The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% Versus Vichy Liftactiv Peptide-C Ampoule Serum

The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% Versus Vichy Liftactiv Peptide-C Ampoule Serum

This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Alpha-Arbutin to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.

This anti-aging ampoule is formulated around Ascorbic Acid to soften the look of wrinkles and brighten dull-looking skin.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

Propanediol

Ascorbic Acid

Alpha-Arbutin

Propanediol, Ascorbic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin

Water

Butylene Glycol

Dipropylene Glycol

Glycerin

Sodium Hyaluronate

Hydrolyzed Rice Protein

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein

Ceramide AP

Water, Ascorbic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Ceramide AP

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Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C and is the biologically active form used directly by skin.

Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, but it also has plenty of benefits for your skin. It is best supported by academic literature for:

Topical vitamin C has been shown to help neutralize oxidative stress from UV and pollution, helping to improve photoaging and hyperpigmentation when used consistently.

One clinical study found that using 5% topical vitamin C for six months improved signs of photodamaged skin, both on the surface and in the deeper structural layers of the skin.

While vitamin C doesn’t replace sunscreen, studies show it can boost photoprotection when combined with Vitamin E and ferulic acid. These two ingredients help improve stability and protective effects.

The big downside of this ingredient is formulation difficulty. Vitamin C is prone to oxidation and doesn't penetrate the skin unless formulated correctly. Research found that vitamin C absorbs into the skin best at a low pH (< 3.5) with about 20% being the upper limit for effective absorption.

Skin levels can saturate after repeated application; this means your skin won’t keep absorbing more once it’s full of vitamin C. This is why more isn’t always better with vitamin C and why very high concentrations don’t necessarily give extra benefits.

Ascorbic acid generally works well with many skincare ingredients but can be irritating when combined with other active ingredients. Strong oxidizing acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide can reduce the effectiveness of vitamin C if they are used at the same time; they are often recommended for use at different times of day.

Read more about other types of Vitamin C:

Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.

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