Understanding: The Ordinary

A few weeks ago when I posted a picture of some The Ordinary products on my Instagram story, I got quite a few DM’s asking what it was. I think it’s safe to say that The Ordinary isn’t a common brand in East Malaysia.

Here’s how I got into it:

About a year ago, I started seeing the brand around social media among the many beauty influencers I follow but I didn’t pay it much attention because I tried to focus on the huge selection of products we have locally. That is until I saw it on @re_issue on Instagram.

@Re_issue is a Health and Beauty page on Instagram that compares several similar products in the market (highly recommended! Go check them out). What caught my eye was their post on 15 March on Vitamin C. I was shocked to find that The Ordinary’s Vitamin C suspension was the most affordable by far (imagine $5.80 vs $80) and had the highest Vitamin C concentration!

Above: Price Comparison   

Above: Vitamin C Concentration Comparison

I started looking for reviews on YouTube about The Ordinary but didn’t come across any reviews by influencers I normally follow and trust. I decided to pay their site a visit: https://theordinary.com/

Their homepage displayed their slogan: Clinical Formulations with Integrity, which already put my mind at ease (at that point, I had already decided I was going to make a purchase). I was just going to purchase a Vitamin C serum and be on my way. Little did I know how overwhelmed I was going to be. They had 8 types of vitamin C!

Thankfully their website is very comprehensive and I managed to make my decisions easily enough!

I purchased:

• Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% (Vitamin C Serum)
• Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane (Advanced Retinoid Complex)

 

Here’s a quick breakdown of each item:

• Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%: This is a water-free suspension that contains extremely high concentrations of Vitamin C (anti-oxidant and brightening). Upon application, the texture was really strange for me. It felt grainy and oily but I tried to accept it. It wasn’t uncomfortable for me per say but due to the texture, I recommend starting with just a small drop, rub it between your hands and then gently pat onto your face. Unfortunately, I did not dilute it when introducing it to my skin considering this is my first Vitamin C product (such a powerful one at that and incredibly prone to causing irritations) and after 2 days, my face was covered in small red bumps! It wasn’t itchy or uncomfortable but they were visible. After consulting some friends and also our great World Wide Web, it was deduced that the Vitamin C content was way too high for a first-timer. It hasn’t discouraged me though. I’m giving my skin a break and will try again soon! 🙂 The Ordinary has many other Vitamin C options that are less likely to cause irritation. If you’re a first timer like me, I would recommend those!
• Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane: Also a water-free suspension which also feels like an oil to me (extremely powerful anti-aging powers and improves skin texture). This product cannot be compared to regular retinoids (a derivitive of Vitamin A) as it uses a different molecule and technology. I chose this over the other the others because it was less likely to cause irritations which was my mistake with the Vitamin C as mentioned above. As a first timer, it is advised to apply a face oil or Vaseline after, as a calming element to reduce the risk of irritation which is what I did. Also, this product and other retinoid products are recommended for PM use as it causes the skin to be more photosensitive and more prone to sun damage. Waking up after my first night applying this product, I was incredibly impressed! I did not expect to see a difference overnight but my skin was visibly smoother! I would highly recommend a retinoid in your skin care routine but take note not to mix retinoids together.

 

Note:

• Retinoids work well with Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid but not with Benzoyl Peroxide.
• Vaseline does not clog the pores as the particles are too big.
• I did not end up purchasing from The Ordinary website because their shipping costs a bomb. I made my purchase at: http://www.cultbeauty.co.uk
• Both Vitamin C and Granactive Retinoids are sensitive to UV rays and hence, should be stored in a cool dry place, away from any sunlight.
• Before use, I highly recommend consulting your dermatologist if you have sensitive skin and understanding both products.

 

I’d love to know your favourite product from the brand. Let me know! 🙂