For someone who loves good skincare, I certainly took my time jumping on The Ordinary's bandwagon. A new(ish) brainchild of Deciem, the brand offers a host of serums, oils and solutions. With an abundance of rave reviews, and ingredients that come with big promises, you'd be forgiven for expecting a hefty price tag; however, prices start at just £4, rising to around £10. Skincare made simple? I wanted to see what all the hype was about.
Caffeine Solution
How much it is - £5.80... buy it here.
What it says it does - "for waking up sleep-deprived eyes... reduces puffiness and dark circles"
What it did for me - My biggest skincare concern has long been the dark pigment under my eyes. Although I don't suffer from any noticeable puffiness, my dark circles make me look permanently tired; even after a great nights sleep. So, I was excited to try the caffeine solution, but I admit that I didn't expect it to make an awful lot of difference... luckily, I was pleasantly surprised. Regular use of this serum has made the skin around my eyes look brighter, and the dark pigmentation seems to be slowly - but surely - fading. Also worth noting is that, in the past, any products used closely to my eyes have caused irritation, whereas this has caused absolutely none.
This solution is reccomended for use AM and PM, although I often forget to use it in the mornings. Only a very small amount of product is needed per application, so I expect this will last for a long while yet.
Hyaluronic Acid
How much it is - £5.90... buy it here.
What it says it does - "penetrates deep into the skin's layers to deliver intense, long-lasting moisture that swiftly smooths and perfectly plumps"
What it did for me - Admittedly, this is least favourite of the four products discussed in this post. That's not to say that I don't like it, just that I have tried other hyaluronic acid products that I would choose over this in the future. The serum absorbs very quickly, making it hard to apply to the entire surface area of your face without using a lot of product. Once on (and locked in with a moisturiser!) it feels pleasant, and my skin doesn't feel too dry in the mornings. I'm sure that it's doing something... I just haven't really noticed much.
'B' Oil
How much it is - £8.75... buy it here.
What it says it does - "a formula to support healthy skin defence and enhance radiance. Working to deliver a healthier, more radiant complexion"
What it did for me - I bought this oil on a whim. It was the only one available at the time I purchased it, and I was in need of a new oil after an old one ran dry. Surprisingly, his has become one of my favourite products currently in my routine. It feels like a very 'natural' oil - it has a slightly grass-y scent, and the product is even green! - and applies easily, sitting comfortably on the skin. I've noticed an increased vibrance in my skin from using this, and, paired with the Caffeine solution, I feel that this has helped to even my skin tone somewhat. When this runs out, I'd like to try another of The Ordinary's oils for comparison (I've heard a lot about 'Buffet!') but so far, I'd say this is a real winner.
Retinol 2% in Squalene
How much it is - £4.20... buy it here.
What it says it does - "this special form of Vitamin A has been proven to minimise fine lines, improve pigment problems, revitalise skin and make its overall appearance fresher and more youthful"
What it did for me - This product is the most recent addition to my collection. After toying with the idea of adding a retinoid product to my skincare routine, the incredibly low price of this one (plus my positive experience with The Ordinary thus far) drew me in. It's recommended to start with a low 'dose' of retinol when first introducing it into your routine, to avoid any irritation. I've had no irritation from this in the two weeks that I've been using it so far.
I have definitely noticed some changes in my skin since I began using this product. My skin seems to appear a little 'tighter' after use, and shinier in places - especially my forehead! - and I can definitely imagine that long term use (and perhaps a more intense concentration of the product) has some amazing effects. I still feel a little nervous about using too much retinol on my skin, but this feels like a safe and gentle way to introduce it into your routine.
Have you ever tried any of The Ordinary's products?
Thank you for reading
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