Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post by The Ordinary.
It’s been five years since I stopped wearing makeup.
Naturally, once you stop focusing on covering up your imperfections or enhancing certain features, you have more time to focus on what’s been underneath the layers of foundation and contours: your bare skin.
So began my journey of trying and testing various cruelty-free and vegan skincare brands to target the skin concerns I had such as mild acne, hyperpigmentation, and textural irregularities.
Just like finding the right shade of foundation, finding effective products for your unique skin concerns is tough. However, I recently settled on trying one specific brand that receives many people’s praises: The Ordinary.
It’s been about three months since I started using The Ordinary. The products I’ve been using were recommended through research on their website which outlines products by skin concerns.
So, if you’re currently facing the same skin issues as me and currently looking for products to target various skin concerns, then here’s the products I’ve currently been using as well as the effectiveness of each product.
The Ordinary – Glucoside Foaming Cleanser
The Ordinary’s Glucoside Foaming Cleanser is advertised as a gentle, moisturizing cleanser, which is ideal for acne prone skin because it maintains moisture in the skin barrier while targeting dirt and impurities.
This foaming cleanser is also a part of The Ordinary’s acne set, which is what initially attracted me to purchasing it for my skincare regime.
Has it worked?
This gel-based cleanser can be used in the mornings and evenings of your skincare regimen. After using it for the past three months, I can attest to the after effect of the cleanser — it does leave your skin soft without any feeling of dryness.
The Ordinary – Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid 2% Solution is advertised as a serum to target acne.
This water-based serum contains the active ingredient salicylic acid, which penetrates your skin and acts as a peeling agent to dissolve dead skin cells that clogs pores, according to Healthline.
When your pores are clogged with dead skin cells and other impurities, blackheads, whiteheads, and acne can occur.
Has it worked?
Initially I applied this solution twice a day (mornings and evenings) and then reduced the application to evenings. So far, this solution hasn’t completely dissolved the acne spots I have surrounding the outsides of my face.
The Ordinary – Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is advertised as a serum for blemish-prone skin and is expected to smooth out textual irregularities as well as even out skin tone.
This water-based serum contains niacinamide (vitamin B-3), which can help build proteins in the skin and maintain moisture which helps ward off environmental damage, according to Healthline.
Has it worked?
I purchased this product to target textual irregularities (i.e. the small bumps) that appear mainly on the sides of my cheek and the perimeter of my face.
So far, I’ve noticed my skin tone even out, but I haven’t noticed any drastic changes when it comes to textural irregularities.
The Ordinary – 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil
The Ordinary’s 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil is advertised to support skin elasticity as well as brighten and balance uneven skin tone.
This oil contains Rosa Canina Seed oil, which contains vitamin C (beneficial for supporting collagen production, dry skin as well as protection from ultraviolet light damage) and vitamin A (beneficial for reducing/ reversing sun damage, reducing wrinkles, treating hyperpigmentation and acne), according to Healthline.
Has it worked?
Personally, I like how soft and moisturized my skin feels after applying The Ordinary’s 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose HIp Seed Oil in the evenings.
It’s unclear whether the oil alone has supported or single-handedly changed the appearance of my hyperpigmentation, but it’s a nice moisturizing oil nonetheless.
The Ordinary – 100% Plant-Derived Squalane
The Ordinary’s 100% Plant-Derived Squalane is advertised to be an oil-like serum that hydrates your skin while, at the same time, supporting your skin’s natural moisture barrier.
According to Healthline, squalane — not to be confused with squalene — acts as a detoxifier and contains antioxidants that combats skin damage and free radicals. It can also help boost collagen production (i.e. helps with promoting firmer skin) with regular use.
Does it work?
Similar to the Rose Hip Seed Oil, I can’t distinguish the impacts of the oils and the other treatments I’m using. However, I use the oil every morning after moisturizing and like how moisturized my face feels afterward.
The Ordinary – Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan
The Ordinary advertises their Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan as a moisturizer that works to support your natural hydration barrier without your face feeling greasy.
This gel-based moisturizer contains Beta Glucan, which contains an effective humectant that helps retain the skin’s moisture along with increasing skin elasticity and facial redness.
Does it work?
So far, so good. I apply this after my treatments with the aforementioned serums (and before the previously mentioned oils).
I will say, however, that the gel-like texture is a new experience for anyone used to cream-based moisturizers.
If you want updates on my skincare journey, let me know in the comments!
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