The Ordinary is an interesting name for this range of powerful serums and actives which offer results and prices that are anything but. Their simple formulations of Retinol, Vitamin C, Antioxidant Blends, Oils, and more range in price from $5 to $15ish. I bought these 4 from them recently and have been so impressed. Here’s a rundown of my thoughts on each.
AHA 30% BHA 2% Peeling Solution
Do you happen to remember when I purchased some random glycolic peel from Amazon with tons of glowing reviews but most of them posted on the same days in broken English? That bottle sat collecting dust for almost a year until I tossed it out. What was I thinking buying an acid for my skin from a faceless, nameless company on Amazon? Lesson learned. This solution has become one of my all time faves that I use twice a week to fade scaring and to brighten dullness and it WORKS like crazy. You first apply the rich garnet colored serum to dry, clean skin and let it sit for up to 10 minutes. It does have a tingle to it so I know it’s working, but nothing too intense. After that I wash it away and marvel at how bright my skin looks. It’s like I just had a facial! My pores are smaller and there’s noticeable glow to my skin. I did it the other morning when I was getting ready and skipped foundation altogether which is a BIG deal for me. For $7.20 or $15 on Amazon (it probably evens out with shipping since it’s Prime on Amazon) it’s definitely worth a try.
Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% Serum
I love SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum but not the $165 price tag. This antioxidant serum has more Ferulic Acid and SkinCeuticals (3% versus their 0.5%) which is made from the seeds of fruit like apples and oranges. It serves as a skin protector form environmental pollutants, but it also helps the Resveritrol to work better as well. And Resveratrol, which is extracted mainly from grapes, offers huge antioxidant protection and is known to improve skin texture. It’s also known to have 17x the potency as compared to other antioxidants so it packs a huge punch in skin protection. And the best part is the cost. Just a cool $7.90 for the 1oz bottle.
100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil
Rose Hip Seed Oil has been a longtime fave of mine. This one is 100% organic, and naturally rich in skin-loving fatty acids as well as vitamins A and C. It’s known to brighten the skin, fade scaring, help decrease fine lines, and calm acne. It’s good for all skin types and so easy to use. Mix it with your moisturizer if you’re feeling dry or use it solo if you just want sheer hydration. For $9.80 you won’t find a better moisture solution.
The whole reason I starting looking into The Ordinary was because of raves about this mineral serum with Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) and Zinc which together balance sebum, reduce redness, calm, and keep pores clear. I use it on clean skin in the morning before adding anything else and I can tell my skin feels more balanced. For $5.90 you really just have to give it a try.
Worth checking out is their Serum Foundation $6.70 which comes in a ton of shades and SPF protection, and THIS Retinoid $9.60 that I just saw as a Kim Kardashian fave.
Not that you’d go knocking down their door should something not work for you (especially when you spend $7), but they do have offer a full refund up to 1 YEAR after your purchase if you’re not happy.