The Ordinary are a beauty brand everyone seems to be talking about that have had me intrigued for a while. I knew as soon as they hit ASOS I was going to have to get involved. Thank you premier delivery.
If you're into skincare you will have probably already heard of the Canadian brand, The Ordinary, which is now hitting the UK shelves and retailers.The brand covers foundations, retinoids, vitamins, acids, hydrators and other molecules and I've also heard a rumour that they are looking into sun care too for the future. If you're like me the idea of acids and retinoids all sounds a little scary, quite complex and very science-y, which it is, but my inner nerd loves it. It wasn't until I had a facial at EF Medi Spa Bristol that I even considered an acid for my face.
Retinoids
The term retinoid is used to describe derivatives of Vitamin A which when used for skin care can bring benefits such as a boost to collagen, reduction of fine lines and the unclogging of pores. I mean I feel like I should be submerging my face in this and motorboating. We all want those benefits right?
Now I've not managed to get my hands on the retinoid I want to try from the range which is The Ordinary Advanced Retinoid 2% because I only seem to be able to find it on Canadian or American websites. If you find it, please let me know.
The reason I want to try this is because I'm going to be 30 in a couple of years and I feel like I should now be thinking about preventing the signs of aging on my face. The 2% reinoid The Ordinary offers has a bargain price and it's silicone free.
Vitamins
So we all know that we need to take vitamins or consume them in foods to get what our body needs, well our skin is no different. It needs certain vitamins too to have that healthy glow. Which after Christmas was much needed for me. Too much cheese played havoc with my skin.
Now the first vitamin on the list isn't exactly named Vitamin C, it's The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% which is a derivative of ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C. Vit C offers a wide range of benefits for your skin and is an effective antioxidant. This brightens tone and again reduces the signs of aging.
I've been using this in the mornings all over my face before any creams or make up to help me glow. You can also use it in the evenings too. It's one of the more expensive items that I've purchased from The Ordinary's range, which at just £9 sounds a little silly to say out loud.
Acids
Salicylic Acid 2% solution is The Ordinary's answer to blemishes and spots. It's a beta hyroxyl acid that exfoliates the inside walls of your pores to fight the appearance of spots and blemishes. The solution also contains Witch Hazel which my mum drowns her face in when she has a spot. Continued use should help improve the clarity of your skin and leave you feeling fresh faced.
I've been using this since early January by applying a small amount directly to spots and a thin layer over problems areas of my face mainly my really irritating chin skin of a 12 year old boy, which drives me crazy. I've definitely seen an improvement in this area and i'm back to using a BB cream and concealer instead of a full foundation. Blackheads have reduced in number and larger spots have been shrunk or eradicated completely. I have noticed that it can be drying on occasion but this is minor and easily corrected with other products, but probably wouldn't be ideal for already dry skin. Price point: £4.50 - yes it's less than a fiver. I nearly fell off my chair too.
Hydrators
Hydrators are often confused with moisturisers. Many people seem to think that they are just another marketing ploy to make you buy more products. Wrong. They do a seperate job to a moisturiser. Moisturisers are intended to reduce the water lost from your skin by creating a barrier over the skins surface supporting the skins natural lipid cells which do this function. Hydrators are intended to increase the water content of the skin, not just hold it in.
The Ordinary's Hyluronic Acid 2% + B5 was the hydrator I chose from those available on ASOS although I am really keen to try the 100% Plant Derived Squalane.
The Hylauronic Acid 2% + B5 features low, medium and high molecular weight Hylauronic Acid to achieve multi-depth hydration of your skin. I've been applying this in the morning and evening before my moisturiser to hydrate the skin before trapping it all in. The results have been that my skin is super soft and has a much better feel all over. Those cold winds that have been blowing recently haven't had any impact and the area between my eyebrows and around my mouth have stayed dry-patch free which has been such a relief. This along with the Salicylic acid have been my favourite products. At £6 a go I think I'm going to bulk buy 10 just so I know I will always have some available - it seems to be one of the best priced Hylauronic Acid serums out there at the moment.
The 100% Plant Derived Squalane also hydrates skin and is marketed at an incredibly low price point. It's probably why I can't find any. I've seen it dubbed 'the best oil and hydrator to buy from the line' as it's suitable for all skin types and a few have said the hylauronic acid solution can be linked to inflammation and sometimes scarring although I've not found this.
Other Molecules
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is another product in their range that I want to try. Niacinamide, aka Vitamin B3, is good for most skin problems. It's typically marketed as an acne treatment but it shouldn't be defined as this. It should provide a more long-term solution for the improvement of blemishes to Salicylic acid. Again this is another product that I'm trying to track down.
Slightly less-skin orientated is the Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG which targets the appearance of puffiness and dark circles under your eyes. EGCG is actually Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside which can be found in green tea leaves. Studies show that the use of caffeine and EGCG can reduce dark circles and help with reducing puffiness. This solution is basically a bottle of magic to stop you having to sit with wet green tea bags on your face. I've been applying to my under eye area in the morning and have found that the dark circles under my eyes have reduced but the puffiness has stayed about the same. Still at £6.00 a bottle, this one is staying firmly in my beauty regime.
Overall for the price points I don't think I can fault any of the products that I've tried from the range. Really they are a true bargain. Good skincare doesn't have to cost the earth, although my Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream IS staying, we're life long friends. Since posting about the brand on Instagram so many people have got in touch to say how it's doing an amazing job on their skin too. I'd really recommend trying out the brand, and if you get hooked bulk buy because it seems like the products, especially on ASOS, don't stay around for long.... but they do come back.
Make sure to follow me on Bloglovin', Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest to stay up to date with all the latest posts.
Make sure to follow me on Bloglovin', Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest to stay up to date with all the latest posts.