Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% — Reddit Reviews
by The Ordinary
Updated September 7, 2026
8% vitamin C with alpha arbutin brightens scars and hyperpigmentation; sticky texture.
What the community says
A vitamin C and alpha arbutin serum praised for speeding up fade of new dark marks and acne scars. It suits those focused on brightening and hyperpigmentation but has mixed feedback on formula stability. Some find it sticky and hard to absorb under makeup.
What this means for you
Backed by 7 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/30PlusSkinCare and 3 more.
Read the threads ↓What people love
- Combines vitamin C and alpha arbutin for effective brightening and spot fading
- Nice oil-like texture that wears well under makeup
- Mix with Resveratrol for enhanced brightening effects
Watch out for
- Formula can feel sticky and sit on skin, especially under makeup
- Vitamin C quality and stability concerns from some users
- Discontinued, so availability issues may arise
Product details
Skin type data limited
Where to buy
Real Reddit threads — 9 mentions across 7 threads
The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% on Reddit, in one place — 7 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/30PlusSkinCare and 3 more, summarized.
“I prefer the Ordinary's AA 2% + HA as opposed to their AA 2% + Ascorbic Acid 8%”
Cautionary
“I don't believe the quality and stability of their Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) is great.”
Cautionary
“I generally don't trust the Ordinary's vitamin C.”
Cautionary
“I prefer the Ordinary's AA 2% + HA as opposed to their AA 2% + Ascorbic Acid 8%”
Cautionary
“I don't believe the quality and stability of their Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) is great.”
Cautionary
“That's why I opt for a separate Vitamin C serum step.”
Cautionary
“I wanna try The Ordinary's Ascorbic Acid with Alpha Arbutin before I give up on vitamin C serums for good.”
Mentioned
“...before I give up on vitamin C serums for good.”
Mentioned
“I wanna try...”
Mentioned
“The ordinary 8% ascorbic acid + 2% alpha arbutin”
Positive
“Sunscreen, vitamin c, alpha arbutin and or hydroquinone are the perfect recipe for hyperpigmentation.”
Positive
“my dark marks were fairly new so that’s why I think mine went away so quickly.”
Positive
“Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%: I wanted to up the brightening effects of Vit C”
Positive
“I notice when I don't use this that acne scars do not fade as quickly.”
Positive
“It wears well under makeup”
Positive
“the only product that ever helped a little was one serum from the ordinary that had ascorbic acid & something else”
Positive
“they stopped making it”
Positive
“i’ve tried ... numerous vitamin c serums”
Positive
