Who hear likes the ordinary?

[Tinks15]

Keep seeing & hearing about it. I’ve noticed that it’s really reasonably priced but is it actually any good?

@RuggyPeg what brands do you recommend at a similar price?

Musings on The Ordinary...

I've been using it solidly for a couple of years, and bloody love it. My skin looks better than it did five years ago (early 40s now).

I use a regime roughly based around this:

AM
Hyalauronic acid (ultra moisturising)
Buffet (excellent broad spectrum serum)
Alternate: Matrixyl / Argeline / Niacimide (all various anti-ageing properties)
Plus a day moisturiser from another brand (usually Beauty Pie) (I don't find TO NMF gives me enough weight or moisture).

PM
Hyalauronic acid
Buffet
Alternate: Matrixyl / Argeline / Niacimide
Alternate: Retinoid / Vitamin C / Alpha Lipoic Acid (first two are the cornerstones of anti-ageing; ALA is the most glow-giving thing in the known universe)
Plus a night moisturiser from another brand (usually Beauty Pie), or TO Squalane or Rose Oil

Leave a few moments between each layer for it to sink in.

It sounds complicated but the website does clearly explain what each one does, so you can build your own regime to your exact needs.

I like that concept, and like experimenting to build a bespoke regime for me, and add more or less of various things depending on how my skin is feeling - but it's nearly always great now.

It does take a bit more effort than most skincare brands. Only you know whether you want to put a bit of effort into it. For me, it's so cheap, I can definitely justify the effort.

TO does have a lot of detractors. The founder is beyond batshit and a complete liability on social media. There are rumours of variability in formulations, but I've never seen any proof of that. And mostly, in my opinion, people don't like it because they don't understand it.

Oh and lastly - if you are serious about skincare you do need a vitamin C - but because of the nature of the chemical formula, all vit C products feel gritty and unpleasant on the skin. Again, up to each individual whether they want to use a cream that doesn't feel great for a few moments in order to reap the benefits of the formulation on the skin.

@Strawberries6 I just find the Buffet really moisturising and gives my skin a real glow. I haven't noticed a difference in actual wrinkles, but then I haven't been monitoring that that closely. I know that when i run out and don't use it for a while my skin totally lacks any 'ooomph'! Some people don't like it apparently because they say its too gloopy, but tbh I quite like that. And it's only £12!

TO does have a lot of detractors. The founder is beyond batshit and a complete liability on social media.

The founder committed suicide a few months ago didn't he? But in the lead up to that he had been posting some crazy stuff online. They had a lot of issues with supply and demand as well.

Oh and lastly - if you are serious about skincare you do need a vitamin C - but because of the nature of the chemical formula, all vit C products feel gritty and unpleasant on the skin. Again, up to each individual whether they want to use a cream that doesn't feel great for a few moments in order to reap the benefits of the formulation on the skin.

Oooh what does Vitamin C do? I have heard a lot about it but don't really know about it? Why is it gritty?

Gosh yes @Propertyofhood, I had completely missed that. How sad.

Vit C - this is Caroline Hirons' explanation:

"Up your vitamin C
A vitamin C serum will not only give you antioxidant protection, it is also clinically proven to stimulate collagen production and increase skin firmness. A brilliant double whammy, and a great product to add to your routine every day for glow, protection and stimulation that happens under the skin without you even being aware of it. Hard to go wrong."

And on Retinoids:

"Everyone over the age of 30 should be using retinoids. Other than SPF, this is the only ingredient the American FDA (Food & Drug Administration) allows brands to claim has an anti-ageing effect. I’d rather be without my dishwasher.”

I find vitamin c too confusing and to difficult to slot into my routine tbh. There’s a long list of active ingredients it shouldn’t be combined with, you’re supposed to use it in the AM (grittiness + make up = disaster), I use tretinoin in the evenings, or sometimes an acid toner, again which can’t be used with vit C... so I am serious about skincare but can’t find room for vit C.

Be careful with the niacinamide + zinc - I’d patch test it first. Everyone said my oily skin would love it so I went ahead all over my face. Ended up with a break out that took about two months to calm down. Gave it to my DSis who has very similar oily skin to me and she loved it! I think you just have to carefully test a few bits

Overall it’s really good! I’ve tried loads of their products and the only thing I didn’t like was the serum foundation. I’d also say Moisturising Factors is fine but nothing special.

The thing I’d recommend the most is the AHA/BHA peeling solution. Smooths my skin like nothing else. It can be quite harsh so I recommend not leaving it on the skin too long at first.

The glycolic toner and squalane oil are really good too.

It is quite overwhelming to decide what your skin needs so I’ve ended up with a few that I probably didn’t need or know how to use tbh.

@Haworthia point taken - you obviously know your stuff and have taken an informed decision! For most people though, I believe it is a important building block of skin care to be aware of. 

@frizzattack another good point - with TO, as with any new skin care, you should introduce new things gradually and build them up slowly to allow your skin time to adjust and check for any allergies.

This may well be true more of TO then most, because they have high levels of active ingredients.

Haworthia- I think it’s worth trying to find some room for vit c as I know my skin has benefitted so much from it and looks fresher and more plump. I alternate it between the granactive retinoid and vit c at night as the ordinary vit c is quite sticky and I couldnt put make up over it. In the morning I use salicylic acid and niacinamide but this is all cleansed away for my night time routine

I prefer Garden of Wisdom. Similarly priced products, but much better formulated, particularly the niacinamide and the azelaic acid. Hada labo for hyaluronic acid, 140ml for around £11. I have combination/oily skin and like the light one best, and my daughter, who has slightly dry skin loves the premium. There are lots of better products out there at a similar price point.

Paula’s Choice does Vit C Booster drops that you can add to a serum or similar. I add to my hylauronic acid - I’m using the Vichy Mineral 89 but there are cheaper options. Sandwiching HA between a couple of layers of a hydrating toner is a good idea as it seals in the moisture. Otherwise HA can be drying.

Using Vit C in the morning also helps your SPF be more effective.

I used it for about 6 months and it made a mess of my skin. I didn’t even use anyone their harsh products like the acids. My skin went really dry and horrible and lost it’s glow.
It took me about a year of treating it really gently to get it back on track.
Wouldn’t touch the stuff now.

I've tried a lot of their products and a few have been keepers. The BHA/AHA peel (the one that looks like blood!) is brilliant. My skin looks glowy and feels super smooth after using it. The rose hip oil is great too. The salicylic acid I use if I get a spot.

Like a PP said, some of their products I tried as cheaper alternatives to what I was already using, but ended up going back to the more expensive brands. These were their glycolic acid toner (felt too harsh, so went back to Pixii Glow), vitamin c cream (Pixii vitamin c serum makes my skin look brighter) and their retinol I didn't think made much difference to how my skin looked (surprised as lots of users rate it), so back to the super expensive Elizabeth Arden retinol capsules which make a visible difference from day 1.

A lot of their products are single ingredient and so quite concentrated. I think in the examples above, the more expensive multi-ingredient products work better on my skin, e.g. Pixi Glow has soothing ingredients alongside the glycolic acid.

I use The Ordinary face wash and Buffet products and love them... my skin is so much fresher looking.

Another buffet fan here

Buffet with copper gave me spots so I’m using it up on my neck. The caffeine serums brilliant though.

Ah I just don’t know whether to try it or not, I’m desperate for something to clear up by comedonal acne (small white stubborn under skin spots) I don’t have it really bad but I have some along my jaw, on my forehead & a few on my cheeks. It’s really bothering me as I’d love to be able to go make up free & not feel so self conscious.

If acne is a concern, then I’d recommend Paula’s Choice 2% BHA. It’s a salicylic acid toner. It’s more effective than AHAs/glycolic when it comes to acne.

OP, it's so inexpensive, why not give it a go? Like I said, I find it substandard compared to Sunday Riley and Murad amongst others but sine people do find it helps and at the price point, what's to lose in buying a couple of products to start with?

In response to a PP, not all Vit C is gritty. Some are but many are not and it's nothing to do with efficacy. Try a few and you find one that does what you want with a more pleasant experience.

If you buy direct from Deciem they give refunds if you don't get on with it.

I like some of it, love some of it, like some Niod stuff, hate some of it.

Speaking of NIOD, QVC have a TSV tonight and tomorrow. It’s £££££ so I won’t be getting it, but if anyone’s interested...