The ordinary recommendations

[piscis]

I have heard a lot about The ordinary in Mumsnet, my Amazon wish list is full of their products now, but not sure what to buy?

During lockdown I have been trying to establish a cleaning and beauty regime and bought a few new products, but still trying to find what’s best for my skin. I have fine skin, but not excesively sensitive. I am prone to acne if I use very oily cosmetics or If I forget to remove make up, but if I take minimal care I don’t tend to have spots very often.

I am 40 and have a couple of sun spots on my face. They are not terrible yet but I would like something that can fade them away a bit?

I would like to try retinol but I won’t do that until winter, as I know you shouldn’t mix sun and retinol.

I hope you people who know The Ordinary can give me some advise. They’ve got so many products I don’t know where to start.

I’d go to a dermatologist appointment, where they’d advise you on products for you skin

I’ve wasted literally hundred of pounds on otc products clarins, medic8, Clinique, dermatologica, L’occitane & many more

I’ve found the Vitamin C suspension with Hyaluronic Acid to be a real brightener and has given me a glowing complexion. I use it twice a week in the evening after cleansing and toning. Recommended.

The Moisturising Factors didn’t really noticeably bring any improvement. I discontinued use.

The Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide are both effective products which I use when I have an occasional spot or I have several consecutive days where I feel like I’m perspiring a bit more than normal on my face or have to wear make up for long periods. The Niacinamide I use daily in the mornings before moisturising as a maintenance for clear skin and the Salicylic Acid directly on a blemish as and when required. Both recommended.

I think next I’ll be trying the Buffet with Copper Peptides and the Squalane Cleanser.

I would recommend giving a couple of products a try, they are affordably priced.

I’ve used a few Ordinary products but ditched them as I think you can get better products elsewhere and you don’t have to spend a lot. Let’s start with the basics - how are you currently cleansing your skin?

I would always recommend to pretty much everyone to add an acid to their skincare routine. These are some of the most transformative products. If you have dry, sensitive skin I recommend the 5% lactic acid. I also really like glycolic acid and haven't tried the others, but any acid seems to be really effective.

A lot of the other products are more dependant on skin concerns.

Don’t just combine random recommendations from here, it won’t work. Look at their website.

I used this guide and it’s completely over hauled my skin care. I glow and my spots have never been better. I used to spend £80 on serums, but nothing compares to what I’ve achieved by consistently using these instead. I have zero idea what they are mind - I write “AM” or “PM” on the bottle and do it like paint by numbers

The Ordinary used to have an online service where they would help you work out a routine, based on your skin and needs. Not sure if it's available at the moment, though. I use their cleanser and moisturiser at night, when I travel. The bottle sizes are handy and it cleans pretty well, but it's not perfect. At home, I use the peptide "Buffet", retinoid emulsion and the red peeling mask regularly. I top up with hyaluronic acid when needed. But, as I use these, I also have an all-day SPF face cream of 50+ with built-in anti-pigmentation from a different brand.

I came on to recommend the same service, Danny!

If you go onto their contact page and poke about there's a form you can fill in where you tell them your skin concerns and they'll get back to you with some recommendations, no need to buy.

Otherwise the Daily Set is a good place to start. And I'd buy from their website - Amazon prices are way, way higher. Places like ASOS, Cult Beauty, Beauty Bay etc have their prices in line with the actual Ordinary website, which is really affordable!

thank you for all these replies, some of you seem like you know a lot about skincare, I am sure I’ll get some great ideas from here.

I really cannot justify spending £200 or so in a dermatologist right now if it is not for a medical problem (I spent a lot in my 20’s as I has cystic acne and for me that was a lot of money well spent). I understand that it may be the best option but I am not in a position I can justify that right now. I am not spending a lot in cosmetics anyway, I also don’t believe that the most expensive creams or serums are the best, so at the moment I’ll need to try some products by myself, but I am trying to do a good research before I buy.

I’ll check The Ordinary website and see if that service is available, but that guide is helpful @Flippinfurloughed

My routine at the moment is not great, I am trying to change the way I treat my skin (I fell asleep in the sofa watching Netflix around 50% of the time,, going to bed without removing my make up, that’s how bad it is!)

But on a good day my routine is:

Morning: washing my face with lukewarm water, then cold water to finish. Then rosewater and chamomile Natio toner. Vitamin C, vitamin E and hyaluronic acid toner (Florence Bio Cosmesi). Avene rich cream 30spf. Sometimes I wear make up, but now working from home I try not to use it everyday. I use L’oreal True Match.

Evening: if I have put make up on that day, I would do a double cleanse with Super Facialist vitamin C cleansing oil, then a foaming facial wash (none in particular), then the serum again (no cream). A couple of times a week I try to exfoliate, I am using Super Facialist salicylic acid facial scrub.

Oh brilliant, you are using a great cleansing oil with the Superfacialist! Once a week try doing a deep cleanse where you massage the oil in for 5 mins or more. It’s unbelievable what comes out! And you will have super soft skin after. You probably don’t need the foaming face wash. The chemicals they use to make it foam aren’t great so maybe swap for a cleansing balm (Body Shop do one, Clinique Take the Day Off) or a lighter gel like texture eg Jordan Samuel Aftershow is a great all rounder.

@piscis Why don't you use a cream in the pm, out of interest? I too love the superfacialist oil. Much better than more expensive ones I've tried.

@nothing in particular, I just haven't found any that I really like, I wouldn't like to put my day cream at night (it is a bit heavy and sticky as it has SPF) and night creams are sometimes a bit greasy. The serum I use gives a little bit of hydration though, my skin doesn't feel dry, but I know I should start using some cream at night as well. I have read good things about Cerave PM?

@smallgoon I meant!

People do rave about Cerave - I have the hydrating cleanser but find it a bit meh. Dr Jart Ceramidin is a good moisturiser that’s non sticky and sinks in well. But I agree it’s a very personal preference.

I’m 6 weeks into using the ordinary. My skin is much smoother and the redness(which was my main issue) is subsiding.

I use buffet(not that fussed, feels quite tacky)
Squaline cleanser- really like, skin feels very hydrated afterwards
Hyaluronic avid- love this
Niacinamide- very gently built this up usage wise and now love it- seems the be the most affective for pores and fine lines. Has generally evened skin tone a lot
Mandelic Acid- meh, don’t like the feel of it and can be quite tingly

Have researched more and have my next shopping list ready. The ordinary chat room(google it) is very good. Suggested regimes and simplifies ingredients/aims.

Overall I’m really glad I started, was a basic cleanse and moisturize beforehand and my skin is definitely thankful!

@mrslebon that ceramidin cream sounds wonderful, I have just been reading reviews on Amazon and it seems like the kind of cream I need. . A bit more expensive than what I would like to pay for a cream though...

It does last well @piscis and it’s a rather alarming putty colour but it’s very good. You can often get it with 20% off at Look Fantastic - try 40PLUS20 to get a discount.

Join the skin addiction forum on Reddit. those guys perform miracles with their skin

The best change you could make would be to do your skincare routine before turning on Netflix!
For the money, the ordinary is hard to beat. If you're new to skin care, this is a pretty simple <a class="break-all" href="//guidewww.carolinehirons.com/2013/06/routines-cheat-sheet.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">guide.

Thank you, so many things to check online today!
@MoltonSilver I know, I know...I am trying to do that, I did yesterday and feel so good!