The Ordinary produce products that without searching on the internet you perhaps wouldn't know what they are or how to use them, which is understandable considering they have titles like 'Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F' (I still don't have a clue what it does or if I've even spelt it right!). But the main selling point really is the price range, with all their products priced under £15 on ASOS. Encouraged by the low prices and the raved about ingredients I decided to pick up a few products to test out for myself. I bought the Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% and the Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG to start off my collection.
The azelaic acid suspension has a silicone like consistency and claims to 'brighten and even out skin texture' as well as reducing the appearance of blemishes. I've been using it since mid March and have gone through the whole the tube, which is pretty small but for £5.50 you can't really complain. Unfortunately I really haven't seen any difference in my skin at all from using this product. Perhaps I haven't been using it for long enough to see one, but for me if I don't see an improvement by the end of the bottle there's no way I'm repurchasing no matter how cheap it is. Using the product feels like applying a silicone based primer which is fine at night time, but for me it didn't sit nicely under my makeup in the daytime so I was unable to apply it then. I know a lot of people love this product, but in my case it was just an extra unnecessary step added to my routine that made no difference.
The caffeine solution on the other hand is a little more promising. It's essentially a serum that you apply under your eyes and it aims reduce redness and dark circles. I can't say it's done anything for my dark circles as of yet, but it does feel soothing and calming on puffy tired eyes. It's also extraordinarily cheap at £6, considering you only need a drop or two so it lasts for a long time. The packaging on this one also feels a little more luxurious as it's a glass bottle so it looks more appealing sat on your dressing table than the plastic azelaic acid suspension.
Overall I think that The Ordinary is a very promising brand and I love that it's making scientific good for your skin ingredients available to so many more people at an affordable price. Whilst I didn't see the results I wanted from both of the products I do still have hope for some of the brands other offerings and I'm already eyeing up the new Salicylic Acid 2% Solution and the classic Vitamin C suspension.
Let me know if you've tried any products from The Ordinary or if you plan to and what your favourite skincare brands are!
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