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).

Also like the niaciniamide, or however you spell it, but have also seen no difference after using retinol and actively dislike the buffet as it gave me spots. However, others hate the niaciniamide and love the buffet so it really does depend on your skin.

The Ordinary were very naughty with their packaging of retinols.

After beauty gurus like Nadine Baggott pointed out on her YT videos that with a 2% granactive retinoid you are getting 0.2% of active ingredient they did make it a bit clearer on their packaging.

They're OK as a first step into Retin. But they're not going to do very much.

Prescription Tret or a subscription to Dermatica etc is a better idea if you're serious about Retin-A.

@sergeantmajor

Interested in *@Taylrse* 's comment... Is the suggestion that using strong SPF improves retinol tolerance?

I know you're meant to use SPF with retinol anyway, but I have lapsed recently because (a) it's so bloody dismal out and (b) I'm staying indoors mostly! And recently my skin has become sensitive to retinol & vit C.

I presumed that the SPF guidance was to protect against extra sun damage but maybe without SPF the sunshine increases skin sensitivity?

Retinols aren't stable in heat. That's why you have to use them at night AND use a sunscreen.

They also make your skin peel, revealing new, delicate vulnerable, photosensitive skin and so SPF is especially relevant. Plus, it seems nuts to go to the trouble of using retinol for anti ageing and then undo it by not using a UVA blocker. Broad spectrum sun protection and retinol being the only two skincare ingredients/products with actual scientific evidence backing up their efficacy in photoageing.

I find the Vit C really works for me and I like the toner.
Also loved the chemical peel but sadly have discovered I react badly to salycic acid.

I agree the retinol is a good starter, I used to much on my chest at first, and had to go to chemist to buy something to calm it down, so there must be something in it, I didn't really see any difference, I used it for a year and now get retinol, from spain, its called retirdes its the same thing you would get on prescription here, the price is really good at around 18 euros . I have the strongest 0.1% but I mix it with a moisturiser and now can use it four times a week.

I tried the caffeine eye stuff....did nothing...applied it each day and night...made zero difference !

I was going to try the ordinary but don't think I'll bother now To go a step further, I'm finding that any product/brand I've tried over the past few years which contains X ingredient that you simply must include in your skincare by 35 does exactly as you say... Leaves my face at best unchanged and at worst a bit dry, red or spotty. I'd quite like all the money back that I've spent! Am I doing it wrong or are we being sold a lie here?

Their vitamin c powder is the bomb! Also really loving what the niacinamide powder is doing too! (Haven’t been using as long though.) Admittedly less in love with their liquid products) But happy to spend less for rosehip oil!

I'm using Buffet, HA and their basic moisturiser ATM. Moisturiser a bit meh, other two feel nice but can't say I've noticed any change.

I had the Vitamin C once but had to ditch it because the stinging was unbearable.

I like the facial oil, Ive used the HA, buffet and niacinamide which are ok.
The vitamin c serum is like rubbing powdered glass into my skin just horrible.
I really like the red acid face mask can't remember the name....
I tried their retinol but it's just not strong enough IMO.
I now use prescription strength tretinoin and niacinamide which is really good it's taken around 6 months but my skin is definitely better.

I'm mid/late middled aged with dry skin. I've tried lots of products from cheap to £50 an item.TO had been great for me. I also like the blue tub Nivea as a daily moisturiser and eve Lom as a cleanser. I've got a few TO things including their foundation, which I prefer to pricier stuff. I have rosacea and the niacinamide was terrible for me, skin felt dry and stung a little but I really like a few little bottles. I try to keep the routine simple but I often end up adding something new when I go to replace a favourite that's run out.

[quote Pusspot]@Frequentflier where do you get prescription tretinoin please?[/quote]
Dermatica.

I find the ordinary very ordinary, if not just a pile of junk that is cheap and doesn't do anything.

I'm more of a Clarins woman. They are worth it and lasts, but more importantly, you see the difference. Unlike the ordinary.

I got some stuff that seemed to make a difference but I get so confused about what to use when and with what that I gave up. I’ve moved now and not sure I can get it where I live (or it will cost an absolute fortune!)

Try the HA on dry skin first. If you're applying to damp skin, you've basically just given your face a hit of moisture so the HA is technically redundant. HA then a "wet" moisturiser like Clinique's Moisture Surge might work better.

HA was terrible on my dry skin whichever way I layered it, seemed to suck the moisture out of my skin rather than into it. Honey is a much better humectant in my opinion.

Worst advice ever. HA attracts water, so you need to add water to it, so of course it will dry your bloody skin out if you put it on dry skin. You use it with hydrating products THEN apply an occlusive layer. Good to go.

I didn’t like the retinol either, OP.

I do like their vit c range, buffet with copper and niacinimide though.

HA needs to be added to slightly damp skin.

The jury is also very much out as to what topically applied HA does, if anything. It's been the main ingredient in hydrating serums since serums first became a buzzword but places like TO spotted a "ta da" moment and put the scientific sounding name of it on their bottles (like many of their other products, the ingredients of which are nothing new) and people thought the wheel had been invented. My Mum used HA in the early 90s for example.

As said above, TO retinols are what could be termed a "scam" as the 2% thing needs (in some of their products, can't remember full name) to be divided by 10 to give you the actual %. Though I think once various beauty writers started to point this out, they have become a bit more transparent.

Thank you Bananabananas, I'll give that book a look

Sorry all wrong thread!

I've tried about 10 of their products.

Absolutely did nothing.

There were only 2 products I actually liked: the Cleanser (but its too small a tube, few few uses in it so not repirchasing), and the Marula Oil (very moisturising and worked on my sons eczema)

But tbh I was so disillusioned after trying all these little brown bottles and all these steps, that I abandoned all attempts at a "routine" and just bought an enormous pot of CeraVe Cream in frustration!

Hmmm I was considering buying their Argireline Solution having read rave reviews - anyone used that and have any thoughts?
Those raving about their vit C products, which are you using?

I use prescription tretinoin and it has absolutely transformed my skin. It took about 6 months though and it got a lot worse before it got better. I don't use anything else now except a sunscreen.

This

As we went into lockdown I decided to try The Ordinary as I have overly sensitive skin (I get blotches on my face and neck if I wash my hair in the shower) so wash my hair in the evening over the bath. Previous to this I have tried lots of products usually on a school holiday so I was not seen in the playground. I always went back to Liz Earle.

From The Ordinary I use Buffet which you need at least 3 months of use to see the difference. I use retinoid due to my sensitive skin, Glyconic acid 7% and Vitamin C. I took advice from Nadine Baggot's YouTube channel about the above in terms of what those products did, not necessarily The Ordinary but direct acids, vitamin C etc.

My skin was transformed, a lot of my fine lines have disappeared altogether and a line between my eyes has lessened in depth. My skin looks healthier, younger and this is nothing to do with diet because if I am honest it has not been the greatest over lockdown. I wash my face with CeraVe.

I think some products work for some people and for others they don't. I recently upgraded my retinoid to a retinol and could feel the tingle.

The Ordinary worked wonders for me and for my teenage son's skin helping to clear up his spots.