The Ordinary - where to start?

[NavyBerry]

I wanted to get some products for my face/eyes. The goal is to exfoliate, improve the skin tone and even the skin texture. Also to hydrate. I hate oils and anything too thick and sticky. I suppose my skin is quite sensitive and dry. Young 30s. What would you start with? I have got cleansers, I guess I'm looking more for solutions and drops. Thanks!

Have you tried Inkey List?
The website will plan a routine for you based on skin type and what you want to improve. I've used a lot of The Ordinary products but generally prefer the texture of Inkey List products. Lots of The Ordinary products are sticky and I hate that.

@Cluckycluck thank you! That is exactly what I need! So easy!

Inky list is so much better than The Ordinary. Im using this www.cultbeauty.co.uk/the-inkey-list-glycolic-acid-liquid-toner.html and www.cultbeauty.co.uk/the-inkey-list-beta-hydroxy-acid-.html and cant believe the difference in my skin after 3 days.

Honestly, they have done an astounding job of making the process of uncomplicating skincare incredibly complicated! And, yes, sticky!

@Nohomemadecandles I know they are highly recommended but I find it incredibly difficult to understand what products I'd need. Tbh their site is a mess and not customer oriented. Really it should be easier to work at least the basics out. I'm struggling

Yes. It's like a smugness test

@Nohomemadecandles

Honestly, they have done an astounding job of making the process of uncomplicating skincare incredibly complicated! And, yes, sticky!

Ive never thought of it but yes, sticky! I will say though that i love their azelaic cream and stock up whenever its finally back in stock.

@Plump82 oh dear were all products you tried sticky?

[quote NavyBerry]@Plump82 oh dear were all products you tried sticky? [/quote]
I tried in the past the Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid and the Squalane. None of them made any difference, were sticky and also when layered with other products they pilled.

@Plump82 all three are in my basket 😅 off to do my research. That's not the effect I'm looking for

[quote NavyBerry]@Plump82 all three are in my basket 😅 off to do my research. That's not the effect I'm looking for[/quote]
I would definitely try the Inky Lists versions of them. Im planning on buying more from them as I've been so impressed. Their instructions are much clearer as well.

I find them sticky as well! I have the hyaluronic acid and the buffet one and both feel tacky on my face. My face cream also seems to peel (like pva glue when you painted it on your hands at school) which I thought was me doing something wrong, but maybe it’s not me!

I bought the ordinary stuff based on all the glowing reviews online

Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid from The Inkey List are much nicer. The stocks of their products is better too, with TO you have to wait months for items to come back into stock.

@MuchTooTired I see so it's unanimous. Thanks for the feedback. All very helpful! What are you using now?

They go on about being relatively cheap and uncomplicated but by the time you've bought 80 different bottles to use every third Monday at 2.56pm precisely, you've spent a week's wages and your skincare regime is a full time job with a routine tighter than Gina Ford!

I love the ordinary peeling solution. Does Inkey list have an equivalent?

@Fatherbrownsbicycle
I don't think they have a direct equivalent but they have both AHA and BHA serums. They have an Apple Cider Vinegar peel too.
I love TO peeling solution too and is one of the products I am loyal to.

Hmm Inkey turned out to be more expensive. Especially their eye cream. 9 pounds for 15 ml. I will investigate further))

By the way would anyone recommend a really really good moisturizing cream for sensitive skin?

La Roche Posay Toleraine range is great for sensitive skin

When I couldn't get hold of my The Ordinary products, I bought some from the Boots Ingredients range which is along the same lines... but more available/ accessible.

@NavyBerry

Hmm Inkey turned out to be more expensive. Especially their eye cream. 9 pounds for 15 ml. I will investigate further))

By the way would anyone recommend a really really good moisturizing cream for sensitive skin?

The Sukin Purely Ageless cream which was in the Holland & Barrett calender is fantastic. I would bother with TO or Inkey List for things like eyecream. You can definitely get that at a more reasonable price. Cult had a discount just there on all Inkey List products. Dont know if its still available?

I ordered the OD a couple of days ago from their site but I will never get it right?😂 they just don't take any notice of their customers? Bad luck. Probably easier to request money back and shop elsewhere

Thing is, with TO.....do we really want 7 different products all costing a fiver? Or one containing all of them for £30.
Because that's what it boils down to.
I think in years to come we'll look back and laugh at how we were taken in by them as much as they are laughing at us now, as they happily tell us which 42 products we need.
I fell for it, and bought everything they told me to. Not one product did I finish. Or like. Or notice a difference.
They have also been caught out being a bit naughty with their percentages. Can't remember which, but one of their retinols has to be divided by 10 to get the true percentage of active product. The bottle says 3% but it's actually 0.3.