The Best of The Ordinary

If I’m being honest, it took me a while to get into The Ordinary. I’ve used their Hyaluronic Acid for a couple of years but for some reason, I never ventured any further into the website. It wasn’t until a couple of months ago that I decided to explore the ingredients, formulas and regime guide on their website that I fell under the Ordinary spell and am now truly obsessed. Here are my top picks…

The Ordinary is an affordable, accessible and results-driven skincare brand with ingredients & formulations at the forefront of their mind. They’ve said goodbye to fancy, expensive packaging and stripped it back to basics. At first, their scientific approach can be overwhelming but it is a brand with so many great products to be discovered and they have some really digestible guides on their website here to help with finding out what products are suitable for your skin type.

Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

The ‘holy-grail’ of Ordinary skincare products and proof that there is no need to part with £50 for a hydrating serum. Hyaluronic Acid already exists naturally in our skin but depletes over time so it’s worth using a serum to give you that daily boost and maintain plump, healthy skin long-term. It holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water and when used in skincare, it acts like a sponge in by attracting moisture to the skins surface from the external environment as-well as smoothing fine lines. The Ordinary HA uses B5 which is another natural hydrator that stabilises the function of skins barrier, resulting in an increase of how much water skin is capable of holding on to. This serum has fairly sticky, gloopy texture but the results are well worth seeing past the consistency.

WHEN TO USE: AM & PM9

PURPOSE: Hydrate & Plump

Marine Hyaluronics

Marine Hyaluronics retains moisture by joining marine-derived water reservoirs and is a great alternative to those who want the affects of the Hyaluronic Acid serum but without the sticky, gloopy formula. The formula of this is far more fluid than the HA + B5 serum and I find it applies like a splash of water that sinks in beautifully, prepping the skin for any serums going on top.

WHEN TO USE: AM & PM

PURPOSE: Hydrate & Plump

100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil

Being rich in vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids ( linoleic & linolenic), Rosehip Oil is suitable for all skin types making it a great oil to use overnight to help soothe, regenerate, calm, hydrate and brighten skin. The benefits are endless and I love how this one from The Ordinary isn’t too thick, allowing it to absorb well when massaged in and not leaving a greasy film over the skin. I do this as the last step in my routine every night and come morning, skin looks revived & radiant.

WHEN TO USE: PM

PURPOSE: Nourish, heal & brighten

Pycnogenol 5%

I don’t see this product being spoken about much online but for me, it’s one of my favourite Ordinary products. The serum itself an anti-oxidant and Pycnogenol is a natural plant extract derived from bark of French pine trees which is rich in organic acids that work together to rejuvenate the skin. As this is an anti-oxidant serum, the main benefit is to protect from free radical damage that can cause skin to look dull, unhealthy and irritated but it also has hydrating properties and upholds the ability to recycle oxidised Vitamin C to restore its activity and effectiveness - something that I haven’t found in any other skincare product. I use this after my water-based serums in my morning skincare routine and mix two drops of it in with my Vitamin C and I absolutely love it.

WHEN TO USE: AM or PM

PURPOSE: Enhance skin barrier, protect & provides anti-oxidant support

Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%

Vitamin C is the second ingredient that I deem to be essential in any skincare routine. It is the most powerful ingredient to boost skins radiance and even out skin tone, making it a key factor in maintaining a healthy complexion and preventing ageing. Less potent than direct L-Ascorbic Acid, this Ascorbyl Glucoside is a water-soluble derivative of Vitamin C that creates a very enjoyable, fluid serum consistency. Great for Vitamin C beginners who don’t want to use anything too strong.

WHEN TO USE: AM or PM

PURPOSE: Brighten and even skin tone