Want to make your skin look amazing? So read this post and discover the best products from The Ordinary, a skincare brand that is very successful with its quality ingredients.
If there's a brand that has really stood out on the skincare scene in recent years, it's The Ordinary.
It is not only its minimalist proposition of selling small bottles with powerful ingredients that attracts customers' attention, but also the company's mission to offer its products at a fair price. It is no surprise that its slogan, printed on all packaging, is “clinical formulations with integrity” (free translation by me).
In practice, what you find are products focused on quality ingredients for a good price. This successful combination is what made the brand a phenomenon among skincare aficionados and gurus.
The only "problem” What I notice is that the brand is not very accessible to those who are just starting out in the world of skincare. Firstly because its products, instead of being easily named with words like “moisturizer” or “exfoliant”, are named after their main ingredients. Those who don't understand much about the subject, for example, may not know that “Hyaluronic Acid with B5” is a great moisturizer.
Secondly, with its popularity, The Ordinary has launched countless new products – including even more recently concealers –, which can leave those unfamiliar with the brand in doubt about which are the best products to try. I've been using the brand every day for over two years, and I had to try different products and studied a lot to find out which ingredients were ideal for my skin.
Thinking about that, I wrote this post with recommendations for The Ordinary's best products, the ones that are the most popular and that people really feel help their skin look amazing. As I know the names can be a little confusing, I also explained what each of them is for and when to use them.
9 Best Products from The Ordinary
Remembering that, although the brand is not sold officially in Brazil, you can find almost all products in Amazon BR. Throughout the post I linked each of them to make it easier for you.
If you have a trip coming up, however, wait to buy abroad as the price is much better. It is sold in stores like Sephora in the United States, but I recommend buying online at Amazon US ou na Amazon US if you are in Europe, as with the popularity of the brand the products are not always in stock in physical stores.
Remembering that here on the blog there are complete guides for best products to buy in the United States e best products to buy in Europe.
Ok, with that said, let's go to The Ordinary's best products:
AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
Starting with my favorite product and, without a doubt, the star of the brand. As the name already suggests, Peeling Solution works like a home peeling, a kind of exfoliating chemical to remove dead cells that are on the surface of the skin.
Alpha and beta hydroxy acids are responsible for exfoliation, and in their 32% concentration they are able to better penetrate the skin, leaving it with a radiant appearance and helping to combat acne. Just apply it to your face and remove with warm water after 10 minutes, and after the first application, your skin will feel softer and cleaner. It should be used once or at most twice a week.
As it is a little strong, it may not be recommended if you have never exfoliated with acids or have sensitive skin. I had never used anything like this, but I did a small test on one cheek before using it for the first time and I didn't feel anything other than a slight tingling, which is normal with this type of product.
Nowadays it makes all the difference in my skin routine, and I'm of the opinion that If you are only going to buy one product from the brand, it should be this one.
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Despite the name, this product is not used to exfoliate, but rather to hydrate your skin. Hyaluronic acid is a substance widely used in cosmetics for hydration, as it is a molecule that attracts water. What happens is that many formulas use this molecule in a very large size, meaning that it is unable to penetrate the skin.
The result is that, although your face appears hydrated right away, that hydration doesn't last and you feel it disappear after washing. To solve this problem, This formula from The Ordinary has molecules of various sizes, ensuring that they will penetrate the skin and really hydrate it.
Can be used for all skin types, both morning and night. I use it every day and buy it again every time the bottle runs out, because the effect is wonderful.
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Although not exactly a treatment for acne (that is, it does not treat the cause of your pimples), this product is great for those who want improve the appearance of pores, pimples and blackheads.
I think of Niacinamide as a vitamin for skin, which is still true since this ingredient is nothing more than vitamin B3. To improve, the formula also contains zinc, which helps control sebum production. It is worth remembering that it cannot be applied together with vitamin C, so if you use a product of this type, you must alternate between them (for example, vitamin C at night and niacinamide with zinc during the day).
This is another one that is part of my daily routine and that I have bought countless times, as I feel it helps lessen the appearance of those occasional pimples. Can be used both morning and night.
Buffet (Multi-Peptide Serum + HA)
The name “buffet” is inspired by skin care brands that refer to their products with different ingredients as if they were a buffet, where instead of choosing food, you choose which treatment you would like for your skin. The name is extremely appropriate, since its formula combines peptides, probiotics, amino acids and different hyaluronic acid molecules and also to treat signs of aging e hydrate at the same time.
Personally, I don't use it in my routine, but I have countless friends who love it, including my mother who always asks me to buy more when I shop at The Ordinary. In reviews, many customers refer to the Buffet as “magic” and “miracle”. Can be used morning and night.
Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Um tonic exfoliant, very similar to those I mentioned in the best Korean cosmetics post. Glycolic acid is a type of alpha-hydroxy acid that promotes light exfoliation due to its 7% concentration in this formula, which leaves your skin more radiant and with better texture with continuous use. Furthermore, to reduce irritation, the ingredients also include aloe vera and ginseng root, a medicinal plant.
As it is an acid, the ideal is to use this product at night, after cleansing your skin. Do not rinse and continue with your serum and moisturizer routine. It is also recommended to test a small area before using it, as sensitive skin may not react as well to this concentration and may become irritated.
It also works great to get rid of those “balls” that remain after waxing, and even to exfoliate the scalp.
Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
Anyone who suffers from dark circles and puffiness in the eye area needs to know about this product. As the name suggests, it is formulated with caffeine and EGCG from green tea, two ingredients that have been proven to help decrease dark circles around the eyes and appearance of puffiness.
It should be massaged into the area around the eyes, and can be used both morning and night.
Cold pressed oils
Among The Ordinary's best products are its numerous cold-pressed oils. Although many people believe that applying oil to the face will make it more oily, what happens is that this type of product helps balance natural oil production, in addition to deeply hydrate the skin. To get the most out of it, the ideal is to use them as the final step of your nighttime routine, to seal in all the other products and hydrate your skin at the same time.
The most famous is that of Rosa Mosqueta, but if you think it is too heavy you can use the Squalane, which I had the impression of being lighter and was previously recommended in the regime for congested skin on The Ordinary website. If you want a two-in-one product, you can also choose Argan oil, which serves to moisturize not only the skin but also the hair.
Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
Vitamin C is widely used in beauty products as it is a strong antioxidant, making your skin look more radiant and younger when used.. Although the brand has several products with this ingredient, this is the one with the highest concentration, making it a great option for those who want to make the most of all the benefits of vitamin C. As it is very concentrated, it is expected that you will feel a tingling on the skin during the first few uses, and as it is a water-free suspension, the formula needs a few seconds to be well absorbed by the skin.
The ideal is to use it at night.
Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane
Finally, a very well-known ingredient that The Ordinary has taken to another level: retinol, derived from retinoic acid. Despite having products with only this acid, the brand now recommends its latest launches with better technology: Granactive Retinoid, an advanced form of retinol that, In addition to being more effective against signs of aging and improving the appearance of the skin, it also causes less irritation.
It should be used at night, after water-based products, and never in combination with other retinol-based products.
In which order should I use The Ordinary products?
In general, the rule of thumb for skin products is first cleansing, then a toner, treatments and finally, hydration. Therefore, you should use The Ordinary products in the following order:
- Facial Soap: Squalane Cleanser
- Tonic: Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution (if you find it too strong, you can use it every other day or once or twice a week)
- Serums: Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG, Multi-Peptide Serum + HA (Buffet)
- retinol: Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane (use only at night!)
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Moisturizer: Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
- Facial oil: 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil (or other facial oil)
Remembering that you should alternate the use of vitamin C and retinol, not use both together. The chemical exfoliant AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution can be used once or twice a week, after soap and before serums and moisturizers.
On The Ordinary website they have several examples of skin care regimes according to your needs, as well as explaining the order of each product and incompatibilities. It’s definitely worth reading it before putting together your own routine 🙂
And there you have it, some of The Ordinary's best products to make your skin look amazing!
Have you used any? Do you think there was something missing from this list? Tell me in the comments!
The Ordinary Frequently Asked Questions
The rule for skin products is first cleansing, then a toner, treatments and finally, hydration. Therefore, you should use liquid soap first, followed by Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution and then apply serums such as Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG or Multi-Peptide Serum + HA (Buffet). After that, you can alternate between a Retinol and Vitamin C, followed by a moisturizer like Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 and finishing with one of the brand's cold-pressed oils.
The Ordinary's best product for oily skin is Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, which not only treats acne but also controls oiliness and skin shine.
Yes! The correct order is to apply Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% first, and then follow with the moisturizer Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5. This combination of products is so common that several stores now sell bundles with the two together.
AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is a chemical exfoliant, with AHA and BHA acids in the formulation. It serves to remove impurities and dead skin cells. Can be used after facial soap and before serums and moisturizers.
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is a moisturizer composed of several hyaluronic acid molecules of different sizes. It serves to hydrate the skin, and works for both dry skin and oily and combination skin.
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