The Ordinary really does put the majority of high-end and drugstore skincare brands to shame. I’d go out on a limb and say that their formulas beat 90% of the drugstore equivalents I’ve tried. Their products also have the tendency to outshine brands who charge four times the price and come with a more expensive advertising campaign and cuter packaging. Although I did have a few issues with their foundations, their skincare and primers continue to impress me. I’m planning to try their retinols as soon as this starter pack is back in stock over at Beauty Bay. FYI if you want to learn more about retinols, Caroline Hirons’ YouTube series is a must-watch.
There are two products from The Ordinary that have become staples in my skincare routine and I strongly recommend you try out: the Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (£5.90) and the Salicylic Acid 2% Solution (£4.20). First of all, just look at those price points. Two game-changers for just over £10. I even like the packaging. The glass bottles and pipettes and the clean white box and label is simple, clinical yet professional and down to business. There’s no fuss and frills about this brand and I respect that. When testing out a new skincare product it can often be difficult to judge whether or not they are actually being effective without taking before and after photos (which I almost always forget to take), however, I can honestly say I’ve seen a huge difference in my complexion since introducing the Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 to my routine.
I gently pat a few drops of the clear serum onto my face after I exfoliate. My skin ‘drinks it up’ within seconds and I then go in with my vitamin C (because I’m extra and bloody love serums). Since using this simple and affordable serum, my skin looks plumper, fresher and feels super hydrated, bouncy and smoother. I am incredibly impressed and it’s probably the best £6 I’ve ever spent…
“Hyaluronic Acid (HA) can attract up to 1,000 times its weight in water. The molecular size of HA determines its depth of delivery in the skin. This formulation combines low-, medium- and high-molecular weight HA, as well as a next-generation HA crosspolymer at a combined concentration of 2% for multi-depth hydration. This system is supported with the addition of Vitamin B5 which also enhances surface hydration.” – The Ordinary
This is a very ‘stripped down’ products and if you are looking for a more advanced HA formulation The Ordinary websites recommend you try the Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex from their sister brand NIOD which retails from £25 for 15ml which contains 15 forms of HA, including precursors of HA. This tiny bottle really gives my skin an added boost and I’ve been more confident at going make-up free since purchasing it. It’s also alcohol-free and vegan-friendly.
The Salicylic Acid 2% Solution is a beta hydroxy acid that exfoliates the skin. It’s perfect for anyone who blemish-prone skin but I don’t recommend it if you have really sensitive skin. A small amount can be applied all over the face, however, I use this product as and when. It’s my secret weapon against spots. Whenever a little bugger pops up, I dab a little over it and let it do its magic. It’s fast working and, in my experience, really helps to ‘dry out’ blemishes without causing any additional irritation. The only drawback is that because it contains a BHA it will increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun so I highly recommend using a form of sun protection with it too. The Ordinary has also just released a Salicylic Mask that you might want to check out if you regularly suffer from breakouts.
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