Is the Ordinary just a hoax?

[CutToChase]

I've been using the Ordinary's retinol for a year now. It's done absolutely fucking nothing as far as I can see?

I've also been using the hyaluronic acid for a few months now on damp skin with moisturiser over the top: doesnt feel any different to using straight moisturiser.

Buffet: didnt feel any different

The one product I DID actually like was the azelaic (is that it?) acid which is kind of like a thick lotion and definitely toned down my redness, so will be buying that going forward.

But overall I'm really disappointed especially with the retinol. What's going on? I thought retinol was a wonder ingredient? And the Ordinary's is in fairly high concentration? It feels like all it did was slightly dry out my skin at worst, and leave it unchanged at best.

What can I move onto now? I'm early thirties with a few lines beginning to creep in. It looked like LRP Redermic would be excellent but they seem to have discontinued it and replaced it with a hyaluronic acid range (zzzzzzz).

It's not a hoax but in my opinion it's very Emperor's New Clothes.
I've also been here for long enough to be annoyed that when they launched, the brand itself was all over MN posing as MNers and product placing "oh my god I've just discovered this amazing brand" X 1000.
The late owner is worth reading up on. I tried some stuff. The Vit C and hyaluronic were the foulest examples of that ingredient I've ever used. Just threw both away. Buffet is (imo) no different to any other HA plus a bit more gloop serum.
DD however swears by the zinc and the azeleic.
My own view is, do I want to spend £5 each on 6 different products and "layer" or shall I spend £30 on one that contains everything anyway?

Skincare (lotions, potions) is a bit of a myth really

What really affects skin is lifestyle: sleep, diet, exercise, fresh air

And not messing too much with your skin apart from hydrating it in harsh weather, and sunscreen

Complete load of crap. Never liked anything I’ve purchased from them.

Glad it’s not just me then... tbh biggest difference I’ve found (for my skin at least) is not drinking. Or at least not drinking that couple of glasses every single blinking night of the week...

The products have done wonders for my skin. I think the simple formulations work for my skin, because everything else I have used (and I have tried loads) leaves me with spots.

In saying that, I have switched a couple of The Ordinary products to Hyalamide.

What percentage is the retinol ? Most over the counter retinol isn’t strong enough though from things I’ve read . If you want to carry it on have a look at a company called Dermatica for prescription strength retinol ( tretinoin )

I use the ordinary hylaironic acid can’t say it’s either here nor there really but I use it under moisturiser all the same

Plenty of water
Reducing alcohol
SPF
Tret
Lots of moisturiser ( cerave , cheap ish basic but good )

That’s whats improved my skin

I used one of their products on the little red marks that I had on my cheeks and it cleared them completely. I used to look really spotty when in fact they were just marks from old spots , it cleared them up so well I don't even wear foundation anymore.

I love one of their products. But can take or leave the others.

I have tried quite a few of their products and wasn’t particularly impressed. Plus some include castor oil (buffet and others) and this promotes hair growth so if you have “peach fuzz” it gets significantly worse - I found out to my cost!

I completely agree! A couple of weeks ago I binned my collection. I’d had 4 products for a year and used them religiously for months and as far as I can tell they had no effect at all. I’m prepared to believe some products work for some people but my skin is just has happy with the blue Nivea cream.

Shame to hear that, I’ve just started with the hyalaronic acid. Might keep going, though it ‘pills’ when I moisturise over the top.

One thing of theirs I wouldn’t be without is the squalane which I feel oils my skin in the same way I’d look after a piece of leather

Maybe the older ones of us see a greater effect? I’m more that 10 years older than OP and prob need these things more.

I've been using a particular combination for a year (alongside a couple of other products) and it's transformed my skin. I have adult acne, very cystic, and it's all but cleared it.

The 30% peel also got rid of some chickenpox scars on my face.

Yes it's totally emperor's new clothes, but has made it more accessible and easy to the general, bad skinned public.

I use the squalane too which is an oil and only use at night for Max hydration

I use vit c and hylauronic acid too but different brands

I love the Azelaic cream but the rest of the stuff I has been binned. For much the same reasons as others. Ive found my skin is really happy with No7 cleansers and ive recently discovered Origins products and can rate them highly enough. Expensive compared to The Ordinary but just lovely simple products.

Garden of Wisdom is similar in approach e.g. mostly one hero ingredient formulations, but much better.

I love the niacinimide, azelaic acid, and hylauronic acid. I have rosacea and they have worked wonders.

I've never used it, which is mainly because I have sensitive skin but quite honestly, all the disingenuous product placing would have put me right off in any case.

@pangolina

I love the niacinimide, azelaic acid, and hylauronic acid. I have rosacea and they have worked wonders.

The niacinimide had transformed my skin. I started with the HA which was helpful but made me a bit too greasy, but the niacinimide is a game changer. I still use the moisturiser with HA but only a tiny bit in the morning (and it lasts forever!)

So grateful for this thread, I thought it was just me!

Their niacinimide gave me a charming line of spots along my cheekbones, and their Vit C powder thing just stung too much to bear. I have combination skin that's not especially sensitive but something in these two did not agree with me. I did like the acid toner and the squalane but there are others I like better.

I suppose it's like all skincare - none work for everybody. At least nobody will make an expensive mistake with these.

Their retinol is a good beginner level one. You wouldn’t necessarily see any major results. And retinol is a very long game really.

Someone mentioned Dermatica which is a monthly prescription tretinon product which can be mixed with other ingredients such as niacinamide and or azeliac acid depending on your skin concerns. There is another similar new company called Skin and Me which does the same.

You need to increase the strength as your skin gets used to retinol.

They're not a scam or fake at all.

I suppose it's like all skincare - none work for everybody. At least nobody will make an expensive mistake with these.

Spot on! I've made several expensive Clarins mistakes.

I like their products. Vitamin C faded age spots. Marula Oil is hydrating and calming. I just bought their hyaluronic for the first time. I've been happily using Nip+Fab, but The Ordinary was cheaper, so will get it a try.
I can't see a difference with Buffet, but that might be a long game.