The Ordinary - so good it's scary

[lasttimeround]

I'm sure I'm well behind the curve but I bought some products finally and last night used the retionoid stuff for the first time. My word I can see a difference today already!!! In sll seriousness: clearer brighter skin.
Disclaimer I've not spent much on skincare for at least a decade as I felt I couldn't afford anything properly decent. So just oil cleansing. Very basic products so maybe my baseline is really low. But I've never seen a difference like this before. Amazed.

[Fluffycloudland77]

I use alpha lipoic acid twice a week & ive just ordered nicadamide for oiliness, caffeine for around my eyes to prevent loss of elasticity & reservotol for daily antioxidant.

I'll buy the buffet when my Estée Lauder advanced night repair runs out.

[SerendipityFelix]

What a wonderful thread. If somewhat enabling

I have just been recommended argireline by my dermatologist for fine forehead/eye lines - the product they use with it in is £90! So was pleased to find The Ordinary 10% one and am waiting for it to arrive with a few other things. I have a basic skincare routine down - decent cleansing, occasional acid tone, a hydrating toner/mist, a basic hyaluronic serum and nice overnight oils, but I feel the need for a bit of a rejig and more focus on anti-ageing ingredients and brightening/evening/decongesting my oily nose & chin.

My questions!

• if you use argireline in the same routine as a retinoid (on forehead) then in which order?
  
• ditto can argireline be used around the eyes in the same routine as caffeine and in which order?
  
• also do you use retinoid all over (avoiding eye area) or just on bits where you’re worried about lines?
  
• reading about using the AHA30% + BHA2% peel, it says to remove it thoroughly after use. What do you use to remove it with? Would you use it straight after cleansing, then cleanse again before moving onto hydrating toner and serums?
  

TIA!

[BagelGoesWalking]

beautyeditor.ca/2017/11/16/the-ordinary-retinoid

[BagelGoesWalking]

Oohmakeup yup, Azelaic is a cream so after serums but before oils/moisturiser/sunscreen.

Many ppl find it's a bit problematic as it can cause makeup to pill, but others say it works really well as a primer, so sounds like trial and error. You could just use at night to avoid any issues. It can tingle a bit so you can just put on problem areas rather than your whole face.

[BumbleNova]

I've just come on the thread to rave about the plant derived squalane oil. Oh my god. It's such an amazing hydrator for my dry dehydrated skin. It is exactly what it needs this time of year. Ditching my very expensive face cream!

[lovemylover]

I have ordered Aregeline for the wrinkles, but what else should I order and what order do I use them in, if anyone knows thanks in advance
Cant afford a lot of stuff at the moment

[oohmakeup]

Thanks bagel and herman! Think I'll try that out the next time I've gotta order something from there. My main problems now are acne scarring (pitted unfortunately with slight pigmentation issues) and oily skin, and way back in the past I had bad reactions to random products so just going to go slow this time.

Where would azelaic acid fit into that routine though? After glycolic and before the rose hip at night? Would that work, like the niacinamide, in the morning too after the HA and before the sunscreen/primer/foundation?

Also where would the sunscreen fit in? Before primer? After the primer? Thanks again and sorry for the boatload of questions!

[HemanOrSheRa]

The Niacinamide + zinc is BRILLIANT for oily skin oohmakeup. I use it over the HA and it really controls the oil. As does the Azelaic acid which I use at night. The NIOD survival sunscreen is brilliant. I've read that the Biore rich watery essence sunscreen is good. You can get it on Amazon.

[BagelGoesWalking]

Have you tried Azelaic Acid? Good for oily skin, mattifying and smoothing texture?

Most ppl say Asian sunscreens are the Best but I’ve seen Rex’s for a Body Shop one, la Roche Posay Anthelios and, I think, Neutrogena.

[oohmakeup]

BagelGoesWalking Alright will keep that in mind! Was a bit confused about the glycolic part too because one of the beauty bloggers I used to read once mentioned using another glycolic-based product (the alpha h one), and she said it's generally most effective when used on its own with nothing else for the night.

Do you have any sunscreens to recommend per chance?

I don't think I'll need a moisturiser - I've got pretty oily skin so it's difficult enough for me to not be shiny after an hour!

Thanks for the advice!

[BagelGoesWalking]

Oohmakeup Yes! As you said. I’d start The Glycolic just a few nights a week to see how you react. Few drops on a pad, swipe gently avoiding eye area.

Most ppl say to wait about 15 mins after Glycolic before applying other products. Also, you’ll need a sunscreen as the toner increases photosensitivity (contains AHA).

Also, HA is best applied on clean, damp skin, as it can take in that moisture and whoosh it into your skin. Will your skin be moisturised enough if you go straight to primer etc? No moisturiser?

[oohmakeup]

Dipping my toes into the world of skincare for the first time and I'm officially confused. Ordered the following products earlier today:

1. Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
   
2. Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
   
3. 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil
   
4. Silicone Primer + Foundation
   

I'm assuming I'm not supposed to mix the GA and HA?

So would something like:

AM:

1. Hyaluronic Acid
   
2. Primer + Foundation
   

PM:

1. Glycolic Acid
   
2. Rose Hip Seed Oil
   

work? Apologies ladies for the dumb question!

[Rufustherenegadereindeer1]

herman

Thats the thing i noticed with the ordinary

I used to get dreadful cystic spots as they started going diwn new ones would turn up

Not many but i never had a clear face there woukd always be one there or scabbing and another coming up

Since i started in September i seem to get one with my period. But its a proper spot and calms really quickly and its gone within a few days

[BagelGoesWalking]

[HemanOrSheRa]

I don't find it too stingy, more tingly when I first apply it. The first time I used it I had about 5 or 6 horrible pmt type spots that were lingering. The mask took them right down. They were still there but my foundation and concealer went on smoothly the next morning it was really easy to cover the horrible things up. The following night they started to flake off. I LOVE that mask .

[Rufustherenegadereindeer1]

Yes i have herman

I use it about once a week so ive probably used it 4 times since I bought it

Im not sure what its doing as i changed everything to the ordinary but i think i like it...its certainly not stinging as much as it used to

[HemanOrSheRa]

Yes it is Rufus. Have you tried it?

[Rufustherenegadereindeer1]

heman

Is that the red one

I have the red one

Cant remember what its called

But its red

[HemanOrSheRa]

I use the AHA/BHA peel. It is lovely - really brightens and softens the skin. It also takes down any pimples/spots really quickly.

[BagelGoesWalking]

If you’ve never used. I’d just start at x2 a week but you should be ok with the Squalene.

[Nutellalovesme]

@Bagelgoeswalking it's my first time using retinoids so I guess I should probably stick to using three times a week and see how I get on. I haven't tried the peels you mentioned but sounds good. Thanks for the reply

[BagelGoesWalking]

Nutella is this the first time using Retinoids or are you a seasoned pro?

I’m no expert (don’t use them) but from what I’ve seen on the Fb group, it really depends on your skin and how it reacts. I would say that most people use 2-3 times a week, obviously being strict about putting on plenty of moisturiser/oils after and using a good sunscreen during the days.

Many like the AHA/BHA red peel and say it gives really soft skin. Have you tried that? Most ppl leave for only 5 mins for the first time and you just remove every trace scrupulously.

[Rufustherenegadereindeer1]

Still loving mine

Off to london on sunday so i will pop to the shop again, the website i use keeps running out of the HA moisturiser

[Nutellalovesme]

@Bagelgoeswalking yes that's true. I'm not sure how frequently I should be using it any suggestions?

[BagelGoesWalking]

Nutella I think the whole point of Retinoid in Squalene is to be effective without causing irritation! I don’t think you can judge from only one use, in would presume there’s meant to be a beneficial cumulative effect (as long as you don’t overuse!).