Compare Products: PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion vs Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%

Who It's Designed For

CeraVe
  • Those seeking a lightweight, affordable nightly moisturizer
  • Oily and combination skin types who find creams too heavy
  • Users who want ceramide barrier repair without heaviness
  • People looking for a niacinamide moisturizer at a budget price
  • Those building a simple, effective skincare routine
  • Users on tretinoin or active treatments who need a gentle moisturizer
The Ordinary
  • Vitamin C beginners who want a low-irritation starting point
  • Sensitive skin types who cannot tolerate L-ascorbic acid
  • Those who want a stable vitamin C that will not oxidize in the bottle
  • Budget-conscious shoppers seeking a no-frills vitamin C serum
  • Users who prefer ultra-minimalist ingredient lists

Key Ingredients

CeraVe

3 Essential Ceramides (1, 3, 6-II), Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, MVE Technology

The Ordinary

12% Ascorbyl Glucoside

Product Composition

6% similarity (2 ingredients in common)

Shared Ingredients
sodium lauroyl lactylatexanthan gum
Only in CeraVe (21)
purified waterglycerincaprylic/capric triglycerideniacinamidebehentrimonium methosulfatecetearyl alcoholceteareth-20ceramide npceramide apceramide eopphytosphingosinehyaluronic acidcholesteroldimethiconepolyglyceryl-3 diisostearatepotassium phosphatedipotassium phosphatedisodium edtamethylparabenphenoxyethanolcarbomer
Only in The Ordinary (11)
aqua (water)ascorbyl glucosidepropanediolaminomethyl propanoltriethanolamineisoceteth-20dimethyl isosorbideethoxydiglycol12-hexanediolcaprylyl glycol

User Feedback Patterns

CeraVe
Ideal for oily and combination skin

Users with oily skin consistently praise the ultra-lightweight texture. It provides enough moisture without triggering excess oil production.

Perfect layering base

The thin consistency makes it easy to layer under treatments, actives, or heavier moisturizers without pilling.

Not enough for very dry skin

Users with dry skin often supplement this with a heavier cream or facial oil, especially in cold weather.

Formulation changes concern

Some longtime users report that CeraVe has subtly reformulated over the years. Packaging and ingredient order changes have sparked discussion in skincare communities.

The Ordinary
Beginner-friendly and non-irritating

The most common positive feedback is that this product causes no irritation. Users with sensitive skin, rosacea-prone skin, and vitamin C beginners praise its gentleness.

Slow but steady brightening

Users who use it consistently for 8+ weeks report gradual brightening and more even skin tone. Results are subtle rather than dramatic.

Some find it too mild

Users coming from L-ascorbic acid serums or expecting fast results find the effects underwhelming. Several reviewers switched to more potent vitamin C products.

Great texture for layering

The thin, watery texture layers well under other products. No stickiness, pilling, or interference with subsequent skincare or makeup steps.

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