Compare Products: SuperSolutions 20% Niacinamide Serum vs Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%

Who It's Designed For

The Inkey List
  • Very oily skin seeking maximum oil control
  • Stubborn enlarged pores unresponsive to lower niacinamide concentrations
  • Users who have tolerated 10-15% niacinamide and want to increase strength
  • Budget-conscious users wanting clinical-strength actives
  • Those seeking exfoliating effects (20% niacinamide has mild exfoliating properties)
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

The Inkey List

Niacinamide (20%), Zinc PCA (0.5%), Squalane (3%)

The Ordinary

12% Ascorbyl Glucoside

Product Composition

16% similarity (4 ingredients in common)

Shared Ingredients
aqua (water)hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymertrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate
Only in The Inkey List (11)
niacinamidebutylene glycolsqualaneglycerinphenoxyethanolbenzyl alcoholzinc pcapolysorbate 60ethylhexylglycerindehydroacetic acidsorbitan isostearate
Only in The Ordinary (10)
ascorbyl glucosidepropanediolaminomethyl propanoltriethanolamineisoceteth-20xanthan gumethoxydiglycol12-hexanediolcaprylyl glycol

User Feedback Patterns

The Inkey List
Serious oil control

Users with very oily skin consistently report this as one of the most effective oil-control products they have tried. Many note all-day mattifying effect.

Strong but not irritating

Despite the 20% concentration, most users report no irritation. However, patch testing is frequently mentioned as important for first-time users.

Better than The Ordinary

Users who found The Ordinary's 10% niacinamide too weak or pilling-prone often prefer this. The gel texture absorbs cleanly.

Can leave white cast if overused

Some users report a white film if they apply too much. The brand addresses this: use less product and follow immediately with moisturizer.

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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