I’m sure you all know how much I love a skincare product. Having had some extra time on my hands over the past few months has allowed me to delve into the vast, and often confusing world of skincare even more. I’ve been researching different ingredients, and what they can do for your skin, in a bid to understand more about the products I’m buying, and what would work best for me. One brand that’s all about the ingredients is The Ordinary. I rave about this brand all the time. It’s so affordable, especially when you look at comparable products on the market from other brands. The Ordinary is also 100% cruelty-free and almost entirely vegan, which is a must for me!
I was running out of a few of my favourite products, so when restocking, I decided to buy a few extra new ones to try out. I’ve only been using them for a few weeks, so it’s not enough time to do a proper review of the products. However, all of them have fantastic reviews online, and for me, so far so good! Each one has unique properties which work to target specific skin concerns.
01. AHA 30% + BHA 2% PEELING SOLUTION
This might look like bottled vampire blood, but it’s actually a miracle-working face masque. I won’t lie, it is a bit disconcerting rubbing a mysterious red liquid all over my face, but I’m hoping it’s worth it! According to The Ordinary, this masque “exfoliates the skin’s topmost surface for a brighter and more even appearance”. It also helps to clear pore congestion and “fight visible blemishes and for improved skin radiance.” It doesn’t end there! This product also claims to “improve the appearance of skin texture and reduce the look of fine lines”. Sounds impressive right?! For only £6.30, this is a bargain!
You should only use this masque twice a week, and for no more than 10 minutes. It also affects your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight, so it’s recommended you use it a night. You then want to make sure you apply an SPF in the morning as part of your normal skincare routine. This product also has a high concentrate of acids, so shouldn’t be used on very sensitive skin, or any patches of skin that are peeling or sore.
02. 100% L-ASCORBIC ACID POWDER
Although this is described as an “acid powder”, it’s a Vitamin C product. If you’re into skincare, I’m sure you’ll have heard about the benefits of using Vitamin C in your skincare routine. It brightens skin tone and reduces signs of ageing. This isn’t my first foray into this ingredient, but it’s my first time using this specific product, so I’m excited to see how it compares to other ones I’ve tried.
This product comes as a powder, so you need to mix it with something like a moisturiser or a serum so that it can be applied to your skin. It’s also recommended that you don’t ever use this in conjunction with products containing niacinamide. You could alternate your products on different days, or use one in the morning, and one in the evening. When used for the first few times, it can also cause a slight tingling sensation, but this does disappear with continued use. It’s just your skin adjusting to the product, so it’s nothing to be concerned about.
03. NIACINAMIDE 10% + ZINC 1%
Niacinamide reduces the appearance of skin blemishes and congestion, and zinc helps to balance visible aspects of sebum. So it’s another useful all-rounder product. As I mentioned earlier, niacinamide can interfere with Vitamin C, so you shouldn’t use them together. I’ve also started using a very low dosage or retinoids in a cleanser, toner and moisturiser set from Pixi. I’ve read that retinoids and niacinamide work particularly well together, so I’m interested to see how I get on using this product. I would say if you’re not used to using acids, retinoids or vitamin C in your skincare routine, you should start with one product and introduce the rest gradually into your routine.
There are a lot of different skincare products on the market, with all sorts of different ingredients, offering magical results. It can definitely be overwhelming, to say the least. That’s why I like to stick to a few brands I know and that have a good reputation. It’s mainly about doing the research and then just trial and error, finding out what works best for you!
Have you guys tried The Ordinary products? Let us know in the comments below, or on any of our social media channels!