I am obsessed with The Ordinary brand since I’ve been trying out three of their skincare products. This is a brand that is purely about science – 100% honest, basic, clinical formulations that are provided to us (the consumer) without any of the fancy packaging and brand marketing fluff – which means a lower price point.

This cruelty-free brand comes from a parent company (DECIEM) that has a long history in pioneering skincare. The Ordinary is stripping everything back to basics – with all the emphasis on one powerful chemical formulation/ingredient per product. As such, this isn’t a brand that’s aimed at the general beauty consumer I don’t think; but rather, at someone who is more knowledgeable about skincare and about the specifics that their skin needs.

I’ve been trying out three of their skincare products (they have actually just come out with foundation too) – Advanced Retinoid 2%, Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 and 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil.

Their Advanced Retinoid 2%* (£8 from The Ordinary) is a strong treatment that’s for those whose skin is already used to using lower strength retinols. When you apply a retinol to the skin, your skin enzymes convert it to Retinoic Acid. However, a retinoid does not need to undergo this transformation; so it has more powerful skin benefits that the lower retinols and the lower again retinyl palmitate. Retinoids are great for anti-ageing – they encourage the skin to produce rapid cell turnover; bringing new, younger cells to the surface. They also stimulate collagen production (collagen is essentially scaffolding for our skin that keeps it firm and line-free). They are also great at correcting skin pigmentation issues and smoothing the skin. 

I have been addicted to using retinols and now this retinoid for a long-time and they have definitely helped to keep my skin look younger and more even. The only thing I don’t like about this product from The Ordinary is the packaging – retinoids shouldn’t be exposed to the air (or to the light) as it lowers their effectiveness, so ideally, the dropper bottle should be replaced by a pump action. I do understand them doing this to keep the costs low though, so just make sure you keep the lid off for as short a time as possible when applying the product. Always make sure that you use an SPF every day when you use a retinoid or retinol product, as they make your skin more susceptible to damage from UV rays.

The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% plus B5* (£5.90). Hyaluronic Acid is something that our skin contains naturally. It’s something attracts moisture to the skin and locks it in there. Our ability to retain moisture in own skin declines with age, so this is a product that everyone needs. Think of it as hydrating your skin. This version of Hyaluronic Acid contains three forms (as well as a crosspolymer) with molecule sizes that allow it to penetrate deep into all levels of the skin. It also contains vitamin B5 too; offering increased surface hydration. This is essentially a serum, but you can use it whenever your skin feels thirsty; to make it plumper, softer and more hydrated.

Finally, The Ordinary’s 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil* (£9) is exactly what it says on the tin. Oils are some of the most expensive products on the beauty market, so having this launch is great. Cold-pressed oil extraction preserves all the qualities and goodness of this oil (things that are damaged by heat), so it’s darkened UV-protective bottle is for a reason.

Rose Hip Seed Oil has so many skin benefits – it can help improve skin tone e.g. correct dark spots; it contains antioxidents that combat free radicals from UV rays; it is rich in fatty acids that help regenerate skin cells and repair skin damage such as scarring; and it hydrates dry skin. If you use an oil in your routine, this one from The Ordinary will save you a fortune.

Have you tried anything from The Ordinary?

This post contains press samples, but all opinions are my own.

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