04/09/2017

The Ordinary. Skincare that everyone is still talking about

The Ordinary \ Skincare that everyone is still talking about \ Deciem \ The abnormal beauty company \ beauty \ skin \  cosmeceuticals \ Priceless Life of Mine \ Over 40 lifestyle blog \ Leicester

The Ordinary. The buzz around this brand has been phenomenal with products hitting the shelves with a BIG bang and then flying off said shelves at a rate of knots. Falling under the umbrella of Deciem, The Abnormal Beauty Company, The Ordinary is a brand they have made affordable to everyone. All of the Deciem brands use high quality, high concentration ingredients and The Ordinary is no exception. Caroline Hirons actually did a blog post around a year ago putting some questions to Brandon Truaxe, the founder of Deciem and it's quite interesting.

My post has been a long time coming, in fact I bought all this stuff months ago but wanted to give it all a good trial before sharing my thoughts with you guys.

The Ordinary \ Skincare that everyone is still talking about \ Deciem \ The abnormal beauty company \ beauty \ skin \  cosmeceuticals \ Priceless Life of Mine \ Over 40 lifestyle blog \ Leicester

I had an idea of what products I wanted to try and I did a bit of research before I dived in. I agree with Caroline in that the labelling is quite confusing for most folk, the descriptions are very scientific, using long names and percentages, giving you the ingredients but not an immediate guide as to what it will do for your skin! I think unless you're a beauty industry expert you'll struggle so make sure you do your research on the the website. Read every thing and then make your choices.

My first choices

Salicylic acid 2%
This was a definite on my first purchase. You know how I all suffer with spots still so I had to have this acid. Salicylic helps to exfoliate the pores, giving clarity and helping keep spots and blemishes at bay. I generally dab this on a spot/s when I get them, although at that certain time of the month I will apply thinly all over my chin, not taking any chances! It doesn't sting in any way when you apply it, and I swear by it, I really do. I don't use it every day, I don't need to, but I know it's there as my life saver.

Hyaluronic acid 2% +B5
Again, one I had to have. I do know a little about hyaluronic already and the huge benefits it has on your skin, hydration and adding a little plumpness. I've tried a few skin care products with it in before but wanted it in a more direct form. As with a lot of the products from The Ordinary they come in a bottle with pipette dropper and this one is quite runny so if you put drops onto your fingertips it will run off. Apply the required amount into the palm of your hand and apply with the other, you then don't loose a drop. I do that with all the products actually. I have used the whole bottle of this and I was very impressed, I could really see a difference in my skin. However, I didn't repurchase. Instead my second bottle is the NIOD multi-moleculer hyaluronic complex, which is more advanced and offers 15 forms of HA, also comes with a higher price tag! I'm loving the formula though.

Glycolic acid 
Glycolic acid (an AHA) is a toning solution that helps to exfoliate the skin and help improve radiance and clarity. I have used the Pixi glow tonic but this certainly is my favourite of the two. After double cleansing I'll pop some on a cotton pad and wipe over my skin, sometimes it will give a slight tingle, especially if I've used my Vit C the night before but for the most part it's very gentle. Love it. 

The Ordinary \ Skincare that everyone is still talking about \ Deciem \ The abnormal beauty company \ beauty \ skin \  cosmeceuticals \ Priceless Life of Mine \ Over 40 lifestyle blog \ Leicester

Vitaminc C
Shit this stuff is powerful. And gritty! Vitamin C along with retinol are some of the most powerful anti-aging products out there. In it's pure form L-ascorbic acid has been shown to reverse multiple signs of ageing when applied topically and I've heard so many people talk of fabulous results when using it. It helps to brighten skin, reduce darks spots and keeps new wrinkles at bay whilst fighting free radicals. This very fine L-ascorbic acid (Vit c) is 23% and water free and silicone free and boy do you know you've got this on your skin. It's tingles like mad, seriously the first time I used it I came so close to whipping it straight off. I persevered and build up my tolerance, now it's no issue. I only use this at night because of the gritty, powder formula. You can't use this in the day as it just will not sit under makeup. For my daytime vitamin C I'm currently using Skinceuticals CE Ferulic (and love it). The Ordinary listened to their customers though and have recently released a slightly stronger vitamin C (30%) but it's in a very light silicone so it's smooth on the skin and can be worn under makeup more easily. I ordered some and whilst I prefer the texture of the latest one I will still continue to use it at night and my CE Ferulic in the morning. The new 30% in silicone is much more bearable and wearable. 

I use my CE Ferulic every morning but The Ordinary one I only use a couple of evenings a week because it's so powerful. Remember to take it down your neck too. 

You have been warned about this one guys but it's so worth giving it a go for all its benefits. 

Buffet
I purchased this after hearing other bloggers say how good it was and then being tempted a little more by the sales assistant in store. Buffet is a product that aims to tackle multiple signs of ageing in one go with this one formula. It has matrixyl in it, which I know is good for the skin along with lots of other peptides. Sound too good to be true? Well, whilst using it my skin looked great but I couldn't be sure if it was this product or not because I was using so much new stuff from the brand it could well have been a combination of it all! I've used the whole bottle but not repurchased (yet!).

The Ordinary \ Skincare that everyone is still talking about \ Deciem \ The abnormal beauty company \ beauty \ skin \  cosmeceuticals \ Priceless Life of Mine \ Over 40 lifestyle blog \ Leicester

The Ordinary \ Skincare that everyone is still talking about \ Deciem \ The abnormal beauty company \ beauty \ skin \  cosmeceuticals \ Priceless Life of Mine \ Over 40 lifestyle blog \ Leicester

Advanced retinoid 2%
I bought this retinoid to build my skin up to prior to starting a stronger retinol. I thought that the best way to do it because I've tried going straight in to use Tretinoine (the gold standard retinol) but my face literally fell off. Peeling skin everywhere and makeup caking in every crack and crevice. Seriously not a pretty sight. Yes, I do know that's meant to happen and you have to persevere for at least three months and look like you're about 100 years old before you see any results but I couldn't hack that through the summer. AND, you have to bear in mind that any retinoid or retinol can make your skin more sensitive to UV radiation. I'll start in the winter! Where was I going with this? Yes, this retinoid in gentler on the skin, I'm no expert, in fact I don't really know that much about the different retinoids and retinols but believe this can't be compared directly to retinol because it contains a different molecule. You with me? Thought not. It's that science-y bit again!! Anyway, this one is easy enough to use but results, really not sure??? I think it's working but I definitely want something more, but this is great to build up gradually.

100% organic rose hip seed oil
We all know by now the great benefits of using oil on the skin, so I'll not go into that. There are many different oils for different skin problems but rose hip is a great one to target signs of ageing. I'd seriously heard so many people big it up, especially Lauryn from The Skinny Confidential, she swears by it and I was about to purchase quite an expensive one when I heard about the one from The Ordinary, so, no brainer, I'd go for the cheaper option and see what I thought. Well, I bloody love it! I find it so nourishing and most days will not need an additional moisturiser on top. It leaves my skin dewy and sits perfectly under my It cosmetics CC cream. This is a definite repurchase. 

High adherence silicone primer

Not sure why I picked this up because I don't really get on with primers that much. I've bought so many, and have so many just sitting in the drawer unloved. For some reason I thought this silicone primer would be different but it's just not for me, it certainly doesn't make my make up look flawless, it sinks into my pores and my foundation looks worse. 

The Ordinary \ Skincare that everyone is still talking about \ Deciem \ The abnormal beauty company \ beauty \ skin \  cosmeceuticals \ Priceless Life of Mine \ Over 40 lifestyle blog \ Leicester

The Ordinary \ Skincare that everyone is still talking about \ Deciem \ The abnormal beauty company \ beauty \ skin \  cosmeceuticals \ Priceless Life of Mine \ Over 40 lifestyle blog \ Leicester

Some of these bits I ordered online and some I picked up from the store in London. Not gonna lie my first online order was a bit of a nightmare and took about 10 years to arrive. Such is the demand for this stuff. 

The Ordinary \ Skincare that everyone is still talking about \ Deciem \ The abnormal beauty company \ beauty \ skin \  cosmeceuticals \ Priceless Life of Mine \ Over 40 lifestyle blog \ Leicester

Re-order? You betcha! 

So, what would I re-order? Well, the vitamin C, the rose hip oil, salicylic acid and the glycolic acid for sure. That's quite a bit isn't it? The primer is really the only definite NO and I kinda knew that from the start anyway and don't think I'll buy the retinoid again as I definitely want to switch it up to a stronger retinol.  

The Ordinary is a quality brand and easy on the pennies so great for all round skincare. You'll find whatever you need, for whatever your skins needs are. I hope I haven't confused you too much with all my babbling but as I said before, do your research, read all that they tell you about the product and if you're not sure what order to use it all in you'll find a regimen guide on the Deciem website and I actually printed that off to refer to when I first started, it's very useful.

I've since purchased other bits from the new store in Covent Garden including foundation which I'll tell you about very soon. 



Have you jumped on The Ordinary train yet? 
I'd love to know what your go-to items are. 












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14 comments

  1. What an awesome post! Love it and I need to try those!

    https://vanessaventuri.com

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  2. Great post Steph. The packaging is lovely and I must admit if I hadn't of read this I'd be put of straight away as it all looks very technical - I like my skincare description simple and to the point lol... Will keep an eye out for this for sure!
    Heather xx
    www.myspansihvida.wordpress.com

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    1. Definitely worth a try Heather and is so reasonably priced it's not too much of a dent in the wallet if the items not for you. x

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  3. I didn't know they had a store in Covent Garden. Will have to go down there because I'd really like to speak to an assistant in store about what to use. Would love to try out their foundation too, it looks great.

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    1. Oh Joanne you should definitely go to the store. They're now open in Spittalfileds and Covent Garden. I found the staff in the Spittalfields store a bit more knowledgeable in my opinion. Post on the foundation coming soon x

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  4. A great post Steph! I've just ordered the Retinoid 2% and the Rose Hip Oil and I'm so excited to try them x

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Jemma. Look forward to hearing your thoughts! x

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  5. Such an informative post, thank you for the detailed reviews! I personally love the Lactic Acid 5% and rose hip oil. The salatic Acid is next on my purchase list!

    Harriet | Shake This Town

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    1. You're welcome Harriet. The salicylic acid is definitely worth getting x

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  6. i adore the ordinary. their products changed my life and my skin. i couldn't go a day without my hyaluronic acid.
    ❤︎

    www.elenaisabelle.com

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  7. I've seen this brand EVERYWHERE but am yet to try it out. I really want to try their salicylic acid as like you, I suffer from spot-prone skin (despite being in my 30s... sigh). The Vitamin C sounds a little scary but I'm still tempted to try it!

    Thanks for sharing. :)

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    Replies
    1. Oh Sarah you should definitely try the salicylic, I find it so good! x

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