Today’s a bit of a special day because I’m going to write about a product that played a key role in the birth of this blog! My Dad the Chemist was partially inspired by the time my dad saw me trying to compare Trader Joe’s face wash and serum—and, after taking a look at each ingredient list, he recommended the serum that I’m going to write about today.

Vitamin C is known by many names, but you’ll commonly see it listed as “ascorbic acid.” Deciem’s The Ordinary has written a pretty serious Vitamin C skincare guide that claims that once vitamin C (in the form of ascorbic acid) hits water, it begins to oxidize (lose its effect) and change into a darker yellow/orange color.

When companies sell very similar versions of a product, I get confused (like CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM vs. Skin Renewing Night Cream). Ugh, why they just make one good version so we don’t have to do the research? So what’s the deal when it comes to The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs. Vitamin C suspension 30% in silicone? Should we just fork over the extra dollar to get a a higher concentration of vitamin C? But if that’s the case, why would they…