Is The Ordinary Skincare Worth It?

The Ordinary changed the skincare game forever with their unconventional approach that set it apart from other brands. Instead of fancy packaging, high markups and flashy marketing, The Ordinary focused on transparency, simplicity, and affordability with many products under $10. But it wasn’t just their branding that was revolutionary for the time; their products were formulated with scientifically backed ingredients in precise concentrations that target specific skin concerns. The Ordinary’s focus on transparency means that each product lists exactly what is in it, and the purpose of each ingredient. And they offered all this for prices that were dirt cheap. While The Ordinary’s products are free of fragrance, parabens, and sulfates, and are cruelty-free, they are not a clean beauty brand don’t market themselves as such. Read on for my The Ordinary review.

The Ordinary’s scientifically driven, affordable, minimalist approach to skincare has earned it a seriously massive and loyal following. By understanding which actives your skin might need and finding the right ones for your skin type through trial and error, The Ordinary can provide real skin benefits.  But what works dramatically for one person’s skin can wreak havoc on the next. With the prices being so low, there’s not much to lose in your quest for better skin.

The Ordinary Dupes

Dupe implies cheaper so these aren’t necessarily dupes, but they do follow a similar approach to The Ordinary.

• Facetheory
• Geek & Gorgeous
• Naturium

International: Shop Ordinary at Beauty Bay

The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%

The Ordinary’s Vitamin C serum is a water-free formula that utilizes silicone spheres to protect the vitamin C from oxidizing and losing potency. This allows for maximum absorption and effectiveness. It has a slick oily feel and is VERY strong – would not recommend for sensitive skin types. It’s very difficult for me to handle this serum, but I’ve had advice from others to dilute it with another product.

Ingredients: Ascorbic Acid, Squalane, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Coconut Alkanes, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucomannan, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Trihydroxystearin, Bht.

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum

For some acne sufferers this has worked wonders and for others disrupted their skin barrier. The Ordinary Niacinamide serum is specifically designed to reduce the appearance of blemishes and congestion, and it contains a high percentage of niacinamide, a well-known and scientifically proven ingredient for improving skin texture and reducing inflammation.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Zinc PCA, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Xanthan Gum, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

I had high hopes for this viral peeling product that makes you look like you just had a vampire facial, but didn’t find it effective. Some people had chemical burns from using it but I just don’t find it strong enough for my skin. Just goes to show how results can be wildly different for each user.

The Ordinary Peeling Solution functions as an at-home peel. It contains a very high % of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) (and 2% beta-hydroxy acids (BHA)) along with a studied Tasmanian pepperberry derivative, which reduces irritation that can be associated with acid use. Peels help even skin texture, clear pore congestion, and improve uneven pigmentation.

Ingredients: Glycolic Acid, Aqua (Water), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Daucus Carota Sativa Extract, Propanediol, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Citric Acid, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol.

The Ordinary Argireline Solution (Botox in a bottle?)

The Ordinary Argireline Solution is purported to be Botox in a bottle and targets muscles causing wrinkles to form. I tested this out for 1-2 months last year and I didn’t notice a difference and stopped using it. I’ve had several people tell me that it worked for them but I wasn’t blessed with those same results.

The Argireline Solution works by targeting dynamic forehead, “eleven eye”, and smile lines by incorporating a high concentration of Argireline. It’s a lightweight, liquid serum for deep-set lines.

ARGIRELINE™ is a trademark of Lipotec S.A.U and is a peptide that interferes with a specific protein receptor complex responsible for muscle movement. The science behind it is that fewer muscle contractions will lead to fewer wrinkles. There’s also research saying that Argireline doesn’t penetrate deep enough to cause an effect.

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5%

Another interesting product by The Ordinary is their Caffeine Solution that targets dark circles and puffiness. I think majority of people look to this for their dark circles since puffiness can be solved easily. Hereditary dark circles are impossible to get rid so if it’s genetic I wouldn’t get my hopes up that this will solve your problem.

Surprisingly, The Ordinary Caffeine Solution isn’t a watery solution but a thick goopy serum. I find this very hydrating but I didn’t see a noticeable difference in my dark circles.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Caffeine, Maltodextrin, Glycerin, Propanediol, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside, Hyaluronic Acid, Oxidized Glutathione, Melanin, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Xanthan gum, Lactic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Propyl Gallate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Benzyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toning Solution 7%

This was one of the first acid exfoliating toners I tried and I didn’t enjoy it unfortunately. It had a sulfuric smell and was too strong for my skin.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Glycolic Acid, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Triethanolamine, Aminomethyl Propanol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Aspartic Acid, Alanine, Glycine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Glutamic Acid, Arginine, Pca, Sodium Pca, Sodium Lactate, Fructose, Glucose, Sucrose, Urea, Hexyl Nicotinate, Dextrin, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 20, Gellan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Chloride, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol.

The Ordinary Amazon Store

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