After reading and seeing so much praise about The Ordinary skin care products, i wanted to get my hands on them but while choosing i came to know, i cannot just pick some famous TO products and be done with them, i need to know about some acids and solutions. Today i am going to share with you what my little mind grasped about these ingredients and for which skin they are suitable for, so you can buy these chemicals according to your skin type and issues.
Oily Skin
If you have oily skin, you need products which are water based rather then oil or wax based which can keep your pores from clogging and at the same time provide right amount of hydration. Choose foam or gel cleansers which get you rid of makeup, dirt and other impurities. The ingredients you should choose in your cleansers can be Tea Tree Oil, AHAs, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid and Witch hazel. Also choose toners with AHAs for mild exfoliation and moisturizers with glycolic acid, salicylic acid. Following are the products suggested for oily skinThe Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (More Molecules)
Reduce oil sebum and pore size. Can be used twice a day.
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution (Direct Acid)
Exfoliates and unclog pores to fight the appearance of blemishes. Not for sensitive and peeling skin. Contain BHA which increase Sun sensitivity and should be used proper sun care while using. Should be used in PM.
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% (Direct Acid)
It is light weight cream system which visibly improve skin texture and reduce look of blemishes. (Silicon based)
The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane (Hydrator)
This product hydrates and protect skin from water loss. It is suitable for all skin.
Acne Prone Skin
For acne prone skin you should use water, gel and foam cleansers which can deeply clean skin from makeup and impurities and protect pores from clogging. The products for this skin can be similar to oily skin with exception of special treatment for acne. For extensive acne however you must consult doctor to find better solution for your skin. Tea Tree Oil, AHAs, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid and Witch hazel are few ingredients you should look for the cleansers and moisturizers you buy for your skin.The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (More Molecules)
Reduce oil sebum and pore size. Can be used twice a day.
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution (Direct Acid)
This acid targets many skin issues and even can be used for spot treatment. It exfoliates and unclog pores to fight the appearance of blemishes.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion (Previously Advanced Retinoid 2%)
Retinoid is effective to improve skin texture and help with acne scars.
The Ordinary Hylauronic Acid 2% + B5 (Hydrator)
It penetrates into skin, hydrates and makes skin visibly plump.
Dry Skin
If you have dry skin, you most definitely have dull skin texture with dry patches so you need rich oil based products. For cleansers you can choose oil based, water based or cream cleansers which do not strip your skin from natural oil but instead remove makeup and other impurities. The oil cleansers are best option for dry skin as they melt makeup on skin without making it dry. You can choose grape seed oil, olive oil or mixture of your favorite oils. There are also good options available of milk cleansers to choose from. For skin treatment and hydration you should look for hyaluronic acid,The Ordinary Hylauronic Acid 2% + B5 (Hydrator)
It penetrates into skin, hydrates and makes skin visibly plump.
The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane (Hydrator)
This product hydrates and protect skin from water loss. It is suitable for all skin.
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
It is amino acid-based moisturizer which hydrates and target signs of aging. Keeps the outer layer of skin protected and well hydrated. It offers immediate hydration and lasting results with continued use.
The Ordinary 100% Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil or 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Argan Oil
Virgin Marula Oil offers antioxidants, hydrates the skin and is claimed to help restore a radiant tone. Cold-Pressed Argan oil supports healthy skin and reduces the appearance of flaking. It also adds soft sheen and strength to hair.
Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin needs to be careful while choosing any product. The potent acids and solutions will not be a good choice for sensitive skin which can break easily. Choose products which do not make your skin too dry or too oily. The water based products are the best choice for cleansing but avoid using AHAs and BHAs products which can make your skin more sensitive. Do not choose rich oil based cleansers which can sit on skin and might cause irritation. The best choices can be natural moisturizers and hyaluronic acid.The Ordinary Hylauronic Acid 2% + B5 (Hydrator)
It penetrates into skin, hydrates and makes skin visibly plump.
The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane (Hydrator)
This product hydrates and protect skin from water loss. It is suitable for all skin.
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
It is amino acid-based moisturizer which hydrates and target signs of aging. Keeps the outer layer of skin protected and well hydrated. It offers immediate hydration and lasting results with continued use.
Aging Skin
To fight aging sign and wrinkles antioxidants are suggested. The moisturizing effect is most important for this skin as well. Choose products which provide hydration and effect the skin from with in. Vitamin C and ratinol products are most effective to help against breakage of cells and wrinkles. You can choose cleansers which are oil, cream and water based for deep cleansing.The Ordinary Buffet (Other Molecules)
A comprehensive water and oil based formula to target signs of aging.
Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane (Retinoid)
Shows better results against multiple signs of ageing than retinol without any of the irritation and drawbacks common with retinol.
The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% (Vitamin C)
It brightens the skin and target signs of aging
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil (Hydrator)
This oil reduce signs of photo-ageing and many other skin conditions.
Combination Skin
This skin can behave different in different seasons which can be dry in winters and oily in summers and still can have dry and oily patches all year. The ideal products for this skin types can be gel and water based if you lean more towards oily side. If you have more dry skin, you can choose oil based products which are not too rich. The natural hydrators are most effective which provide right amount of moisturizing without sitting on your skin and instead penetrates into skin.The Ordinary Hylauronic Acid 2% + B5 (Hydrator)
It penetrates into skin, hydrates and makes skin visibly plump.
The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane (Hydrator)
This product hydrates and protect skin from water loss. It is suitable for all skin.
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
It is amino acid-based moisturizer which hydrates and target signs of aging. Keeps the outer layer of skin protected and well hydrated. It offers immediate hydration and lasting results with continued use.
Exfoliation acids for all skin by The Ordinary
Sensitive skin should avoid using these acids. While using these acids sensitivity to sun can be increased so should wear sun protection to avoid sun burns. Exfoliators are best to be used every 15 days to renew your skin.The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA
If you are new to using acids and want to start with mild ones, this acid is safest option. It is mild exfoliatior and provide smooth and hydrating skin.
Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
This AHA 7% exfoliating solution improves skin texture and make skin smooth and radiant. Should be used once a day preferably at PM.
AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
This solution exfoliates top layer of skin for brighter and more even appearance. This combined 32% AHA/BHA solution offers deeper exfoliation to help fight visible blemishes and for improved skin radiance. The formula also improves the appearance of skin texture and reduces the look of fine lines with continued use. Should not be used more then twice a week and it is better to have little experience with acids before using this solution.
Unfortunately most of the products i wanted to get, are out of stock currently and i have to wait for the store to restock them. I will share my opinion once i get hold of these products. Let me know what do you think about The Ordinary products and what works best for you.
How To Use The Ordinary Products
All the products have instructions along with them, if they are meant to be used in AM or PM. Make sure if you are layering the serums, first apply the water based products and then apply oil based at the end. For example if you are using hyluronic acid, vitamin c, nicinamide serum and retinol and any oil. In morning first apply hyluronic acid on damp skin, follow up with vitamin C and the apply few drops of any moisturizer or oil. Always use good sunblock after the products in morning. In the evening, you can after cleansing apply hyluronic acid, follow up with niacinamide and the retinol. Then apply oil and end the routine with good moisturizer or night cream to all the goodness in skin.
This routine is perfect for 30 plus normal, dry and combination skin for soft supple and healthy glowing face.