Every now and then I come across a product so good that the little voice in my head says shhhhh…let’s keep this a secret…but this is too good of a find to not share! Plus the word is already out. Have you guys heard of the skincare line that has been buzzing on social media called The Ordinary? I discovered this brand three months ago when I came across an article on Buzzfeed raving about their products. The article talked about some of the best selling serums and apparently, the serums from The Ordinary are so hot that Sephora can’t keep in stock, and there’s always a long waiting list for them. The shocking part is that they are dirt cheap. Prices range from $7-$14 for these bottles. Like what?? Not sure how that is even possible. Cheap and effective, uhm okay??!
You guys know I am BIG on skincare so, of course, I had to find out what all the buzz was about and why their products are so affordable. With a quick google search, I quickly realized that I was living under a rock, The Ordinary has apparently been taking the beauty world by storm. Even though they’re still new to the market, they’ve already developed a massive following with fans and beauty experts alike. With thousands of positive reviews online, it appears that the Ordinary is not messing around, they have some of the best serums for acne scars and aging skin (though their products work on all skin types!).
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The Ordinary is owned by a Canadian company called Deciem and it is just one of the many product lines that Deciem owns. Their mission is to deliver effective clinical skincare products at affordable prices. They do so by using tried and true active skincare ingredients, but without all the filler ingredients, fancy packaging, and marketing jargon that no one really understands. Their products are fragrance-free and they do not test on animals!
After reading all the rave reviews online, I tested four of their most coveted products— Buffet, Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, Hyalauronic Acid 2%, and Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion. P.s If you are a not a skincare expert, The Ordinary product description page is a little confusing to understand because of their expansive list of products and use of technical skincare terms. So, I’ve summarized the products I tried below for you.
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%- $5.90
Benefits:
-Regulates oil production
-Reduces pore size
-Helps with blotchiness
-Brightening skin tone
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%- $5.90 | Deciem
Niacinamide contains Vitamin B3, which is known for its effectiveness in controlling skin blemishes and congestion. This little bottle contains a high 10% concentration of the B3 vitamin which helps balance sebum activity and improves skin texture. Zinc is the ingredient that helps repair damaged tissues and heals acne wounds. These two ingredients work together to keep those blemishes at bay and improve skin complexion.
Though this seems to target acne-prone skin, in actuality, it works for all skin types! I don’t have acne but definitely benefited from this serum. I’ve been using Niacinamide+Zinc for a little over two months and my complexion is a lot better. My oily skin is so much more under control. My face is less oily during the day—no more blotting tissues! The other problem I have is the few congested spots on my cheeks, and those little bumps seemed to have disappeared slowly. Niacinamide is also good for pigmentation and dullness. This combined with the other products I am using has really perked up my complexion. For $5.90, this bottle is a total win!
Buffet- $14.80
Benefits:
-Targets signs of aging
-Reduce fine lines
-Hydrates
-Promotes firm and smooth skin texture
Buffet, as its name suggests, is an all in one product. It contains peptides, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants. I know, sounds confusing. So, here’s the breakdown:
Peptides: Peptides are fragments of proteins. Proteins are the building blocks of your skin. Without peptides, the skin doesn’t remain intact and the result is the loss of firmness, appearance of wrinkles, and texture changes.
Antioxidants: Antioxidants prevent and reverse sun damage. They can improve fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots.
Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance in our skin that attracts and holds moisture. It helps replenish the skins outer layers to keep it hydrated for that soft and smooth appearance.
If you are not sure which product to try first, Buffet is a great start. Its combination of active ingredients helps improve the overall condition of the skin. This is one of my favorite products to layer with my Korean Skincare Routine.
Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion- $9.80
Benefits:
-Unclog pores
-Increase collagen/improve skin elasticity
-Reduce the appearance of fine lines
-Promotes cell turnover
-Even out discoloration
Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion- $9.80 | Deciem
Retinoid is a form of Vitamin A that stimulate new blood vessels in the skin, boost collagen to prevent the formation of future lines and wrinkles, minimizes pores, and evens out discoloration. This product speaks to me because, being in my 30s, my skin is starting to see some loss in elasticity. Retinol takes at least two months to yield results. Visible results typically come at 4-6 months of regular use. While I haven’t seen a drastic improvement in the appearance of fine lines yet, I noticed my skin is more supple than before and my pores are much smaller.
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5- $6.80
Benefits:
-Provides hydration
-Soften the appearance of fine lines
-Improves complexion
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5– $6.80 | Deciem
According to The Ordinary website, “Hyaluronic Acid is found in the skin naturally but its natural function within the skin is not hydration… HA is too large of a molecule to penetrate the skin and instead sits on the surface and can draw moisture out of the skin making the surface feel soft and hydrated temporarily while making you feel like you need more HA after the product is rinsed. This formula uses three forms of HA with varying molecular weights, as well as an HA crosspolymer, to offer multi-depth hydration and visible plumping without drawing water out of the skin solely to improve temporary surface hydration.”
The Vitamin B5 in this product works on the surface to enhance hydration and soften the appearance of fine lines and leave skin feeling smoother. I have combination skin so, between this and the Niacinamide, my skin feels much more normal now—not excessively oily or dry.
Overall, I really love their products. The simplified formulas and potent ingredients at such a low price make this a total win! I’ve added these to my Korean Skincare Routine and loving it. Have you guys tried this line yet? If so, share below!
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This post may contain affiliate links, though all opinions expressed here are my own.
