The Ordinary has transformed the way I shop and approach skincare. The brand takes a clinical, science-based, no bulls**t approach to skincare specialising in ingredient-driven products. Arguably, the best part of the brand is that all the products are incredibly high-quality but affordable – you can buy all products on this list for less than £10 each!
Due to their dedication to transparency, prices are not significantly marked up, and products are to-the-point evident in their stripped-down packaging. Now it doesn’t go amiss that the brand can be initially hard to navigate due to the names of the products so here I present to you my current skincare regime using The Ordinary’s products that are entirely vegan, cruelty-free and alcohol-free! Once you have found the products that suit your skin and concerns, you’ll wonder how you ever used anything else.
Side note: When using a new routine prepare for an initial purging period in which outbreaks are typical, and the skin takes up to a month to adjust to new products before you see the best effects.
Related: Face Halo Pro Makeup Remover Pads – Review
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Squalane cleanser
A Gentle, Moisturising Facial Cleanser (AM+PM)
50ml £5.50/150ml £13.90 (shop now)
This gentle cleanser is formulated to target makeup removal while leaving the skin feeling smooth and moisturised. To use this product, I rub only a small amount (a little does go a long way!) between my palms for 10-30 seconds until the balm-like consistency changes to a clear oil and massage this onto my face dry. To rinse off, I like to use my Face Halo Pro to wipe it away and ensure all remnants of makeup are removed such as stubborn mascara.
Being non-comedogenic and soap-free, this formula is designed to be gentle enough for daily use without over-drying the skin, making it suitable for all skin types. My face always feels smooth and not stripped at all as some cheap cleansers can!
Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Mild exfoliator for improved skin radiance and visible clarity (PM every other night)
240ml £6.80 (shop now)
This toning solution offers mild exfoliation for improved skin radiance and visible clarity. The formula also improves the appearance of skin texture with continued use. Although the use of the word ‘acid’ can feel a bit unnerving a chemical exfoliant is much gentler to the skin than physical exfoliants like face scrubs which can cause micro-tears in the skin. This toner visibly resurfaces the skin to aid in cell turnover resulting in a gorgeous glow!
Due to its strength and my use of intense prescription topical acne treatments I minimise the use of this product to every other night or sometimes every two if I am not wearing makeup as much or am having increased sun exposure (I live in England, so that is not too common!). After cleansing, I saturate a cotton pad with the toner and sweep that across the face and neck, making sure to avoid my eyes. The Ordinary does warn that as the product contains AHAs, which increase skin’s sensitivity to the sun, it is essential to use sun cream to protect your face.
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
High-Strength Vitamin and Mineral Blemish Formula (AM+PM)
30ml £5.00/60ml £8.90 (shop now)
Niacinamide claims to reduce the appearance of skin blemishes and congestion. The vitamin is supported by zinc to balance visible aspects of sebum activity. The Ordinary website does note that while Niacinamide and Zinc do reduce the look of blemishes and balance visible sebum activity, neither is a treatment for acne. For persistent acne-related conditions, they recommend the use of Benzoyl Peroxide and/or Retinoic Acid (which I do have prescribed, as you will see further down)
To use I simply apply a small amount (around three drops) to the entire face morning and evening and allow it to sink in for a couple of minutes before applying heavier creams.
Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
Reduce Appearance of Eye Contour Pigmentation and Puffiness
30ml £5.80 (shop now)
As someone who wakes up with VERY puffy eyes in the morning, this product has been a lifesaver! Although it is not as effective with dark circles, I have found it significantly depuffs my eye area making my eyes appear brighter, less saggy and just overall refreshed. You only need a minuscule amount of this product (about one drop for both eyes morning and evening), so I can imagine it lasting forever.
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
A Hydration Support Formula with Ultra-Pure, Vegan Hyaluronic Acid (AM+PM)
30ml £5.90/60ml £10.60 (shop now)
Hyaluronic Acid can attract up to 1,000 times its weight in water (sounds cool I know) and the addition of Vitamin B5 enhances surface hydration. It took me a while to realise that for properly moisturised skin, it requires more than just a lotion. This product has been my holy grail when targeting my sensitive, dry, flaky patches as it directly nourishes and visibly plumps my face giving it a whole new lease of life.
I use a couple of drops of this product in the morning and evening just before my moisturiser, and I can swear my skin has never looked better.
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
Surface Hydration Formula (AM+PM)
30ml £4.90/100ml £6.80 (shop now)
As discussed above, I do struggle with sensitive, dry skin, so finding a good moisturiser is quite a mission! Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMF) are elements that keep the outer layer of the skin protected and well-hydrated. This formula offers non-greasy hydration that acts as a direct supplement of impaired NMF components which provides immediate hydration and lasting results with continued use.
You do not need much of this lightweight moisturiser to feel its effects, so I apply only a blueberry sized amount to my face and neck (if I use too much I simply massage it into my chest, and it has done wonders there!)
Epiduo gel 0.1% Adapalene/2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide
Powerful prescription topical acne treatment for moderate acne (PM)
I am not joking when I say this treatment changed my life. Before I was prescribed this, my face was more acne than the skin, and it was so sore, painful and destroying to my self-confidence as a young girl going through her teenage years.
Epiduo contains adapalene which is a retinoid. Retinoids are derived from vitamin A and exert their action by increasing the turnover of skin cells. This promotes your skin to shed cells more efficiently, preventing dead skin cells from blocking pores which cause acne. It also contains benzoyl peroxide, an antimicrobial agent which helps to keep the skin clean and free from the bacteria associated with acne. The two ingredients work well together to treat and prevent acne and reduce skin inflammation.
Initially, when I started this treatment, my skin purged like crazy and peeled through many layers of dead skin which made wearing makeup to cover the skin purging near enough impossible as the skin underneath simply flaked off. Soon enough, my skin settled down and thus was born clear skin. As this is such a potent treatment which completely changed the temperament of my skin, it requires a very thought out tailored skin regime that was suitable for sensitive skin and nourishing to ease any dryness caused. So, after many years of deliberation and products, I found this routine of The Ordinary products complemented the treatment perfectly, and my skin has never felt or looked better!
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