The Ordinary Skincare

[LadyFlumpalot]

Hi all, hoping for some advice from you seasoned beauty gurus. I've been very very lax with my skincare up until now, but, I would like to rectify that. Over Christmas I had a tentative play with my sisters collection of The Ordinary stuff and was thinking of splashing out on a beginners kit. Please can any of you who use it, tell me what you think of it, and what would be a good starting point for a newbie?

It would probably help to know my skin type. I generally have good skin, but my nose and chin get oily, especially around my period when I get angry spots on my chin. It is quite sensitive (I don't wear makeup as it makes my face itch) and when I have previously tried some Decleor stuff the spa recommended- I found it made my face sore.

Oh, budget up to £50.

Thanks in advance!

I use Bio oil and still lovely for my skin.
i have bought the expensive cream brands previously like Elemis and clarins and they were nice on my skin but I didn’t notice any improvement to my skin.
Boots number 7 is a more affordable option and again lovely on the skin. But in comparison to all, bio oil gave me the best visible difference to my skin and it’s cheap compared to the above brands that I’ve bought and lasts a long time.

If you are set on trying the Ordinary, then the squalane cleanser is good, as is the NMF moisturizer. For oily and breakout prone skin, you could do with something with salicylic acid in, and niacinamide helps soothe and fade scars.

BUT, (and this is just my opinion) why choose a brand rather than ingredients? Skin needs 3 things:
Something to clean it
Something to hydrate it
Something to protect it from the sun.
If you want to then add in "extras" for a bit of oomph then a vitamin C, a vitamin A/retinol and an acid toner (you'd be after a salicylic for oily or a glycolic for dry/ageing)

To go back to TO, in your case I'd go for the squalane cleanser, a salicylic serum, a niacinamide, a moisturizer.

I love the ordinary. I have the squalane cleanser, moisturiser (natural moisturising factor) previously used nicacinamide but currently trying matrixyl and argurline as meant to be good for fine lines

What PAFMO said, though if budget permits please add a sunscreen, a retinol and a vitamin C. Cleanse twice a day, then use the salicylic acid, vit c (could alternate with niacinamide) moisturizer and sunscreen in the day time. Then niacinamide, retinol and moisturizer at night.

It's not that I'm set on using that range, more that with such a huge selection out there, all making promises of waking up with perfect skin, it makes sense to me to start with a range I've been recommended by a relative. I'm very happy to try other things people can recommend, especially if there is a cost saving!

I would never have thought of using Bio-oil for my face tbh!

I've recently started using the squalane cleanser, the niacinamide lotion, and the retinol 1% (every 3 days and layered until my skin gets accustomed to it)

So far so good. It has slotted in well with other items I regularly use (Balance me rose Otto oil, origins mushroom tonic and moisturising cream) and my skin is def looking the better for it. It's only been 6 weeks but I think I will def repurchase all 3 TO items.

I don't rate The Ordinary personally and haven't been keen on anything I've tried from there at all (case in point I'm currently using up their moisturiser by my bedside on my hands and feet rather than bin it) but if you're having issues with blemishes then I'd recommend trying Niacinamide in general or directing the money towards a skin&me prescription.

Im pretty sure you can contact The Ordinary and they'll suggest a routine based on your needs/skin concerns, even just to see what they suggest compared to what others recommend.

I don't like Bio oil at all. It's mainly liquid paraffin. Cynical marketing calling a mineral oil bio oil

I like The Ordinary for a few things (niacinamide, peptides) but overall I think they have too many products and it can get a bit overwhelming.

But I credit them with really pushing to change the skincare industry as they seemed to be the ones that started with ingredients focussed products at affordable prices, which to my knowledge hadn't really been done before.

That said, some of their formulations can be a bit harsh on the skin, and given the low price, it's tempting to buy a load of serums and overload your skin with stuff and not really know what it's for. So my advice is do some research and pick wisely.

I found it lived up to its name sadly.

This was me a couple of years ago. I started with their squalane cleanser, niacinamide & zinc and NMF moisturiser. SPF on top during the day (didn’t get on with TO ones). I noticed a clear difference and I was happy with this for a good while, but over time I’ve gradually added in different products from TO and other brands. I still think that was a really good starting point for me. Also have OK/hormonal skin!