First Impressions: The Ordinary Skincare

Adult acne. For the last 12 months I’ve been struggling with an untimely resurgence of acne. To remedy my condition and restore my skin to its former glory I scoured the internet for some of the best products known to get rid of acne and fade acne scars. On that journey, I found The Ordinary.

What is the Ordinary?

The Ordinary is a skincare brand made by Deciem formulated with the active ingredients your skin needs.

The Ordinary skincare products were made popular by its affordability in comparison to its counterparts. We all know how expensive skincare products can get but for the ordinary, Deciem challenges that norm with quality ingredients and unheard of prices.

Being as affordable as they are with many good reviews I decided it wouldn’t hurt to try a few of the products. So I visited the ordinary website and used the regimen guide to understand what I should really buy for my skin.

The ordinary skincare regimen guide was easy to understand. Currently, they have 5 example regimens available. Each regimen tackles a specific skin issue.

  • Aging skin
  • Textured skin
  • Pigmentation issues
  • Congestion & blemishes
  • Dehydration

Because I have hyperpigmentation and textured skin I had to fuse those regimens together. I didn’t get all the recommended products from each category because some of the products weren’t available at Sephora. I also didn’t want to exceed my skincare budget for the month but I’ll be adding the others to my routine next month.

For now I’ve started with 4 The Ordinary products.

AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA

Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

The famous peeling solution. you’ve probably seen this on TikTok or YouTube. When applied to the skin this product stings at first but the sensation quickly subsides. After my first use, my face felt immediately smoother and looked noticeably brighter. A few drops go a long way and this 1-ounce bottle of product can easily last over 3 months.

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The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% has always been one of our most well-loved products (so much so that we recently launched it in a cuddlier, larger 60ml format for die-hard fans of the formula). ⁣🧪 ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3, is a high-strength vitamin and mineral formula that helps to support barrier function, while reducing the appearance of visible shine and signs of congestion. This ingredient has also been shown to have a brightening effect on the skin, making it a truly multifunctional ingredient that can be easily incorporated into any routine. We have included Niacinamide at a high 10% concentration within this formula. ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ Additionally, this formula includes a 1% concentration of Zinc PCA, which works to support the skin's function as a protective barrier. ⁣☂️⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ Niacinamide can be applied in the AM and PM alongside other water-based serums, before oils and creams. We do not recommend applying Niacinamide in the same routine as pure Vitamin C as Niacinamide has the capacity to affect the integrity of Vitamin C, potentially reducing its efficacy. If you’d like to incorporate Niacinamide and Vitamin C into your routine, we would suggest applying them at separate times. ⁣☀️🌙⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ (30ml: CA$5.90/US$5.90/AU$9.90/£5.00/€5.90, 60ml: CA$10.60/US$10.60/AU$17.80/£8.90/€10.60).

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Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

This thick serum feels silky and applies evenly onto the skin. However, I noticed that while it reduced the appearance of my pores after a few days of use. I also noticed that it did seem to make give me new pimples. After using it a few times over a month, I decided to eliminate it from my routine.

All the other reviews I’ve seen of niacinamide were positive so I was quite disappointed it wasn’t working for me.

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It looks like a toner. It feels like a toner. But let's get one thing settled—The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution is not your average toner. Yes, this is confusing, but we are here to help. 😉⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Most traditional toners contain ingredients that work to cleanse and refresh the skin. Beyond simple astringent benefits, Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution deviates from traditional toning methods due to the inclusion of 7% glycolic acid. The simplest alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), Glycolic Acid helps exfoliate the top-most layer of skin, revealing radiant skin, while offering visible clarity. Our formulation also includes Tasmanian Pepperberry, ginseng root, and aloe vera to offer comforting benefits to the skin. Additionally, the formula incorporates various amino acids to assist with barrier support. ✨⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ We recommend use ideally in the PM, no more frequently than once per day. After cleaning your face, saturate a cotton pad with the Toning Solution and sweep across the face and neck. Avoid the eye contour and contact with eyes. No rinse off is needed. Continue with additional skin treatments as you prefer! Please kindly note that since Glycolic Acid is part of the Direct Acid family, it is not so friendly with products that contain peptides or EUK 134. ⁣ ⁣ We also recommend avoiding the use of retinoids alongside direct acids if you are an inexperienced user of either. Remember to use sun protection and wear protective clothing as AHAs may increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. 🔆⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ (CA$8.70/US$8.70/AU$14.50/£6.80/€8.70)

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Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

Like the niacinamide, I had a rough first week with this toner. It felt like my skin was getting worse. I wish I could say that after a week or even a month it got better but it didn’t. Almost 2 months later I finally saw noticeable improvements. Now, I can say that after using this toner at night my skin is glowy in the morning. I can report a noticeable evening of my skin tone and smoothing of my skin.

For the first week of applying the toner to my skin, it stung quite a bit for about 3-5 minutes. The stinging /tingling sensation slowly subsided the first night. After which I opted to use it every two nights.

After using it for two months it still tingles but it’s not as intense but I’m able to use it every night.

Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA

Of the two serums I bought this is my favourite so far. This light weight serum glides onto the skin and my skin drinks it in. It dries down within minutes without leaving a greasy film. My skin feels hydrated after each use and I haven’t noticed any adverse reactions.

My Recommendations

I’d recommend the glycolic acid and the peeling solution for those with textured skin and pigmentation issues. But I’d also recommend the alpha arbutin serum if you want to slowly even your skin tone and glow naturally.

Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for the full product when I get to the suggested 12 week mark of use.

Will you be trying the ordinary products? Have you tried the ordinary already? What products are your favourite? Let me know in the comment section below.

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