my thoughts on which of these two Vitamin C products is worth your money:
What Ingredients Do They Have In Common?
ASCORBIC ACID TO FIGHT PREMATURE AGING
Both The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% In Silicone and Indeed Labs Vitamin C24 use the pure form of vitamin C, L-Ascorbic Acid. Ascorbic Acid is an antiaging powerhouse:
- It destroys the free radicals that cause premature aging
- It increases collagen production, keeping your skin firm
- It fades away dark spots
- It gives your complexion a lovely glow
- It boosts sun protection (especially when paired with vitamin E and ferulic – neither product has them… )
Ascorbic Acid is a powerful weapon against aging. And like all powerful weapons, it has a double edged sword. For starters, Ascorbic Acid is super unstable. It oxidises (ie becomes useless) when exposed to light, air and water. This is why both products use a silicone instead than a water base. It makes your vitamin C last longer.
Ascorbic Acid is also the most irritating form of vitamin C out there. It’s not uncommon to experience tingling and irritation when you first start using it. For best results, use it a couple of times a week and build frequency from there. If your skin is very sensitive, you may have to come to terms with the fact that it may not be able to tolerate it at all. Try one of its less powerful but gentler derivatives, instead.
Related: Types Of Vitamin C In Skincare
Want more dupes? Download the “Skincare Dupes” cheatsheet below for the most cost-effective skincare products and never compromise on results again:
SILICONES TO MINIMISE FINE LINES AND WRINKLES
Ah, the skincare family everyone loves to hate! Silicones help keep your precious Vitamin C stable and effective for longer. Silicones create a protective barrier that shields ascorbic acid from air and light, which would otherwise oxidize it and make it useless.
But here’s the trade-off: can Vitamin C actually reach the skin when it’s trapped inside all those silicones? Yes, it can. Silicones have a particular molecular structure that’s made up of big molecules with wide holes between them. That allows silicones to create a protective barrier on the skin that traps moisture in and allows actives to get through. But, there’s a chance that NOT all of the Vitamin C will reach your skin.
I guess that’s why the brands have upped the Vitamin C dose, so even if some gets blocked by the silicone barrier, a huge dollop can still get through. But here’s where things get tricky: The Ordinary has been reformulated. The new version only contains one silicone, presumably to please the anti-silicone crowd. That high dose of Vitamin C (23%)? Still there.
Without all those silicones acting as a buffer, way more of that Vitamin C could hit your skin directly, which might mean more irritation and stinging. The original silicone-heavy formula cushioned the intensity. Now? You might really feel it. More isn’t always better, and ascorbic acid can be irritating in higher doses, remember?
Related: Do Silicones Allow Active Ingredients To Reach Your Skin?
What Else Is In These Vitamin C Products?
INDEED LABS VITAMIN C24
- Ethylhexyl palmitate: A synthetic ester that acts as a skin-softening emollient, basically making your skin feel all velvety and helping other ingredients spread evenly.
- Butylene glycol: A hydration helper and texture improver that makes products feel less sticky and helps other ingredients penetrate your skin better.
- Caprylyl glycol: Does double duty as a moisturizer and a preservative, keeping the formula fresh while also conditioning your skin.
- Phenoxyethanol: The bodyguard preservative that keeps bacteria and mold from crashing the party and ruining your product.
- Sodium hyaluronate: The smaller, overachieving cousin of hyaluronic acid that can hold like 1000x its weight in water, plumping up your skin like a tiny moisture sponge.
- Hexylene glycol: A solvent and preservative booster that helps ingredients mix together nicely and keeps the formula stable and effective.
THE ORDINARY VITAMIN C SUSPENSION 23% IN SILICONE
- Squalane: A lightweight oil that mimics your skin’s natural sebum, so it sinks in fast and hydrates without any greasy aftermath. Shark-friendly these days since it’s usually from olives.
- Isodecyl Neopentanoate: A synthetic ester that’s basically a dry oil – it spreads like a dream, feels weightless, and helps the product glide on without any sticky business.
- Isononyl Isononanoate: Another lightweight emollient that gives you that silky, non-greasy feel and helps everything blend smoothly into your skin.
- Coconut Alkanes: Plant-derived emollient from coconuts that’s a clean alternative to silicones – gives you that smooth, velvety texture without the actual silicone.
- Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer: A texture modifier that thickens the formula and gives it that gel-like, bouncy consistency without making it heavy.
- Ethylhexyl Palmitate: The same skin-softening synthetic ester from before that makes everything feel smooth and helps ingredients spread evenly.
- Sodium Hyaluronate: The hydration hero returns! Holds a ridiculous amount of water and plumps your skin up like it just had the best facial ever.
- Glucomannan: A natural thickener from konjac root that helps create that gel-like texture and can also bind water for extra hydration.
- Coco-Caprylate/Caprate: A lightweight coconut-derived emollient that’s like the cool, breezy alternative to heavier oils – absorbs fast and feels barely-there.
- Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer: Works with its copolymer buddy to give the formula that nice, spreadable gel consistency.
- Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Crosspolymer: A thickening agent that helps stabilize the formula and can also give it that smooth, luxe texture.
- Trihydroxystearin: A thickening and texturizing ingredient that helps give the product body and a richer feel on the skin.
- BHT: An antioxidant preservative that keeps the oils and fats in the formula from going rancid and funky over time.
WHICH FORMULA IS BETTER?
Okay, here’s the deal: this one’s tricky because they’re not even really the same thing anymore.
Indeed Labs still has all those silicones doing their thing: keeping the vitamin C stable, creating that protective barrier, and cushioning the delivery so it’s less harsh on your skin. It’s the safer bet if you want consistent results without much drama. The high vitamin C dose is buffered by all that silicone, so you get the benefits without your face freaking out.
The Ordinary, though? It’s had a bit of an identity crisis. They reformulated it to only have one silicone (probably because everyone and their mother was complaining about silicones), but they kept that aggressive 23% vitamin C concentration. So now you’ve got this super high dose without much of a buffer. That means more vitamin C could actually reach your skin…but it also means way more potential for irritation, stinging, and redness. If your skin is sensitive or you’re new to vitamin C, this could be rough.
TL;DR: Indeed Labs is better for most people. The Ordinary is cheaper but potentially way more irritating now that it’s lost most of its silicone cushion.
Related: My Full Review Of Indeed Labs Vitamin C24
What’s The Texture Like?
Okay, so texture-wise, these two are…different. The Ordinary’s formula is thick and gritty, like, you can literally feel the vitamin C granules. It’s not the most elegant thing you’ll ever put on your face, honestly. It takes some rubbing to get it to sink in, and if you’re not patient, you might end up with a slightly grainy finish. It’s functional, not fancy.
Indeed Labs is way smoother and more pleasant to use. It glides on like a dream, absorbs faster, and doesn’t leave you feeling like you just exfoliated with sandpaper. If texture matters to you (and let’s be real, it does), Indeed Labs wins this round hands down.
What’s The Fragrance Like?
Neither of these smell amazing, let’s just put that out there. The Ordinary is pretty much unscented-maybe a faint chemical-ish smell if you really get your nose in there, but nothing offensive. It’s very “I’m here to work, not smell pretty.”
Indeed Labs has a light citrusy scent that’s actually kinda nice? It’s not overpowering, just a little fresh boost in the morning. Some people love it, some people would rather have nothing. Personally, I don’t mind it. It makes the whole experience feel a bit more luxe.
What’s The Packaging Like?
Both of these come in tubes, so honestly, there’s not much to say here. The Ordinary has their signature minimalist tube: bare bones, functional, very “we spent the budget on the formula, not the packaging.”
Indeed Labs also uses a tube. It does the same job-you squeeze, product comes out, done. Neither is winning any design awards. If you’re someone who cares about pretty packaging, you’re gonna be disappointed by both of these, honestly.
How To Use Them
Both of these go on after cleansing and before moisturizer and sunscreen. Apply them in the morning for max antioxidant protection throughout the day.
With The Ordinary, you’ll want to take your time. Rub it between your fingers first to warm it up and break down those granules a bit, then pat and massage it into your skin. Don’t rush it or you’ll end up with a gritty mess. Also, maybe don’t use it every day if you’re new to vitamin C – that 23% concentration is no joke.
Indeed Labs is way more foolproof. Just pump it out, smooth it on, and you’re good to go. It plays well with other products and doesn’t require a PhD to apply. If you’re lazy in the morning (hi, same), this one’s easier to work with.
Which Of The Two Should You Go For?
Okay, real talk: this used to be an easier question to answer when both formulas were loaded with silicones. Now? It’s complicated.
Go for Indeed Labs if: You want a formula that’s got that silicone cushion still doing its thing. It’s smoother, less gritty, easier to slap on in the morning, and way less likely to make your skin freak out. Those silicones buffer that 24% vitamin C so you get the brightening without your face feeling like it’s on fire. If your skin is sensitive or you’re new to this whole high-strength vitamin C thing, this is the one. The silicones aren’t villains here. They’re actually making your life easier.
Go for The Ordinary if: You’re broke and your skin can handle anything. It’s cheaper, and if the gritty texture and potential stinging don’t scare you, it’ll get the job done. But heads up: without those silicones buffering it, that 23% vitamin C is hitting your skin more directly. More irritation, more redness, more “why does my face hurt?” moments. The reformulation was supposed to make the anti-silicone people happy, but honestly it might’ve just made things worse for everyone else.
The honest answer? Indeed Labs is probably the smarter pick right now. The Ordinary isn’t the same product it used to be, and that vitamin C without the silicone safety net is risky business. If you can swing the extra cash, go with Indeed Labs. Your face will be less angry about it.
Availability
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% In Silicone: £7.70/$8.10 at Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, SpaceNK, The Ordinary, and Ulta
Indeed Labs Vitamin C24: £24.99 at Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, and Ulta
Is The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% In Silicone A Dupe For Indeed Labs Vitamin C24?
It used to be, but not anymore. When The Ordinary was still rocking multiple silicones in its formula, yeah, these two were pretty damn similar. Same high vitamin C concentration, same silicone: heavy base, same idea of buffering all that ascorbic acid so it doesn’t wreck your face. They weren’t identical twins, but close enough that you could call The Ordinary a solid dupe and save yourself some cash.
But now? Nah. The Ordinary went and reformulated, stripping out most of the silicones to appease everyone who’s scared of them. So now you’ve got 23% vitamin C with barely any silicone cushion, while Indeed Labs still has 24% vitamin C with all those silicones doing their protective thing. They’re not dupes anymore.
The Ordinary is cheaper, sure, but it’s also potentially way harsher on your skin now. Indeed Labs is the safer, gentler option that actually delivers on what the original Ordinary formula promised. If you were hoping to save money and get the same experience, sorry-that ship has sailed. The reformulation changed the game.
Indeed Labs Vitamin C24 Ingredients
dimethicone, ascorbic acid, polysilicone-11, ethylhexyl palmitate, peg-10 dimethicone, silica silylate, silica dimethyl silylate, butylene glycol, caprylyl glycol, phenoxyethanol, sodium hyaluronate, hexylene glycol
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30% in Silicone Ingredients
Ascorbic Acid, Squalane, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Coconut Alkanes, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucomannan, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Trihydroxystearin, Bht.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
